Good concept with potential

After about four weeks in Test I want to share my experience with the Sony HTCT60BT 2.1 soundbar and subwoofer again. First of all, short for processing: The materials used (plastic almost exclusively on the soundbar itself) are processed wertig, who wants the best materials and superior processing but also needs to continue one or two price points continue to start up.

Connects the soundbar via TOSLINK cable (optical transmission) - thanks to the support of Dolby Digital can thus at least theoretically true multi-channel sound is transmitted to the soundbar. One major drawback: Since an HDMI input is missing, you have to control the Sony Soundbar with a separate remote control. Via HDMI (incl. CEC), the devices could be conveniently combined Turn on and off and also the volume levels could be controlled so on the TV remote control.

Who moreover also wants to control the smartphone, tablet or notebook, the soundbar, this can simply do usual. Particularly noteworthy in this context: Thanks to NFC, the coupling is very simple. Who has an appropriately equipped smartphone or tablet (currently only available on Google Android and Windows Phone-based), so can without any device (keyword: Peering) start right away and play your favorite music.

The sound can not keep up with a real 5.1 system and also in general, I would just turn off the virtual surround sound, of course. Better than the built-in TV speakers, the system is all - especially the dedicated subwoofer can even generate quite a decent bass in smaller rooms. How otherwise in - for a subwoofer - to be expected rather small membrane are really high level as well as very low frequencies but not for the subwoofer. Who wants to experience powerful and dry-sounding bass drums a base that needs are also evident deeper into their pockets.

Conclusion: Good sound, in particular thanks to an extra subwoofer. Bluetooth + NFC is a nice extra feature, only HDMI would be with respect to the control was much more pleasant. The possibility thus likely to also transmit HD audio, however, tend not to attract attention.