Best Sony Soundbars

We’ve selected the best Sony soundbars for each price range to buy this year, to get home cinema surround sound, or just to enhance your TV sound.

Sony’s soundbar catalog is full of options on all price ranges, and it is worth dwelling on the numerous models offered by the Japanese brand to understand which one to buy according to different needs.

In the high-end range, from 1,000 to 2,000 dollars, we find Sony soundbars with truly excellent audio quality, some models have the possibility of expansion to a wireless home theater system, and the virtual surround capabilities for playing Dolby Atmos movies are actually good.

Between 400 and 1,000 dollars, Sony offers soundbars that sound good and with discrete virtual or real surround capabilities. Some models are in fact small real home cinema systems, consisting of soundbars, subwoofers, and rear speakers.

In the economic range under $400, once again we find different configuration proposals, both for those who want a single bar, with a subwoofer, or included in a 5.1 system.

In the ranking below, we see which are the best Sony soundbars to buy in 2022, from high-end to budget models.

1. Sony HT-A7000 with Subwoofer and Wireless Rear Speaker

Exceptional for immersion and audio quality, at a premium price

The best Sony soundbar ever is the HT-A7000, here proposed in the version with SA-SW3 Subwoofer and SA-RS3S rear wireless speakers. In this configuration, the soundbar allows for a 7.1.2 wireless home theater system, for immersive cinematic audio and listening to movies in Dolby Atmos and DTS: X.

We recommend it to those looking for a truly handsome model, and for those with no budget limits. If you want, you can also decide to take only the bar (without a sub and rear speakers), and then upgrade in the future.

The soundbar itself contains an internal speaker system positioned to bounce the sound off the walls of the room in which it is installed. It, therefore, makes sense to take this model if the home theater room has side walls close enough to the listening position, and the ceiling is not too high.

The technology used to calibrate the sound according to the room is 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, which creates a virtual effect thanks to which it will seem that the sound actually comes from above and from the sides, taking advantage of the bounces. In this way, the Sony soundbar is effectively able to realize the Dolby Atmos effect.

The wireless rear speakers(to be wired for the power supply anyway) will take care of the sounds coming from behind, and the sub will take care of the low frequencies. In all respects, the final sensation is remarkable, the dialogues are clear and clean, the sound effects are impactful and the audio immersion has little to envy to a real home theater system.

For those who love to customize the equalization manually, especially for listening to music, the model is perhaps less suitable, because it lacks the graphic equalizer function, and we note that the maximum volume does not reach the levels of other models (the Sonos Arc, for example, is more powerful). However, these are genuinely negligible technical refinements, the Sony HT-A7000 remains in any case a top choice in every sense.

Pros

• Truly immersive audio
• Rear wireless speakers
• Automatic volume adjustment function

Cons

• Price is not for everyone
• Maximum volume not very high
• Graphic EQ control absent

2. Sony HT-ST5000

A 7.1.2ch TV soundbar with wireless subwoofer

Among the high-end Sony soundbars, the HT-ST5000 offers a virtual 7.1.2 solution, only with a soundbar and a wireless subwoofer, and is suitable for those who want to avoid installing a home cinema system, still obtaining an immersive effect of quality.

The HT-ST5000 is the first soundbar produced by Sony to include Dolby Atmos compatibility, and the Atmos effect is created by the bar, which has an internal system of directional speakers that bounce the sound off the ceiling and sidewalls.

The feeling is actually convincing, although it’s not quite like having a real home theater system. The sound is full and detailed, with good bass presence, clear dialogue, and a good level of detail.

For correct installation, the initial setup allows you to define the distance of the bar from the ceiling (for the calibration of the Atmos effect) and from the listening position, both of the bar and of the subwoofer. This way you get an optimized sound depending on the room.

In connectivity, we find 3 HDMI input ports, one HDMI output with ARC, digital optical input, mini-jack analog input, LAN port, USB input for reading music files, Bluetooth wireless capability for streaming from a smartphone, and WiFi connectivity. There is also direct access to Spotify, via Spotify Connect, and the integrated Chromecast.

Ultimately, the Sony HT-ST5000 is a soundbar that has many positive features and offers good versatility. True the price is high-end, but we find it justified by the specs.

Pros

• Good immersion and virtual Atmos effect
• Complete connectivity
• High-level sound detail and low frequencies

Cons

• Lightweight high volume compression
• Lower surround effect than a real home theater

3. Sony HT-Z9F

The best Sony soundbar under $1,000

Going below the threshold of one thousand dollars, we find the Sony HT-Z9F soundbar, a model equipped with a soundbar and external subwoofer, which we recommend for obtaining a discreet Dolby Atmos effect, for watching movies and virtual sound immersion.

Great surround performance is not to be expected, as this is a 3.1 soundbar, with an integrated speaker system that is not as advanced as that of top-of-the-line models, such as the HT-A7000.

