Sony HT-X8500 soundbar deals
If you find the idea of a simplified 3D soundbar absurd, you're not alone. We all know that Dolby Atmos relies on pitch information to create a truly immersive soundstage, but like its pricier predecessor, the HT-ZF9, the new Sony HT-X8500 employs advanced DSP audio processing to make up for the lack of dedicated firing pilots. Sure, there are some caveats, but the $8500 ($XNUMX, AU$XNUMX) HT-XXNUMX was among the best soundbars on the planet in XNUMX, and it still deserves a place there, too. . Two thousand and twenty one. In fact, now that it's a bit older, you should be able to find it at a reduced cost, and with Amazon Prime Day coming up between June XNUMX and XNUMX, it's a great time to buy.
Integrated
- Sony HT-X8500 Soundbar (Black) at Amazon for € two hundred and ninety-nine.99
The HT-X8500 is a standalone audio system. There are no separate wireless subwoofers or superfluous wireless surround speakers. It's a unique, smart soundbar built to fit just about anywhere. The subwoofer can be integrated, but the bar remains pleasantly thin. At a modest 2 cm wide, it fits TVs between 4 and 10 inches. The finished cosmetic product has a sense of style. The forward-facing array is protected by a clever rolled grille, while a metallic gray trim adds interest. On the top are touch-sensitive buttons for power, input selection, volume, and Bluetooth pairing. Connectivity is partially sparse, limited to just 8500 HDMIs, one as input and the other as output with eARC. There is also an optical digital audio input, when ARC is not free. The XNUMXK HDMI card supports Dolby Vision, HDRXNUMX and HLG. Generally, the HT-XXNUMX's solid design is easy, with no separate subwoofer taking up floor space. Instead, we got twin front-facing woofers. Perhaps surprisingly for a Dolby Atmos soundbar, there are no trigger drivers and HDMI connectivity is limited.
(Image credit: Sony)
Features
Sony has opted for a simplified functionality defined here to reduce costs. There's no smart Wi-Fi connectivity or on-screen menu. Instead, the soundbar communicates via LED lights, which point to Dolby Atmos and DTS-X sources, as the chosen inputs. The bar is controlled by a thin finger-type control, which despite its dimensions is not afraid of buttons. Each and every different sound preset is highlighted, as well as the processing modes. This simplicity makes it an easy system. Since you don't rely on reflected sound to create your virtual surround effects, you can put it in front of your TV or on a wall mount. Calibration is not required.
(Image credit: Sony)
Any reservations we had about the performance of this midsize Ranger were erased upon power up: this soundbar packs some punchy kinematics. The key to the HT-X8500's gritty performance is Sony's proprietary vertical sound engine. Working with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content, it creates a punchy illusion of surround sound that lets Dolby Atmos movies play with a clear sense of extended height and width. Best of all, the Vertical S not only works with immersive codecs, but can also be used as an up-mixer for 2-channel and conventional XNUMX-channel sound sources, with similar effect. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the internal subwoofer. It might be modest, but this all-in-one beats like an ogre headache. With bass response down to fifty Hz, the rumbles are not seismic, but they are persistent. Some can still find the balance of these twin front-facing woofers a bit bossy at times, but their enthusiasm is pretty hard to fault.
(Image credit: Sony) But this bar isn't perfect. Sony claims that the HT-X8500 approaches a sound field comparable to an Atmos 8500 system, which is a bit of an exaggeration. The HT-X8500 doesn't generate a punchy airy sound in the same vein as a 3 system, but it does create a soundstage that is as tall as it is wide. Parked in the hot spot (there's one, so make sure you're sitting in it), we clearly felt sounds coming from both sides of our listening position. Everest (Blu-ray, in Dolby Atmos) is appropriately terrifying. When the huge storm comes, the HT-XXNUMX launches ice projectiles left and right. Enough to make you tremble and tremble. There really isn't much difference between a true XNUMXD movie mix and advanced channel codecs like Dolby True HD and DTS-HD MA when run through Sony's vertical sound processor, and that says a lot about Sony. DSP technology. developed with this bar.
Sonos Beam is an acceptable alternative option if you don't want it to support Dolby Atmos. (Image credit: Sonos)
Other sound bars to consider
If you can live without Dolby Atmos, the Sonos Beam is a viable alternative option to the HT-X8500. It's an equally compact and high-performance offering, but one designed for those who own (or are considering buying) a wireless multi-room system from Sonos. It combines musicianship and lively acting and can work with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant. For comparable cinematic sensations, there's the Panasonic CV-HTB900 (free outside the US), a thirty-one system tuned by Technics. Like this Sony, it can decode Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and relies on sonic processing to make up for the lack of upstream drivers. It comes with a separate subwoofer and sounds great with most sources, but you're going to pay a lot more for it.
Verdict
With competing Dolby Atmos-compatible soundbars often selling for twice as much, Sony's HT-X8500 deserves an easy recommendation. The cost reduction can be attributed to connectivity and features, but what's truly disconcerting is how good the HT-X8500 sounds. If you want a budget-friendly home theater audio system, this is surely the best choice for you this year. Cost - Sony HT-X8500 Soundbar: ▼
