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Sony HT-X8500 Review | 109 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£350
  • Avg. price in US: ~$300
  • N. of audio channels: 2.1
  • Audio output power: 200 W
  • HDMI ARC type: eARC

Sony HT-X8500 review. Compare 109 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among soundbars and if it is worth buying.

7.3

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the soundbar's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best soundbars on the market.

Score components:

80.0%

6.9

Technical Score

20.0%

9.0

User score

Very good
6.9

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

25.0%

5.9

Audio

18.0%

8.3

Formats

16.0%

6.6

Connectivity

14.0%

8.0

Controls

12.0%

8.4

HDMI & Gaming

10.0%

3.9

Smart features

5.0%

6.5

Design

Good
9.0

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the soundbar.

When it matters: When you want to know how a soundbar sounds in real use and how satisfied owners are with dialogue clarity, bass, and ease of setup.

Score components:

70.0%

8.6

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.3
(1671)
amazon
3.7
(8)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Exceptional
  • 7.4
    Movies

    Score components:

    25.0%

    10

    Dolby Atmos

    25.0%

    4.3

    N. of audio channels

    20.0%

    4.0

    Subwoofer included

    15.0%

    10

    Audio output power

    15.0%

    10

    HDMI ARC type

  • 7.8
    Gaming

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    HDMI pass-through frame rate

    30.0%

    10

    HDMI ARC type

    20.0%

    4.3

    N. of audio channels

    15.0%

    10

    Audio output power

  • 4.3
    Music

    Score components:

    20.0%

    10

    Audio output power

    20.0%

    4.0

    Subwoofer included

    20.0%

    0.0

    Equalizer bands

    15.0%

    1.0

    N. of supported Bluetooth codecs

    15.0%

    4.0

    Wi-Fi connectivity

    5.0%

    4.0

    Spotify Connect

    5.0%

    10

    Bluetooth connectivity

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Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Sony HT-X8500 is a compact 2.1-channel all-in-one soundbar measuring 890mm x 64mm x 96mm, featuring dual integrated subwoofers and four front-facing drivers to eliminate the need for a separate bass unit. It stands out by supporting premium object-based audio formats including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, utilizing Sony's Vertical Surround Engine to simulate a 7.1.2-channel cinematic experience from a single slim body. Key advantages include easy setup via a single HDMI eARC/ARC connection, 4K HDR passthrough with Dolby Vision compatibility, and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless streaming. However, it lacks a built-in display, relying instead on less intuitive LED indicators, and can sometimes struggle with muffled dialogue or a 'boxy' sound profile because of its simulated center channel and lack of dedicated upward-firing speakers.

Technical Specifications of soundbar Sony HT-X8500

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

25.0%

5.9

Audio

18.0%

8.3

Formats

16.0%

6.6

Connectivity

14.0%

8.0

Controls

12.0%

8.4

HDMI & Gaming

10.0%

3.9

Smart features

5.0%

6.5

Design

6.9
Sony HT-X8500 has a technical score of 6.88 points, which is higher than that of 83.5% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the soundbar.

When it matters: When you want to know how a soundbar sounds in real use and how satisfied owners are with dialogue clarity, bass, and ease of setup.

Score components:

70.0%

8.6

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.3
(1671)
amazon
3.7
(8)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

9.0
Sony HT-X8500 has a user score of 9.02 points, which is higher than that of 90.4% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the soundbar.
When it matters: When you prefer to choose a soundbar reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
10
Sony HT-X8500 has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 77.7% of smartphones.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

7.3

Overall score

40.0%

8.7

Price

7.7
Sony HT-X8500 has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.7 points, which is higher than 88.3% of smartphones.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand under which the soundbar is marketed and sold.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Sony
N. of audio channels
What it is: Shows how many separate audio channels the system is built to reproduce, such as left, center, surround, height, and subwoofer channels.
When it matters: When you are deciding between a simpler bar and a setup built for wider surround placement, clearer center dialogue, or more immersive height effects.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=5.1

