The best Sony soundbars should have low latency so that your audio and video are in sync as well as a good max volume for room-filling sound. But when buying your next one, you should know there is a problem of low quality or fake expert reviews. 91% of reviewers don’t actually test the soundbars and as a result you might end up buying the wrong one. That’s why we verify each of our 140+ soundbars as certified tested and shortlist the best 2 based on our True Score, a product rating system based on actual test data, expert and customer ratings. Remember, the best soundbar should offer a harmonious blend of design, performance, and user-friendliness.
Below is our list of the 2 best Sony soundbars. No matter what movie you watch or game you play, you’ll feel the “punch” of the onscreen action.
How Did We Rank the Best Sony Soundbars
We’ve redefined soundbar buying guides, setting us apart from any other site on the planet. Our unique approach combines in-house verification (when we can) with a comprehensive dataset from over 200+ trusted sites, focusing on key testing metrics (2 required, 2 nice to have) and 1 specification to rank the top-rated Sony soundbars and ensure our recommendations meet your specific needs. Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.
🛠️ Minimum Specifications
- Must be Sony
🧪 Test Criteria
- Total Harmonic Distortion: High-fidelity audio reproduction is ensured with total harmonic distortion (THD) kept below 1% at 80 decibels.
- Volume Output: Experience powerful and immersive sound performance with volume output surpassing 85 decibels.
👍 “Nice To Haves”
- Latency: With latency maintained under 100 milliseconds, data transmission or audio processing experiences minimal delay.
- Low-End Roll Off: A low-end roll-off of <45 Hz to ensure there is plenty of thump and rumble in the bass to enhance your music or movie-watching experience.
Latest Updates
- 04/09/2024: Published the list of best Sony soundbars based on our True Score system.
Top Sony Soundbars For 2024
Prices accurate at the time of publishing
To earn a place on our list, a Sony soundbar must meet our rigorous standards for audio performance and quality. Failure to meet these criteria means it won’t make the cut!
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Sony HT A5000
Ideal for gamers, the HT-A5000 offers ultra-low latency, premium Dolby Atmos support, and crisp audio. However, it has less bass unless an extra subwoofer is purchased.
True Score
828010Experts
881kCustomers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $202$999.99$798.00Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Impressive sound quality
- Great vocal clarity
- Robust wireless connectivity features
- Impressive latency performance
- Durable build quality and controls
- Disappointing surround sound
- Poor bass performance
Reasons to Avoid
- Lack of smart features
Specifications
Bluetooth Enabled Yes Depth 5.62" Dialogue Enhancement Feature Yes Energy Star Certified No Equalizer Settings Basic HDMI ARC Yes Height 2.75" Number of Audio Channels 5.1.2 Subwoofer Optional (sold separately) Surround Sound Supported Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa Wall Mountable Yes Weight 13.8 lbs Width 47.75" Wireless Connectivity Bluetooth Wireless Subwoofer Connectivity Yes Works With Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant Test Results
Low End Roll Off (Hz) 62.59 High End Roll Off (Hz) 18.51k Max Volume Test (db) 90.4 Latency (ms) 14 THD @ 80dB 0.38 All Retailers
$798.00$1,000Save $202Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes
$798.00$900Save $102Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No
$798.00$998Save $200Availability
In StockFree Shipping
$799.99$1,000Save $200Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No
Our Verdict
If you’re a gamer looking for minimal lag between what is happening on the screen and the output of your soundbar, the Sony HT A5000 has the lowest latency on our list, with just 14 ms of delay. This makes it a fantastic option, particularly for competitive gamers looking to cut down on delay in every single part of their experience, and the low delay is also great for watching concerts or movies full of fast-paced action. The soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, enhancing the surround sound experience and making you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action.
The soundbar also reaches a maximum volume of 90.4 dB, making it a great choice if you have a large living room or home theater where the sound needs to be spread out. With a best-in-class total harmonic distortion of 0.38, the A5000 also keeps distortion at a minimum, even when cranking the volume up.
