- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Review Updates
- Comparison
- Best Soundbars
- Page Updates
- Conclusion
- Discussions
We've currently tested fifteen Sony soundbars. Sony produces sturdy, well-built soundbars. They tend to excel in dialogue reproduction, but their lack of sound enhancement features can be a drawback if you want a touch more bass or treble in your mix. As Sony produces soundbars at several price points, they can range in features.
Updates
- 07/12/2022 Sony HT-S400 reviewed
- 12/22/2021 Sony HT-X8500 updated
- 12/14/2021 Sony HT-S350 updated
- 12/09/2021 Sony HT-A5000 reviewed
- 11/10/2021 Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module reviewed
Best Sony Soundbars
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Best Sony Soundbar
Mixed Usage7.7Dialogue/TV Shows8.0Music7.4Movies7.6Channels7.1.2The best Sony soundbar we've tested is the Sony HT-A7000 with Speakers + Bass Module. This 7.1.2 setup gives you a versatile overall performance with everything from music to movies to TV shows, with lots of features on hand to make the most of its sound. As with most premium soundbars, there's a room correction feature to optimize the bar's audio reproduction based on the unique acoustics of your living space—it's called Sound Field Optimization. With it on, the bar's sound is fairly balanced, meaning everything from dialogue in your favorite movies to instruments in your favorite music are clear and accurate in the mix. The sub brings the rumble in the bass, too, so you feel the excitement in bass-heavy genres like EDM and action-heavy movies, just like you would at a movie theater.
This soundbar supports lots of common audio formats. You can enjoy 5.1 surround sound content like Dolby Digital, and the included rear speakers bring a clear and real feel to your audio, so sound effects seem like they're coming from the space around you. There's Dolby Atmos support, too, so you can take advantage of more immersive object-based formats commonly found on streaming services. That said, no soundbar is perfect. It's a really good choice, but it doesn't have a lot of options to customize its sound. Given its balanced sound out-of-the-box, you might have an issue—but if you love to control your bar's sound, you can check out more customizable setups like the Samsung HW-Q990B or the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module instead.
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Best Mid-Range Sony Soundbar
Mixed Usage7.4Dialogue/TV Shows7.7Music7.1Movies7.3Channels5.1.2If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, consider the Sony HT-A5000. It's a mid-range option released in 2021 as a more affordable alternative to the Sony HT-A7000. Its soundstage isn't as wide as the HT-A7000, so you don't quite get the same immersive feel, and it comes with one less HDMI port—otherwise, the bars perform very similarly. You get the same selection of sound enhancement features, including Sony's Sound Field Optimization room correction feature, and it supports Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos content just like its premium cousin. With its balanced sound, you don't have trouble following the action on your screen, as voices and lead instruments are clearly and accurately reproduced right out of the box.
A standalone soundbar like this is a great alternative if you don't have a lot of space in your setup. That said, if you use the soundbar on its own, there are some tradeoffs when it comes to the sound. First, you don't feel as much rumble in the low-bass, which is especially noticeable on bass-heavy soundtracks and action-centered scenes. Also, without rear satellites, you don't get the same life-like feel with surround sound content. Audio seems like it's coming from speakers placed in front of you rather than from all around you. What's handy about this setup is that you can always purchase a separate sub and satellites from the manufacturer separately, meaning if you move to a larger space down the line, you can upgrade it for a more cinematic sound. If you don't mind the same tradeoff on the soundstage performance, you may even find that this bar provides a better value overall.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Sony Soundbar
Mixed Usage7.2Dialogue/TV Shows7.9Music6.6Movies7.1Channels3.1Sony also has some soundbars available for more wallet-conscious shoppers, and the Sony HT-G700 is the best of the bunch. It's a 3.1 setup and comes with a well-built soundbar and subwoofer right out of the box. It has a fairly balanced sound, especially in the mids, so voices and lead instruments are clear and present. You get a little extra boom in the high-bass that brings a punchy feel to your audio. There are some EQ presets on hand to adjust its output and a subwoofer level adjustment tool. It's best suited for stereo content, which includes most TV shows and music, with a simple design for plug-and-play enjoyment.
Of course, compared to top-of-the-line picks, this soundbar isn't quite as versatile. Unlike the Sony HT-A5000, there's no room correction, for example, so it sounds a bit different depending on your space. Multi-channel movies like Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital don't sound quite as clear or real in the space around you, either, especially since Atmos content is downmixed into surround. Without satellites, you don't get the same feeling of sound effects stretching into the space around you. That said, if you mostly listen to stereo content, you'll likely find this bar is a better value. It gives you the flexibility to enjoy Dolby Atmos content every once in a while, without the premium price tag of top-of-the-line models designed for more avid movie lovers.
