The soundbar is not a novel idea. It has grown extremely popular in recent years because it is less expensive and more convenient than a standard surround sound speaker system. There are a lot of soundbars out there and they all sound better than the TV sound you presently have. But finding the greatest soundbar might be difficult with so many options available. Keep reading as we reveal some of our favorite Sony soundbars (media bar).
Sony HT-S350
The Sony HT-S350 is an excellent entry-level soundbar for anyone interested in improving their TV audio. It is a terrific way to dip your toes into the world of more immersive home audio if you have never had a soundbar before and are not sure how much usage you will get out of one. This two-channel audio system comes with all the features including a strong Wireless subwoofer and S Force PRO Front Surround for an intense audio experience. The soundbar is 64mm tall, so it fits under most TVs and may even be placed on the wall if necessary.
The HT-S350 is simple to use thanks to the included remote. When it comes to EQ modes, you can change them according to what you are seeing or listening to. Cinema, music, auto sound, voice, and night are among the modes available. There are a few other options behind the volume controls, such as subwoofer volume controls and a mute button, as well as some more ambiguous buttons like news, music, sports, games, and standard.
This sound bar’s wireless connectivity also allows you to stream music from your gaming laptop or even your smartphone like Sony Xperia or iPhone to your TV over your home Wi-Fi network. If you live in a tiny space, this soundbar is perfect for you because it has enough power (340W) offering you the upgrade you need without disturbing your neighbors. Moreover, the low-cost appeals to college students or anyone on a tight budget. The HT-S350 is a solid soundbar with ample volume for most people. It does not, however, support DTS or Atmos.
Sony HT-G700
The Sony HT-G700 is a soundbar released last year with 3.1 channels. With Sony’s own Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force Pro Front Surround technology, it allows the 3.1 system to supports Dolby Atmos (in both Dolby Digital Plus and True HD formats) and DTS:X through its dedicated HDMI input. These are designed to fill a space with sound, but they are not dependent on sound bouncing off the walls, therefore their performance is potentially less dependent on room size and shape.
The soundbar will send 4K HDR (including Dolby Vision) signals to the TV. Even though it has a very boomy sound profile, it features seven EQ presets that can improve your audio experience based on the type of content you listen to. It can fill a huge room or a busy area. There is a ‘News’ EQ option as well that can help the bar improve your experience even more and you can broadcast your favorite podcasts or audiobooks to the bar via Bluetooth. The good news is that you can use an HDMI cable to connect the soundbar to your PlayStation 5 for richer sound effects and deeper bass.
Other than that, the HT-G700 boasts a special night mode that suppresses bass and dynamics briefly to avoid bothering your other family members. But it is not all good news. For this soundbar, the Voices are a touch muted and lower, and the specific Voice mode, which is supposed to amplify the conversation, does not help. When the action picks up, things get a little jumbled and difficult to follow. Nevertheless, the Sony is the soundbar to get if you want a massive and room-filling Atmos scale.
Sony HT-A7000
The HT-A7000 is about as technologically advanced and future-proof as soundbars get. This Dolby Atmos soundbar bundles two up-firing speakers, two beam tweeters, five front-facing drivers, and a built-in dual subwoofer into a single chassis, making it a 7.1.2 slab of sound. Two HDMI in, one HDMI out, analog, and optical audio inputs, a USB Type-A port, and power are all located on the back panel.
The Sony HT-A700 produces a broad and high soundstage, whether you are watching immersive content or not, thanks to its mix of driver positioning. It is different from having direct audio from a speaker above or to the side, but it is effective and visually appealing, adding to the whole viewing experience. The A7000 excels in terms of audio formats supported, including Dolby Atmos (in both Digital+ and TrueHD versions), DTS:X, LPCM, hi-res wireless audio, and Sony 360 Reality Audio.
Other than its ability to connect to your Google Home or Amazon Alexa systems, the HT-A7000 comes with AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect. You can also connect a set of Bluetooth headphones to the soundbar and listen to it that way. If you want to plug in a drive containing your FLAC collection or whatever local audio you want to listen to, there is a USB port. The Sony HT-A7000 may be a little pricey for some but it is a fantastic, powerful soundbar that is on the same level as other soundbars on the market.