2.1
Sony HT-X8500 has a number of audio channels of 2.1, higher than 56.9% of soundbars and equal to 19.2% of soundbars.
Standalone configuration kept; expandable/virtual claims ignored.
Audio output power
What it is: Total continuous or peak audio output power, measured in watts.
When it matters: When you need enough headroom to fill a larger room or listen at higher volume without the system feeling strained.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >100 W

200 W
Sony HT-X8500 has an audio output power of 200 W, higher than 82.9% of soundbars and equal to 2.9% of soundbars.
Max SPL
What it is: Maximum sound pressure level output, measured in dB SPL.
When it matters: When you use the soundbar in a large room, listen at high volume, or want it to stay convincing during action-heavy movies and parties.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >90 dB SPL

?
Min frequency
What it is: Lowest reproducible audio frequency, measured in hertz.
When it matters: When deep bass extension matters and you want to know how low the system is supposed to reach.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <50 Hz

50 Hz
Sony HT-X8500 has a min frequency of 50 Hz, lower than 50.7% of soundbars and equal to 13.5% of soundbars.
Single-source exact-model low-frequency figure used.
Show more
Dolby Atmos
What it is: Means the soundbar can play Dolby Atmos soundtracks, which add height information on top of normal surround channels for a more three-dimensional presentation.
When it matters: When you watch a lot of movies or shows with Atmos tracks and want a more enveloping sense of space than standard surround usually provides.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Sony HT-X8500 supports Dolby Atmos. 20.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Atmos playback is virtualized.
DTS:X
What it is: Can handle DTS:X object-based surround audio from compatible sources.
When it matters: When your library includes DTS:X content and you want the soundbar to reproduce its surround effects properly.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Sony HT-X8500 supports DTS:X. 10.6% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X playback is virtualized within the bar.
Dolby TrueHD
What it is: Can decode Dolby TrueHD, a lossless surround format often used on Blu-ray and higher-end local media setups.
When it matters: When you play disc-based or local media and want lossless Dolby audio support.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Sony HT-X8500 supports Dolby TrueHD. 17.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Lossless playback depends on HDMI input/eARC path.
DTS-HD Master Audio
What it is: Can decode DTS-HD Master Audio, a lossless DTS format used on many Blu-ray releases.
When it matters: When your movie library includes discs or files with higher-quality DTS soundtracks.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Sony HT-X8500 supports DTS-HD Master Audio. 10.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Support depends on the HDMI input/eARC path.
Dolby Digital Plus
What it is: Can decode Dolby Digital Plus, a higher-efficiency surround format used widely by streaming services.
When it matters: When you stream movies and shows from modern apps that commonly deliver audio in Dolby Digital Plus.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Sony HT-X8500 supports Dolby Digital Plus. 25.5% of soundbars include this feature.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
What it is: Number of HDMI input ports available.
When it matters: When several consoles, streamers, or players may need to plug into the soundbar directly.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1

1
Sony HT-X8500 has a number of HDMI inputs of 1, higher than 68.1% of soundbars and equal to 27.1% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
What it is: Can join a wireless network for streaming, app control, updates, and smart-platform features.
When it matters: When you want better streaming stability, direct app playback, or smart features beyond Bluetooth alone.

Importance: HIGH

no
Sony HT-X8500 does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 31.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
What it is: Supported Wi-Fi version or standard (e.g., Wi-Fi 5, 6, 6E).
When it matters: When your network setup uses newer Wi-Fi standards and you want better compatibility or wireless stability.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: Wi-Fi 5/6

N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
What it is: Can receive audio wirelessly over Bluetooth from phones, tablets, computers, and other compatible sources.
When it matters: When you want fast casual streaming from nearby devices without relying on Wi-Fi setup.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Sony HT-X8500 supports Bluetooth connectivity. 96.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
What it is: Supported Bluetooth specification version.
When it matters: When you care about newer Bluetooth efficiency, compatibility, and connection behavior with modern source devices.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

