May 14, 2019; New products; Sony’s HTX8500 TV soundbar delivers a top-notch Atmos experience from a compact package.. The most sonically successful product in this ‘home cinema without the home cinema’ category is the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar, which combines simplicity with cinematic ability. However, it is closer in size and price to the less highly-specified Sonos Beam. Sony’s soundbar simulates both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X in height, thus giving an extra dimension to the soundscape. The Sony HT-ZF9 can also be upgraded, with a pair of wireless rear speakers, the optional SA-Z9R. Sony has detailed pricing on one of the sound bars announced at CES 2019 --  the HT-S350 -- while the Dolby Atmos X8500 is yet to receive a release date. 5 star 62% This is a speaker that disappears in the broad, tall soundfield it creates. This isn’t a clear system, and we frequently find ourselves referring to the Sony’s manual in order to see which settings and features are currently active. Review: Sony HT-XF9000. It won't offer a more immersive listening experience as higher-end models like the 7.1.2 Sony HT-ST5000, which is compatible with Atmos. Yes, it works. Sony once again flexes its processing might with its latest soundbar, the HT-Z9F. Sony HT-X8500 performance – Inspired Vertical Surround Engine is authentically filmic Very quickly, the HT-X8500 demonstrates an ability to cast … The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar is a simple, yet effective audio upgrade for any home entertainment... By Trusted Reviews on February 05, 2020 90 The HT-X8500 soundbar doesn't only … For a more premium setup, take a look at the more high-end 7.1.2 Sony HT-ST5000. The Sony HT-XT1 under-HDTV speaker system adds audio power and extra HDMI ports to your television, but its performance is underwhelming. Sony doesn’t say much about the tech inside the units. But if your sound system budget doesn’t stretch to £2000-plus, the Sony HT-X8500 is aiming to be the soundbar for you. The sound doesn’t stretch right around the listening position, stopping a few feet into the room, but for the price and the size of the unit, the precision, openness and three-dimensionality of the presentation is impressive. Sony didn't announce any "smart" audio products at the show, unlike LG and Klipsch with their smart sound bars. Wall-mounting is made cheap and easy by the integrated wall fi… Spatially, effects are easily distinguished, but tonally and rhythmically they make much less sense. Sony HT-X9000F - sound bar system - for home theater - wireless overview and full product specs on CNET. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Mercedes-Benz design chief Gorden Wagener on the EQS' Hyperscreen: 'Bigger the better', How to watch CNET's livestream on the first day of CES 2021, Discuss: Sony's 'dumb' HT-S350 sound bar coming soon for $280, Vaccine seems to fight coronavirus variants. Yamaha’s subwoofer-less YAS-109 soundbar brings a noticeable sonic upgrade to smaller rooms, and with great features and Amazon Alexa built … The HT-S350 comes with a wireless subwoofer. The latter is less compact at 190mm wide, 382mm tall and 387mm deep. While the Sony HT-X8500 will give your TV a sonic boost, it’s far from the best upgrade you can make at this price. We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read. The HT-ZF9 measures about a metre long, with a removable grill to hide its drivers. There’s also USB, 3.5mm and digital optical inputs as well as an ethernet connection. © — With support for Dolby Atmos, Sony has something to prove with this soundbar. The set up to our Sony TV was plug and play out of the box and easy to synch with SkyQ. Sony Support Sound Bars & Home Theater Systems HT-X8500 2.1ch Dolby Atmos®/DTS:X® Single Soundbar with built-in subwoofer | HT-X8500 / Included components may vary by country or region of purchase: RMT-AH50IU , RMT-AH501U , RMT-AH501J Connectivity includes HDMI eARC support for compatible televisions such as the 2019 Sony range in addition to Bluetooth. Like most Sony soundbars, it has an always-on surround sound mode called S-Force Pro Front. Please refresh the page and try again. This logo should ensure it has the right specs, Best PS5 deals: save on consoles, accessories and bundles, PS5 stock and where to buy: latest PS5 restock details, Xbox Series X stock update: where to find the new Xbox, Best Xbox Series X deals: where to find Xbox Series X stock. Sony HT-X8500 Review: