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Sound quality is an integral part of any audio or visual experience. It helps you immerse yourself in the intensity of the experience, whether it is listening to music or watching a thrilling movie. However, as electronics like TVs become slimmer, so do their speakers, thus sacrificing audio quality.
This is one of the reasons why more people are buying soundbars and home theater systems. However, picking a soundbar presents another challenge when considering the many companies producing the product, like JBL, Sony, LG, Sennheiser, Sonos, and Samsung.
Choosing the right soundbar for your home will require analyzing and comparing the features of soundbars from different manufacturers. This article will help you by comparing soundbars from two of the most established companies in the sector: Sony and Sennheiser. Read on for an in-depth review of Sony vs. Sennheiser soundbars.
Sony vs. Sennheiser Soundbars: Side-By-Side Comparison
| Feature | Sony Soundbars | Sennheiser Soundbars |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Contemporary design | Sleek and minimalist design that blends in with the interior décor |
| Sound Quality | Good balance between bass and treble | Offers clear, balanced, immersive auditory experiences |
| Connectivity | HDMI, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity | Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), HDMI, Wi-Fi, Ethernet |
| Smart Features | Chromecast built-in, Apple Airplay 2, Voice control | Apple Airplay, Voice control, Chromecast built-in |
| Virtual Assistants | Supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa | Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa |
| Price Range | Generally more affordable than Sennheiser soundbars | Have a higher price range than Sony soundbars |
- Tweeter built in, with 2 channel speaker
- Bluetooth enabled
- Bass Reflex style speaker for an especially deep sound
- S-Force Pro Front Surround sound feature included
Sony vs. Sennheiser Soundbars: What’s the Difference?
Sennheiser is a German company specializing in manufacturing audio devices like headphones, microphones, and soundbars. On the other hand, Sony is a Japanese company that makes several consumer electronic products, including TVs, home theaters, soundbars, headphones, and gaming consoles. Though both companies manufacture excellent soundbars, several distinctions should be highlighted so consumers can understand what they buy.
Brand History and Reputation
Sennheiser is a family-run company headquartered in Wennebostel near the German city of Hanover. The company was founded as Laboratorium Wennebostel (Labor W) by Dr. Fritz Sennheiser in 1945 to meet the demand for measuring devices and microphones after World War II.
The company changed its name to Sennheiser in 1958. It soon established a research and development department on microphones and headphones in the 1960s. Since then, the company has become one of the best producers of high-end audio devices.
Today, Sennheiser’s products attract both casual and professional consumers. You will find their speakers and microphones in concert halls, music studios, and cinemas worldwide. You may also have used or seen their headphones, woofers, and soundbars in homes globally, as they deliver crisp, clear sound.
Like Sennheiser, Sony Corporation was founded after World War II; however, that is the extent of their similarities. Started in 1946 by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K, Sony Corporation’s first products were tape recorders and magnetic tapes.
Unlike Sennheiser, Sony’s leadership decided to diversify its product portfolio early instead of focusing only on audio devices. As a result, the company started manufacturing TV sets in the 1960s, then ventured into the music production and promotion business in the 1970s. Today, Sony manufactures almost every consumer electronic product, including TVs, cameras, gaming consoles, soundbars, speakers, and laptops.
Regarding reputation, many people prefer Sony products for their variety. The company’s product lineups range from affordable to premium products that rival the market’s high-end products.
Price Range
Sony likes to make products that appeal to consumers of varying means. As such, the company offers products over a wider price range. For instance, the company’s most affordable soundbar is the HT-S100F, currently retailing at $99.99, making it affordable for most of the consumer base.
At the other end of the spectrum is the HT-A7000 soundbar, the company’s most expensive, which retails at $1,399.99. Sony also offers at least eight other soundbar models with a price range of between $200 and $1,000. The varied price range means Sony can hold on to some customers as they upgrade from the lower tier soundbars to premium products.