It’s not just loud, either. The high-end roll-off at 18,510.99 Hz ensures that high-frequency sounds are crisp and clear, giving cymbals amazing clarity and presence and helping improve the overall “sparkling” quality of music. However, the A5000 falls a bit short in terms of the low-end roll-off, which starts at 62.59 Hz. This cuts down on the depth of bass compared to other soundbars, but a separate subwoofer is available for purchase if you prefer more bass.
Speed and clarity make the Sony HT A5000 attractive. It’s perfect for gaming and fast-paced content but also works great for watching sports and movies, as long as you don’t mind missing out a little in the bass department—or spending a little more on top of the already premium price tag to pick up the bass module to help fill out the low end with punchier, richer sound.
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Sony HT-S400
The HT-S400 delivers strong bass, high volume, and overall great value on a budget, making it perfect for casual entertainment and filling large rooms with sound.
True Score
80784Experts
863kCustomers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $42$299.99$258.00Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Offers a significant sound quality improvement over built-in TV speakers
- The included subwoofer delivers powerful bass
- Easy to set up
- A sleek and modern design
- Offers reliable Bluetooth connectivity
Reasons to Avoid
- Reported delays in volume adjustments
- No app for sound customization
- Poor surround sound performance
- Limited Bluetooth range
- Volume doesn’t adjust incrementally
Specifications
Bluetooth Enabled Yes Depth 3.5" Dialogue Enhancement Feature na Energy Star Certified No HDMI ARC Yes Height 2.6" Number of Audio Channels 2.1 Subwoofer Included Surround Sound Supported Virtual Surround Voice Assistant No Wall Mountable Yes Weight 5.5 lbs Width 35.5 Wireless Connectivity Bluetooth Wireless Subwoofer Connectivity Yes Works With n/a Test Results
Low End Roll Off (Hz) 44.3 High End Roll Off (Hz) 16.5k Max Volume Test (db) 92.8 Latency (ms) 79 THD @ 80dB 0.41 All Retailers
- $258.00$300Save $42
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes - $258.00$300Save $42
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No - $258.00$298Save $40
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
- $259.99$300Save $40
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No
Our Verdict
If you are looking for a budget soundbar that really gives the bass a rumbling punch at parties, then the Sony HT-S400 offers a best-in-class low-end roll-off at 44.3 Hz. This helps ensure everyone feels the music as much as they hear it and adds much-needed “oomph” to movies and games. With a high-end roll-off of 17,221.56 Hz, the ST-400 also delivers excellent treble response, giving bird chirps and the sounds of cymbals necessary airiness and clarity.
The soundbar is also great for pseudo-outdoor usage, thanks to its maximum volume of 92 dB. When you turn the volume up, you don’t have to worry about the sound becoming distorted and ruining the vibe, thanks to its total harmonic distortion of 0.41.
The only real drawback is the soundbar’s latency, which stands at 79 ms. This is generally good enough for almost any music you listen to or movies you watch, but competitive gamers might find the delay annoying. The latency will be unnoticeable if you’re more casual with your gaming. The inclusion of a subwoofer and virtual surround sound further enhances the HT-S400’s value, providing a comprehensive audio solution within a single purchase.
For Sony fans on a budget looking to get the most for their dollar, the ST-400 is hard to argue against. It comes with its own subwoofer, so you don’t have to pay extra for one and delivers great bass and excellent volume for the money. Whether you’re using it for gaming, movies, or music, the HT-S400’s performance and affordability make it a sound investment.
Our Approach to Evaluating Sony Soundbars
We’ve revolutionized soundbar buying guides, distinguishing ourselves from any other website on the planet. Our innovative methodology relies on a comprehensive dataset sourced from trusted sites, emphasizing crucial testing metrics such as volume output, total harmonic distortion, latency, and low-end roll-off.
