ReviewFinder Sound Bars

Sony HT-S2000

🤖 Beep-boop. I can read reviews REALLY FAST and summarize. Do you have any questions about Sony HT-S2000?
Sound quality
Connectivity
Compatibility
Design
Features
Brand reputation
Expand

12 Verified Hands-On Reviews

To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.

Expert reviews [12]

80
Total expert reviews: 12
  • with a score: 3
  • without a score: 9
Highest score by TechRadar
90
Average score based on 12 reviews
80
Lowest score by Digital Trends
70

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
The Sony HT-S2000 is a solid 3.1 soundbar that offers improved vocal reproduction and a compact design. While it lacks sound customization options and strong bass, it is a decent upgrade over TV speakers and supports various audio formats.
+ pros
  • Improved vocal reproduction with a discrete center channel for dialogue-centric content like TV shows.
  • Compact design saves space in the living room and can be connected to other Sony subwoofers and satellites for enhanced performance.
  • Supports various audio formats, including Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos, for a solid upgrade over TV speakers.
  • Solid build quality with a metal grille in the front and a sturdy plastic construction.
  • Decent stereo frequency response and perceived wider soundstage.
  • Can reach high volumes without much distortion.
- cons
  • Lacks bass and treble adjustments or a graphic EQ for sound customization.
  • Lacks deep thump and rumble needed for genres like EDM and hip-hop in music playback.
  • Downmixes audio formats to stereo, resulting in less clear and immersive sound for movies.
  • Lack of low-bass is noticeable in action-packed scenes.
  • No room correction tool and limited customization options, with only a subwoofer level adjustment.
70
The Sony HT-S2000 is a compact soundbar that offers impressive virtual Dolby Atmos and powerful bass, making it a strong competitor to the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 and Sonos Beam Gen 2. While it lacks certain features like Wi-Fi and voice AI capabilities, its sleek design, easy setup, and excellent sound quality make it a solid choice for enhancing your TV experience.
+ pros
  • Convincing virtual Dolby Atmos and commanding bass for a single speaker - The soundbar delivers impressive virtual Dolby Atmos sound and powerful bass, enhancing the overall audio experience.
  • Easy setup and option to add wireless sub and surrounds later - The soundbar is easy to set up and offers the flexibility to expand the system with additional wireless subwoofers and surround speakers.
  • Sleek and minimalistic design with eco-friendly packaging - The soundbar has an attractive design and comes in eco-friendly packaging, adding to its appeal.
- cons
  • Lacks Wi-Fi, Ethernet, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and voice AI capabilities - The soundbar does not have built-in Wi-Fi, Ethernet, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, or voice AI capabilities, limiting its connectivity options.
  • Limited connections on the back panel - The soundbar has limited connection options on the back panel, including HDMI-ARC/eARC, optical, and a USB port.
  • Quirky Home Entertainment Connect app - The accompanying app for controlling the soundbar can be a bit quirky, although it is not necessary for basic operation.
  • Lack of EQ adjustments - The soundbar does not have EQ adjustments, limiting the ability to fine-tune the audio to personal preferences.
  • Limited functionality of the USB port - The USB port on the soundbar has limited functionality and is not recommended for playing music from a hard drive.
Show all 12 reviews
ReviewFinder: authentic product reviews summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar is highly praised for its sound quality, clarity, and dialogue reproduction, making it suitable for both music and movie playback in larger rooms with high ceilings.

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar is highly praised by experts for its sound quality, particularly in terms of clarity and dialogue reproduction. It delivers clear and detailed voices, making it easy to follow conversations on screen. The virtual surround capabilities also enhance the clarity of movie audio, creating an immersive experience.

The bass performance is considered better-than-average for an all-in-one soundbar, although adding a separate subwoofer can enhance the low-bass frequencies. The soundstage is praised for its wide and immersive experience, despite lacking upward-firing speakers.

The soundbar is suitable for both music and movie playback, providing warm stereo sound with adequate bass for music, and a wide soundstage with balanced bass for movies. It is recommended for larger rooms with high ceilings, as its power output, virtual surround experience, X-Balanced speaker units, and expandability options make it suitable for such environments.

In terms of connectivity, the soundbar offers Bluetooth 5. 2 connectivity, allowing for wireless music streaming from phones and other Bluetooth-enabled devices. It also has HDMI connectivity options, including an HDMI-eARC port that supports advanced audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

The setup process is simple, requiring connection to the TV's HDMI eARC (or ARC) port. However, it does not support simultaneous Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections to multiple devices, and it lacks extensive Wi-Fi streaming capabilities.

