The HT-X8500 doesn’t produce compelling overhead audio in the same vein as a 7.1.4 system, but does create a soundstage as high as it is wide.
Sony claims it approximates a soundfield comparable to an Atmos 7.1.2 system, which is something of a stretch. Some may even find the balance of those twin forward-facing woofers a little overbearing at times, but their sheer enthusiasm is hard to fault.īut the Sony HT-X8500 soundbar isn't perfect. With a bass response down to 50Hz, the rumbles aren’t seismic, but they’re persistent. It may be modest, but this all-in-one thumps like an ogre’s headache. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the internal subwoofer. Working with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content, it creates a convincing illusion of wraparound sound that allow Dolby Atmos movies to play with a clear sense of expanded height and width.Įven better, Vertical S doesn’t just work with immersive codecs, either - it can be used as an up-mixer for two channel and conventional 5.1 sound sources too, to similar good effect. The key to the Sony HT-X8500 soundbar's gutsy performance is Sony’s proprietary Vertical Sound Engine. (Image credit: Sony) Sony HT-X8500 Soundbar review: performanceĪny reservations we had about the performance of this mid-ranger were blown away when powered up - this soundbar is convincingly cinematic.
Perhaps, surprisingly for a Dolby Atmos soundbar, there are no up firing drivers and HDMI connectivity is limited. Instead we get twin forward facing woofers. Overall, the Sony HT-X8500’s compact design is easy to live with, with no separate subwoofer to claim floor space. The 4K HDMI board is compatible with Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG. There’s also an optical digital audio input, for when ARC isn’t available. Up top are touch-sensitive buttons, for power, input selection, volume and Bluetooth pairing.Ĭonnectivity is relatively sparse, limited to just two HDMIs, one an input, the other an output with eARC. The front-facing array is protected by a smart rolled grille, while a gun metal grey trim adds interest. The cosmetic finish has a sense of style. A modest 89cm wide, it’s suitable for TVs measuring between 49-55-inches. The subwoofer may be built-in, but the bar remains pleasingly slim. Features: HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatible, remote control
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