The Sony soundbar offers an improved sound experience compared to the Denon DHT S316. The compact size of the soundbar makes it a good candidate for small housing environments. The voice of the TV is easier to hear and the instrument and voice can be heard clearly and independently. While the surround effect is not as strong as a dedicated 5.1 channel setup, it still provides a sense of sound coming from about 45 degrees diagonally. The bass is not as extended as the Denon DHT S316, but it can be improved by adding a subwoofer. Overall, the sound quality is better than expected.
Adding rear speakers enhances the sound experience, making it more immersive in movies, news, and commercials. The combination of the soundbar and rear speakers provides a fresh experience, especially when sound comes from the back. If budget allows, it is recommended to add rear speakers, or a cheaper option could be a 2.1 soundbar with a subwoofer.
The soundbar is highly immersive and suitable for TV viewing, providing an easier listening experience and increasing the reality of sound in all types of content like movies, anime, and games. It enhances the sound of specific works, such as brightening the sound of web and spider sense in Spider-Man: No Way Home, increasing the power of action scenes, and improving the reality of environmental sounds in Breaking Bad. In Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, the sound of knife slices and the voice actors' performances are more distinguishable. The sound effect of techniques in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and the sound of Mario's fireball are impressive. In Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, the cheerful and eerie sound increases and adds to the overall atmosphere. In Skyrim AE, the sound of rivers and wind contributes to a more realistic experience, and the whereabouts of enemies can be understood to some extent. In End of Eternity Remaster, enemy attack sounds can be heard from all around, elevating the exhilaration of battles.
Initial setup of the soundbar took around 30 minutes, but there were no major issues or time lags after connecting it. The remote control is rarely used as most settings can be adjusted via the smartphone app, and the volume can be controlled using the TV remote.
The soundbar provided a satisfactory experience, but further sound adjustments were only possible after setting up the BOSE app. Once the ADAPTiQ was set to adjust the sound based on the furniture arrangement in the room, the surround effect became more noticeable.
Additional equipment, such as wireless surround speakers and subwoofers, further improved the sound quality and enhanced the overall experience. The customer service provided by the BOSE Customer Center was polite and helpful in resolving any connection issues.