Late last year, the our lab reviewed the Sony HT-AX7 portable soundbar which is quite interesting for those who just want to have a home theater set. Its compact design allows it to be carried anywhere. To experience the real listening experience of the Sony home theater ecosystem, the our laboratory is now equipped with a Sony HT-S2000 soundbar, a Sony SA-SW3 200W woofer and also a SA-RS3S 100W rear speaker (50Wx 2).
The complete set price for these three products reaches RM6,097. But Sony is offering a discount on the HT-S2000 at a price of RM1799 (base price RM3199), SA-SW3 200W at a price of RM1399 RM1259 (base price RM1399) and the SA-RS3S at a price of RM1349 (base price RM1499). This makes this complete set priced at RM4407. It's almost twice the price of the HT-AX7, is it worth spending the extra RM2200? I will explain in this article.
SPECIFICATION AND DESIGN
This review is more for the Sony HT-S2000, but since the soundbar supports magic tethering with the SA-RS3S rear speakers and also the SA-SW3 woofers I tested them all as a more affordable home theater ecosystem than the JBL Bar 1000.
Sony HT-S2000
This soundbar uses a digital amplifier system and also S-Master with 5-channel and 250W power. The subwoofer is already present as a built-in audio driver in the 3.1-channel speaker structure. This soundbar supports Bluetooth 5.2 connection or HDMI eARC which supports Dolby audio as well as AAC and SBC codecs.
There is an interesting feature included which is Sound Field which uses the built-in microphone to tune the audio quality to suit the space such as in the room or in the living room. This feature makes the home feel like a movie theater as the S-Force Pro system, Vertical Surround Engine and/or DTS Virtual: X are included for amazing immersive audio.
Sony SA-SW3 200W
SA-SW3 is an additional subwoofer with 200W power. It supports the Wireless Surround connection system by Sony which can connect with the HT-S2000 automatically. The weight of this subwoofer is 10.5 kilograms and it also uses a digital amplifier system and the S-Master is only limited to 1-channel. The SA-SW3 promises deeper bass and can rumble louder. The design from the inside to the outside is very detailed such as the audio driver with magnetic circuit with Seperated Notch Edge.
Sony SA-RS3S 100W
Lastly is the SA-RS3S rear speaker set with 100W power, which is 50W on the left unit and 50W on the right unit. Just like the SA-SW3, these two speakers also support the Wireless Surround tethering system and use digital amplifiers as well as S-Master with 2-channels. This speaker cannot be used independently because it needs the HT-S2000 to function properly.
AUDIO QUALITY
Sony uses its own algorithm to ensure balanced audio can be produced. Female voices and male voices are balanced with this theater set unlike the HT-AX7. Proved here that size plays a role. So whether you're watching a movie or want to watch a concert, the vocals will sound clear and delicious.
The high tones that this Sony theater set produces are also pleasant to listen to and comfortable. It's not overly sharp and loud but the effects of the digitization post-process are still audible. This I can accept as being a mid-range theater set. Sony's diverse algorithms are of the adaptive type that can calibrate the audio quality according to the situation and the content being played.
As with the HT-AX7, the Sound Field on this theater set is also able to make the living room or in our studio look like an audio system in a theater - still the same, that is, for a space that is not that big. Watching the TV series 3 Body Problem and trying to play The Batman movie, this theater set gave me quite a satisfying experience.
What I realized, even though the Sony HT-S2000 soundbar has been paired with the SA-SW3 woofer and also the SA-RS3S rear speakers – it still can't compete with the JBL Bar 1000. The JBL Bar 1000 is able to produce very good audio, strong and bass shaking the ceiling of our studio.
CONTROL AND APPLICATION
To control all these speakers, they need to be connected with the Home Entertainment Connect application. This is one of the most user-friendly audio apps I've ever used. Just open the application and it continues to detect the speakers in the room. One is tethered, the other two will stay tethered on their own with the Wireless Surround system. This simple application is suitable for use by anyone and will definitely know what they want to control for their own comfort.
The remote control is also provided with a compact size. The physical buttons are for all important features such as Sound Field on/off, change input, adjust bass or even volume. The button feels good to press but throughout use I mostly use the application only because it's more comfortable. After checking the notification on the phone, just open the application to control the theater set.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
Here's what you'll get with each purchase;
Sony HT-S2000
1x HT-S2000
1x HDMI eARC Cable
1x Power cable
1x Remote control
1x Set of manual and safety book
Sony SA-SW3
1x SA-SW3
1x Set of manual and safety book
Sony SA-RS3S
1x SA-RS3S Left
1x SA-RS3S Right
1x Set of manual and safety book
CONCLUSION
My experience with the Sony HT-AX7 and the HT-S2000 set is not much different. This is because both still use the same Sony audio profile and that is mid-range audio quality. But for bass and volume the HT-S2000 is the best because of the size. Vocals and high tones are also better but the immersive effect produced on me is not satisfactory enough.
If the price difference between the HT-AX7 and the HT-S2000 set is around RM2000, which is quite an expensive price, it's getting close to Aidilfitri, I'm willing to keep using the HT-AX7 because it has an additional bonus that it can be taken anywhere. If I want to add money that has already reached a thousand, I will choose a flagship class theater set for a more satisfying experience.
PRO
Minimalist and modern design.
A soundbar that is easy to install and control.
Better and louder audio than using normal speakers.
Among the complete theater sets at a budget price (Soundbar, Woofer and rear speakers (satellite))
CONS
Not a new model and after many years it is more affordable.
The high notes are still audible digital post-processing effects.
Codecs are limited to AAC and SBC.
The audio quality is not much different from other products in the cheaper HT series.