5.0
Sony HT-X8500 uses Bluetooth 5.0, which is newer than that of 38.5% of soundbars and the same as that of 47.8% of soundbars.
Show more
Smartphone app
What it is: Can be configured or controlled through a dedicated mobile app.
When it matters: When you prefer changing inputs, updates, sound modes, or calibration settings from your phone.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Sony HT-X8500 has smartphone app. 34.9% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
What it is: Comes with or supports a physical handheld remote for everyday operation.
When it matters: When you want quick volume, input, and sound-mode control without opening an app.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Sony HT-X8500 has remote control. 73.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
What it is: Design and layout of the onboard control panel.
When it matters: When you want easier everyday control.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Sony HT-X8500 has control panel. 91.3% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
What it is: Works with one or more voice-assistant platforms such as Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri workflows.
When it matters: When voice control is part of how you start playback, change volume, or integrate the bar into smart-home routines.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Sony HT-X8500 supports voice assistant compatibility. 30.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
What it is: Built-in far-field microphones for voice assistant use.
When it matters: When you want hands-free control or built-in voice features.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Sony HT-X8500 does not have far-field microphones. 12.2% of soundbars offer this feature.
Show more
HDMI version
What it is: Version of the HDMI standard supported for input/output.
When it matters: When you need the HDMI link to handle newer video, gaming, or audio-return features in your setup.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 2.1

?
HDMI ARC type
What it is: Shows whether the soundbar uses ARC or eARC for TV audio over HDMI. ARC covers basic return audio, while eARC supports higher-bandwidth formats such as lossless Dolby Atmos and generally gives you more headroom for advanced TV-to-soundbar audio.
When it matters: When the TV will send sound back to the soundbar over HDMI and you care about getting the best audio formats your TV and streaming devices can pass through.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: eARC

eARC
Sony HT-X8500 has eARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is more advanced than what 79.6% of soundbars offer and the same as what 20.5% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
What it is: Lets compatible devices share basic commands like power, volume, and input switching over HDMI.
When it matters: When you want simpler everyday use, such as controlling volume with the TV remote and having the soundbar turn on with the TV.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Sony HT-X8500 has HDMI-CEC support. 64.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
HDMI pass-through resolution
What it is: Maximum video resolution supported through HDMI pass-through.
When it matters: When you connect external players or consoles through the soundbar.

Importance: MEDIUM

?
HDMI pass-through frame rate
What it is: Maximum frame rate supported for HDMI pass-through.
When it matters: When you connect gaming devices through the soundbar.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=120 fps

60 fps
Sony HT-X8500 has a HDMI pass-through frame rate of 60 fps, higher than 81.9% of soundbars and equal to 14.4% of soundbars.
Show more
AirPlay
What it is: Supports Apple AirPlay or AirPlay 2 for network-based streaming from Apple devices and apps.
When it matters: When your home setup is built around Apple devices and you want smooth wireless playback across that ecosystem.

Importance: HIGH

no
Sony HT-X8500 does not support AirPlay. 20.1% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
What it is: Includes Chromecast so audio can be cast directly from compatible apps over Wi-Fi.
When it matters: When you want quick app-based casting from Android, Chrome, or supported streaming services without Bluetooth pairing.

Importance: HIGH

no
Sony HT-X8500 does not support Chromecast built-in. 11.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Does not support Chromecast built-in.
Spotify Connect
What it is: Can receive Spotify streams directly over the network without routing playback through your phone over Bluetooth.
When it matters: When you use Spotify often and want your phone free for calls, battery, or other apps while music keeps playing.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Sony HT-X8500 does not support Spotify Connect. 22.9% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
What it is: Can receive TIDAL streams directly over the network without using Bluetooth from the phone as the audio path.
When it matters: When you use TIDAL regularly and want direct streaming with less dependence on your phone staying involved.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Sony HT-X8500 does not support TIDAL Connect. 7.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
What it is: Native integration with Amazon Music service.
When it matters: When you stream music directly from apps and ecosystems you already use.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Sony HT-X8500 does not have Amazon Music native support. 20.9% of soundbars offer this feature.
Show more
Width
What it is: Overall width of the soundbar.
When it matters: When you want the bar to match the TV size better or fit a narrow cabinet cleanly.

