Sony HT-X8500 vs Polk Audio React review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

Sony HT-X8500 vs Polk Audio React comparison chart

Overall
Sony HT-X8500
6
Polk Audio React
4.8
4
9

Sony HT-X8500 vs Polk Audio React review

Sony HT-X8500
vs
Polk Audio React

An affordable soundbar is always a good option to consider, so Sony HT-X8500 vs Polk Audio React comparison definitely makes sense. Based on our rating, HT-X8500 has a total rating of 6 out of 10 versus 4.8 for React. The competitors' control buttons are different: power, volume down, volume up, input, Bluetooth and power, source, volume down, volume up, respectively.

Audio features

Both soundbars have active amplification type. A significant difference between the units in the number of channels, the Sony HT-X8500 has 2.1 versus 2.0 for the Polk Audio React. Only the Sony HT-X8500 has a built-in subwoofer. The Sony HT-X8500 got our rating of 6 out of 10, and the Polk Audio React 4 for its audio features and specs.

Streaming services

Spotify support is available on the React.

Connectivity

Only the Polk Audio React can connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Sony HT-X8500 has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 0/1 of the Polk Audio React. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. Both soundbars have a USB connector. For connectivity, the HT-X8500 received a rating of 8/10 versus 5/10, respectively.

Features

App control is available for the React. A built-in microphone is present only on the React. Soundbars do not have Multi-room support.

Multichannel surround

Only the HT-X8500 has a Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format support. A surround technology DTS:X is supported only by the HT-X8500. For multichannel surround Sony HT-X8500 got a rating of 10, and Polk Audio React 6 out of 10.

Advantages Sony HT-X8500 over Polk Audio React

  • Built-in subwoofer
  • Compatible with Dolby Atmos
  • Compatible with DTS:X

Advantages Polk Audio React over Sony HT-X8500

  • Amazon Music compatible
  • Spotify support
  • WI-FI enabled
  • App control
  • Microphone
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Common

Product

Sony HT-X8500
Polk Audio React

Model

HT-X8500
React

Brand

Sony
Polk Audio

Reviews

171
0

General

Placement type

table-top, wall-mountable
table-top, wall-mountable

Connection to source

wired, wireless
wired, wireless

Soundbar buttons

power, volume down, volume up, input, Bluetooth
power, source, volume down, volume up

Audio features

Built-in channels

2.1
2.0

Amplification type

active
active

Output power, W

30 (overall)

Separate speaker (in package)

0
0

Separate speaker connections

has not

Subwoofer

Built-in subwoofer

Separate subwoofer (in package)

Separate subwoofer connections

wired

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

has not
Pandora, SoundCloud

Connectivity

WI-FI

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

0
0

NFC

HDMI input/output

1/1
0/1

HDMI ARC

HDMI eARC

HDMI CEC

Optical digital input/output

1/0
1/0

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
1 (USB 2.0)

Coaxial digital input/output

0/0
0/0

Analog audio input/output (RCA)

0/0
0/0

Headphone output

0
0

Subwoofer output

0
0

Features

Voice control

App control

Microphone

Remote control

Multi-room

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD
Dolby Digital

DTS:X

DTS (other)

DTS HD, DTS ES, DTS 96/24
DTS Digital Surround

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size (Wx H x D), cm/in

89 x 6.4 x 9.9/35.1 x 2.6 x 3.8
86.4x12.1x40.6/34.5x4.9x16

Weight, kg/pounds

3.1/6.1
2.9/6

Other

Release year

2020
2020
Sony HT-X8500
Polk Audio React
Sony HT-X8500
Polk Audio React

Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 6
  • 4.8
  • 6Sony HT-X8500
  • 4.8Polk Audio React

Sony HT-X8500 competitors

Polk Audio React competitors