Sony HT-G700  Soundbar Review

Reviewed Jul 09, 2020 at 08:42am
Writing modified Jan 29, 2024 at 08:44am
Tested using Methodology v1.3 
Sony HT-G700

Track

0.0
Mixed Usage 
0.0
Dialogue/TV Shows 
0.0
Music 
0.0
Movies 

Track

 1

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

0.0
Mixed Usage 

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.

Pros
  • Seven EQ presets available.
  • Can play Atmos and DTS content.
  • Can get very loud.
Cons
  • No room correction feature.
  • Lacks low-bass.
  • No graphic EQ.
0.0
Dialogue/TV Shows 

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.

Pros
  • Dialogue enhancement feature available through EQ presets.
  • Bluetooth compatible.
Cons
  • No room correction feature.
0.0
Music 

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.

Pros
  • Seven EQ presets available.
  • Can get very loud.
Cons
  • No room correction feature.
  • Lacks low-bass.
  • No graphic EQ.
0.0
Movies 

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.

Pros
  • Seven EQ presets available.
  • Can play Atmos and DTS content.
  • Can get very loud.
Cons
  • No room correction feature.
  • Lacks low-bass.
  • No graphic EQ.
  • 0.0
    Mixed Usage
  • 0.0
    Dialogue/TV Shows
  • 0.0
    Music
  • 0.0
    Movies
  • Changelog

    1.  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.
    2.  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.
    3.  Updated Jun 28, 2023: Added a market comparison with the Sony HT-S2000 to the Style - Subwoofer box.
    4.  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.

    Sony HT-A5000

    Track

    The Sony HT-A5000 is a bit better than the Sony HT-G700. The HT-A5000 is a better-built 5.1.2 setup with a standalone design. It doesn't come with a sub like the 3.1 HT-G700. That said, the HT-A5000 has better soundstage and surround performances. It also comes with some more sound enhancement features, including room correction.

    Vizio M Series M512a-H6

    Track

    The Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is better than the Sony HT-G700. The Vizio is a 5.1.2 setup with dedicated satellites. It has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances, and it gets louder with less compression at max volume. Also, it can reproduce a more extended low-bass.

    Klipsch Cinema 600

    Track

    The Klipsch Cinema 600 is better than the Sony HT-G700 for most uses. The Klipsch has a better stereo soundstage, and it reproduces a more extended low-bass. Some listeners may also prefer its more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. However, the Sony is better built, and unlike the Klipsch, it supports Dolby Atmos content.

    Klipsch Cinema 400

    Track

    The Sony HT-G700 is better for mixed usage than the Klipsch Cinema 400. The Sony is a better built 3.1 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the Klipsch. It also has better center and surround performances. That said, the 2.1 Klipsch is still a solid choice for music and dialogue-centric content like TV shows. It can actually reproduce a more extended low-bass than the Sony.

    Show more 

    Test Results

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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style - Bar

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    Style - Subwoofer
    Sub Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Enclosure
    LockedLocked

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    Style - Satellites
    Satellite Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    Dimensions - Bar
    WidthLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HeightLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    DepthLockedLock" (Lock cm)

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    Dimensions - Subwoofer
    WidthLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HeightLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    DepthLockedLock" (Lock cm)

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    Dimensions - Satellites
    WidthLockedN/A
    HeightLockedN/A
    DepthLockedN/A

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    Mounting
    Mountable Bar
    LockedLocked
    Bar Brackets Included
    LockedLocked
    Mountable Satellites
    LockedLocked
    Satellite Brackets Included
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Build Quality

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    In The Box

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    Sound
    0.0
    Stereo Frequency Response
    Channels
    Locked3.1
    Tested Preset
    LockedLocked
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Standard Error
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    High-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock kHz