Conversely, Sennheiser is a strictly premium product producer, meaning you will not find an entry-level product affordable to most, or mid-range priced products trying to appeal to slightly higher earners. Sennheiser’s primary goal is to make high-end products for those willing to fork out a pretty penny to enhance their audio experiences.
For example, the most affordable Sennheiser soundbar is the AMBEO Soundbar Plus. It costs $1,499.95, more than most are willing to pay for an audio device and more expensive than Sony’s priciest soundbar. Furthermore, the company’s most expensive soundbar, the AMBEO Soundbar Max, costs $2,499.95.
Overall, Sony is the better brand regarding price friendliness and range, thus the better option for the fiscally conservative consumer.
- Deep 30Hz bass
- Delivers 3D surround sound via advanced room calibration
- Built-in equalizer and 3 bespoke AMBEO 3D technology modes
- Fully compatible with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and MPEG-H
- Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect
Design and Build Quality
Price primarily influences designs for Sony soundbars. The more affordable soundbars in the lineup tend to have plain, simple, and rectangular designs resembling metallic blocks. This ensures the product remains as affordable as possible by minimizing design and build complications.
However, as the soundbar price increases, so does the design and build quality. The mid-range and premium Sony soundbars have a more contemporary design emphasizing minimalism. They will appeal to consumers who do not like electronics that stick out in a room.
On the other hand, Sennheiser soundbars are all about quality designs and finishing. The products are made from premium materials like aluminum and glass, thus guaranteeing build longevity. The soundbars also have cloth grilles, which complement their aesthetics. However, one of the biggest criticisms about the build quality of Sennheiser soundbars is their weight. They tend to be heavier than Sony soundbars, which may not appeal to some consumers.
Sound Quality
Sound quality output is the most essential factor when reviewing soundbars. Consumers expect sound output at par with the price they pay for a device, making it integral for manufacturers to provide value for money.
Sony soundbars have one of the best balances between sound quality and price. As a consumer, you will be satisfied with your chosen device output, regardless of the price range. That is because Sony has tried to create devices that put out immersive audio.
Sony soundbars are ideal for watching movies and TV shows as they effectively draw you into the content by balancing the bass and treble. Moreover, the soundbars have an equalizer that allows users to tweak the sound output settings to meet their audio needs.
Sony soundbars have a variety of channel layouts ranging from the entry-level device with a 2-channel arrangement to the premium HT-A7000 with a 7.1.2 channel arrangement. In addition, some Sony soundbars come equipped with a wireless subwoofer to intensify bass output. The devices also offer surround sound and 360 spatial sound, which help the device use its environment to produce better sound.
- DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, Vertical Surround Sound Engine
- 360 degree sound mapping
- converts audio to 7.1.2 Ch automatically
- 4K/120 and 8K passthrough for the best visuals and gameplay.
On the other hand, Sennheiser soundbars are all about premium quality sound. The devices offer some of the most realistic audio output in the audio equipment industry. The sounds are crispy and clear, with no discernible interferences. Sennheiser soundbars also exquisitely balance deep bass and sharp rebels, resulting in sounds with detailed definitions.
Sennheiser soundbars also incorporate technologies like Dolby Atmos and 360 spatial sound to produce 3D surround sound with realistic dimensions based on the surrounding setups. Regarding channel arrangement, you can get a soundbar with 5.1.4 channels or one with 7.1.4 channels. However, Sennheiser does not offer subwoofers with its devices, meaning you must spend extra.
Connectivity
When reviewing soundbars, connectivity entails how seamlessly a soundbar pairs with other devices, like TVs, gaming consoles, and smartphones. As such, you want a soundbar with multiple connectivity features.
Sony soundbars have all the standard connectivity ports you expect in today’s electronic devices. They include an HDMI ARC in the entry-level and mid-range soundbars and HDMI eARC ports in the premium devices. The HDMI ports facilitate the passthrough of audio formats such as Dolby Atmos, DTS: X, and Dolby Digital.
