5 Best Sony TV Soundbars

Sony TVs are great for all the right reasons — amazing picture quality, seductive design, and durability.

And if you’ve been a user for some time now, you’d agree that they are worth every penny that sets them apart from TVs by other brands.

But as with other flatscreen TVs, your Sony TV can only give you so much in terms of sound output quality — no thanks to the flattened design that renders the built-in speakers unimpressive.

So, to get enhanced sound output quality from your Sony TV, you’d need to invest in the right Sony TV soundbar.

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Our Top 5 Best Sony TV Soundbars

Although just about any soundbar would give you far better sound quality than your traditional TV speaker system, not every soundbar on the market is a good match for Sony TVs.

In this post, we’d be looking at some of the best soundbars for Sony TV.

Our ranking is based on a thorough comparison as well as reviews by Sony TV users.

1. Sony HT-CT800 TV Soundbar - Best sound bar for Sony TV

Sony HT-CT800 has earned a high consumer rating in spite of its low price point which means you will be getting great value for the money.

Design

Sony is known for creating products with a design that falls somewhere between unassuming and simple elegance, and the Sony HT-CT800 isn’t any different.

It will sit under your TV away from sight unnoticed which is why the design doesn’t attempt to draw attention.

As soon as you wrap your hands around the soundbar, you’d notice it’s thinner than its rivals in the same category due to its curved design with has replaced height with depth.

Both the soundbar and wireless subwoofer have a matte black plastic finish that exudes a premium feel.

The product comes with a remote, wall mounting kit, a bracket, and a template, giving you the options of placing it on your wall or underneath the TV.

With a weight of about 30 pounds, the Sony HT-CT800 is moderately weighty and sturdy, so keep that in mind when looking for where to place it.

Features

The Sony HT-CT800 packs a couple of impressive features that are non-existent in models around its price point.

Foremost among these is that it comes with Google Home and Chromecast functionality that allows you to use your voice to control the soundbar as well as cast music, podcasts, or radio from your smartphone, tablet, or PC.

This makes for better streaming compared to what you can get using regular Bluetooth.

Additionally, this Sony TV Soundbar comes with Dolby True HD & DTS-HD Master Audio, all of which provide a modern multidimensional sound.

There’s also the 4K HDR capability for smart TV viewing and the Spotify Connect feature which allows you to stream directly from the app.

Performance: a very good Sony TV Soundbar

The performance of the Sony HT-CT800 is top-notch as it produces loud, clear, and well-distinguished sound to make the listening experience an enjoyable one.

The wireless subwoofer also does well as it delivers a spectacular amount of presence on the soundstage of a comparatively small device.

When used for the TV, it delivers clear sounds so you will never have to miss another word of dialogue, all thanks to the two levels of voice enhancement.

In all, the Sony TV Soundbar performed incredibly well with no sound distortion or noise.

Pros

• Affordable
• Comes with Google Home
• 4K HDR compatibility
• Sturdy

Cons

• Bass output is a little too strong (you’ll find this cool if you’re a stickler for strong bass, though).

 

2. Samsung 2.1 Channel 200 Watt Sony TV Soundbar

Samsung’s HW-R450 is a superb entry-level soundbar targeted at those who want better TV sounds without all breaking the bank.

It delivers dynamic sound and a strong set of features to make for a terrific budget soundbar.

Design

A lot of things are unique about this budget soundbar and one of them is the design.

Most soundbars are usually curved but Samsung designed this model to be a simple rectangular bar with a neutral black finish.

The simple, low-key design is ideal since it’s meant to be discreetly placed in front of the TV.

It is entirely covered in black metal which screams premium.

At 908mm wide, you won’t have issues looking for where to keep it as most TVs will easily dwarf soundbars of that measurement.

The product comprises the Sony TV Soundbar and a wireless subwoofer which can be wall-mounted or placed on a flat surface.

The most notable sockets on the rear of the soundbar are the HDMI input and output which lets you pass through 4K and 3D pictures from a Blu-ray deck.