The sound result is however very appreciable, much better than the average soundbar on the market, and the recommended price (currently 800 dollars) is well compared to performance.

The initial menu is very intuitive, there are 3 options: watch, listen, and set up. The first allows you to choose between the TV (connectable via HDMI ARC) and the HDMI-in ports; the second allows you to choose whether to listen to music from Spotify Connect, Google Chromecast, USB, Bluetooth, or analog input; setup mode is for initial configuration.

The soundbar is obviously compatible with high resolution 4K format and is HDR pass-through, compatible with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. For viewing content from an external device, such as a BluRay player connected to the bar via HDMI, the HT-ZF9 will then be able to pass a high dynamic range video signal for optimal viewing on new generation TVs.

Pros

• Spacious audio
• Chromecast and Spotify Connect
• Intuitive menu

cons

• Only two HDMI inputs
• The three-dimensionality of the sound is not exceptional

4. Sony HT-G700

A good 3.1ch soundbar with wireless subwoofer

The Sony HT-G700 is the best price-quality soundbar for Sony Bravia TVs, since, at a list price of 450 dollars (often available on offer just over 300 dollars) it offers a much better sound than the integrated one of the TV, it offers a separate wireless subwoofer and allows discreetly immersive sound for watching movies in the living room.

Specifically for those who own a Bravia TV, it is possible to connect to the Bluetooth TV, if the TV supports the Bluetooth A2DP standard (here is the list of compatible Sony TV models).

What makes the three-dimensional sound possible are the “vertical surround engine” and “s-force pro” technologies. The first exploits the bounce of the ceiling to send the sound from above and re-create the Atmos effect, while the second allows the emanation of the lateral sound, to envelop the viewer as if there were side and rear speakers.

It goes without saying that the real effect is not at all the same as that of a serious home theater system, but the feeling is not bad, especially if you install the soundbar in a confined space, where the walls are a short distance from the station. vision.

The audio in general is good, especially thanks to the presence of the subwoofer which fills the low frequencies well, while the bar deals with the mid-highs. The voices are quite clear and the sound thickness is of quality, although we would have preferred greater clarity in the high frequencies.

In connectivity, the bar allows you to hook an external device input via HDMI, and the connection with the TV is via the HDMI ARC port. You can also use the optical audio input, or the Bluetooth connection to stream from a mobile device. There is no connectivity to the network, neither WiFi nor with a LAN cable.

Pros

• Virtual Dolby Atmos
• Deep bass thanks to the external sub
• Bluetooth

Cons

• Missing WiFi and network connector
• Less sound clarity than more expensive models
• One HDMI input

5. Sony HT-X8500

A good 2.1 channel solution with an integrated subwoofer

The HT-X8500 is a Sony soundbar with an integrated subwoofer, 2.1 channels, suitable for those looking for a quality price model, with a good presence sound, without having to install an external subwoofer.

The soundbar is 890mm wide, fits well on a TV 50 ” and above, has a fairly rich sound, and is much better than any TV. The bass is delivered by the internal subwoofer, positioned in the center of the soundbar, while the mid-highs are reproduced by the two front speakers.

Especially for watching TV programs and listening to radio programs, the Sony HT-X8500 does a good job of reproducing voice, particularly when we activate the Clear Voice function from the remote control.

For watching movies, even in this model, Sony offers the “vertical surround” and “s-force pro front surround” technologies for front surround sound, but you shouldn’t expect an exceptional immersive effect, because being composed with just two speakers, surround sound virtualization isn’t like that of more complex soundbars.

From the HDMI input port on the back, we can pass a 4K signal compatible with HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision, and for the connection to the TV, there is the HDMI eARC port that allows you to receive the sound directly from the TV. Then there is an optical port and the possibility of connecting an external device in Bluetooth for audio streaming.

Pros

• Compact size but with good bass
• All in all appreciable price-quality
• Dialogue enhancement function
• One HDMI input

Cons

• No USB
• No WiFi and LAN port

6. Sony HT-S40R

Sony’s best 5.1 soundbar

An excellent Sony soundbar proposal for those who want to create a small home theater system in the living room is the HT-S40R model, which at a list price of 400 dollars offers a three-channel soundbar, an external subwoofer, and two speakers. wireless surround back.

The 90 cm bar houses the right, left, and center channel, for good separation of the front sound, while the subwoofer, to be connected with a cable to the soundbar, is the central heart of the system. It is in fact on the back of the sub that we find the HDMI socket to connect the TV. Too bad the HDMI input port is missing, in fact here it is not possible to connect an external device directly to the soundbar.

Always the subwoofer will take care of sending the sound wirelessly to the wireless receiver that will be placed near the rear speakers, for the surround effect. On the back of the viewing station, it will therefore be sufficient to power the wireless receiver, which will then be connected by cable to the speakers. A rather clever solution that finds our approval.

