Sony is one of the most well-known brands in the soundbar and home entertainment speaker markets, although the majority of the Japanese company’s mainstream products fall into the high-end pricing ranges. Customers with a budget of Rs. 25,000 or less should often consider solutions from companies like JBL and Polk Audio or affordable goods from companies like Blaupunkt, Zebronics, and the like. The HT-S400, Sony’s newest soundbar, gives the company a strong position in the market for reasonably priced soundbars and guarantees capable performance, so we decided to make a Sony HT-S400 Soundbar Review.
The entry-level Sony HT-S400 model was introduced as a part of Sony’s 2022 portfolio. Sony’s S-Force Pro Front Surround is integrated into the bar, creating a 2.1 arrangement. Like Samsung’s Acoustic Beam, this technology expands the soundstage past the boundaries of the bar itself using psychoacoustic principles. You can’t enjoy the immersive object-based sound with Dolby Atmos support, and there aren’t as many features as on Sony’s top-tier models.
Table of Contents
Sony HT-S400 Soundbar Review – Best Soundbar in India Under 20000
Sony HT- S400 Soundbar | Download Audio Files | Recommended Soundbar List | |
PROS
Lots of Upper Bass
Audible Bass in every Song
Loud enough for a 300 Sq Ft Room
CONS
Lacks clarity
Vocals suffer the most
Heavy Vocal Delivery
Depth Missing
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Design
Wireless Subwoofer
Remote Control
The Sony HT-S400 is a straightforward, all-plastic soundbar in the colour black. The plastic has a nice appearance but a slightly cheap feel. Moreover, there is a metal screen that encircles the sides.
The plain subwoofer is made of a combination of wood and plastic. A metal grille above the front-facing port shields the speaker.
Several 55″ Televisions legs do not fit the Sony HT-S400 because of its width. But, because of its short height, it doesn’t block your TV screen.
The sub is comparable in size to a standard desktop computer. It wirelessly connects to the bar, so you only have to plug it into an outlet.
This sleek and stylish soundbar has black sandstone finish colour on top. On the front is a metal grill with two drivers. On top are five touch capacitive buttons with good response.
Connectivity Options of Sony 2.1 Soundbar
This wireless subwoofer connects seamlessly. The remote control is a welcome change. It is sleek and stylish and has all the necessary controls. You get HDMI ARC and an optical port. USB port is merely for service. It supports Bluetooth 5.0. You can connect it to the Sony Bravia TV via Bluetooth. But we recommend you use HDMI ARC for better results.
Connectivity Options
(Picture Credit: Sony)
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Audio Test Results
Result of the Audio Test 1
There is a surge of power in this soundbar. The power from the soundbar is impressive. The Bass is fantastic. You will enjoy it. But that is not all that you want. Its upper Bass is so much that bass lovers will perfectly enjoy it (pro). You can adjust the Bass with the remote. In total, it will be groundbreaking.
However, you don’t get much clarity. Other brands offer clarity with Bass. But Sony has a particular audio signature- more power to the upper Bass. Upper Bass is heard, whereas lower Bass is felt. Sony S400 has a lesser lower Bass. You feel it less and listen to it more.
Negative effect- Sony HT-S400 Soundbar Review
1)You will have to compromise on clarity.
2) You hear heavy male and female vocals due to more Bass.
Result of the Audio Test 2
For the second audio test, we turned on the Voice feature, i.e. reduced subwoofer power and more mid-response from drivers. Despite that, the vocals were heavy. This soundbar is perfect if you like heavy Bass.
But if you want absolute clarity, then avoid it. The vocals were quite heavy even after turning the voice feature on. See the power distribution chart-
Power Distribution Chart – Sony HT-S400 Soundbar Review
Lower Bass is less and upper Bass has a spike. Due to this, the vocals also have Bass, which ruins the audio signature. Sony claims the S-Force Pro Surround effect from drivers, and we tested it too.
Result of the Audio Test 3
What you got was loud audio rather than the surround effect. More power is given to the Bass. There was no surrounding effect despite Sony’s claim. These drivers deliver more power. The response of mids and highs is robust but needs to be refined.
Sony S400 is not useless. Sony has followed its usual audio signature in S400. Night mode is a distinguishing feature. Night mode cuts down power delivery by 50%-70%. Bass is reduced, and there is more clarity in dialogues with night mode.
Pros & Cons
It gives the best bass response. The upper Bass is fantastic. No other brand can offer such Bass as in Sony S400.
Sony’s max power is given to the upper Bass. This Bass is heard more.
Sony claims apparent power with X-Balance speakers. But with reduced subwoofer bass, dialogues automatically become clearer. For dialogues, select this mode. It is vital for news too.
Connecting it to the TV will give you all kinds of decoding, like Dolby audio and Dolby digital. But Dolby Digital’s response won’t be good due to lesser clarity. You will get a passthrough but not clarity.
People love Sony. This soundbar is perfect for bass lovers but not for people who love clarity.
Its connectivity options are fewer.
The display is ordinary. It is OLED but tiny. After a half hour of connection, you won’t know if it is connected. You know it only after you start playing on the TV. There is no constant display.
You only get HDMI ARC, optical and USB ports. With HDMI eARC, it would be better.
This soundbar lacks clarity, for sure. It doesn’t give you every note or nuance.
More upper Bass kills mids, as mids also get Bass. All this ends the clarity.
In the end, little power is given to provide little clarity, but that isn’t enough.
The Treble could be better.
Key Specs
SPEAKER DRIVERS | 2.1 channel; |
AUDIO OUTPUT | 200W Soundbar (2*100W); |
SPECS & FEATURES | 4Ω+4Ω, 2×2 Inch Soundbar Speakers; |
AUDIO & VIDEO FORMATS | S-Force Pro Front Surround Sound; |
WIDTH & WEIGHT | 35.4 Inch Soundbar; |
CONNECTIVITY | HDMI ARC; |
PRICE | ₹ 22,000 |
Watch this review - https://youtu.be/TfEImnrX2OY