You can’t enjoy immersive object-based sound with Dolby Atmos support, and there aren’t as many features as on Sony’s top-tier models. Thanks to Sony’s proprietary S-Force PRO Front Surround technology, the new HT-S400 2.1ch soundbar delivers “cinema style surround sound” without the requirement for a full channel speaker array. According to Sony, the “unique digital sound field processing technology essentially reproduces the surround sound field” utilizing only the front speakers. No Dolby Atmos technology is included, which is expected for a £260 setup, although Dolby Digital is supported via HDMI or optical connections. Some more recent Bravia televisions, which support Bluetooth A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) compatibility, can be connected to if you want to totally cut the cords.
Sony HT-S400 Soundbar review: Design
Similar to other sound bars, the HT-S400 is unassuming and uninspiring in appearance. Although the form and style are fairly identical to every sound bar in Sony’s collection, whether pricey or not. It’s also not small. The wireless subwoofer is about the size of an office computer or laptop, and the sound bar is about 35 inches long. Additionally, there is a tiny OLED display hidden beneath the center speaker grill. It displays sound mode, EQ level, and volume. The Sony HT-S400 is made of lightweight plastic and has a plasticky body. The wireless subwoofer, meanwhile, boasts a respectable build quality given its cost. Its wireless subwoofer can’t quite be considered to be the same. At more than 15 inches tall and 15 inches deep, it’s one of the biggest we’ve seen at this price. Even so, you ought still be able to tuck it away somewhere in a recess to make it less noticeable. Interestingly, you might be able to lay it on its side for even more positioning versatility because it is one of the few front-firing subs in this category and has a driver that is entirely shielded. Speaking of wireless setups and connections, it’s important to note that the HT-S400 may connect to a TV via Bluetooth as opposed to the customary HDMI or optical cable. It’s not as good as utilizing a real wire for sound quality, and your TV needs to support the A2DP Bluetooth device profile, but it’s still a pretty useful choice.
Features
For its budget range, the HT-S400 has a number of useful functions, such as Voice mode, which emphasises spoken dialogue above other audio components like music score or sound effects. This was particularly helpful during tests when viewing shows like HBO’s Julia or action movies like Furious 9. Although clarity isn’t precisely night and day, customers who prefer dialogue-driven movies may welcome the alternative. Night mode lowers the bass volume just enough to reduce vibration for situations where utilizing a subwoofer during the night or even in a small apartment can be distracting. On top of the built-in bass intensity controls on the remote, it’s almost like there’s a mute button for the subwoofer. also you can check our article on Sony HT-S400 Soundbar review. Sound Field, the final audio-focused function, converts stereo sounds into surround sound. It does a good job of implementing Sony’s S-Force PRO virtual surround sound technology. It is comparable to the impact of more virtual surround sound features on contemporary mid-to-low range gaming headsets, even though it is not ideal and cannot replace multiple speaker configurations.
Sony HT-S400 Soundbar review: Connectivity
If you like more traditional technologies, you’ll like the HT-S400. In addition to using Bluetooth, there are only two other ways to connect the soundbar to your TV: optical and HDMI-ARC. If you want to use HDMI instead of the optical cable that Sony includes in the box, you must supply your own HDMI cable. It basically comes down to two things: your personal preference and the outputs on your TV since the audio quality will be the same regardless of whatever option you choose. If your TV doesn’t have an HDMI-ARC port, using the optical connection instead is significantly easier. Similar to this, if your gadget includes an HDMI-ARC port but no optical connector, your decision has already been made.
Remote control
The HDMI ARC connection is not required to adjust volume. Although there is a millisecond delay between pressing a button and the subsequent impact on the OLED tvs, the included remote is still extremely beautiful. If you use the TV’s remote to control the audio via CEC support, the lag is exacerbated. You may access the HT-S400 settings if you have a Sony Bravia television by using the Quick Settings menu on the television’s user interface. The remote control itself is simple to use, although we worry that less tech-savvy people might be confused by where the volume and bass controls are located. On a television remote, the volume button is typically located where the bass adjustment controls are, and most of the time, we find that our loved ones accidentally hit the bass button to lower the level.
Sony HT-S400 Soundbar review: Audio performance
The HT-S400 is a 2.1-channel system that does not support Dolby Atmos or DTS Virtual:X, so rather than a full home theatre system, you should think of it as an upgrade to the built-in sound system in your TV. In other words, all media will sound bolder and bigger, as if they have been released from their auditory prison, but they will not be fully immersive. The biggest change is provided by the wireless subwoofer. It’s robust enough to produce the low-frequency effects we’ve grown accustomed to hearing in high-budget Hollywood productions, like thunder coming, roaring vehicles, and T-Rex footsteps. The HT-S400 won’t shake your sofa or rattle your teeth, but that’s hardly a deal breaker. It will likely fit in condos and smaller spaces. Additionally, there is excellent clarity, particularly in the higher frequencies, which gives noises like gunshots and screeching tyres a vibrant, emotional feel. Sony gives us a speech mode to improve communication, but we found that we seldom ever utilised it. The midranges of the HT-S400 aren’t quite as powerful and have a tendency to sound a little hollow. Though it’s much more obvious when listening to music than when watching TV, there are occasions when we expect a movie scene to seem richer than it sounds. As an example, consider a scene in Dune by Denis Villeneuve where Duke Leto’s flying ornithopter is headed toward a person collecting spices. With voices and machines competing with one another, the situation is difficult to hear. The situation would have been more realistic with a more strong midrange, without sacrificing the clarity of the language.
Price
Starting on April 15, major shops and Sony’s website will both sell the HT-S400 for $269/AU$499 per. The HT-S400 outperforms similar audio products in the $200–$300 price range including the Sony HT-X8500, Razer Leviathan, and Yamaha SR-B20A Sound Bar. We understand that Sony is trying to strike a delicate balance between the respectable feature set mentioned and a no-frills package. Customers looking for more robust audio experiences with support for things like more speakers or Dolby Atmos may want to spend a little more on a true spatial audio system like the Sonos Arc. also you can learn our article on Sony HT-S400 Soundbar review.
Conclusion
The Sony HTS 400 is suitable for a variety of uses. It is best used for stereo content like music and TV shows because it is a basic 2.1 bar with limited audio format support and sound improvement features. The reproduction of voices and lead instruments is excellent. Although the low-bass lacks some rumbling, the added emphasis in the high-bass gives the mix some boom. You still don’t get a particularly immersive feeling with surround sound formats like Dolby Digital, even with its S-Force Pro Front Surround.