Once installed, and it takes less than a quarter of an hour, you’ll have true 5.1 surround sound, with good output power. Sony does not make available the information concerning the power of the individual components but declares a total power of 600W of the whole system.

Pros

• True 5.1 surround
• Bluetooth 5.0 for audio streaming
• Wireless rear speakers (via a module)

Cons

• No HDMI input
• There is no support for Dolby Atmos

7. Sony HT-RT4

Wired 5.1 soundbar system for home theater

The Sony HT-RT4 is a system that includes a three-channel soundbar, a subwoofer, and two rear floor-standing speakers. This is a good solution for anyone looking to put together a decent-quality wired home cinema.

Similar to the Sony HT-S40R, the whole system allows to obtain a 600 Watt total system, to fill a medium-sized room well. Here, too, it is the subwoofer that acts as the central heart, with all connections arranged on the rear of the sub.

As Sony intends, this model is super easy to set up. Just place the various elements, connect the TV to the subwoofer via HDMI cable, and connect the soundbar and rear satellites to the subwoofer.

The system is compatible with Dolby Digital encoded contents, so it is possible to play a Dolby Surround movie without problems, with real positioning of the sounds within the three-dimensional audio space.

The HDMI input port is missing, for those who want to connect an external player or a console, it will be necessary to do it from the TV. However, there is Bluetooth connectivity, to stream audio from a smartphone, and a USB port for reading music files.

Pros

• Ease of installation
• Good value for money solution for real Dolby Digital 5.1
• Good audio power

Cons

• No HDMI input
• Lower sound quality than a premium home theater system
• Rear speakers to be connected via cable to the subwoofer

8. Sony HT-S350

Definitely the best budget Sony soundbar for Bravia TVs

Moving on to the simpler and cheaper Sony soundbars, the best in the 250 dollars price range is the Sony HT-S350. It is a model consisting of a soundbar and external subwoofer, quite recent (from 2019) suitable for those who want to improve the sound of their TV without overdoing it. It is often also available under 200 dollars, in which case it represents an excellent investment in quality price.

For those who own a Sony Bravia TV, with the HT-S350 Bluetooth soundbar you can connect without cables (make sure your TV has support for Bluetooth A2DP). In this way, we will be able to carry out a clean wall installation, without passing cables between the soundbar and the TV.

The subwoofer is wireless and takes care of adding a layer of low frequencies to the sound of movies and TV shows, for a good feeling of audio power.

The audio quality, in general, is appreciable, but it is not to be considered up to reproducing the sound of a film like in the cinema. For TV shows, music and radio, it does a good job of vocal emphasis and makes a great upgrade from the TV’s built-in speakers.

Pros

• Fair audio power (320W total)
• It excels above all in the reproduction of dialogues
• Bluetooth TV connection (with Bravia)

Cons

• Little surround effect
• Sound a little muddy in the chaotic scenes

9. Sony HT-S20R

Entry-level 5.1 home theater soundbar

We recommend the Sony HT-S20R soundbar for anyone who wants to put together a truly affordable Dolby surround system with a subwoofer. At a list price of 250 dollars, you take home a soundbar, a subwoofer, and two rear speakers.

The Sony HT-S20R model is similar to the HT-S40R in that it offers a true 5.1 home theater soundbar. The significantly lower price of the S20R is dictated by the fact that it lacks wireless connectivity for the surround satellites and the fact that the total power is 400 Watts (versus the S40R’s 600W).

Good presence of three clearly separated channels on the soundbar, to create a good sound separation of the front audio.

The subwoofer, as in the other Sony models of the same line, contains the amplifier and takes care of the connections. On the back of the sub, we can in fact find the HDMI port to connect the TV and the connectors for the speaker cables.

The system is compatible with Dolby Digital, therefore capable of decoding movies with real 5.1 signals, for an authentic surround effect. Obviously, given the lack of power, compared to a real home theater system, the impact is not spectacular, but enjoyable.

Pros

• Attractive price for 5.1 system
• Very easy to install
• Good yield

Cons

• No HDMI input
• Rear speakers to be connected via cable to the sub
• Limited audio power

10. Sony HT-SF150

Sony budget soundbar

The HT-SF150 is a very cheap and simple Sony soundbar, suitable for those who want to get a slight improvement in the audio generated by the TV. With this model, the dialogues will be clearer and the sound will be more direct.

All in all, the connectivity options are quite good. In addition to the HDMI connection with the TV, of the ARC type, we find the optical input port, the USB port to play audio files, and connectivity via Bluetooth to stream audio from the smartphone.

The internal structure of the soundbar offers two speakers, for a 2.0 two-channel configuration. From this soundbar, there is therefore no great presence of low frequencies to be expected, and no surround effect. In fact, even though Sony includes its S-Force technology here, the three-dimensional effect is practically absent.

Pros

• It is cheap
• Bluetooth and USB
• Effective for enhancing TV sound

Cons

• Limited capabilities
• Limited power
• Not great audio quality