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar is highly compatible with a wide range of TVs, as long as they have either an HDMI (with eARC/ARC) or optical digital audio input. It is also compatible with smartphones through Bluetooth connectivity. However, it does not have built-in Wi-Fi or support for streaming services like Spotify or AirPlay.

It does not support voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant.

In terms of design, the soundbar has a sleek and compact rectangular shape with rounded corners. It is made mostly of plastic with metal grilles covering the drivers in the front. The build quality feels solid, and the metal grille adds a stylish touch. The controls are minimalistic and touch-enabled, and it has an alphanumeric front-panel display for easy monitoring and navigation of settings.

The soundbar's design is suitable for various home decor styles.

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar offers a range of features that enhance the audio experience, including virtual surround sound technologies, wireless surround sound capabilities, an intuitive app for setup and customization, dialogue enhancement, and flexible connectivity options. It is recommended for those looking to upgrade their home audio setup and enjoy a cinematic and immersive surround sound experience.

Overall, the Sony HT-S2000 soundbar has a favorable brand reputation and is well-received for its performance at its price point. It is recommended for users who prioritize immersive sound and clear dialogue in their audio experience, particularly in larger rooms with high ceilings.

Sound quality

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar receives positive reviews for its clear and detailed sound quality, immersive virtual surround capabilities, and wide soundstage, making it suitable for both music and movie playback in larger rooms with high ceilings.

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar receives positive reviews for its sound quality, particularly in terms of clarity and dialogue reproduction. Experts note that the soundbar delivers clear and detailed voices, making it easy to follow conversations on screen. The virtual surround capabilities also enhance the clarity of movie audio, creating an immersive experience.

The bass performance is considered better-than-average for an all-in-one soundbar, although adding a separate subwoofer can enhance the low-bass frequencies. The soundstage is praised for its wide and immersive experience, despite lacking upward-firing speakers. The soundbar is suitable for both music and movie playback, providing warm stereo sound with adequate bass for music, and a wide soundstage with balanced bass for movies.

The specifications and features of the HT-S2000 make it suitable for larger rooms with high ceilings, including its power output, virtual surround experience, X-Balanced speaker units, and expandability options. However, it's important to note that the soundbar is a 3. 1-channel system and lacks height channels for overhead sound effects.

Overall, the Sony HT-S2000 offers a satisfactory sound experience for both music and movies in larger rooms with high ceilings.

Show product research

Connectivity

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar offers Bluetooth 5.2 and HDMI connectivity options, but lacks extensive Wi-Fi streaming capabilities and simultaneous Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections to multiple devices.

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar offers a range of connectivity options to enhance your audio experience. It features Bluetooth 5. 2 connectivity, allowing you to wirelessly connect your phone or other Bluetooth-enabled devices to play music. The soundbar supports AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs for optimal audio quality, making it a great option for iPhone users.

In terms of Wi-Fi connectivity, the HT-S2000 has 802. 11b/a/g/n/ac Wi-Fi capability. However, it seems that the Wi-Fi functionality is limited to connecting additional speakers and not for streaming music through Wi-Fi or using Wi-Fi-based features like Apple AirPlay or Google Cast.

Therefore, if you're looking for a soundbar with extensive Wi-Fi streaming capabilities, this may not be the best option.

The soundbar also offers HDMI connectivity options, with an HDMI-eARC port that supports advanced audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. This port also supports HDMI-CEC control, allowing you to adjust the soundbar's volume level using your TV's remote control.

The setup process is simple, requiring you to connect the soundbar to your TV's HDMI eARC (or ARC) port and select that input on the soundbar.

While the HT-S2000 offers various connectivity options, it does not support simultaneous Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections to multiple devices. It lacks Wi-Fi music streaming features like Apple AirPlay or Google Cast, and it can only connect to one device at a time over Bluetooth.

In addition to these connectivity options, the soundbar also features an optical digital audio input and a USB type-A port for alternative connection methods. The USB port allows you to play music files stored on a USB drive.

Overall, the Sony HT-S2000 soundbar provides a range of connectivity options to suit different needs. It is a great choice for those looking for Bluetooth connectivity and HDMI compatibility, but it may not be the best option for extensive Wi-Fi streaming capabilities or simultaneous Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections to multiple devices.