 Features

The Samsung’s HW-R450 comes with Bluetooth connectivity so you can stream music from your smartphone or tablet.

While the downside to it is that the connectivity might not be as flawless as WiFi, the Bluetooth option makes it easy to set up the soundbar.

Another feature you will find is the usual array of Sound Effect EQ presets which include Standard, Music, Clear, Sports, Night, and movie, all of which are meant to optimize the sound output for the best experience.

There’s also a smart sound technology that can auto-detect what you’re watching and adjust the sound settings accordingly.

Performance

Hooked up via optical or SoundConnect, the Samsung’s HW-R450 produces clear sounds that help users go beyond what they can see to experience powerful sounds with clear tones and deep bass.

It can handle pretty much anything you throw at it by optimizing the sounds and ensuring dialogue remains loud and lively.

Whether you’re watching movies or listening to music, the Sony TV Soundbar gives an immersive sound while also adding punch to dramatic moments.

In all, the Samsung’s HW-R450 delivered musical energy in spades such that one needs to be reminded that this is an entry-level product.

Pros

• Smart, low-key design
• Loud and lively sound
• Solid bass and clear dialogue

Cons

• No WiFi or multiroom
• Can sound harsh sometimes
• Bass lacks slam and definition

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3. JBL Bar 5.1 Sony TV Soundbar

The JBL Bar 5.1 is a good choice for those who want to upgrade their TV’s sound quality without breaking the bank.

This affordable system delivers great design, sound clarity, and thumping action audio to make for one of the best soundbars on the market.

Design: an elegant Sony TV sound bar

A sleek and elegant design isn’t something to expect from the JBL Bar 5.1 as it comes in a shade of dark grey which makes it easy for it to be unnoticed.

To be apt, it’s aesthetically unobtrusive just like most soundbars out there.

The system comprises a center channel and a 250mm wireless subwoofer which delivers amazing 4K HDR vocal clarity.

The top of the Sony TV Soundbar features buttons for power, volume controls, the sound source, and a couple of connection options.

On the rear, you will get a number of input ports for HDMI, USB, Optical, and Aux.

By using the Audio Return Channel (ARC) HDMI, you can get the sound and images to your TV with just one HDMI lead.

Features

JBL Sound Shift is one of the features you will get on the JBL Bar 5.1 which allows you to instantly switch between sound from your TV to sound from your mobile phone or tablet, and vice versa.

It also has Dolby Atmos support so you can immerse yourself in best-in-class surround sound.

And to optimize your listening experience, the soundbar comes with five modes for you to choose from including Standard, Movie, Music, Voice, and sports.

To further tailor the sound to your preference, you can adjust the bass levels and surround sound effect.

An additional feature is the compatibility of the Sony TV Soundbar with all remotes, meaning you can use your existing remote to control the soundbar.

Performance

As you’d expect from a reputable name in the sound business, the sound quality of the JBL Bar 5.1 is good enough to make the list.

The audio quality in movie mode provides a sense of home cinema as the dialogue is clear through the high-mids and highs.

When used to listen to music, the audio quality is sharp, detailed, and powerful.

Bass lovers will not be disappointed here but you can adjust the bass levels if it’s too intense for you.

The JBL Bar 5.1 sounds fantastic irrespective of the mode you select.

Pros

• 4K HDR sound output
• Dolby Atmos support
• Adjustable bass levels

Cons

• No DTS support
• Sound can get coarse

 

4. Bose Soundbar 700 For Sony TV Soundbar

Bose is not a strange name to most audiophiles due to the quality products they’ve released for five decades, and their reputation shines once again through the Bose Soundbar 700.

Designed to be the world’s best soundbar at the time of release, this product is impressive as it is an all-round soundbar which also functions as a smart speaker.

Design

The Bose Soundbar 700 has an upscale design that’s simply classy.

It has a sturdy metal construction with a sleek, tempered glass top panel.

It is available in two colors – black and arctic white.

