Sony HT-X8500

The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar generally receives positive reviews for its sound quality. Reviewers praise its clarity, particularly for dialogue and TV shows, thanks to its enhancement feature that improves vocal clarity. The soundbar reproduces voices clearly and enhances clarity in dialogue-centric content.

However, the bass performance is considered average, lacking deep, thumping bass and sub-bass. While it may not be as powerful as a dedicated subwoofer, it still provides a decent amount of impact for movies and games. The soundstage of the HT-X8500 receives mixed reviews, with some finding it mediocre and others praising its wide and immersive performance, especially when playing Dolby Atmos and DTS:X movies.

For music, the soundbar has a boxy and dark sound profile but can still reproduce vocals and lead instruments clearly. Its strong mid-range is particularly good for communication, making it suitable for music with vocals. It has a bass adjustment feature to customize the sound for different genres and preferences, but lacks treble adjustment or graphic EQ.

The Sony HT-X8500 is suitable for larger rooms with high ceilings due to its 2. 1ch configuration that emulates 7. 1. 2 surround sound. It uses Sony's "Vertical Surround Engine" processing to simulate a full 7. 1. 2 system and add surround sound and height effects. This helps fill the space with more immersive sound.

The compact design of the soundbar and its centrally mounted twin drivers eliminate the need for an external subwoofer, minimizing clutter in the room. It also supports Atmos and has EQ presets, HDMI ARC and HDMI IN ports, and supports common audio formats and eARC, contributing to a more immersive sound experience in larger room setups.

The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar offers a range of connectivity options, including HDMI, optical, and Bluetooth. It features HDMI input and output ports, with support for eARC/ARC and 4K HDR pass-through. This allows you to connect the soundbar to your TV and enjoy enhanced audio quality while passing the video signal through to your TV.

The HDMI connectivity also allows you to connect other devices, such as a Blu-ray player or gaming console, directly to the soundbar for audio playback.

In addition to HDMI, the soundbar has an optical audio input, providing another option for connecting your TV or other digital audio devices. It also supports Bluetooth 5. 0 technology, allowing you to wirelessly stream audio from your smartphone or tablet to the soundbar.

However, it's important to note that the HT-X8500 does not have Wi-Fi, Chromecast, or AirPlay support. It also does not support simultaneous Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections to multiple devices.

Overall, the Sony HT-X8500 soundbar offers a versatile range of connectivity options, making it suitable for various home entertainment setups. Whether you want to connect your TV, external devices, or stream audio wirelessly, the HT-X8500 provides the necessary connectivity options to meet your needs.

The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar is compatible with a wide range of TVs, particularly those with a screen size of 40 inches or larger. However, it may have difficulties fitting between the legs of most 55 inch TVs, so placement should be considered carefully. The soundbar is compatible with TVs that have HDMI, HDMI ARC, optical audio, or USB ports.

The soundbar also has Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to wirelessly stream sounds from their smartphones or tablets. This provides a convenient way to play music or other audio from mobile devices.

In terms of streaming services, the Sony HT-X8500 is compatible with various platforms that offer Dolby Digital and DTS content, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Hulu. Users can enjoy immersive audio experiences while streaming movies, TV shows, and other content from these services.

However, the soundbar does not support voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. If voice assistant compatibility is a priority, an alternative like the Yamaha YAS-109 may be a better option.

In terms of device compatibility, the Sony HT-X8500 can be connected to TVs, Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and media players that support HDMI connectivity. It also supports optical input, allowing connection to older TVs, DVD players, and digital audio devices.

The soundbar supports all common audio formats through its HDMI ARC and HDMI IN ports, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices.

Overall, the Sony HT-X8500 offers versatile connectivity options and is compatible with most modern audio and video devices, making it a suitable choice for enhancing the audio experience of TVs and other devices.