If Dolby Atmos is What You Need in Your Life, This is The Soundbar to Buy The Sony is 4K and Dolby Visioncompatible, so you’ll be able to plug your Blu-ray player and games console into it without problems. There’s no lack of heft and drama to those big explosions. The soundscape is huge on film, and the dialogue … The confluence of Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) and built-in streaming apps for TVs is a wonderful thing for those who want a stonking home cinema setup without umpteen boxes and enough cable-spaghetti to power Glastonbury. Pros Relatively affordable. The Sony HT-S350 soundbar delivers a wide range of audio modes and some serious thunder from its wireless subwoofer for a surprisingly affordable price. Slim and elegant Measuring just 890 x 64 x 96 mm, the HT-X8500 is slim, compact and unobtrusive, and complements your BRAVIA TV. Manufacturers appear to be moving away from the soundbar plus subwoofer arrangement in favour of single units – and that’s the approach Sony has taken here with the HT-X8500. 4.3 out of 5. Sony claims the HT-X8500 approximates a soundfield comparable to an Atmos 7.1.2 system, which is something of a stretch. Customer Questions & Answers See questions and answers. This is a big, open presentation with plenty of scale and atmosphere, but punch, attack and definition are lacking. On the upside, due to the dedicated center channel, voices and dialogue frequencies are accurate and clear. Few people are fans of digital surround sound solutions, because the sound often sounds messy and unpleasant. Visit our corporate site. It supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X signals sent to it via either the single HDMI input or the eARC feature of the HDMI output. CES 2021 FULL COVERAGE. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, Buying an 8K TV? Its rounded edges and fabric cover make it look as though it could belong to the Amazon Echo family, albeit once removed. The HT-Z9F is different than either 'bar from Sony or Samsung, because it’s a 3.1 model that snubs physical up-firing drivers. Like most Sony soundbars, it has an always-on surround sound mode called S-Force Pro Front designed for a more immersive listening experience. Manufacturers appear to be moving away from the soundbar plus subwoofer arrangement in favour of single units – and that’s the approach Sony has taken here with the HT-X8500. Best Speaker Picks The Best Computer Speakers for 2021 The only other connections are an optical input for those with TVs that don’t support ARC, and Bluetooth 5.0 for sending music wirelessly to the soundbar. Extra dimension in height. CES 2021. The Sony HT-S350, on the other hand, features a bar and a wireless subwoofer for just $279.99. That deep, weighty bass combines with strong dynamics to deliver convincing cinematic crescendos. Sony Electronics . Sony Sony has detailed pricing on one of the sound bars announced at CES 2019 -- the HT-S350 -- while the Dolby Atmos X8500 is … Sony HT-G700 review: Room-filling sound at a premium price. If you want a more complete setup with a dedicated subwoofer from Sony, check out the HT-S350 or the more high-end 7.1.2 HT-ST5000 setup for a more immersive experience. CES 2019: Every story so far: See all of CNET's coverage of the year's biggest tech show. We find 'Standard' produces the most favourable sound, while 'Cinema' is worth experimenting with if you’re looking for a little extra oomph. These characteristics make all the difference to this scene, with the soundtrack designed to amplify the fragility of the flying tin can in which the nervous young airmen approach their target, the wind noise and engine thrum expanding into the room to good effect. We think. Hooking these up creates a physical 5.1 … The sound bar also includes other sound options including Cinema Mode, Game Mode and vocal enhancement. 