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Top Sony Soundbars of 2025 for Exceptional Home Audio

Top Sony Soundbars of 2025 for Exceptional Home Audio

Valeriy Bagrintsev Valeriy Bagrintsev
9 minute read

Top Sony Soundbars of 2025 for Exceptional Home Audio

Looking to elevate your home entertainment experience? Check out the best Sony soundbars of 2025, delivering stunning sound quality for every budget.

Introduction to Sony Soundbars

If you're a fan of movies, TV shows, or sports and want to enhance the sound quality in your home theater without the hassle of a full surround sound system, a soundbar is likely on your shopping list. And if that's the case, there's a good chance Sony is a brand you trust—and for good reason. This Japanese tech giant has a wealth of experience in both home theater and audio technologies. Over the years, they've produced numerous five-star soundbars, including the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9, which tops this list.

However, after testing Sony soundbars for decades, we can confidently say that just because a soundbar has the Sony logo doesn’t guarantee it’ll be great. Despite the impressive options, there have been some not-so-good and even poor-performing models bearing the Sony brand. That's why we’ve compiled this guide, detailing the best Sony soundbars for any budget, all tested in our dedicated listening and viewing rooms to ensure they deliver excellent sound quality.

Quick List of Top Picks

  • Best Sony Soundbar OverallSony Bravia Theatre Bar 9: The ultimate choice for serious cinephiles and those who care about sound.
  • Best Budget Sony Soundbar for AtmosSony HT-S2000: Impressive sound quality with features like Dolby Atmos and HDMI eARC.
  • Best Sony Soundbar for AtmosSony HT-A3000: A budget-friendly option for cinematic sound.
  • Best Mid-range Sony SoundbarSony HT-A5000: A solid model packed with features that make it appealing.
  • Best Affordable Sony SoundbarSony HT-SF150: A budget-friendly option perfect for replacing your TV's built-in speakers.

1. Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 – Best Overall Sony Soundbar

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9

Specifications:

  • Connection: HDMI (eARC) out, 1 HDMI 2.1 input, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, AirPlay 2
  • Audio Format Support: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
  • Streaming: Spotify Connect
  • Voice Control: Yes
  • Dimensions: 6.4 x 130 x 11 cm
  • Weight: 5.5 kg

Pros:

  • Excellent clarity, detail, and punch
  • Impressive 3D sound processing
  • Stylish, sleek design

Cons:

  • Slightly clinical in sound delivery
  • No display
  • Occasionally overemphasized deep bass

The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 is a favorite for good reason. It excels in its duties provided you have the space and budget to accommodate it. This flagship soundbar replaces the previous Sony HT-A7000. Key updates include a new driver configuration and a quad passive radiator setup, featuring four front-facing woofers, three standard tweeters, dual upward-firing speakers, and two passive radiators. The larger woofers allow for better low and mid-frequency performance.

During testing, this system showcased its ability to produce outstanding sound, and the Atmos support brings in a verticality that’s rare in soundbars. With its clean, rich sound filled with clarity and detail, we confidently recommend this Sony soundbar as a five-star option currently available. Here’s why our reviewers agree:

“The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 is significantly better than its predecessor, the impressive HT-A7000. It’s hard to fault its clarity, detail, dynamics, and overall atmosphere, and its design is a big improvement too.”

2. Sony HT-S2000 – Best Budget Sony Soundbar for Atmos

Sony HT-S2000

Specifications:

  • Connection: HDMI (eARC) out, optical
  • Audio Format Support: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
  • Streaming: Bluetooth 5.2
  • Voice Control: No
  • Dimensions: 6.4 x 80 x 12 cm
  • Weight: 3.7 kg

Pros:

  • Easy plug-and-play functionality
  • Clear, crisp dialogue
  • Confident dynamics

Cons:

  • Lacks bass weight
  • Sound field mode is a miss
  • Not as full-bodied as competitors

3. Sony HT-A3000 – Best Sony Soundbar for Atmos

Sony HT-A3000

Specifications:

  • Connection: Headphone, optical, USB
  • Audio Format Support: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS-HD, PCM
  • Streaming: Chromecast, Bluetooth 5, Apple Airplay 2, Wi-Fi
  • Voice Control: Alexa, Google Assistant
  • Dimensions: 6.4 x 95 x 13 cm
  • Weight: 4.6 kg

Pros:

  • Clear dialogue
  • Solid dynamics
  • On-screen menu system

Cons:

  • Sound projection could be better
  • Height channels are weak
  • Faces stiff competition

The HT-A3000 is the most compact and affordable model in the HT-A series. It still boasts Dolby Atmos, but some features have been cut, like upward-firing speakers or additional HDMI inputs. It’s styled similarly to more expensive models with a smooth black plastic finish and subtle copper accents, featuring capacitive touch buttons for power, input, streaming, Bluetooth, and volume control.

Despite being mid-sized, it easily outmatches the Sonos Beam, supporting a variety of audio formats, including DTS:X, Dolby Digital, and Sony 360 Reality Audio, as well as Dolby Atmos. The sound is natural, with effects well-placed, targeting virtual surround sound effects despite the lack of upward-firing speakers.

