The best Sony soundbar for any budget

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Any current TV can be improved with a soundbar, increasing the clarity of the dialogue, the power of the sound effects, and the allure of the music when you watch TV. Selecting the ideal bar is an almost necessary addition that can have a significant impact.

Over the years, we have tested hundreds of various soundbars in our test rooms and have seen firsthand how, in many aspects, they have caught up to full surround-sound systems. These days, if you want your favorite TV series and movies to sound better at home, a good soundbar is usually the best choice for most people.

Sony produces some of the greatest soundbars on the market right now, with many of their models providing an excellent Dolby Atmos experience at a reasonable price. When a user pairs a Sony bar with a Sony TV, they can additionally take advantage of some exclusive capabilities. While it shouldn’t deter you from choosing different TV and soundbar manufacturers, it is something to take into account.

You can be confident that whichever model you select is among the best since we have put up a list of the top Sony soundbars that our knowledgeable staff has tested and evaluated. Links to the best prices on purchases have also been provided. The Bravia Theatre Bar 9 and Theatre Bar 8 are two of the new alternatives available, so there’s a good chance these models will show up here once we have them in for testing.

With all of that said, let’s get started.

THE QUICK LIST

• BEST OVERALL: Sony HT-A7000
• BEST CHEAP ATMOS: Sony HT-S2000
• BEST STEP-UP ATMOS: Sony HT-A3000
• BEST MID-RANGE: Sony HT-A5000
• BEST CHEAP: Sony HT-SF150

(Image credit: Amazon)

1. Sony HT-A7000

This Award-winner impressed us with its room-filling Dolby Atmos sound.

Specifications

Connectivity: eARC, 2*HDMI 2.1, optical, USB, WiFi, Ethernet

Sound format support : Dolby Atmos/ Dolby AudioTM/ DTS:X/ DTS-HD/ PCM

Streaming : Chromecast, Bluetooth 5, Apple Airplay 2, WiFi

Voice control : Google Assistant, Alexa

Dimensions (hwd) : 8 x 130 x 14 cm

Weight: 8.7kg

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

The HT-A7000 features a dual subwoofer, two upfiring speakers, and a 7.1.2 channel layout. Additionally, it supports a variety of audio formats, such as DTS:X, LPCM, hi-res wireless audio, Sony 360 Reality Audio, and Dolby Atmos in both Digital+ and TrueHD forms.

There are a ton of streaming options available. Along with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home, supported devices include Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, and Google Chromecast. In the event that you own a Bravia TV, it also provides superb integration.

The performance is similar to the Sonos Arc in terms of height and accuracy, but the HT-A7000’s forward projection and soundstage width make it seem more realistic. There is an abundance of power, detail, and musicality—all of which are well managed.

Although Sony has a new flagship bar and it’s not the cheapest choice available, the HT-A7000 is still a fantastic all-in-one performer. Is it possible for the new Bravia Theatre Bar 9 to surpass it?

(Image credit: Reviewed.usatoday)

2. Sony HT-S2000

Sony’s budget Dolby Atmos soundbar is exceptional value for money

Specifications

Connectivity: HDMI out (eARC), Optical

Format support: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X

Streaming: Bluetooth 5.2

Voice control: None

Dimensions: 6.4 x 80 x 12cm (2.51″ x 31.5″ x 4.7″)

Weight: 3.7kg (8.1lbs)

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

A straightforward 3.1 soundbar, the Sony HT-S2000 was introduced in 2023. It has an inbuilt subwoofer and a separate center channel for better vocal reproduction in the bar. It also takes up less space in your living area because to its more compact and smaller form. Furthermore, it may be linked to additional Sony satellites and subwoofers for enhanced functionality. This soundbar’supports’ a wide range of audio codecs, including object-based and lossless formats like Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround sound like Dolby Digital. To play them, though, it must downmix them to stereo.

(Image credit: Pocket-lint)

3. Sony HT-A3000

Cinematic sound and Dolby Atmos at an affordable price.

