Sony HT-X8500 vs JBL Bar Studio review

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l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – Sony HT-X8500 vs JBL Bar Studio. The Sony HT-X8500 was rated 6, while the JBL Bar Studio has a rating 5. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, volume down, volume up, input, Bluetooth for the HT-X8500 and volume down, volume up, power, source for the Bar Studio.

Audio features

Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that HT-X8500 has 2.1 and Bar Studio has 2.0. A built-in subwoofer is available only in the Sony HT-X8500. Rate 6 out of 10 received the Sony HT-X8500 for audio features and specs, but the JBL Bar Studio received 5 out of 10.

Streaming services

Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. The units in this comparison do not support Spotify.

Connectivity

Both models do not have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Sony HT-X8500 versus 1/0 HDMIs in the JBL Bar Studio. As in the HT-X8500, so in the Bar Studio there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the HT-X8500 at 8 out of 10, while the Bar Studio was rated 6/10.

Features

None of these soundbars can be controlled using the app. Soundbars in this review are not equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration cannot become part of a multiroom system.

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos audio decoder is onboard the HT-X8500. The HT-X8500 can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The HT-X8500 was rated 10/10, while the Bar Studio received a mark of 5/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages Sony HT-X8500 over JBL Bar Studio