Sound quality:
Sony's Bravia Theater Bar 8 (HTA8000) has very good overall sound quality - although it has some noticeable sonic quirks, this model reproduces music and dialog very well. With the various sound modes turned off and the bass tone control set to provide the most even tonal balance, bass has good impact but is a touch tubby and deep bass is lacking. Midrange: The lower-midrange is a bit subdued, and the overall midrange is bit grainy, hazy and congested, a touch plasticky and echoey. Treble is fairly extended, but is a bit smeared. Does a decent job of recovering room ambience but the slightly echoey quality of the midrange adds artificial reverberation and the overall sound is bit congested. With stereo program material the two channel sound field extends a somewhat above and not much to the sides of the speaker array, and lacks depth. Individual instruments and voices can be identified, but have a two dimensional quality. The various sound modes have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance.
5.1 channel
With multi-channel material (5.1) the sound field is wider and taller than with stereo program material. The various sound modes have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance.
Dolby Atmos
When playing Dolby Atmos material, the width and height of the sound field expands somewhat depending on the program material; the sound field can extend up and above into the ceiling to 1/3 of the way into the room, however, there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front. Individual instruments and voices are easy to identify but are two dimensional.
Sound Modes
The various sound modes have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance and/or volume level of program material. The "Voice" and "Night" sound modes have a effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance and/or volume level.
DTS-X
When playing DTS:X material, the width and height of the sound field is about the same as heard with multi-channel program material. Individual instruments and voices are easy to identify but are two dimensional. The "Sound Field" sound mode expands the width and height of the sound field; depending on the program material; the sound field can extend up and above into the ceiling, however, there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front.
TV ease of use: Very good overall.
Features ease of use: Very good overall.