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Best Budget Sony Soundbar
Mixed Usage6.3Dialogue/TV Shows7.0Music6.6Movies5.7Channels2.1The best budget Sony soundbar that we've tested is the Sony HT-S200F. It's a 2.1 soundbar that serves as a simple upgrade over your TV speakers, with a small and compact design that fits easily into your existing setup without taking up much space. Since it's a standalone bar, you don't have to worry about placing a subwoofer in your living space. Overall, this bar is ideal for listening to stereo content. Its default sound is fairly balanced in the mids, so you get clear dialogue and instruments, and there's no issue following the action on your screen. It lacks a bit of bass and treble, resulting in a dark and muddy quality to the mix. While there are a few EQ presets and a bass adjustment tool, you don't have much control over its sound.
This soundbar is a more affordable alternative to the Sony HT-G700, but naturally, there's a performance trade-off. Without a subwoofer, you don't get as much rumble in the low-bass, and it's especially noticeable when you listen to bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. Also, the bar isn't suitable for watching movies, especially multi-channel offerings that are more and more common on streaming platforms. It doesn't support Dolby Atmos content, and its surround sound performance isn't very good, so you don't get much of an immersive feeling. That said, if you prefer to listen to stereo content, it's a marked improvement over your TV speakers at a more affordable price point.
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Best Sony Soundbar For Large Rooms
Mixed Usage7.4Dialogue/TV Shows7.5Music7.4Movies7.4Channels4.1.4The acoustics of your living space have an impact on the way you perceive the sound of your setup—and that's especially true for those who have larger, more open living spaces. Fortunately, some offerings out there are better suited to meet your needs, including the Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module. This 4.1.4 setup has a unique design that pushes the boundaries of our definition of the soundbar. It replaces the wide "bar" with a control box and two left and right stereo speakers, while its two satellites can be placed anywhere in your setup to stretch its sound around you. It gives you more flexibility than a traditional bar, as you can move each of the satellites to different locations based on your preferences.
The bar's soundstage is really wide and immersive, rivaling the performance of other top-of-the-line setups on the market. Sound stretches all around you as if your couch were dropped right into the middle of the action. The additional subwoofer brings more thump and punch in the bass range, so you feel your seat rumble during action-packed scenes. The Sound Field Optimization room correction feature is available, too. Unfortunately, the bar lacks a discrete center channel. Sony has a feature that lets you use a compatible BRAVIA TV as the bar's center channel, which they call Acoustic Center Sync. However, there's a noticeable difference in the volume level between the bar and the TV when you use this feature, so it's not ideal for enhancing sound quality. If you're a more casual listener, the holes in the soundstage aren't too noticeable, but it's worth mentioning for audiophiles who want the best possible experience.
Compared to other brands
- Well-built design. Sony soundbars have a generally sturdy build, thanks to their plastic and metal design.
- Good for dialogue. Most Sony soundbars are well-suited for dialogue content, especially when combined with their Dialogue Enhancement feature, and the audio produced is clear and accurate.
- Lacking sound enhancement features. Most Sony soundbars lack bass or treble adjustment, which can be less than ideal as some of these soundbars have a less than neutral sound profile. Sony only provides preset EQs, so you can't customize or fine-tune your audio experience the way you like. None of the Sony soundbars offer a room correction feature.
- Poor surround sound. All of the Sony soundbars we've tested tend to have inadequate surround sound, even with those that use Sony's S-Force Front Surround to simulate the experience.
Sony makes a wide range of soundbars at several price ranges, so it's easy to find one that works for your budget. Although this range is large and available features vary, Sony soundbars are generally well-built but ordinary in overall sound performance. When compared to Samsung soundbars, Sony isn't as well-rounded in performance. Some models can also struggle to produce a deep, rumbling bass suitable for movies or music. Since most Sony soundbars lack bass and treble adjustments, the basic preset EQ offered in their place may not be enough customization for some users. These soundbars are well-suited for dialogue-centric content and should be more than adequate for everyday use.
Recent Updates
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Aug 24, 2022: Altered category titles to reflect price-based article structure. Added the Sony HT-G700 as 'Best Lower Mid-Range'.
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May 12, 2022: No changes in product picks. Minor updates to the text after verifying their accuracy and availability.
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Jan 13, 2022: Replaced the Sony HT-ST5000 with the Sony HT-A7000 with Speakers + Bass Module as 'Best Soundbar'. Added the Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module as 'Best Immersive'. Added the Sony HT-A5000 as 'Best 5.1'.
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Oct 15, 2021: No changes in product picks. Minor updates to the text after verifying their accuracy and availability.
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Jun 17, 2021: Added the Sony HT-S200F as 'Best Budget' pick.
Conclusion
Sony is a well-known brand offering a variety of soundbars across several price points. Overall, they're sturdy and well-built. They're also well-suited for reproducing dialogue, which is great for your favorite TV shows and audiobooks. Unfortunately, if you don't like their default sound profile, Sony only provides EQ presets, making it challenging to fine-tune your audio experience.