Show product research

Compatibility

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar is highly compatible with a wide range of TVs and smartphones, offering Bluetooth connectivity and a dedicated app for control, but lacks built-in Wi-Fi, streaming service support, and voice assistant compatibility.

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar is highly compatible with a wide range of TVs, as long as they have either an HDMI (with eARC/ARC) or optical digital audio input. While there is no specific list of compatible TVs, it is reasonable to assume that the HT-S2000 would work well with other Sony TV models, as it was successfully connected to a Sony X9000F 4K LED TV in a review.

It should also work with TVs from other brands as long as they have the required audio input options.

In terms of smartphone connectivity, the HT-S2000 features Bluetooth 5. 2, allowing you to easily connect your smartphone and play music wirelessly. It also has a dedicated app called Home Entertainment Connect, available on both iOS and Android, which allows you to control the soundbar through your phone and update its firmware.

However, the HT-S2000 does not have built-in Wi-Fi or support for streaming services like Spotify or AirPlay. It is primarily designed for use with HDMI and optical digital audio inputs. While you won't be able to directly stream music from popular streaming services through the soundbar itself, you can still play music wirelessly by connecting your devices via Bluetooth.

Unfortunately, the HT-S2000 does not support voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. It also does not have any wired or wireless network connection, so it cannot be used to access voice assistants or technologies like Chromecast or AirPlay 2.

Overall, the Sony HT-S2000 is a highly compatible soundbar that can be easily connected to various devices, including TVs and smartphones. It offers Bluetooth connectivity for wireless music streaming and can be paired with optional wireless surround speakers and subwoofers for a more immersive audio experience.

However, it does not have built-in Wi-Fi or support for streaming services, and it does not support voice assistants.

Show product research

Design

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar features a rectangular shape with rounded corners, a sleek design, and user-friendly controls, making it a stylish and versatile addition to any home entertainment setup.

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar has a rectangular shape with rounded corners and a sleek, compact design. It is approximately 31. 5 inches wide, 2. 5 inches tall, and 5. 25 inches deep, making it suitable for most televisions. The soundbar weighs around 8. 3 pounds and is available in an all-black design.

The soundbar is mostly made of plastic, with metal grilles covering the drivers in the front. The build quality feels solid, and the metal grille helps protect the drivers. However, the top panel is prone to picking up fingerprints.

The HT-S2000 has several unique design features, including a metallic grille that wraps around the corners, giving it a stylish and sophisticated appearance. The controls are minimalistic, with touch-enabled buttons for pause, play, volume controls, Bluetooth, and changing inputs.

It also has an alphanumeric front-panel display for easy monitoring and navigation of settings.

The soundbar package includes a repeater for infrared transmission, ensuring that it doesn't interfere with other devices. Overall, the HT-S2000 combines a sleek design, premium looks, and user-friendly controls, making it an attractive addition to any home entertainment setup.

In terms of fitting into different home decor styles, the HT-S2000's simple and sleek design, all-black color, and metallic grille make it suitable for various styles. Whether you have a minimalist, contemporary, or traditional decor, the soundbar's understated design can complement any of these styles.

Its compact size also allows it to seamlessly blend in with your existing home entertainment setup.

Show product research

Features

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar offers virtual surround sound, wireless surround sound capabilities, an intuitive app for setup and customization, dialogue enhancement, and flexible connectivity options, making it a versatile option for enhancing the audio experience.

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar offers a range of features that enhance the audio experience. It utilizes two virtual surround sound technologies, the Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force Pro Front Surround, to create a wide and immersive soundstage. These technologies provide a three-dimensional surround experience, even when playing stereo content.

One unique feature of the HT-S2000 is its ability to be paired with Sony's optional wireless surround sound speakers and subwoofers, allowing users to expand upon the soundbar's basic capabilities. This provides a future upgrade path for those who want to enhance their audio setup.

The soundbar also includes the Sony Home Entertainment app, which simplifies the setup process and allows users to customize the sound settings for their specific installation. The app provides visual feedback through its alphanumeric front-panel display and allows for easy control of the soundbar, including volume adjustment and troubleshooting.

The HT-S2000 is particularly suitable for dialogue-centric content, such as TV shows, thanks to its dedicated center channel and dialogue enhancement tool. The discrete center channel enhances vocal clarity, making it easier to follow conversations on screen.

In terms of connectivity, the soundbar offers HDMI (with eARC/ARC) and optical digital audio inputs, as well as Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless streaming from a phone. It also includes a USB type-A port for playing music from connected USB drives.