Specifications

Connectivity: eARC, optical, USB

Sound format support: Dolby Atmos/ DTS:X/ DTS-HD/ PCM

Streaming : Chromecast, Bluetooth 5, Apple Airplay 2, WiFi

Voice control: Alexa, Google Assistant

Dimensions (hwd): 6.4 x 95 x 13cm

Weight: 4.6kg

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

The HT-A series’ smallest and least expensive model is the A3000. Some parts have been trimmed, however Dolby Atmos is still present. For instance, no extra HDMI ports or upward-firing drivers are present.

It has a smooth black plastic construction with delicate copper accents, which are some of the same basic design concepts as the more expensive bars in the collection. Along with a remote control, there are capacitive touch controls for volume control, Bluetooth, power, input, and streaming.

It far surpasses the size of the Sonos Beam and is fairly huge for a mid-range model. In addition to Dolby Atmos, it supports a variety of audio formats, including DTS:X, Dolby Digital, and Sony 360 Reality Audio.

Natural sounding effects are incorporated into the mix. It doesn’t project sound as far into the room as we would want, but it tries for virtual surround effects and the simulation of height channels despite the lack of upward-firing drivers. We have a hint if you want to improve dialogue: turn off Sound Field. This will flatten the audio and reduce the soundstage.

(Image credit: Whathifi)

4. Sony HT-A5000

Can Sony bring its A-game to this mid-range Dolby Atmos soundbar?

Specifications

Connectivity: eARC, 1x HDMI 2.1, optical, USB

Sound format support: Dolby Atmos/ Dolby AudioTM/ DTS:X/ DTS-HD/ PCM

Streaming : Chromecast, Bluetooth 5, Apple Airplay 2, WiFi

Voice control: Alexa, Google Assistant

Dimensions (hwd): 6.7 x 121 x 14cm

Weight: 6.1kg

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Even if the new Bravia Theatre Bar 8 has replaced it and doesn’t have the same star power as the award-winning A7000, Sony’s A5000 soundbar still delivers better sound quality than a lot of its competitors.

It is packed with features, such as a hefty remote, Bluetooth 5.0, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect, as well as an HDMI 2.1 passthrough connector for gamers.

Even while the A7000 performs a far better job of portraying above height effects like helicopters, we believe that the A5000 is superb at clearly presenting finer details. Rich and well-presented, the sound maintains its poise as its volume increases.

The Sony HT-A5000 is a great and reasonably priced all-in-one sound system, but it lags behind class leaders like the Sonos Arc because to its lackluster height drivers. We’re interested to see how the recently opened Bravia Theatre Bar 8 stacks up.

(Image credit: Whathifi)

5. Sony HT-SF150

This cheap Sony soundbar is a solid step up from your TV’s speakers.

Specifications

Sound formats: Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual mono, LPCM 2ch

Connectivity : HDMI, optical, USB, ARC

Streaming: Bluetooth version 4.2

Dimensions: 6.4 x 8.8 x 90cm (HxWxD)

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

Sony’s reasonably priced SF150 soundbar is an amazing value for the money if you want to enhance the sound quality of your TV with the least amount of fuss; in fact, there are very few other bars that are worth the money at this price point.

Despite being significantly less expensive than the products on this list, the SF150 is a well-made speaker that would not seem out of place placed beneath a high-end TV. It features an optical input, HDMI ARC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual mono, and LPCM 2ch compatibility. Additionally, there is Bluetooth 4.2 and a USB connector for audio streaming.

With Sony’s S-Force Front Surround technology, the SF150 soundbar creates the illusion of a more immersive sound stage. It doesn’t exactly replace true surround sound, of course, but it does give any audio a striking feeling of weight and separation.

Although there are more melodic soundbars on our list and occasionally unclear language, the SF150 is still a good choice if you’re on a tight price.

Also consider

Sony HT-G700: With its large sound and affordable price, the G700 isn’t the tiniest soundbar. Although it costs more than the SF-150, you get a solid Dolby Atmos soundtrack and a large subwoofer that gives powerful explosions plenty of weight. However, a minor loss of clarity and the lack of music-streaming capabilities are drawbacks.