The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar has a sleek and modern design that would fit well in any average household. It is a long and narrow soundbar with dimensions of 890 x 64 x 96mm (35. 04 x 2. 52 x 3. 78 inches), making it compact and unobtrusive. The soundbar is designed to blend seamlessly with your TV setup, with a long and slim rectangle shape.

It is wide enough to neatly fit under 40-inch or slightly larger televisions.

The soundbar is available in black, giving it a timeless and versatile look. It is predominantly made of plastic, but features a metal grille on the front face and faux-leather covering on the top face, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication.

The use of good quality plastic ensures durability and a mid-range price tag. The integration of subwoofers into the bar leads to two ports found on each side of the soundbar.

In terms of functionality, the soundbar has touch-sensitive buttons located on its top panel for power, source selection, Bluetooth, and volume control. It also features six indicator lights that light up for various settings, providing visual cues for different modes and sources being used.

However, it lacks a display, which may be considered a disadvantage for some.

The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar's design and aesthetic features make it suitable for various home decor styles. Its compact size and black color allow it to fit well in smaller spaces or setups where space is limited. The plain-looking design and minimalistic aesthetics make it blend easily with different home decor styles without being visually intrusive.

The rolled grille, grey trim, metal grille, and faux-leather top add touches of elegance, sophistication, and luxury to the soundbar's design. The LED indicator lights provide a modern and futuristic element.

Overall, the Sony HT-X8500 soundbar offers a sleek, compact, and versatile design that can complement various home decor styles. It is suitable for both modern and traditional interiors, making it a great addition to any average household.

The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar offers a range of features that enhance the audio experience for different types of content. It uses the Vertical Surround Engine technology to create a virtual surround sound effect, simulating a 7. 1. 2 surround sound system. This is particularly beneficial for watching movies or playing games, as it provides an immersive audio experience.

The soundbar also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which further enhances the 3D sound experience.

One standout feature of the HT-X8500 is its dual built-in subwoofers, which deliver deep bass without the need for a separate subwoofer unit. This is convenient for those who want to enhance the low-frequency sound without additional equipment. The soundbar also offers several sound enhancement modes, including Cinema, News, Music, Game, and Sport, allowing users to optimize the audio performance for different types of content.

In terms of setup, the soundbar has a slim and low-profile design that complements any TV. It can be easily integrated into an AV system with HDMI and optical inputs, and the one-cable HDMI eARC ensures a simple and high-quality connection to the TV.

The package includes all the necessary accessories for setup, such as a remote control, HDMI cable, and instruction manual.

Overall, the Sony HT-X8500 soundbar is a versatile option for enhancing the audio experience. Its virtual surround sound technology, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, dual built-in subwoofers, and sound enhancement modes make it suitable for various use cases, including watching movies, playing games, and listening to music.

The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar has a strong brand reputation in the audio market. Sony is a well-known and reputable brand that has been producing high-quality audio products for many years. They are known for their commitment to innovation and technological advancements in the industry.

Many consumers trust Sony for their audio needs and consider their products to be reliable and of superior quality.

The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar has received positive reviews for its audio performance and features. It is praised for its sound quality, with reviewers noting that it delivers clear and immersive sound. The soundbar also offers various connectivity options, including Bluetooth, making it versatile for wireless playback.

However, there are some customer complaints and issues with the Sony HT-X8500. Some users have reported experiencing no sound at times, and others have found the sound performance to be mediocre, lacking standout features. There have also been complaints about the lack of bass at high volumes and the controls and lack of a screen on the soundbar.

Despite these complaints, the overall customer satisfaction and loyalty for the Sony HT-X8500 soundbar is high. The consumer score for the product is 8. 3, indicating that users are generally satisfied with its performance and features. The positive reviews and recommendations from various sources further support the loyalty of customers to this soundbar.

In summary, the Sony HT-X8500 soundbar has a strong brand reputation and is generally well-regarded for its audio performance. It may be a suitable choice for those looking for a soundbar that delivers clear and immersive sound, with versatile connectivity options. However, it is important to consider the specific needs and preferences of the user before making a purchasing decision.