Upgrading from my old Sony soundbar, the Sony HT-S40R 5.1ch Home Theater Soundbar System has been a fantastic improvement. Setting everything up was a breeze – it literally took just minutes. The most time-consuming part was actually assembling the stands for the rear speakers. Once everything was connected, it was pure plug-and-play simplicity.
The surround sound experience is phenomenal, especially for movies and gaming. The rear speakers truly come alive during action scenes, perfectly reproducing sound effects like shattering glass, explosions, bullets whizzing by, and background chatter that complements the main dialogue. For both TV and gaming, I typically keep the sound setting on “standard surround” for the best overall experience. The center speaker is another clear upgrade over my previous setup, delivering clear and crisp dialogue thanks to its three-speaker design. The subwoofer performs admirably as well, adding the necessary bass and rumble.
However, it’s important to note that music playback isn’t quite on par with the surround sound performance. Switching the sound setting to “music” mode helps a bit, but this system isn’t designed for throwing huge house parties. Cranking up the music, especially on the rear speakers, would likely result in distortion (think blown car speakers!).
Overall, I highly recommend the Sony HT-S40R for Sony enthusiasts or anyone looking for an easy-to-set-up surround sound system that delivers excellent audio quality for movies and gaming. Read more…