How to choose the best Sony soundbar for you

From entry-level to high-end versions, Sony has a large assortment of soundbars, some of which work well with more recent Bravia TVs. When selecting the ideal bar for you, there are other factors besides price to consider.

The first thing you should do is plan the location of your soundbar. Make sure to take into account if there is room for it beneath your TV and, in the event that it cannot, whether your TV unit has a slot big enough for it. (However, keep in mind that since the drivers will be obstructed, you won’t be able to use this if you want one that mimics overhead speakers by shooting some of the sounds upward.) If your TV is mounted on the wall, you also have the option of mounting the soundbar in the same way.

The S-Force Pro Front Surround technology included in the majority of Sony soundbars simulates surround sound. Additionally, more costly models come equipped with capabilities like voice commands, Chromecast for wireless streaming, advanced gaming features, more spectacular vertical effects, 4K and HDR passthrough, and more. Make sure the soundbar you purchase supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, two multi-directional sound codecs that try to replicate a 3D audio experience similar to what you might hear in a movie theater, if you want the most immersive sound experience possible.

It’s crucial to consider the number of HDMI ports you’ll need. Make sure the model you select can accommodate your Blu-Ray player, gaming console, TV, and other media devices. Check if your favorite streaming provider (Spotify Connect, Tidal, Deezer, etc.) is supported if you plan to use the soundbar for music as well.

After selecting the soundbar that best suits your needs, you can view our setup instructions.

How we test Sony soundbars

Sony soundbars are tested in one of our cutting-edge locations in Bath, Reading, or London, just like every other product that enters the Trusty Picked headquarters.

Our in-house reviewers link each Sony soundbar with a suitable reference TV as part of a rigorous testing procedure to make sure everything is calibrated properly. Following a time of running in, which helps the components to become more flexible, every soundbar is tested with a variety of films and television shows, ranging from high-budget action flicks to more intimate dramas with voluminous conversation. Every supported audio format is thoroughly tested, including normal stereo decoding and extended 3D sound. normal music playing across a range of genres is also thoroughly tested.

Since Trusty Picked favors comparison testing, no product is ever examined in isolation. We’ve compared all of the aforementioned Sony soundbars to both the newest What Hi-Fi? Award winners and their class-leading competitors, so you can always be sure of what’s excellent and what goes above and beyond to become the best.

Every review is the product of a collaborative choice; none are written in a vacuum. This insures that each review is as thorough as possible and makes sure that no personal preferences are given undue weight. You can trust that all What Hi-Fi? reviews are objective and truthful because the editorial team determines ratings independently, without the involvement of our sales team or public relations representatives.

FAQ

How do I connect a Sony soundbar to my TV?

Regardless of the brand, every soundbar has an optical input that you can use to connect it straight to your TV, but many now also feature HDMI ports. The corresponding cables aren’t usually included in the box, so you might have to bring them yourself.

Is ARC or optical better?

If your TV has an ARC (or eARC) connection, use it to get the most out of your Sony soundbar as optical cables do not support the entire range of audio formats. Make sure you have enough HDMI sockets to plug anything else in because this will use up one of them. Additionally, you may use the primary TV remote to operate the soundbar. This is the ideal approach to connect a soundbar in terms of sound quality, but you may read our tutorial for a detailed explanation of HDMI ARC and eARC.

However, there are some possible drawbacks to it. There may occasionally be a slight but audible latency when using HMDI ARC/eARC. This can typically be resolved by restricting the codecs you use or modifying the delay, however the latter may make it unnecessary to purchase such a powerful soundbar in the first place.

Do I need a Sony TV to get the best out of a Sony soundbar?

Although you can use a Sony soundbar without a Sony TV, you can employ Acoustic Center Sync—which uses the TV’s built-in speakers as part of the center channel to increase conversation clarity—if you connect an HT-A7000, HT-A5000, or HT-A3000 to some Bravias.