*** GENERAL ***
This sound bar is primarily intended to improve the TV sound. Most televisions are flat and thin, which of course at the expense of sound quality. I have for example a Philips TV 6008 in which I always thought that he already has a pretty good sound. But if we compare the sound from the television with which the Soundbar has to be said that it is absolutely grottig, at least if you like to watch movies.
*** *** CONNECTIVITY
The TV will be combined usually via optical connection to the soundbar, coaxial or indeed analog would also be possible, however, via optical input you get the best sound results. For this purpose, a cable is included, this is relatively short, as it is but the Soundbar attach usually directly below or above the Fenerseher it is sufficient.
The big plus compared to the previous model is the Bluetooth connectivity. So you can connect your smartphone, tablet or PC via Bluetooth with the Soundbar and so also convenient and easy to play music. Although I own the previous version of the Soundbar without Bluetooth, but I have the impression as if this feature is in addition to some small improvements, the biggest difference between the devices. So if you can not require a Bluetooth including valiantly to 33% cheaper model grab.
Unfortunately, a HDMI port is missing.
*** *** Set-up options
You can set the soundbar on either a rack directly in front of the TV or mount it on the wall. My TV has 42 "and therefore exactly as wide as the soundbar. Whoever has a smaller TV in which the soundbar should be wider than the television. The height fits with my Philips also the soundbar does not obscure the image. You can see the Soundbar also be mounted on the wall. Although nails are not resolved, but the manual is what you need. The feet can be unscrewed for wall mounting.
*** *** REMOTE CONTROL
The remote is very small, clear and functional. The only problem is: It's just one remote control. Happy may be, who has a Sony television, because with the remote control, you can also select the rudimentary functions of Sony TVs (program + -, mute, playback source changes). Otherwise, you have to live with two remote controls, or get a programmable.
With the remote control you can also still activate a night mode in which the dynamic is slightly slowed down, so that there is not as blatant volume jumps. Particularly in rent definitely a useful feature, you can even think about its use is after 23:00 clock. In addition, you can adjust the bass and treble.
*** SOUND QUALITY ***
A very good example of the sound quality is the opening sequence of Prometheus - a film that in many ways represents a benchmark in terms of sound quality and surround me. I have switched during this sequence alternately simultaneously the TV or the Soundbar dumb, so I had a direct comparison and since it appears very quickly, how superior the Soundbar is the normal television sound. Especially the subwoofer, so the deep bass come in this sequence very subversive and very punchy used during normal TV sound you get away with anything, the Soundbar is active one notices this bass very well. But the soundbar may not only make printing. Part of this sequence is a waterfall scene. If you have the normal television sound that sounds very pulpy, one then the soundbar turned on there is a difference like night and day, the water noise is worked out very differentiated. In this respect the difference of Soundbar to television is much greater than of Soundbar to home theater system.
Of course, not everything that glitters is gold. A real home theater system, this Soundbar in fact not replace. A good example of the weaknesses in the surround area is, for example, Pearl Harbor, the Japanese approach the scene of the harbor. With a true surround system, the aircraft actually fly from the left and right through the living room so you would almost crouch. This effect fizzles out with the soundbar - perfectly in a surround mode. So Who correct surround effects are important is not here to be happy.
Where you have to really think about whether their own housing situation really requires more. Just for example, in smaller student apartments, the possibilities to be able to position a home theater system truly ideal are often limited. Even in rather badly soundproofed buildings saves you probably stress but with neighbors when one renounces the thick home theater system and prefer so provides a sound bar under the TV. Also Performance-wise, the Soundbar is often accused of having "only" 60 watts. For the rooms in the stands with me the TV that ranges from totally full.
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CONCLUSION
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As already said: A real surround system can not replace this Soundbar, even if they tried to fool with the Surround feature a. But this is not so bad in my eyes. The increase compared with the normal television sound Tonqualtiät is enormous. The soundbar manages to work out subtleties that completely perish in the normal TV speakers. At the same time a volume gets offered by the small subwoofer that gives me no known TV device so far.
That it only 60 watts does not bother me, for my small apartment ranging from the completely. The room where the soundbar is has about 14sqm and it is absolutely perfect and fits visually seamlessly.
The Bluetooth feature comes in handy. I was so accustomed to Bluetooth speaker that I always find it strange to come in households that do not have such a thing.
From my side therefore gets this TV Soundbar with Bluetooth Function Sony unrestricted recommendation (if one is aware of the fact that they can provide no real surround sound)