Importance: HIGH

890 mm
Sony HT-X8500 has a width of 890 mm, higher than 65% of soundbars and equal to 1.1% of soundbars.
Height
What it is: Overall height of the soundbar.
When it matters: When clearance under the TV is limited and you do not want the bar covering the lower edge of the picture.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <70 mm

64 mm
Sony HT-X8500 has a height of 64 mm, lower than 59.5% of soundbars and equal to 7% of soundbars.
Thickness
What it is: The front-to-back depth of the soundbar body.
When it matters: When you need the soundbar to fit neatly on furniture, under the TV, or close to the wall without sticking out too much.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <90 mm

96 mm
Sony HT-X8500 is 96 mm thick, thicker than 63.5% of soundbars of soundbars.
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the soundbar unit.
When it matters: When wall mounting, shelf strength, or how easy the bar is to move and position matters.

Importance: MEDIUM

3,100 g
Sony HT-X8500 weighs 3,100 g, more than 73.9% of soundbars and equal to 0.5% of soundbars.
Build material
What it is: Material used for cabinet or body construction.
When it matters: When finish quality, cabinet feel, and how premium the bar looks in the room matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

plastic
Sony HT-X8500 uses plastic for the build material, which is different from that of 5% of soundbars and the same as that of 91.6% of soundbars.
Metal grille.
Show more

Sony HT-X8500 vs the average soundbar

  • 1 more HDMI inputs
    Sony HT-X8500 has more HDMI inputs than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs.
    What it is: Number of HDMI input ports available.
    When it matters: When several consoles, streamers, or players may need to plug into the soundbar directly.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >=1

    Sony HT-X8500 has more HDMI inputs than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs.1 vs 0
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    Sony HT-X8500 supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
    Atmos playback is virtualized.
    What it is: Means the soundbar can play Dolby Atmos soundtracks, which add height information on top of normal surround channels for a more three-dimensional presentation.
    When it matters: When you watch a lot of movies or shows with Atmos tracks and want a more enveloping sense of space than standard surround usually provides.

    Importance: HIGH

    Sony HT-X8500 supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports DTS:X
    Sony HT-X8500 supports DTS:X, the average soundbar does not.
    DTS:X playback is virtualized within the bar.
    What it is: Can handle DTS:X object-based surround audio from compatible sources.
    When it matters: When your library includes DTS:X content and you want the soundbar to reproduce its surround effects properly.

    Importance: HIGH

    Sony HT-X8500 supports DTS:X, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports DTS-HD Master Audio
    Sony HT-X8500 supports DTS-HD Master Audio, the average soundbar does not.
    Support depends on the HDMI input/eARC path.
    What it is: Can decode DTS-HD Master Audio, a lossless DTS format used on many Blu-ray releases.
    When it matters: When your movie library includes discs or files with higher-quality DTS soundtracks.

    Importance: HIGH

    Sony HT-X8500 supports DTS-HD Master Audio, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby TrueHD
    Sony HT-X8500 supports Dolby TrueHD, the average soundbar does not.
    Lossless playback depends on HDMI input/eARC path.
    What it is: Can decode Dolby TrueHD, a lossless surround format often used on Blu-ray and higher-end local media setups.
    When it matters: When you play disc-based or local media and want lossless Dolby audio support.

    Importance: HIGH

    Sony HT-X8500 supports Dolby TrueHD, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby Digital Plus
    Sony HT-X8500 supports Dolby Digital Plus, the average soundbar does not.
    What it is: Can decode Dolby Digital Plus, a higher-efficiency surround format used widely by streaming services.
    When it matters: When you stream movies and shows from modern apps that commonly deliver audio in Dolby Digital Plus.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony HT-X8500 supports Dolby Digital Plus, the average soundbar does not.
  • Has smartphone app
    Sony HT-X8500 supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
    What it is: Can be configured or controlled through a dedicated mobile app.
    When it matters: When you prefer changing inputs, updates, sound modes, or calibration settings from your phone.

