The Sony HT-S20R is a soundbar with a 5.1 sound system, a subwoofer, 400W output power, and a decent set of connections. With all this, the sound system has a competitive price. At first glance, it looks like the younger brother of the Sony HT-RT3. When you buy a TV, especially with a small diagonal, most likely the sound from the TV speakers will be without bass.
The Sony HT-S20R is a soundbar with a 5.1 sound system, a subwoofer, 400W output power, and a decent set of connections. With all this, the sound system has a competitive price. At first glance, it looks like the younger brother of the Sony HT-RT3. When you buy a TV, especially with a small diagonal, most likely the sound from the TV speakers will be without bass.
Aside from watching TV shows, the TV will lack the sound needed to watch a movie. One option is to get a budget 2.1 soundbar that will provide good sound quality. A CH 5.1 bar for surround sound may be an expensive proposition.
Check Out: Yamaha HTR-2071
However, the HT-S20R can solve this problem too. Can this soundbar improve the quality of TV viewing at a low price? Is it worth buying the HT-S20R? In the Sony HT-S20R review, we will try to answer these and other questions.
Aside from watching TV shows, the TV will lack the sound needed to watch a movie. One option is to get a budget 2.1 soundbar that will provide good sound quality. A CH 5.1 bar for surround sound may be an expensive proposition.
However, the HT-S20R can solve this problem too. Can this soundbar improve the quality of TV viewing at a low price? Is it worth buying the HT-S20R? In the Sony HT-S20R review, we will try to answer these and other questions.
Sony HT-S20R – Review
Design
A traditional 5.1 home theater has 5 separate channels and one subwoofer. In the Sony HT-S20R soundbar, which will sit flush with your TV, we have three speakers. The soundbar is very well constructed. It has a metal mesh grille covering the front and protecting the speakers.
There are rubber feet at the bottom that provide a secure grip on the table. If desired, you can mount the soundbar on the wall. There is no display in the soundbar. The display is on the subwoofer. For aesthetic reasons, the soundbar fits even under a 40-inch TV.
The Sony S20R soundbar may look a little small compared to a 55-inch TV, but there’s nothing that will make it spoil your home. Cables connect to each device. Each cable is color-coded. The downside is that if a cable gets damaged, you can’t replace it yourself.
The rear home theater speakers are small. Their design is perfect for those who want to mount surround speakers on the wall. The rear speakers have the same design as the front soundbar, with a metal mesh grille on the front that covers the speakers and a plastic trim. All this gives the design a very minimalist look.
The subwoofer is the heart of the system. The subwoofer also has an LED display that shows information such as the input signal, as well as source information, and the ability to adjust the speaker volume. It is simple and easy to use. The physical touch controls are located on the top of the subwoofer. Overall, the home theater build is good considering its price.
Remote control
The remote control body is made of plastic. It is minimalistic and ergonomic. The buttons on the remote are rubber, so they are easy to press. The power button is located at the top, so it is the easiest to reach. The remote control gives access to 5 different sound modes – standard, movie, music, voice, and night mode. You can also press “Auto” and let the system choose for you.
If you are not using the night mode, it is recommended to leave the system in automatic mode. There is also a Dimmer button that dims the subwoofer display for a more immersive viewing experience. There are other controls, such as playback and subwoofer controls.
Stereo mode
When it comes to listening to music, it should be noted that the Sony S20R soundbar can provide good bass. For those who like to listen to music from all speakers, it should be noted that the sound comes from the surround speakers as well as the front left and right speakers. It is a fairly cohesive sound. However, this may not always be the best listening experience.
In other words, if you buy the HT-S20R soundbar just for listening to music, it does the job, but it’s not the best for the price. Audiophiles are better off buying a good pair of studio speakers. However, for the average person looking for a multi-functional system, this system will do the job.
Multichannel sound
Before testing the HT-S20R soundbar, you should remember that if the content source does not have good surround sound, then it will affect the system itself. Also, if we compare between Bluetooth and ARC , then it is recommended to use ARC because it provides better sound quality. When watching movies from Netflix, the sound seems clearer and the channel separation is better compared to Bluetooth.
According to the rules of multichannel sound, the dialogue in a movie is expected to come from the center channel. The fronts provide the main sound, and the rears provide the sound from behind. However, there are some caveats. First, the left and right speakers are positioned too close to the center channel, which is part of the design of the system.
Because of this, an airplane flying across the screen produces a less dramatic effect than if the front speakers were far apart. Secondly, the rear surround speaker of the corresponding side (left or right) also turns on when the front left or right speaker is supposed to play sound.