We gather and analyze data to tailor our recommendations to individual needs, especially when it comes to Sony soundbars. This involves choosing models renowned for outstanding audio quality for watching movies, TV shows or playing video games. Discover our data-driven approach for precise and reliable soundbar suggestions.
Which Criteria Matters for Best Sony Soundbars
By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 2 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these soundbars and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a soundbar that will sound great.
| CRITERIA | RANGE | REQUIRED | DEFINITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Harmonic Distortion | < 1 | Yes | The amount of distortion introduced by the soundbar when it processes an audio signal at a given volume (typically 80, 85 or maximum dB output.) |
| Max Volume | > 85 dB | Yes | The maximum volume that a soundbar reaches when it’s output it turned up to 100%. |
| Low End Roll Off | < 45 Hz | No (nice to have) | The point at which bass begins to sharply fall below the target response point on a frequency response graph, making harder to hear. |
| Latency | < 100 ms | No (nice to have) | The time it takes for a soundbar to process audio signal from a source and output it through the speakers. |
Our Trusted Data Sources
(Publication category Score is 80%+)
We looked at 120+ soundbar reviewers and while 10 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Score), we only use data from the testers that are “very trusted” which means a Trust Score above 70%. The three we have listed below are our most trusted for soundbars.
Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every soundbar review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Scores from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.
Soundbars Test Data & Results
1. total harmonic distortion test result
harmonic distortion
< 1
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: The amount of distortion that exists in an audio signal when it is played back at a target volume.
Units of Measurement: None or %
Tools to Measure: Audio Analyzer
Why It’s Important:
High levels of distortion ruin audio quality. Keeping distortion low helps keep music accurate and high-fidelity.
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) measures the fidelity of soundbars by indicating the percentage of unwanted harmonics added to the original audio. A THD under 1 ensures minimal distortion, critical for preserving audio quality across music, movies and games. This low distortion level enhances clarity, maintains detail, and ensures a high-fidelity listening experience, crucial for understanding dialogues, appreciating music nuances, and immersing in game sounds.
We believe soundbars should have less than 1% THD because this helps confirm their ability to accurately reproduce a wide range of audio without perceptible distortion. We say “perceptible” because it’s impossible to remove all distortion, but you can reduce it to the point it’s impossible to notice. Low THD also helps improve your comfort by preventing fatigue during extended use, making it an essential for anyone that marathons movies, games or music.
Total Harmonic Distortion (lower is better)
2. max volume test result
max volume
>85 dB
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: The maximum volume that a soundbar is able to hit when the output is turned all the way up.
Units of Measurement: dB (Decibels)
Tools to Measure: Sound level or decibel meter
Why It’s Important:
Max volume is how you ensure you’ve got enough volume to fill large rooms and helps ensure clarity at normal listening levels.
Maximum volume is the easiest aspect of a soundbar to understand: it’s just how loud the soundbar itself will actually get. What’s less clear is why a soundbar getting loud is so important. While higher max volumes give you the ability the fill rooms with sound or use a soundbar as makeshift party speakers, they’re also responsible for helping ensure that audio stays clear when listening at normal listening levels.
This is commonly referred to as “headroom”, and having enough headroom on a soundbar means that the soundbar is able to play back sounds at a high enough level (and with good enough clarity) that the volume level you’ll normally listen to music, movies or games with will sound perfectly clear and distortion free. We recommend your soundbar have no less than 85 dB of maximum volume, but getting past 91 dB is ideal, and the higher you go, the better your soundbar is at filling larger and larger rooms.
Max Volume (in dB; higher is better)
3. Low end roll off test result
When it comes to getting the most bass you can out of your soundbar, low-end roll off is a great indicator of just how deep the bass on it can get. If a soundbar doesn’t have a roll off that starts deep enough into the bass part of the audio spectrum, then it’ll result in quiet or even absent bass, which removes most of the punch and impact of not only music, but also movies and video games. the longer it takes bass to roll off, the better.