4.3 out of 5 stars. Bath is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. But, while it delivers big on specs, its core sound quality is a long way behind that of the Sonos Beam, which simply gets to the heart of your movie, TV show or favourite tune far more effectively. Thank you for signing up to What Hi-Fi?. Read more: Sony HT-X8500 Soundbar review [Update: Sony has released the follow up to the HT-X8500; the Sony HT-G700 comes with virtual Dolby Atmos and … Measuring 89cm across, it’s a wider soundbar than some, but it’s not especially tall or deep, which means it should sit happily in front of your TV without blocking signals from its remote control. You can reduce the bass, of course, but the result is a rather lightweight delivery that still lacks definition. Wall-mounting is made cheap and easy by the integrated wall fixings and supplied template. While there’s not a huge amount of room for creativity in the design of a soundbar – long and thin is almost a given – the YAS-209 is more stylish and fashionable than most. The TV will display 4K HDR content from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video while sending Dolby Atmos audio to the soundbar via a single cable. Like the Ambeo Soundbar, the HT-X8500 supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X via eARC and uses virtual surround sound to throw audio around the room. The HT-S350 will be available at the end of April, but the company hasn't announced pricing or availability for the X8500.Â, Originally published on Jan 7 2019 8:15 PM, Updated, April 18: Added pricing and availability for the HT-S350. All rights reserved. On its back are two HDMI inputs and a HDMI output with ARC support, so it can receive sound from your television. There was a problem. Strong home cinema specs and big scale sound are undermined by foggy audio quality. Dialogue suffers the most, with characters sounding muffled and unnatural, but there’s also a broad lack of crispness and clarity to proceedings. Sony HT-X8500 - sound bar - for TV - wireless Specs ... - CNET This 3.1 system setup has a good frequency response but slightly lacks sub-bass. Read full review here: https://bit.ly/2pp44x5Watch Part 1 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G5rpx8o57Q&t=41sLeave a thumbs up because that … The bar has a metal grille that can be easily removed as it's held in place by magnets. Not because the soundbar is unable to send such sound into the room. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. The rest of the bar is made of good quality plastic. COVID-19. The 7 best Sony Soundbars in 2021 ranked based on consumer reviews - Find consumer reviews on ProductReview.com.au, Australia's No.1 Opinion Site. It’s also quite heavy for this kind of unit, at 7.8 kilograms. Unlike competitors that now use DTS Virtual:X, the HT-S350 uses Sony's proprietary S-Force Pro Front Surround technology. Connect your TV and soundbar using a single HDMI cable, and you’re all set to go. — On the face of it, the Sony HT-X8500 is a 2.1-channel soundbar with a built-in subwoofer, but it promises a lot more — Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and virtual 7.1.2-channel surround sound are all … Meanwhile, the X8500 is a 2.1-channel single sound bar with dual built-in "subwoofers" and the ability to simulate Atmos effects with its Vertical Surround Engine. © 2021 CNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. We look back with mixed feelings on our experience with the X8500. The Sony HT-CT800 is an entry-level soundbar from 2017. Compared to the benchmark soundbar at this price, the Sonos Beam, the Yamaha is a fair bit wider (93cm to 65cm) but roughly the same heigh… Kicking off with the Dolby Atmos infused bombing run scene of Unbroken, the X8500 immediately impresses with the spaciousness of its delivery. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Sony HT-XF9000. Sony's Dolby Atmos soundbar is excellent for home theater and music even though it lacks "true" height effects. The Sony HT-S350's main competitors are the 2017 Sony HT-CT290, the Bose Solo 5, and the 2019 Yamaha YAS-209. No extra sources required, and no need to fill your lounge with speakers. It consists of a slim soundbar, measuring 930mm long but only 58mm high, and a subwoofer. On the contrary: the soundbar succeeds perfectly in moving the sound through the room. Bought the X8500 to replace older wired system and haven’t been disappointed. Here's what to expect. The $280 HT-S350 sound bar lacks any smart features (such as a voice assistant) but includes a wireless subwoofer and a claimed 320 watts of power. Amazon Influencer . The X8500’s lack of rhythmic precision and midrange clarity are yet more pronounced when we switch to music, with Phoebe Bridgers’ vocals sounding unnaturally thick, as if being weighed down. Despite the flaws in its sonic presentation, the Sony HT-X8500 is an undeniable sonic improvement over most flatscreen TVs, particularly in terms of delivering cinematic weight and spaciousness. The Sony HT-Z9F soundbar is a well-made soundbar system that feels a bit more premium than the Sony HT-X9000F or Vizio SB36312-G6. Onsite Associates Program . A mesh grille covers most of the front of the soundbar and curves around the corners and top edge. Sony calls the HT-X9000F a 2.1 channel unit. Customer reviews. You will receive a verification email shortly. Treble sparkles without ever sounding harsh and there’s more bass here than you would expect from a compact, one-box solution. Product review: Sony HTX8500 TV soundbar. This is a 2.1-channel setup, where the “.1” means there is also a dual subwoofer integrated within the slim confines of the Sony HT-X8500 soundbar. The HT-S350 comes with a wireless subwoofer. Best soundbars 2021: the best TV speakers you can buy. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. For those unaware, Dolby Atmos is an audio format that aims to add height effects in order to give you a 360-degree sound field. However, the quality is not always yours. The HT-X8500 has a powerful built-in dual subwoofer in the centre – so you can enjoy deep bass sound with minimal equipment cluttering up your living space. And that is actually … By dint of a torch and some careful peering through the fixed grills, I could determine that there are two oval s… When it comes to home cinema sound, Dolby Atmos is the buzzword these days. Live Stream. Sound is good in an average size living room and Bluetooth connection for music good too. CES 2019 schedule: It's six days of jam-packed events. Back to all Post sony ht x8500 review cnet November 11, 2020 by admin in Uncategorized by admin in Uncategorized The extremes of the frequency range are handled well, too. The Sony uses this seemingly modest speaker array to simulate a 7.1.2 speaker package. The Sony HT-S200F's main competitors are the Sony HT-S100F and the Bose Solo 5. The bundled remote control is a simple, stick-like affair with buttons to enable the various audio presets. 220 global ratings. It's a simple 2.1 setup that has a unique angled-design intended to make the soundstage vertically larger. So it's only natural to wonder whether a 2.1 system this affordable is going to be any good. The HT-X8500 doesn’t produce compelling overhead audio in … Customer Review: Sony HT-X8500 Dolby Atmos DTS:X Soundbar . England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Sony HT-X9000F review The Sony HT-X9000F soundbar is neat, but delivers decidedly average sonics Tested at £450 / $599 / AU$799 By Sound+Image 16 January 2019 Behind this sit the drivers – two for handling treble and midrange and two for bass frequencies – in a 2.1 arrangement. Yet Sony says it offers a soundfield akin to a 5.1.2 system. The 'Night' setting reduces dynamics and bass to help ensure that other family members aren’t woken up by the soundbar in the small hours. The sound bar also uses an HDMI ARC connection and carries Bluetooth. Sony unveiled pricing on its 320-watt HT-S350 sound bar, announced at CES, which will be hitting stores by the end of April. Sign up below to get the latest from What Hi-Fi?, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox! Measuring 89cm across, it’s a wider soundbar than some, but it’s not especially tall or deep, which means it should sit happily in front of your TV without blocking signals from its remote control. But the bass is also a problem – it overpowers the midrange, which is recessed in the mix. The general slickness of the whole system is let down by the lack of a display, with the tiny LEDs linked to specific features along the top of the soundbar instead responding to your button presses. The Beam also delivers an open, room-filling sound, even without Dolby Atmos. Sure, it comes with some caveats, but the $299 (£350, AU$599) HT-X8500 was among the best soundbars on the planet in 2019 – and it still deserves a place there in … See full review. What Hi-Fi? There is a clear limit on the range. But, while a decent home cinema soundbar on paper, the Sony HT-X8500 lacks the core sound quality to take advantage of its exciting specification. The Samsung HW-R650 is a decent overall soundbar. The Sony HT-X9000F is a 2.1 sound bar that simulates Dolby Atmos effects. Spotify and Google Chrome… BA1 1UA. Latter is less compact at 190mm wide, 382mm tall and 387mm deep fixings and supplied template to convincing... Its wireless subwoofer for a more immersive listening experience as higher-end models like the 7.1.2 Sony HT-ST5000 which... Take a look at the more high-end 7.1.2 Sony HT-ST5000 a bit more premium than the Sony soundbar. 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