If the rear speakers are located at a significantly greater distance from each other than the front speakers, the sound stage will not look quite perfect. But only home theater enthusiasts will notice this. For other users, the S20R soundbar provides a more pronounced presence effect.
You can also control the surround sound speaker and subwoofer levels to get the sound you want. If the game you’re playing has a 5.1 option, be sure to take advantage of that. It will help improve channel separation, surround effects, and overall experience.
Connections
All the connections in the Sony HT-S20R soundbar are on the back of the subwoofer, and that’s where the problem lies. The wires connected to the back of each speaker are long enough to fit the size of an average living room. The problem is that the audio inputs, such as HDMI ARC, optical audio, etc., are on the back of the subwoofer.
This means that you either need to place the subwoofer underneath or next to your TV, which may not be ideal. Or you may need to invest in a very long HDMI or audio cable. It would be better if the connections were on the back of the soundbar.
In terms of connectivity, the home theater has an optical audio input, an analog audio input (stereo mini), and a USB Type A. It also has HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel), but there is no HDMI pass-through input.
When setting up, remember that the rear surround speakers should be positioned at ear level to ensure the best sound quality from the system. Only a 3.5mm audio cable is included.
Sony HT-S20R Specifications:
1. Sound System
- Channel Configuration: 5.1 channels (Soundbar + Subwoofer + Rear Speakers)
- Total Power Output: 400W (RMS)
- Speaker Type:
- Soundbar: 3 speakers (left, right, and center)
- Subwoofer: 1 (wired, 6.3-inch)
- Rear Speakers: 2 (wired)
2. Audio Features
- Dolby Digital: Yes (provides immersive surround sound for a cinematic experience)
- S-Force PRO Front Surround: Yes (simulates 5.1 surround sound)
- Bass Boost: Yes (for deep, rich bass)
- ClearAudio+: Yes (optimizes sound for different content like movies, music, and news)
- Sound Modes: Multiple sound modes, including Standard, Music, Movie, and Night Mode for optimal audio tuning.
3. Connectivity
- HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel): Yes (allows easy connection to compatible TVs with a single HDMI cable)
- Optical Input: Yes (for additional audio devices such as TVs or gaming consoles)
- Analog Input (3.5mm): Yes (allows connections with older devices)
- Bluetooth: Yes (for wireless audio streaming from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop)
- USB: Yes (to play music from a USB drive)
4. Design and Build
- Dimensions (Soundbar): 900mm x 64mm x 88mm (Width x Height x Depth)
- Weight (Soundbar): 2.5 kg
- Dimensions (Subwoofer): 190mm x 390mm x 390mm (Width x Height x Depth)
- Weight (Subwoofer): 5.5 kg
- Rear Speakers: Wired (no batteries required, easy installation)
5. Power and Energy Efficiency
- Power Consumption:
- Soundbar: 30W
- Subwoofer: 30W
- Rear Speakers: 10W
- Power Supply: 100V – 240V, 50/60Hz
- Standby Power Consumption: <0.5W (energy-efficient)
6. Additional Features
- Voice Enhancement: Yes (improves dialogue clarity for movies and TV shows)
- Easy Setup: Simple plug-and-play installation with HDMI ARC or optical cable for quick setup
- Wireless Subwoofer: The subwoofer is wired to the system but can be positioned remotely to improve bass performance.
- TV Remote Compatibility: Supports controlling basic soundbar functions via the TV remote (when using HDMI ARC)
- Wall-Mountable: Yes (mounting hardware included for easy wall installation)
7. Compatibility
- TV Compatibility: Works with most modern TVs with HDMI ARC or optical output
- Streaming Services: Compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled streaming devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops
- Audio Format Support: Supports multiple audio formats, including MP3, AAC, WAV, and FLAC via USB and Bluetooth
Price HT-S20R
At the time of writing the review, end of March 2025, the Sony HT-S20R soundbar is available in many stores. The price of the Sony HT-S20R is around $250.00
HT-S20R Review Summary
The Sony HT-S20R is an excellent option for those looking for an affordable yet feature-rich 5.1 sound system. It offers powerful audio output, Dolby Digital support, and easy connectivity with HDMI ARC, optical input, Bluetooth, and USB. Whether you’re watching movies, playing games, or listening to music, the HT-S20R delivers impressive sound quality and an immersive audio experience. Its easy setup, sleek design, and energy-efficient operation make it a great choice for any home entertainment system.
