Sony HTX8500 Review

Are you looking for an immersive sound experience that will truly transport you to the middle of your favorite movie and music? The Sony HTX8500 might be just the answer.

This powerful soundbar is designed with Dolby Atmos technology and has 4K compatible HDMI ports, giving it serious audio power. With its easy-to-use design and variety of features, this soundbar balances reliability and modern sophistication.

In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the reasons why the Sony HTX8500 soundbar is an ideal choice for your next home entertainment investment. We will examine its impeccable design and build quality, exceptional sound performance, seamless connectivity and compatibility, as well as its pros and cons. Finally, we will share our concluding thoughts on the Sony HTX8500 soundbar.

Sony HTX8500 Overview

The Sony HTX8500 soundbar is a 2.1-channel sound system known for its cinematic, three-dimensional surround sound. It’s equipped with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technology, giving it an impressive audio performance that belies its mid-range price tag. One of the standout features of this soundbar is its built-in subwoofers, which provide deep bass without the need for additional equipment, reducing clutter in your living space.

Measuring just 890 x 64 x 96 mm, the Sony HT-X8500 is slim, compact, and unobtrusive, designed to complement your BRAVIA TV seamlessly. In terms of design, it boasts a distinctive punched pattern on the top surface.

The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar also features 7.1.2 channel sound, Vertical Sound Engine technology, and compatibility with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for a comprehensive cinematic experience. The soundstage is wide, with a lovely wraparound sound that enhances the viewing and listening experience.

Design and Build Quality

The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar is a testament to Sony’s commitment to sleek design and robust build quality. This soundbar boasts a slim profile, making it suitable for most TV setups and living spaces. Despite its compact size, the soundbar houses a built-in subwoofer, a feature that enhances its audio performance while maintaining a streamlined appearance.

Constructed from robust matte plastic, the Sony HT-X8500 is designed to withstand the test of time. Its durability is further ensured by a metal grille that protects the speakers, adding a layer of resilience to the device. The use of high-quality materials in its construction underscores Sony’s emphasis on longevity and performance.

The soundbar follows a dual-color finish, creating a visually appealing piece of technology that can easily blend with various interior decors. Its understated elegance does not compromise its functionality, as it still delivers the impressive sound output that Sony devices are known for.

One of the main highlights of the Sony HT-X8500 soundbar is the powerful built-in dual subwoofer located in the center. This feature allows users to enjoy deep bass sounds without the need for additional equipment, reducing clutter in your living space.

Sound Quality and Performance

The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar delivers a blockbuster audio performance. The soundstage is praised as being wide, with a lovely wraparound sound that enhances the viewing and listening experience. This is largely attributed to the built-in subwoofers and Sony’s vertical sound engine, which work together to produce deep, rich bass and clear, crisp highs.

However, it’s worth noting that not every user has had the same positive experience. Some users have reported being disappointed with the sound quality, particularly when it comes to voice and dialogue clarity. It seems that while the soundbar excels in delivering immersive, cinematic audio, it might fall short in providing clear and distinct dialogue in some settings.

Despite these mixed reviews, many users have found the sound quality to be excellent overall. Reviews on Amazon highlight the immersive virtual surround sound and commend how well the soundbar handles movies. The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar is also lauded for being a “loud performer” by Trusted Reviews, which notes that the device can deliver bass down to 50Hz, contributing to a fuller and richer sound output.

Connectivity and Compatibility

One of the standout features of the Sony HT-X8500 is its HDMI eARC/ARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) support. This feature allows the soundbar to deliver high-quality audio from your TV via a single HDMI cable, simplifying your setup and reducing cable clutter. Moreover, the soundbar comes with two HDMI ports – one input and one output – enabling you to directly connect additional devices like gaming consoles or Blu-ray players to the soundbar.

In addition to HDMI connectivity, the Sony HT-X8500 also includes a USB port, facilitating the playback of music files from a USB drive. The soundbar supports a wide range of audio formats, including MP3, WAV, and FLAC, providing versatility in terms of the types of files you can play.

Wireless connectivity is another area where the Sony HT-X8500 shines. It comes equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, allowing you to stream music wirelessly from your smartphone, tablet, or other compatible devices. This feature transforms the soundbar into a powerful music player, amplifying your favorite tracks with its impressive audio capabilities.

In terms of compatibility, the Sony HT-X8500 works seamlessly with most TVs and home theater systems. It’s also BRAVIA compatible, meaning it can be easily integrated with Sony’s BRAVIA TVs for an enhanced audiovisual experience. Moreover, the soundbar supports 4K HDR pass-through, ensuring that you get the best possible picture quality when connecting 4K devices.

Pros and Cons

Here’s a comprehensive list of the pros and cons based on what we’ve researched on the Sony HT-X8500 soundbar:

Pros:

1. All-in-one 2.1 Design: The Sony HT-X8500 is an all-in-one soundbar that incorporates both the speakers and subwoofers into a single unit. This design is ideal for those who want a streamlined setup without the clutter of multiple audio devices.
2. Good with Movies and Music: Many users have praised the soundbar’s performance with both movies and music. It delivers a wide soundstage with a wraparound sound that enhances the viewing and listening experience.
3. Plug ‘n’ Play Installation: The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar is easy to set up, with users noting its plug-and-play installation. This is a significant advantage for those who are not tech-savvy or those who simply prefer a hassle-free setup.
4. Sleek Design: The soundbar’s sleek and modest design is another highlight. It features a curvy profile with an almost leather look covering the top and sides, which adds to its aesthetic appeal.
5. Great Height in Sound: Despite the absence of up-firing drivers, users have noted that the soundbar provides great height in sound, making it suitable for Dolby Atmos content.

Cons:

1. Boxy and Slightly Dull Sound Profile: Some users have pointed out that the soundbar has a boxy and slightly dull sound profile, which might not appeal to everyone.
2. No Wi-Fi Support: Unlike some of its competitors, the Sony HT-X8500 soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. This lack could limit its functionality, especially for those who prefer streaming audio content over Wi-Fi.
3. No Up-firing Dolby Atmos Drivers: While the soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, it does not have up-firing drivers, which are typically used to bounce sound off the ceiling for a more immersive audio experience.

Final Thoughts

The Sony HT-X8500 soundbar is a compelling choice for those seeking an all-in-one home audio solution. It offers excellent performance with movies and music, an easy setup, and a sleek design that will complement any home theater system.

While it does have some shortcomings, namely its slightly dull sound profile and lack of Wi-Fi support, these minor drawbacks do not outweigh its many strengths. With its robust connectivity options and compatibility with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, the Sony HT-X8500 is a versatile, future-proof addition to your home entertainment setup.

We hope this in-depth review has provided valuable insights into what the Sony HT-X8500 soundbar offers.