    Importance: HIGH

    Sony HT-X8500 supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports HDR pass-through
    Sony HT-X8500 supports hDR pass-through support, the average soundbar does not.
    HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision pass-through.
    What it is: Can pass HDR video formats through HDMI to a compatible TV without stripping that signal capability.
    When it matters: When players or consoles run through the soundbar and you do not want to lose HDR video support.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony HT-X8500 supports hDR pass-through support, the average soundbar does not.
  • More audio channels
    Sony HT-X8500 has more audio channels than the average soundbar (2.1 vs 2.0). The average soundbar has 2.0 audio channels.
  • Higher speaker size
    Sony HT-X8500 uses larger speakers than the average soundbar (8x3" inch vs 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch). The average soundbar uses speakers of 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch.
  • 2.86x higher audio output power
    Sony HT-X8500 has a higher audio output power than the average soundbar (200 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
  • Supports bass boost
    Sony HT-X8500 supports bass boost, the average soundbar does not.
  • 3 more sound modes
    Sony HT-X8500 offers more sound modes than the average soundbar (7 vs 4). The average soundbar offers 4 sound modes.
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    Sony HT-X8500 supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports DTS:X
    Sony HT-X8500 supports DTS:X, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports DTS-HD Master Audio
    Sony HT-X8500 supports DTS-HD Master Audio, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby TrueHD
    Sony HT-X8500 supports Dolby TrueHD, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby Digital Plus
    Sony HT-X8500 supports Dolby Digital Plus, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports AAC
    Sony HT-X8500 supports AAC, the average soundbar does not.
  • 1 more HDMI inputs
    Sony HT-X8500 has more HDMI inputs than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs.
  • Supports HDR pass-through
    Sony HT-X8500 supports hDR pass-through support, the average soundbar does not.
  • Higher HDMI pass-through frame rate
    Sony HT-X8500 has a higher HDMI pass-through frame rate than the average soundbar (60 fps vs none fps). The average soundbar supports an HDMI pass-through frame rate of none fps.
  • Newer HDCP version
    Sony HT-X8500 uses 2.3 for HDCP version, while the average soundbar uses none.
  • Has smartphone app
    Sony HT-X8500 supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • Compatible with Voice assistant
    Sony HT-X8500 supports voice assistant compatibility, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports night mode
    Sony HT-X8500 supports night mode, the average soundbar does not.

Total
Overall
Audio
Formats
Connectivity
HDMI & Gaming
Controls
  • Unbalanced impedance
    Sony HT-X8500 has impedance of 6 + 3 Ω, while the average soundbar has 6 Ω.
  • 1 fewer supported audio formats
    Sony HT-X8500 supports fewer audio formats than the average soundbar (1 vs 2). The average soundbar supports 2 audio formats.
  • No USB audio input
    Sony HT-X8500 does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
    No (Firmware update only)
  • No AUX input
    Sony HT-X8500 does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
    no
  • No USB playback
    Sony HT-X8500 does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
    no (for firmware update only)
  • 1,100 g heavier weight
    Sony HT-X8500 is heavier than the average soundbar (3,100 g vs 2,000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2,000 g.
  • 129 mm wider width
    Sony HT-X8500 is wider than the average soundbar (890 mm vs 761 mm). The average soundbar is 761 mm wide.
  • 2 year/s older release date
    Sony HT-X8500 is older than the average soundbar (2019 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.
    March 31, 2019
  • 11 mm thicker design
    Sony HT-X8500 is thicker than the average soundbar (96 mm vs 85 mm). The average soundbar is 85 mm thick.
  • No USB audio input
    Sony HT-X8500 does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
    No (Firmware update only)
    What it is: Can receive audio through USB from a compatible host device instead of using only analog or HDMI inputs.
    When it matters: When a computer or compatible source is easiest to connect over USB rather than through another audio output.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony HT-X8500 does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
  • No AUX input
    Sony HT-X8500 does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
    no
    What it is: Includes a 3.5 mm analog input for connecting older devices or simple wired audio sources.
    When it matters: When a TV, projector, music player, or other source still relies on analog audio output.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony HT-X8500 does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • No USB playback
    Sony HT-X8500 does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
    no (for firmware update only)
    What it is: Can play audio files directly from a connected USB storage device.
    When it matters: When you keep music on flash drives or want simple local playback without a streaming app.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony HT-X8500 does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
  • 1,100 g heavier weight
    Sony HT-X8500 is heavier than the average soundbar (3,100 g vs 2,000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2,000 g.
    What it is: Total weight of the soundbar unit.
    When it matters: When wall mounting, shelf strength, or how easy the bar is to move and position matters.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony HT-X8500 is heavier than the average soundbar (3,100 g vs 2,000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2,000 g.3,100 g vs 2,000 g
  • 129 mm wider width
    Sony HT-X8500 is wider than the average soundbar (890 mm vs 761 mm). The average soundbar is 761 mm wide.
    What it is: Overall width of the soundbar.
    When it matters: When you want the bar to match the TV size better or fit a narrow cabinet cleanly.

