The Sony HT-S400 soundbar offers a sleek and compact design while delivering rich and powerful sound, making it the perfect choice for an immersive home theater experience.
Sound Review Hub’s Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
If you’re looking for a soundbar that packs a punch without breaking the bank, then the Sony HT-S400 might be the one for you. This 2.1ch front surround sound speaker system delivers a powerful 330W total output and a wireless subwoofer that delivers deeper, richer bass sound. So whether you’re watching movies, playing games, or listening to music, the HT-S400 promises to bring your content to life. But does it deliver on its promises? Let’s find out in this Sony HT-S400 review.
2-Minute Review
The Sony HT-S400 is a 2.1ch front surround sound speaker system that delivers a powerful 330W total output. In addition, it comes with a wireless subwoofer with a deeper, richer bass sound.
The soundbar supports S-Force PRO Front Surround and Dolby Digital and is compatible with Bluetooth A2DP, HDMI ARC, and optical cable support. In addition, Sony TV owners can connect the speaker set wirelessly alongside providing integrated controls.
The HT-S400 has a sleek black design that looks as good as it sounds, and the rear subwoofer panel is made with recycled plastics, which is an excellent first step towards sustainability.
Design and Build Quality
- Sleek black design
- OLED display
The HT-S400 has a sleek black design that looks as good as it sounds.
The soundbar is about three feet across and two and a half inches tall, while the subwoofer is about three inches across, a foot wide on its side, and about a foot with some change in height.
The subwoofer has a beautifully minimalistic black-on-black design. The speakers are covered with a cool metallic-like mesh, and an OLED display on the soundbar informs you of input mode, volume, Bluetooth connection, and bass levels.
Features and Connectivity
- S-Force PRO Front Surround
- Wireless subwoofer for deep bass
- Flexible connectivity options
The HT-S400 supports S-Force PRO Front Surround and Dolby Digital, creating a cinematic surround sound.
It has a 2.1ch front surround sound with an X-Balanced speaker that delivers clear, rich dialogue. The wireless subwoofer delivers a deeper, richer bass sound. The HT-S400 has a powerful 330W total output that brings your content to life.
It has flexible connectivity options, including Bluetooth connectivity for wireless audio streaming, and you can connect it to your TV with either HDMI ARC or an optical connection. In addition, Sony TV owners can connect the speaker set wirelessly alongside providing integrated controls.
Audio Performance
- Excellent audio quality for all media
- Impressive volume peak for apartments
- Clear dialogue, rich bass, nuanced instrumentation
The core audio experience of the HT-S400 is what counts, and it does an excellent job across movies, TV, music, and games.
The volume quality alone can reach some impressive peaks, making it perfect for those in small apartments looking for a cinematic audio experience without needing multiple speaker setups.
The HT-S400 delivers clear, rich dialogue thanks to its 2.1ch front surround sound with an X-Balanced speaker. In addition, the wireless subwoofer delivers a deeper, richer bass sound, which is great for music enthusiasts who enjoy songs with bass.
More nuanced instrumentation from rock to jazz will appreciate the richness in mid-tones and treble. The Voice mode helps heighten spoken dialogue over other audio elements like music score or sound effects, and the Night mode dials down the bass enough to minimize vibration.
Setup and Ease of Use
- Easy setup and subwoofer connection
- Mountable design for wall-mounted TVs
Setting up the HT-S400 is pretty straightforward. The subwoofer automatically connects to the soundbar once plugged in, and everything else is as easy as connecting through an HDMI or optical cable. Buyers looking to mount the soundbar below their wall-mounted TV can do so thanks to the HT-S400’s flat back.
Bluetooth is also simple; connection to compatible BRAVIA TV is a breeze. The integrated user interface ensures buyers don’t have to use the included remote. However, it’s still convenient for controlling everything from volume and bass levels to turning on and off the sound field surround sound technology.
Should You Buy It?
- Wireless subwoofer for richer bass
- Affordable quality soundbar
If you’re a movie and TV enthusiast or homeowner looking for an affordable quality soundbar, the Sony HT-S400 is worth considering.
