One-minute assessment
From the HT-A7000 to the HT-G700 and HT-X8500, Sony has made a behavior of constructing premium-level soundbars that will usually price much more. That is what makes the Sony HT-S400 so outstanding: not solely does the soundbar/subwoofer combo pump out a powerful 330W of whole audio output however does it at a particularly affordable value level of simply $299 / £269 / AU$499.
The two.1ch entrance encompass sound speaker comes with S-Drive PRO Entrance Encompass and Dolby Digital and the subwoofer is totally wi-fi. Apart from using Bluetooth A2DP, HDMI ARC and optical cable assist, BRAVIA TVs house owners can join the speaker set wirelessly alongside offering built-in controls.
Sadly, nonetheless, there is no 3.5mm enter on the soundbar itself, nor a USB enter must you wish to run your music from a USB stick – two minor sticking factors for an in any other case rock-solid soundbar.
That stated, the core audio expertise is what counts. By itself benefit, the HT-S400 does a bang up job throughout movie/tv, common music and video games throughout varied platforms. Potential consumers seeking to get their toes moist on the earth of high quality soundbars at an approachable value ought to look no additional.
Worth and launch date
Beginning on April 15, the Sony HT-S400 can be accessible for / £269 / AU$499 on Sony’s net retailer alongside main retailers. In comparison with related audio options throughout the $200 – $300 value vary just like the Yamaha SR-B20A Sound Bar, Razer Leviathan and even Sony’s personal Sony HT-X8500, the HT-S400 stands out from the gang.
Consumers searching for extra sturdy audio experiences with assist for issues like extra audio system or Dolby Atmos could wish to spend a bit extra on a real spatial audio system just like the Sonos Arc, however we respect that Sony desires to stroll a effective line between the respectable function set talked about and a no-frills package deal.
Design
Like the opposite soundbars from Sony, the glossy blacks for each soundbar and subwoofer add to the premium aesthetic of the HT-S400 it appears to be like pretty much as good because it sounds. Even higher, environmentally pleasant consumers ought to know that the subwoofer rear panel can also be made with recycled plastics. Clearly, extra recycled materials could be higher, however this can be a good first step.
For added measure there’s an OLED show on the soundbar to tell you of issues like enter mode, quantity, Bluetooth connection and bass ranges amongst others. That together with the audio system are additionally coated with this actually cool metallic-like mesh. Past a inexperienced mild to tell you that it’s related to the soundbar, the subwoofer has a fantastically minimalistic black on black design, too.
The ports on the again function one HDMI 2.0 ARC, optical port and USB-A port for firmware updates solely. It’s disappointing that the USB port is just about ineffective and that there isn’t any 3.5mm jack assist for these aux-cord DJs.
Dealing with the unit is fairly easy because the soundbar is about three toes throughout and two and a half inches tall whereas the subwoofer is about three inches throughout, a foot broad on its facet and about foot with some change in peak.
Arrange is fairly straightforward contemplating the subwoofer routinely connects to the soundbar as soon as plugged in. All the things else is as straightforward as connecting by HDMI or optical cable. Consumers seeking to mount the soundbar beneath their wall-mounted TV can achieve this in addition to due to the HT-S400’s flat again.
That very same simplicity of arrange continues with using Bluetooth too. Connection to suitable BRAVIA TV is easy as effectively and the built-in person interface additionally ensures consumers don’t have to make use of the included distant. Past the distant, which controls the whole lot from quantity and bass ranges to turning off/on the sound discipline encompass sound expertise, the controls on the soundbar are ample as effectively.
Options
The HT-S400 comes with a handful of nifty options for its value level together with Voice mode which heightens spoken dialogue over different audio components like music rating or sound results.
Throughout exams, this was positively most helpful when watching sequence like HBO’s Julia or extra motion heavy movies like Livid 9. Consumers who’re extra into dialogue-heavy movies could recognize the choice, although readability isn’t precisely night time and day.
For occasions the place utilizing a subwoofer may be distracting throughout nighttime hours and even in a small house, Night time mode dials down the bass sufficient to attenuate vibration. It is virtually like having a mute button for the subwoofer on prime of the distant’s built-in bass depth controls.
The final audio-centric function is Sound Subject which provides commonplace stereo audio into encompass sound. It’s an ample implementation of Sony’s digital encompass sound expertise S-Drive PRO. Although not excellent and never a substitute for a number of speaker setups, it’s akin to the impact of extra digital encompass sound options on trendy mid-to-low vary gaming headsets.
Audio efficiency
In the case of sheer audio high quality, the HT-S400 performs well-beyond what its inexpensive sticker value would counsel. For a 2.1 channel soundbar/subwoofer combo, the quantity high quality alone can attain some spectacular peaks. The HT-S400 might be finest for these in small residences searching for a cinematic audio expertise with out the necessity to have a number of speaker set-ups as audio readability matches quantity ranges.
That is positively most notable throughout moments of watching extraordinarily loud by default motion movies or moody sounding horror motion pictures. Watching Disney’s Moon Knight the expertise was positively extra immersive due to the readability of the dialogue, rating and rumble of that bass. Although the HT-S400 converts audio indicators to Dolby Digital, Dolby Twin Mono and LCPM, having some kind of Dolby Atmos assist would have actually made the audio gadget stand out considerably.
Normal music listening is a deal with as effectively no matter music style. EDM or Southern Hip Hop followers seeking to put that subwoofer to work are going to have a blast. In the meantime, extra nuanced instrumentation from rock to jazz will recognize the richness in mid-tones and treble. Voice mode actually got here in helpful throughout moments of listening to respiration meditation workout routines and spoken phrase performances.
One of many first video games examined with the HT-S400 was 2018’s God of Battle on PS5. Since Sony patched its present gen console to permit Spatial Audio from tv audio system final September, it was an exquisite expertise enjoying the first-party traditional at excessive quantity. The already cinematic presenting sport actually took issues to the max to ranges initially thought have been solely doable by headsets. Throughout moments of enjoying video games like Gran Turismo 7, the audio results positively helped in gameplay in telling which course vehicles have been trying to cross.
Must you purchase the Sony HT-S400 Soundbar?
Purchase it if…
You need a soundbar and subwoofer combo at an inexpensive value
Arguably, the HT-S400 couldn’t be a greater cut price.
You want a simple arrange
The wi-fi subwoofer doesn’t require any complicated connecting and it simply works as soon as plugged into {the electrical} socket. There’s additionally no complicated sound calibration wanted both.
You are searching for considerate design and have set
Having a flat again permits straightforward wall monitoring whereas options like Night time Mode reduces the quantity of bass within the subwoofer for these moments when rather less noise is required.
Do not buy it if…
You expect spatial audio codecs like Dolby Atmos
The HT-S400 converts audio indicators to Dolby Digital and does provide digital encompass sound, however it might be nice to have correct Dolby Atmos assist as a substitute.
You need extra wired connectivity choices
Although HDMI, optical cable and Bluetooth are supported, the USB port is just for firmware updates and there is no 3.5mm jack.