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    0.0
    Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    Suggested Preset
    LockedLocked
    Suggested Bass Setting
    LockedLock
    Suggested Treble Setting
    LockedN/A
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Standard Error
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    High-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock kHz
    0.0
    Stereo Soundstage
    Crosstalk Error
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Stereo Dynamics
    SPL @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB SPL
    DRC @ 90dB
    LockedLock dB
    DRC @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Center
    Localization
    LockedLocked
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    SPL @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Weighted THD @ 80dB
    LockedLock
    Weighted THD @ Max Volume
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Surround 5.1
    Localization
    LockedLocked
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    SPL @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Weighted THD @ 80dB
    LockedLock
    Weighted THD @ Max Volume
    LockedLock
    7.1 Rears
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Height (Atmos)
    Localization
    LockedLocked
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    SPL @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Weighted THD @ 80dB
    LockedLock
    Weighted THD @ Max Volume
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Sound Enhancement Features
    Room Correction
    LockedLocked
    Dialogue Enhancement
    LockedLocked
    Auto-Volume/Night Mode
    LockedLocked
    Subwoofer Level Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Bass Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Treble Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    Surround Level Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Rear Level Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Height Level Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity
    Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    Optical Audio In
    LockedLocked
    HDMI Out
    LockedLocked
    HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
    LockedLocked
    Full HDMI In
    LockedLocked
    Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
    LockedLocked
    RCA In
    LockedLocked
    USB for Files
    LockedLocked
    Ethernet
    LockedLocked
    Subwoofer Output
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    Dolby Atmos
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Digital
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Digital Plus
    LockedLocked
    Dolby TrueHD
    LockedLocked
    DTS
    LockedLocked
    DTS:X
    LockedLocked
    DTS-HD MA
    LockedLocked
    PCM Channels
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    Dolby Atmos
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Digital
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Digital Plus
    LockedLocked
    Dolby TrueHD
    LockedLocked
    DTS
    LockedLocked
    DTS:X
    LockedLocked
    DTS-HD MA
    LockedLocked
    PCM Channels
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Audio Format Support: Optical
    Dolby Digital
    LockedLocked
    DTS
    LockedLocked
    PCM Channels
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Audio Latency: ARC
    SAMPLE
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    Sony HT-G700 ARC Latency Video Sample
    PCM-2.0 ch
    LockedLock ms
    PCM-5.1 ch
    LockedLock ms
    Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
    LockedLock ms
    Dolby Digital
    LockedLock ms
    Dolby Digital Plus
    LockedLock ms
    Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Audio Latency: HDMI In
    SAMPLE
    JOIN NOW

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    Sony HT-G700 HDMI Latency Video Sample
    PCM-2.0 ch
    LockedLock ms
    PCM-5.1 ch
    LockedLock ms
    Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
    LockedLock ms
    Dolby Digital
    LockedLock ms
    Dolby Digital Plus
    LockedLock ms
    Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Audio Latency: Optical
    SAMPLE
    JOIN NOW

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    Sony HT-G700 Optical Latency Video Sample
    PCM-2.0 ch
    LockedLock ms
    Dolby Digital
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Video Passthrough To TV
    1080p Max Refresh Rate
    LockedLocked
    1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
    LockedLocked
    4k Max Refresh Rate
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
    LockedLocked
    8k Max Refresh Rate
    LockedLocked
    HDR10 Passthrough
    LockedLocked
    HDR10+ Passthrough
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Vision Passthrough
    LockedLocked
    HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
    LockedLocked
    FreeSync Passthrough
    LockedLocked
    G-SYNC Passthrough
    LockedLocked
    ALLM Passthrough
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Wireless Playback
    Bluetooth
    LockedLocked
    Wi-Fi Playback
    LockedLocked
    Chromecast built-in
    LockedLocked
    Apple AirPlay
    LockedLocked
    Spotify Connect
    LockedLocked

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    Additional Features
    Interface
    Display
    LockedLocked

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    Bar Controls

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    Remote

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    Voice Assistants Support
    Amazon Alexa
    LockedLocked
    Google Assistant
    LockedLocked
    Apple Siri
    LockedLocked
    Microphone Mute
    LockedLocked