Overall, the Sony HT-S2000 soundbar provides a range of features that enhance the audio experience, including virtual surround sound technologies, wireless surround sound capabilities, an intuitive app for setup and customization, dialogue enhancement, and flexible connectivity options.

These features make it a versatile option for those looking to upgrade their home audio setup and enjoy a cinematic and immersive surround sound experience.

Show product research

Brand reputation

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar is highly regarded in the audio market for its immersive sound, clear dialogue, and high-quality performance, making it a recommended choice for users seeking a superior audio experience.

The Sony HT-S2000 soundbar has a favorable brand reputation in the audio market. Sony is known for producing high-quality audio products, and the HT-S2000 has received positive feedback from experts. It offers an impressive level of immersion, clear dialogue, and good bass output.

The soundbar is praised for its handling of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks, thanks to Sony's proprietary processing. However, there are some limitations, such as weak low-end without a subwoofer and lack of height channels for vertical directional imaging. Overall, the Sony HT-S2000 is well-received for its performance at its price point.

It is recommended for users who prioritize immersive sound and clear dialogue in their audio experience.

Show product research

Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all sound bars.

Rank Change Price Sound Bar
Rtings.com
TechRadar
Tom's Guide
PCMag
What Hi-Fi
TechHive
World Wide Stereo
WIRED
SoundGuys
Digital Trends
1
- $489
Sonos Beam Gen 2
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact and stylish soundbar that delivers excellent audio quality for both music and movies, with versatile connectivity options and compatibility with Dolby Atmos, making it a recommended choice for Sonos fans and those seeking high-quality audio enjoyment.
6
10
-
6
4
4
10
6
2
-
2
- $699
Sonos Arc
The Sonos Arc is a high-end soundbar with impressive sound quality, expansive soundstage, and modern design, ideal for those seeking an immersive surround sound experience for movies and music.
-
9
-
3
5
-
11
9
-
2
3
- $1038
Samsung HW-Q990C
The Samsung HW-Q990C soundbar is highly praised for its exceptional sound quality, immersive experience, and extensive connectivity options, making it a top choice for enhancing TV audio and creating a cinematic home theater experience.
-
-
-
5
-
5
-
4
-
1
4
- Check price
Sony HT-A7000
The Sony HT-A7000 is a high-end soundbar with a neutral sound profile, wide and immersive soundstage, comprehensive connectivity options, and advanced features such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, making it a great choice for enhancing the listening experience.
-
7
6
-
1
-
-
8
-
-
Show all rows
The best budget soundbar with Dolby Atmos
30 Oct 2024 (1 month ago)
Read article
Best Spatial Audio for the Price
3 Oct 2024 (2 months ago)
Read article
Sony’s budget Dolby Atmos soundbar is exceptional value for money
17 Sep 2024 (2 months ago)
Read article

Highest recommended sound bars this month

ReviewFinder ranks based on a combination of customer reviews, expert reviews / mentions and popularity. Expert recommendations carry the highest weight in the ranking. We do not rank based on price, our commission or brand. sound bars below are at the top of our ranking this December.

Scroll to see all options. Click on the sound bar for more details.
Sonos Beam Gen 2 Sonos Arc Samsung HW-Q990C Sony HT-A7000
Reviews
In comparison:
Sonos Beam Gen 2 rank #1 out of 191.
Go to rankings
7.7
Good
Reviews
In comparison:
Sonos Arc rank #2 out of 191. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.3
Amazing
Reviews
We don't yet have enough review information for Samsung HW-Q990C
Reviews
In comparison:
Sony HT-A7000 rank #4 out of 191.
Go to rankings
7.8
Good
Price
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact and stylish soundbar that delivers excellent audio quality for both music and movies, with versatile connectivity options and compatibility with Dolby Atmos, making it a recommended choice for Sonos fans and those seeking high-quality audio enjoyment. The Sonos Arc is a high-end soundbar with impressive sound quality, expansive soundstage, and modern design, ideal for those seeking an immersive surround sound experience for movies and music. The Samsung HW-Q990C soundbar is highly praised for its exceptional sound quality, immersive experience, and extensive connectivity options, making it a top choice for enhancing TV audio and creating a cinematic home theater experience. The Sony HT-A7000 is a high-end soundbar with a neutral sound profile, wide and immersive soundstage, comprehensive connectivity options, and advanced features such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, making it a great choice for enhancing the listening experience.
Go to product Go to product Go to product Go to product