4. Sony HT-A5000 – Best Mid-range Sony Soundbar

Sony HT-A5000

Specifications:

  • Connection: eARC, 1x HDMI 2.1, optical, USB
  • Audio Format Support: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Audio, DTS:X, DTS-HD, PCM
  • Streaming: Chromecast, Bluetooth 5, Apple Airplay 2, Wi-Fi
  • Voice Control: Alexa, Google Assistant
  • Dimensions: 6.7 x 121 x 14 cm
  • Weight: 6.1 kg

Pros:

  • Powerful, deep, well-balanced sound
  • Excellent connectivity options
  • On-screen setup

Cons:

  • Limited equalizer control
  • Lacks sparkle in voices
  • No VRR or ALLM on launch

5. Sony HT-SF150 – Best Affordable Sony Soundbar

Sony HT-SF150

Specifications:

  • Audio Formats: Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual Mono, LPCM 2ch
  • Connection: HDMI, optical, USB, ARC
  • Streaming: Bluetooth 4.2
  • Dimensions: 6.4 x 8.8 x 90 cm

Pros:

  • Looks and feels great
  • Impressive scale and width
  • Budget-friendly

Cons:

  • Slightly muted presentation
  • Could use more punch

If you want to enhance your TV's sound with minimal fuss, the affordable Sony SF150 is a fantastic option for the money. At this price point, very few other soundbars are worth considering. Even though the SF150 is significantly cheaper than its peers on this list, it remains a well-built speaker that won’t look out of place under a high-end TV.

Beyond HDMI ARC, it has an optical input and supports Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual Mono, and LPCM 2ch. There’s also a USB port and Bluetooth 4.2 for streaming music. The SF150 features Sony’s S-Force Front Surround technology designed to create a more immersive sound experience. While it’s not an ideal substitute for true surround sound, it does add depth and separation to any audio.

We noted that dialogue sometimes lacks clarity, and we included more musical soundbars on our list, but if you're on a budget, the SF150 still stands out as a quality choice.

Also Consider

Sony HT-G700: Not the smallest soundbar, but it boasts great sound and a good price. While pricier than the SF-150, the added features like convincing Dolby Atmos sound and a powerful subwoofer provide depth to larger explosions. However, it lacks clarity and does not have music streaming features.

How to Choose the Best Sony Soundbar

Sony offers a wide range of soundbars, from budget-friendly options to premium models that pair well with new Bravia TVs. But when selecting the right one for you, consider more than just the price.

First, think about where your soundbar will be located. Ensure there’s enough space under your TV, or is there enough room elsewhere in your entertainment center? (Keep in mind that if you need a panel that projects sound upward to mimic ceiling speakers, it can be blocked.) For wall-mounted TVs, similarly, consider wall-mounting options for the soundbar.

Most Sony soundbars utilize S-Force Pro Front Surround technology to create a virtual surround sound effect. More expensive models come equipped with features like 4K and HDR support, impressive vertical effects, advanced gaming features, Chromecast for wireless streaming, and voice control. If you're looking for a soundbar that delivers maximum immersion, check for support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X—multi-directional sound formats that recreate cinema-quality 3D audio.

Also, consider how many HDMI ports you’ll need. Make sure the model you choose has enough for your TV, gaming console, Blu-Ray player, or any other multimedia devices. If you plan to use the soundbar for music, check if your favorite streaming service is supported.

Will New Sony Soundbars Be Released in 2025?

As of now, Sony hasn't announced any home theater devices for 2025. However, based on previous release schedules, we expect more information about the company’s plans in the coming months. While we are confident that new TVs will be released, it's unclear what the future holds for their soundbars. The flagship Bravia Theatre Bar 9 was only released last year, and the company typically takes longer breaks between new soundbar releases than it does between TV launches.

Are Sony Soundbars the Best?

For years, we've awarded Sony soundbars five-star ratings. The company has a proven track record of creating fantastic-sounding soundbars that enhance movie-watching experiences, sports broadcasts, or even regular TV shows. The current Bravia Theatre Bar 9 is an incredibly advanced soundbar. However, it does face strong competition, and we often recommend the Sonos Arc Ultra, which is similarly priced, to most people. That's why we encourage you to explore offerings from all brands, not just Sony.

How Do I Connect a Sony Soundbar to My TV?

All soundbars, regardless of brand, include an optical input for a direct connection to your TV, but many also feature HDMI connections. Note that the necessary cables aren’t always included, so you may need to acquire your own.

Which is Better: HDMI ARC or Optical?

Optical cables don’t support the full range of audio formats, so if you want to get the most out of your Sony soundbar, you'll need an ARC (or eARC) connection if it’s available on your TV. This will require an HDMI port, so ensure you have enough outputs for all your devices. This setup will also allow you to control the soundbar with your TV’s remote, though it can sometimes lead to a slight delay in audio, which can usually be fixed by adjusting the delay settings or limiting the codecs used.

Do I Need a Sony TV to Get the Most Out of My Sony Soundbar?

You don’t need a Sony TV to use a Sony soundbar, but if you connect the HT-A7000, HT-A5000, or HT-A3000 to certain Bravia TVs, you can benefit from the Acoustic Center Sync feature, which utilizes the TV’s built-in speakers as a center channel to enhance sound quality.

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