    Importance: HIGH

    Sony HT-X8500 is wider than the average soundbar (890 mm vs 761 mm). The average soundbar is 761 mm wide.890 mm vs 761 mm
  • 3.68x more expensive
    Sony HT-X8500 is more expensive than the average soundbar (£350 vs £95).
    Sony HT-X8500 is more expensive than the average soundbar (£350 vs £95).£350 vs £95
  • Unbalanced impedance
    Sony HT-X8500 has impedance of 6 + 3 Ω, while the average soundbar has 6 Ω.
    What it is: Speaker impedance, measured in ohms.
    When it matters: When you are comparing driver or amplifier design details and want one more hardware indicator beyond marketing specs.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony HT-X8500 has impedance of 6 + 3 Ω, while the average soundbar has 6 Ω.6 + 3 Ω vs 6 Ω
  • 2 year/s older release date
    Sony HT-X8500 is older than the average soundbar (2019 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.
    March 31, 2019
    What it is: Official release date of the model.
    When it matters: When this part of everyday TV, movie, or music use matters to you.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=2022

    Sony HT-X8500 is older than the average soundbar (2019 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.2019 vs 2021
Total
Overall
Audio
Formats
Connectivity
Design

Graphic comparison of Sony HT-X8500 and other soundbars

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.3
1671 Reviews
amazon
3.7
8 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about Sony HT-X8500?

  • Compact all-in-one design with built-in subwoofers saves space by eliminating the need for a separate bulky unit.
  • Supports premium audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, providing an immersive 3D sound experience for a budget-friendly price.
  • Features Sony's Vertical Sound Engine, which effectively simulates a wider and taller soundstage from a 2.1 channel setup.
  • Simple setup process with HDMI eARC/ARC connectivity, allowing for easy control via a TV remote.
  • Offers multiple sound modes (Cinema, Music, Game, News, Sports) that allow users to tailor audio to their specific content.
  • Strong, punchy bass for its size, which adds depth and impact to movies and action scenes.

What customers dislike about Sony HT-X8500?

  • Lack of a dedicated center channel can lead to dialogue and vocals being overpowered by the bass or sounding muffled.
  • No visual display screen; users must rely on a series of LED indicator lights that can be confusing to interpret without the manual.
  • Virtual surround sound effects are highly directional, meaning the most immersive experience is limited to a narrow 'sweet spot' directly in front of the bar.
  • Limited wireless connectivity options, as it only supports Bluetooth and lacks Wi-Fi, Chromecast, or AirPlay functionality.
  • Integrated subwoofers cannot fully replicate the deep, room-shaking rumble of a standalone dedicated subwoofer.
  • Users have reported reliability issues, such as the unit randomly turning off or failing completely after several months of use.

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