When it comes to most soundbars for most use cases, we recommend a roll off that doesn’t start until at least 45 Hz, but it only gets better the further you go down. It’s worth noting that the roll off will only get so low, so don’t expect to find soundbars hitting the teens for roll off, but it isn’t uncommon for very bass-forward options to hit 30 Hz before roll off starts. By aiming for at least 45 Hz, you have a much better chance of getting the deep, rumbling bass you’re looking for out of your music, movies or games.
Low end roll off
< 45 Hz
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: The point at which bass begins to sharply decline and becomes rapidly inaudible.
Units of Measurement: Hz (Hertz)
Tools to Measure: Oscilloscope
Why It’s Important:
If bass takes longer to start rolling off, it’ll generally be more present in the audible parts of the audio spectrum put out by a soundbar, giving sound “punch” and “depth.”
Low end roll off (in Hz; lower is better)
4. latency test result
Large amounts of latency create problems when trying to sync up audio and video. While you’ve got a bit of wiggle room with how much of a delay can exist between the audio that comes out of your soundbar and the images on your TV, it’s not a ton. If there’s too much latency the mismatch starts to become obvious, and people start looking like they stopped talking while dialogue is still playing. This is especially concerning for gamers, who rely on audio and video to sync up well enough that the footprints you hear around the corner are accurately getting closer.
It’s for these reasons we recommend a latency less than 100 ms. For most content, this is a low enough delay that any mismatch is going to be largely unnoticed. If you’re a highly competitive gamer and don’t want to do calibration out of the box to line up the A/V, the lowest latency you can find is going to work best. For music and moves, though, 100 ms or less will work great.
latency
< 100 ms
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: Time it takes for the soundbar to process and produce the sound it receives from the source
Units of Measurement: milliseconds (ms)
Tools to Measure: Software
Why It’s Important:
Long delays create mismatches between audio and video, which breaks immersion and frustrates gamers.
Latency (in milliseconds; lower is better)
Best Sony Soundbars: Mistakes To Avoid
- Neglecting Compatibility: Ensure that the soundbar is compatible with your existing audio setup, including your TV and other devices, to avoid compatibility issues and ensure seamless integration. Knowing how to connect a soundbar properly is also crucial, as it involves understanding the various connection options, such as HDMI, optical cables, or Bluetooth, to ensure seamless integration with your TV and other devices.
- Overlooking Room Size: Consider the size and layout of your room when selecting a soundbar. A soundbar that is too small may not fill a large space adequately, while one that is too large may overwhelm a smaller room. Proper soundbar placement is essential for achieving the best audio experience; it should be positioned centrally below your TV, ensuring it’s neither too close to the floor nor too high up to maintain sound clarity and direction.
- Ignoring Connectivity Options: Check the connectivity options of the soundbar to ensure it meets your needs. Whether you prefer Bluetooth, HDMI, optical, or other connections, make sure the soundbar has the necessary ports and features to connect to your devices. For avid gamers, finding the best gaming soundbar can significantly enhance your gaming experience with immersive audio that brings games to life, especially when the soundbar is equipped with features like surround sound and low latency modes.
- Not Considering Audio Features: Look beyond just the brand name and price and pay attention to the specific audio features of the soundbar. Consider factors such as sound quality, virtual surround sound capabilities, built-in equalizers, and additional audio enhancement technologies to ensure you get the best audio experience for your needs and preferences. Finding the best soundbar for dialogue with advanced clarity and speech enhancement features is crucial for those who prioritize clear conversations in movies and TV shows. However, if a cinematic audio experience is what you’re after, the top 5.1 soundbar can provide an immersive surround sound setup, bringing theater-quality sound into your home with its multi-speaker configuration.
Best Sony Soundbars Tests Compared
Product |
True Score
|
Low-End Roll Off
|
High-End Roll Off
|
Max Volume
|
Total Harmonic Distortion
|
Latency
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 |
|
|
|
|
|  $798.00 $1,000 $202 |
| 80 |
|
|
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| $258.00 $300 $42 |