Sony devices also have USB ports to appeal to those who prefer using flash drives. In addition, the soundbars support wireless connectivity via Bluetooth, allowing consumers to play content from their phones and laptops. Conversely, Wi-Fi lets you connect the devices to wireless speakers via your local network.
Sennheiser soundbars offer more connectivity options than Sony soundbars. For example, Sennheiser soundbars have an auxiliary connector (Aux) port and an ethernet port, facilitating physical connections when wireless connectivity is not an option. Moreover, they have near-field communication (NFC) technology, which acts as a Bluetooth pairing option.
Smart Features
Virtual assistants are the first smart feature consumers look for in a soundbar. The assistants enable hands-free control of audio systems, thus giving users the ability to multitask. Both Sony and Sennheiser soundbars have Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant built-in. However, Sennheiser offers better functionality because it pairs the virtual assistant with a built-in microphone that works even when you turn off the device.
Other common features in both brand devices include Chromecast built-in and Apple Airplay, which facilitate content streaming from Android and Apple devices. Sony and Sennheiser soundbars also offer Spotify Connect for music streaming though Sennheiser goes a step further by providing Tidal Connect.
Soundbars from both brands also offer multi-room functionality, allowing consumers to connect several speakers in different rooms to one device and play the same or other content in each room. In Sony soundbars, multi-room functionality is operated through the Music Center App, while a Sennheiser Smart Control app helps control multi-room audio in Sennheiser devices.
- AMBEO virtualization replicates the entire home theatre experience.
- Includes built-in 4-inch subwoofers (dual) along with 7 speakers.
- Dolby ATMOS, 360 Reality Audio, MPEG-H, and DTS:X support
- Remote, App and Voice control available
Sony vs. Sennheiser Soundbars: 6 Must-Know Facts
- The first Sennheiser Ambeo soundbar was released in 2019.
- Sennheiser soundbars run on the Ambeo OS, which supports the device app and web browser.
- Sony and Sennheiser soundbars support 4K video passthrough via their HDMI ports.
- Sennheiser soundbars have several equalizer (EQ) settings that allow sound customization.
- Sony soundbars connect seamlessly with Sony TV via BRAVIA Acoustic Center Sync, thus synchronizing video movement and sound output.
- Sony soundbars intensify gaming sessions on PlayStation 5 by using Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode.
Sony vs. Sennheiser Soundbars: Which One is Better? Which One Should You Use?
Both Sony and Sennheiser make incredible soundbars. However, Sennheiser has the upper hand regarding build, design aesthetics, and sound quality. Thus, it goes without saying that Sennheiser soundbars are better than Sony soundbars.
However, Sony and Sennheiser have tailored their soundbars to different client bases. On the one hand, Sennheiser Soundbars target consumers willing to pay high rates for premium quality sound and the prestige of being associated with the brand. On the other hand, Sony appeals to consumers across the economic spectrum. Thus, if you are a price-conscious consumer, choose a Sony soundbar; otherwise, Sennheiser devices are the better option.
- Sony S100F 2.0ch Soundbar
- Tweeter built in, with 2 channel speaker
- Bluetooth enabled
- Bass Reflex style speaker for an especially deep sound
- S-Force Pro Front Surround sound feature included
- Sony HT-A7000 7.1.2ch Sound Bar
- DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, Vertical Surround Sound Engine
- 360 degree sound mapping
- converts audio to 7.1.2 Ch automatically
- 4K/120 and 8K passthrough for the best visuals and gameplay.
- Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus for TV and Music
- AMBEO virtualization replicates the entire home theatre experience.
- Includes built-in 4-inch subwoofers (dual) along with 7 speakers.
- Dolby ATMOS, 360 Reality Audio, MPEG-H, and DTS:X support
- Remote, App and Voice control available
- SENNHEISER AMBEO Soundbar Max
- Deep 30Hz bass
- Delivers 3D surround sound via advanced room calibration
- Built-in equalizer and 3 bespoke AMBEO 3D technology modes
- Fully compatible with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and MPEG-H
- Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Tidal Connect
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