The Sony HT-S2000 is a simple 3.1 soundbar released in 2023. It includes a discrete center channel to improve vocal reproduction, as well as a subwoofer integrated into the bar itself. With a smaller and more compact design, it doesn't take up a lot of space in your living room, either. Plus, you can connect it to other Sony subwoofers and satellites for improved performance. This soundbar 'supports' many different audio formats, from 5.1 surround sound like Dolby Digital to lossless and object-based formats like Dolby Atmos. However, it has to downmix them to stereo to play them.
Our Verdict
The Sony HT-S2000 is decent for mixed usage. This simple 3.1 soundbar is a solid upgrade over your existing TV speakers, with support for many different audio formats you'll likely come across on different streaming platforms. Its discrete center channel improves vocal clarity in the mix, too. However, since it has to downmix height and surround sound formats into stereo to play them back, it can't provide a more immersive feel to your audio. It lacks low-bass, too, so you don't feel as much thump and rumble in action-packed movie scenes.
- Subwoofer level adjustment.
- Supports many different audio formats.
- Lacks low-bass.
- Downmixes height and surround sound to stereo.
The Sony HT-S2000 is good for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. This 3.1 soundbar comes with a discrete center channel designed to improve vocal clarity in the mix. With an even and balanced sound, voices are reproduced with detail, so it's easy to follow along with the conversations on screen. There's even a dialogue enhancement tool on hand, which is a nice touch. However, you're pretty limited in sound customization outside of that since the bar lacks bass and treble adjustments or a graphic EQ.
- Gets loud.
- Dialogue enhancement tool.
- No bass and treble adjustments.
The Sony S2000 is alright for music. Out-of-the-box, it offers a fairly even and balanced sound suitable for listening to most music genres. Voices and lead instruments are reproduced with clarity, too. However, like most bars with an integrated subwoofer, it lacks the deep thump and rumble that brings genres like EDM and hip-hop to life. There's no room correction tool, so it sounds a little different based on the acoustics of your space, and you're limited to a subwoofer level adjustment tool for manual customization.
- Subwoofer level adjustment.
- Gets loud.
- No bass and treble adjustments.
- Lacks low-bass.
The Sony S2000 is passable for movies. This simple 3.1 soundbar supports many of the audio formats commonly found on streaming platforms and Blu-rays, from Dolby Digital to Dolby Atmos. However, given its setup, it has to downmix this content into stereo sound to play it back. The resulting sound isn't as clear or as real as what you get with more premium setups, and sound effects don't stretch to the space around you for an immersive feel. The lack of low-bass is noticeable in some action-packed scenes, too.
- Gets loud.
- Supports many different audio formats.
- Lacks low-bass.
- Downmixes height and surround sound to stereo.
Changelog
- Updated Sep 20, 2024: Updated the Stereo Dynamics, Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibrations, and Surround 5.1 results with new methodology from Test Bench 1.3 and accompanying text. Added text to Audio Latency: ARC, Audio Latency: HDMI In, and Audio Latency: Optical boxes.
- Updated Sep 19, 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: Review published.
- Updated Jun 22, 2023: Early access published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Sony HT-S2000 is available in Black. You can see the label for the model we tested here.
If you come across another version of this soundbar, let us know in the forums so we can update our review.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The Sony HT-S2000 is a 3.1 setup released in 2023. As with other models, like the Sony HT-A5000 and the Sony HT-A3000, it has a virtual surround tool called Sound Field that's designed to provide a more immersive sound, even if it doesn't noticeably improve the sound in practice. It's designed to be a simple upgrade over your existing TV speakers, and while it doesn't provide as premium of an audio experience as more high-end models, its ability to reproduce lots of different audio formats helps it stand out from the crowd.
You can also check out our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best small soundbars, and the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.
The Sony HT-A3000 and the Sony HT-S2000 are both standalone 3.1 setups with similar overall performances. The HT-A3000 has a few extra features, as it supports more wireless playback options, and you can connect it to a compatible BRAVIA TV for its Acoustic Center Sync feature.
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 Sony HT-Z9F and the Sony HT-S2000 are both 3.1 soundbars with support for many different audio formats. The HT-Z9F is the better of the two, though, largely because it comes with a dedicated subwoofer for improved bass reproduction. It supports more wireless playback options, too, and since it comes with an HDMI input, you can use it for video passthrough, unlike the HT-S2000.
The Samsung HW-Q60B is a better 3.1 setup than the Sony HT-S2000. Since it comes with a dedicated subwoofer, it offers better bass reproduction. It comes with more features, too, such as a graphic EQ for sound customization and an HDMI input for video passthrough.
Test Results