It delivers a powerful 330W of total output and comes with a wireless subwoofer that produces a deeper, richer bass sound. In addition, the soundbar supports S-Force PRO Front Surround and Dolby Digital and is compatible with Bluetooth A2DP, HDMI ARC, and optical cable support.
The sleek and black design makes this soundbar perfect for any room. The core audio experience is impressive, making it ideal for those in small apartments looking for a cinematic audio experience without needing multiple speaker setups. It also has nifty features like Voice mode, Night mode, and Sound Field, making it a versatile and convenient option for your audio needs.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Powerful audio output: The Sony HT-S400 delivers a powerful 330W of total audio output, which is impressive for a soundbar in its price range. It can easily fill a small to medium-sized room with sound.
- Wireless subwoofer: The soundbar has a wireless subwoofer that delivers deeper, richer bass sound. This makes it easy to place the subwoofer anywhere in the room without worrying about cords.
- Sleek design: The soundbar has a sleek black design that looks great in any room. The subwoofer is also designed to be minimalistic and can easily blend into any decor.
- Nifty features: The soundbar has several nifty features like Voice mode, Night mode, and Sound Field. These features enhance the audio experience and make it more versatile and convenient.
- Easy to use: The soundbar is easy to set up and use. The subwoofer automatically connects to the soundbar once plugged in, and it’s compatible with Bluetooth A2DP, HDMI ARC, and optical cable support.
Cons
- No 3.5mm input: One of the major cons of the Sony HT-S400 is that there’s no 3.5mm input on the soundbar itself. This means that you can’t connect devices like smartphones or MP3 players directly to the soundbar.
- No USB input: There’s also no USB input on the soundbar, so you can’t play music from a USB stick.
- USB port is useless: While there is a USB-A port on the back of the soundbar, it’s only for firmware updates, making it pretty much useless for most users.
- No Dolby Atmos support: The Sony HT-S400 doesn’t have Dolby Atmos support, which is disappointing for a soundbar at this price point. This means you won’t get the full immersive audio experience Dolby Atmos provides.
- Not a replacement for multiple speaker setups: While the soundbar delivers powerful audio output, it’s not a replacement for multiple speaker setups. It’s best suited for smaller rooms or apartments and may not provide the same audio quality as a complete surround sound system.
Specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size & Weight | |
| MAIN UNIT SIZE | 35.5 x 2.63 x 3.5″ |
| MAIN UNIT WEIGHT | 5 lb 5 oz |
| SUBWOOFER SIZE | 7.63 x 15.25 x 15.75″ |
| SUBWOOFER WEIGHT | 16 lb 2 oz |
| Amplifier | |
| AMPLIFIER CHANNELS | 2.1 ch |
| AMPLIFIER TYPE | Digital Amplifier, S-Master |
| POWER OUTPUT (TOTAL) | 330 W |
| Subwoofer | |
| SUBWOOFER TYPE | Wireless |
| Interface | |
| INPUT AND OUTPUT TERMINALS | Optical-audio input, USB type A (only for update) |
| BLUETOOTH® VERSION | 5.0 |
| BLUETOOTH® | RX (receiver) |
| HDMI | NUMBER OF INPUT/OUTPUT – / 1(ARC) |
| Audio Formats | |
| HDMI INPUT | Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual mono, LCPM 2ch |
| BLUETOOTH® (RECEIVER) | SBC |
| OPTICAL INPUT | Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual mono, LCPM 2ch |
| Sound Function | |
| VIRTUAL SURROUND TECHNOLOGY | S-Force PRO |
| SOUND EFFECT | Night Mode, Voice Mode |
| SOUND MODE | Sound Field |
| Speaker Layout | |
| SPEAKER STRUCTURE | 2.1ch (wireless Subwoofer) |
| Wireless Features | |
| TV WIRELESS CONNECTION | Yes |
| Details | |
| POWER CONSUMPTION | BAR 35 W / SW 20 W |
| What’s In The Box | Batteries for remote commander, Instruction Manual, Optical Cable, AC cable, Quick Setup Guide, Remote Control |