The tempered glass gathers dust easily, so a microfiber cleaning cloth is included in the box for that purpose.

A metal grille runs around the front and side of the Sony TV Soundbar to protect the drivers.

Measuring a little less than 40 inches, Bose Soundbar 700 pairs well with a 45 to 55-inch television as it may seem overwhelming under a smaller TV.

There’s an array of buttons for controls on the front and a multitude of ports on the rear such as optical input, four 3.5mmm jacks, an eight-pin power connector, and so on.

Overall, the design of the soundbar is elegant and it is extremely well-built.

Features: a must-have Sony TV sound bar

The Bose Soundbar 700 is a feature-rich product as it comes with Amazon’s Alexa so you can link your Amazon account through the Bose Music app.

This allows you to ask Alexa to turn on your TV or any other task you want to be done.

To help know when the virtual assistant is listening, you’d find a soft-tone LED between the glass and metal grilled.

The Sony TV Soundbar is also equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy connectivity from all devices.

The major drawback here is the lack of Dolby Atmos support.

Performance: one of the best Sony soundbars for TV

This soundbar is a top performer, thanks to the many features it’s packed with.

For example, there’s the PhaseGuide feature that simulates surround effects by reflecting sound around your room while the automatic calibration adjusts the sound based on your room’s size and shape.

It gives clear sounds in movies to provide a cinematic experience while the musical output sounds clean.

To simply put, the Bose Soundbar 700 delivers quality sounds that guarantee clear on-screen dialogue, reduces distortion, and widens the sound field.

Definitely a must-have Sony TV soundbar!

Pros

• Elegant design
• Upgradable
• Great sound output
• Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant

Cons

• No support for Dolby Atmos
• Alexa voice controls can get buggy at times
• Oversized remote
• Expensive

 

5. Sony’s X9000F 2.1 Sony TV Soundbar

Sony’s X9000F 2.1 might be a pricey soundbar but you will be getting an exceptional piece of equipment that offers Dolby’s spatial Atmos on top of dealing exceptionally well with more conventional surround sound.

Design

The build quality and design of the X9000F 2.1 is exceptional as it was built to match the appearance of Sony’s high-end BRAVIA X900F.

It has a non-descript professional aesthetic that pairs nicely with essentially any large TV while the build has a low center of gravity that prevents the Sony TV Soundbar from getting knocked out easily.

It measures 930mm long and only 58mm high.

The package includes a subwoofer that’s less compact and is a little heavy, weighing 7.8kg.

There’s no need for touch buttons as it also comes with a comprehensive half-size remote, which you can use to sync with a Sony TV.

For inputs, there’s a single HDMI socket and a matching HDMI output socket for connecting to your TV.

Other inputs include an optical digital audio input, a 3.5mm stereo analog audio input, and a USB socket for playing back music on memory sticks.

Features

The X9000F has many attractive features such as the “vertical S” button which can help deliver three-dimensional soundscapes by emulating 7.1.2 surround sound.

It also is also compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X which presents loud, full, and sub-supported sound output.

It also allows the pass-through of 4K and HDR content.

It comes with seven sound modes for movies, music, gaming, news, sports, and so on, so you can optimize your media experiences.

For example, the movie mode helps to create cinema-like sounds while the music mode enhances the vividness of songs so you can hear every detail.

The game mode offers a soundstage with a better sense of distance and motion while the news mode buries the background sound so you can hear human voices clearly.

Performance: best soundbar for Sony TV

The sound frequencies that often suffer in most soundbars are the bass tones but the X9000F performs well in this regard.

The Sony TV Soundbar may have only two channels but it sounds like a complete multi-channel system due to its excellent Vertical Surround Engine.

It also comes with a voice enhancement feature that subtly enhances conversations, so you hear clear and distinct voices.

As far as loudness goes, the X9000F has a maximum power output of 300 watts.

Pros

• Seven sound modes
• Three dimensional sound output

Cons

• No vertical surround
• Doesn’t fill large rooms
• No way to connect Bluetooth headphones