The Sony HT-G700 is a 3.1 channel soundbar from 2020. It can support all common audio formats via its HDMI ARC and Full HDMI In ports, and if you like to watch movies, it can also play Dolby Atmos content, but it has to downmix it into stereo. Although it has a fairly boomy sound profile, there are seven EQ presets available that can enhance your audio experience, depending on what kind of content you like to listen to. It can also get pretty loud, but there's a lot of thumping and compression at max volume, which is disappointing.
Our Verdict
The Sony HT-G700 is satisfactory for mixed use. Its boomy sound profile lacks a thumpy low-bass, which some listeners may find disappointing, especially if you're a fan of EDM or action movies. However, if you prefer a different sound, it has a few EQ presets available, which is nice. This soundbar can also reproduce voices accurately and clearly, so you can catch every line of your favorite soap operas or podcasts. It can also get loud enough to fill a large or crowded room.
- Seven EQ presets available.
- Can play Atmos and DTS content.
- Can get very loud.
- No room correction feature.
- Lacks low-bass.
- No graphic EQ.
The Sony HT-G700 is great for dialogue and TV shows. Even though it has a boomy sound profile, it can still produce voices clearly and accurately. It can get loud enough to fill a large room or crowded environment, and there's also a dialogue enhancement feature to make voices more clear. You can also use Bluetooth to stream your favorite podcasts or audiobooks to the bar.
- Dialogue enhancement feature available through EQ presets.
- Bluetooth compatible.
- No room correction feature.
The Sony HT-G700 is decent for music. It has a boomy sound profile with a touch of brightness. While it also lacks low-bass, there's a dedicated 'Music' EQ preset that can help enhance your audio experience. An 'Auto Sound' EQ preset allows the soundbar to automatically adjust its sound profile to better suit your audio.
- Seven EQ presets available.
- Can get very loud.
- No room correction feature.
- Lacks low-bass.
- No graphic EQ.
The Sony HT-G700 is decent for movies. While it has a subwoofer, it lacks low-bass, which can impact the immersiveness of your favorite action flicks. Luckily, there's a 'Cinema' EQ preset to help enhance your experience. There's also an 'Auto Sound' EQ preset that automatically adjusts the sound profile to better suit your audio. It supports Dolby Atmos, but it has to downmix surround content into stereo. It also supports DTS content, which is nice if you watch a lot of Blu-rays or stream movies.
- Seven EQ presets available.
- Can play Atmos and DTS content.
- Can get very loud.
- No room correction feature.
- Lacks low-bass.
- No graphic EQ.
Changelog
- Updated Jan 29, 2024: Updated text in Stereo Dynamics, Audio Latency: ARC, Audio Latency: HDMI In, and Audio Latency: Optical boxes with new methodology from TBU 1.3. Some updates to the usages to be in line with these results.
- Updated Jan 29, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench Update 1.3. If applicable, we've retested stereo sound based on the manufacturer's recommendations. Additionally, we've expanded our audio latency tests to the following boxes: Audio Latency: ARC, Audio Latency: HDMI In, and Audio Latency: Optical. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Jun 28, 2023: Added a market comparison with the Sony HT-S2000 to the Style - Subwoofer box.
- Updated Jun 07, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.2. Updated the results for audio format support via ARC/eARC, HDMI In, and Optical. Added Video Passthrough to TV results as well.
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Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The Sony HT-G700 is a 3.1 channel soundbar from Sony's 2020 lineup. Unlike most other 3.1 setups, it can simulate an Atmos experience by using Sony's Vertical Surround Engine to downmix this content into stereo. Just like the Sony HT-Z9F, it also supports DTS content using its HDMI ARC port, as well as HDR10 passthrough. However, it's also not compatible with the Sony Music Center app.
If you're looking for more soundbars, check out our recommendations for the best Sony soundbars, the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, and the best soundbars with subwoofer.
The Sony HT-G700 is a better 3.1 soundbar than the Sony HT-S2000. The HT-G700 has a dedicated subwoofer, offering better bass reproduction. Plus, it has an HDMI input for video passthrough, unlike the HT-S2000. Its stereo soundstage and stereo dynamics performances aren't as good as the HT-S2000. The HT-S2000 is a good alternative if you don't have room for a subwoofer in your living room.
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a bit better than the Sony HT-G700. Both soundbars have similar Atmos performances, but the Sonos has better soundstage and surround performances. Also, the 5.0 Sonos is better built and has built-in voice assistant support. The 3.1 Sony has a dedicated sub, meaning it can reproduce a slightly more extended low-bass. Unlike the Sonos, it has a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.
The Samsung HW-B650 and the Sony HT-G700 are two very different 3.1 bars. The Sony is unique, with Dolby Atmos support to let you take advantage of more immersive object-based formats. That said, it has to downmix this audio into surround, which doesn't sound very immersive. The Samsung is the better choice for stereo content, with more bass right out of the box and a wider array of sound enhancement features. It has less compression at max volume, too.
The Sony HT-G700 is better than the Sony HT-S400. The HT-G700 is a 3.1 bar with a discrete center channel to improve vocal clarity. Also, it supports Dolby Atmos content, so you can take advantage of more immersive object-based formats often found on streaming platforms. It's better built, too.
Test Results
