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Sony HT-X8500 vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sony HT-X8500
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Apr 09, 2024 01:57 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Oct 18, 2024 01:25 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels2.1
Channels5.0.2
Variants
- HT-X8500
- BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 (Black)
Our Verdict
Sony HT-X8500
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 is better than the Sony HT-X8500. Its soundstage is wider with a bit more thump. Dialogue is considerably clearer, thanks to the dedicated center channels on the BRAVIA Theater Bar 8, and overall, it sounds less boxy than the HT-X8500. While both support most of the same audio formats, if you're a gamer, the BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 boasts 4k @ 120Hz support, while the HT-X8500 tops out at 60Hz passthrough.
Check Price
Standard
HT-X8500
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Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
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Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comNotice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable.
Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our
soundbars test methodology.
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Main Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.8
7.1
Center
6.7
8.5
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
0.0
Stereo Frequency Response
6.8
7.1
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
No
Enclosure
Integrated
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
34.9" (88.7 cm)
43.3" (110.0 cm)
Height
2.5" (6.3 cm)
2.5" (6.4 cm)
Depth
3.9" (9.8 cm)
4.4" (11.3 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
7.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
6.8
7.1
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
2.1
5.0.2
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard Surround
Slope
-0.52
0.63
Standard Error
3.31 dB
3.49 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
59.9 Hz
52.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.2 kHz
19.3 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
6.8
7.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard Surround
Suggested Bass Setting
-1
1
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
N/A
Slope
-0.48
-0.40
Standard Error
3.44 dB
2.95 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
59.9 Hz
48.3 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.0 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
6.0
6.5
Crosstalk Error
1.99 dB
4.49 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.4
7.3
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
92.6 dB SPL
92.9 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.63 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
2.19 dB
4.32 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.5
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.57
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.32
Center
6.7
8.5
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Discrete
Slope
-0.82
0.65
Std. Err.
3.14 dB
2.66 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
91.4 dB SPL
94.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.44
0.35
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.27
5.11
Surround 5.1
3.3
4.7
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
-0.76
2.43
Std. Err.
5.33 dB
7.75 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.5 dB SPL
91.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.52
0.33
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.32
0.76
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
4.8
5.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Surround (Downmix)
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Slope
-0.19
0.62
Std. Err.
5.82 dB
6.11 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
80.0 dB SPL
85.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
2.65
3.35
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.60
0.40
Sound Enhancement Features
4.7
5.3
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
No
EQ
Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
No
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Yes
Full HDMI In
1
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
0.0
Dolby Digital
Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Not Supported
Audio Latency: ARC
6.3
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
100 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
96 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
104 ms
Dolby Digital
127 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
134 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
136 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
7.5
5.8
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
100 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
97 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
108 ms
Dolby Digital
147 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
139 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
142 ms
ARC
-23 ms
Optical
5 ms
Full HDMI In
-126 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
0.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
Dolby Digital
N/A
Video Passthrough To TV
6.6
9.6
1080p Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
60Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
Yes
ALLM Passthrough
No
Yes
Wireless Playback
6.0
9.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
No
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
No
Yes
Spotify Connect
No
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
Check Price
Standard
HT-X8500
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
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Sony HT-X8500
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Sony HT-X8500 vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8: Main Discussion
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