2.1 channels walk into a bar

Display technology has improved immensely over the past couple of years. My current 4K TV is barely 4-inches at its thickest point, and it’s far from a top of the line model. Unfortunately, having a thin TV means less space for speakers. In short, audio tends to suffer the thinner you get. The best way to combat this is with a dedicated surround sound system or at least a soundbar. That’s where the 2.1 channel Sony HT-S350 fits into the story. At less than $300, this soundbar comes with a wireless sub and promises to up your audio game, but how is it really?

Editor’s note: This post was updated on September 28th, 2020 to reflect changes in pricing and to update the conclusion.

Who’s the Sony HT-S350 soundbar for?

• People in small apartments. If you live in a small apartment (like I do), this soundbar has more than enough power (340W) to give you the upgrade you need without annoying the neighbors.
• College students. Aside from most likely living in a small space, college students also are mainly concerned with price. At under $200, the Sony HT-S350 soundbar is hands-down a great bang for your buck product.
• Great entry-level soundbar for anyone curious about better TV audio. If you’ve never had a soundbar before and aren’t sure how much use you’ll get out of a soundbar, this is a great way to dip your toes into the world of more immersive home audio.

How to set up the Sony HT-S350

While the soundbar is fairly small and easy to place, the subwoofer is huge with a 160mm driver.

Fair warning, the Sony HT-S350 comes in a giant, awkward box. I feel like it would’ve been easier to ship/handle in two separate boxes for the soundbar and sub, but instead, they come together in a box that’s difficult to store. Thankfully, setting up the soundbar isn’t as tedious as its packaging. Once you get the soundbar and the sub to where you want them to be, then all you have to do is plug the soundbar and sub into an outlet.

At 64mm in height, the soundbar fits nicely under most TVs and can even be mounted on the wall if need be.

Next, connect the soundbar to the TV via the included optical cable or an HDMI cable and voila, you’re done. When you turn on the soundbar it will automatically connect to the wireless sub which is super convenient. As someone who has fussed with the wires going into an out of a receiver more times than I can count, this is one of those moments that really made me feel like I was living in the future. True, it isn’t a feature unique to this Sony HT-S350, but it still gets me every time.

What’s it like to use?

Using the HT-S350 is fairly straightforward thanks to the included remote. Try not to lose it though because while you can switch between inputs between TV and Bluetooth thanks to the touch-sensitive buttons on top of the soundbar, there’s no way to switch the EQ modes without the remote.

The remote is fairly straightforward to use, even if the modes are somewhat redundant.

Speaking of EQ modes, you can swap between them based on whatever you’re watching or listening to. In the center of the remote are the volume controls, and I found that the listening modes above the volume way more useful than the modes on the bottom. For example, they’re clearly labeled based on what kind of media you’re listening to. The modes available are cinema, music, auto sound, voice, and night. I found night mode especially useful as it came in handy when watching movies at nighttime. So if you’re watching an action movie, you won’t have to raise the volume for the whispered dialog spoken by the protagonist only to have your ears blown off when there’s an explosion. Instead, the night mode balances them out so you won’t accidentally wake the neighbors or your significant other in the other room.

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Underneath the volume controls you’ll find a few more options like the subwoofer volume controls and a mute button, but then there’s also some more vague controls like audio, news, game, sports, and standard. Using them, I wasn’t exactly sure what they did or why they were there. For example, the “News” mode seemed to give extra emphasis to vocals, but couldn’t I just press the “Voice” button on the top of the remote for that? It just seemed a little redundant to me but better have too many features than too little I guess.

Along the top of the speaker are the touch controls for switching inputs and controlling volume.

The soundbar itself is a decent size, and I was able to fit it nicely on my own personal TV stand as well as the one in the living room with plenty of room to spare. It measures 900mm x 64mm x 88mm and weighs just 2.4kg making it light enough that you can mount it on a wall without too much hassle. The front of the speaker is wrapped in a typical grille protecting the drivers. The top of the soundbar is covered in faux leather that looks pretty nice and sets it apart from the plastic that you’ll usually find at this price point.

While the soundbar is fairly slim, the subwoofer, on the other hand, is massive.

While the soundbar is fairly slim, the subwoofer, on the other hand, is massive. It measures 190mm x 382mm x 390mm, but despite its size, I didn’t have a problem finding a spot for it. In my room, it fits snugly underneath my TV stand while in the living room it just sits off to the side of the TV.

What about the connections of the HT-S350?

The soundbar has two drivers hidden behind the grille.

As I mentioned, the sub automatically connects to the soundbar wirelessly and I never had any issues with connectivity or stutters. The soundbar can connect directly to your TV via a single HDMI-CEC output or an optical cable. I chose to use the optical cable as its what came included in the box. If you prefer to listen to music or podcasts, you can also switch to Bluetooth mode and, while it obviously isn’t as seamless as connecting to a pair of AirPods, my source device had no problem finding it and streaming audio. The HT-S350 soundbar is rocking Bluetooth 5. 0, but unfortunately, it only has the basic SBC codec. So you won’t get any higher quality streaming here but then again, this is meant to be used with your TV. I considered the addition of Bluetooth to be just a nice perk for when I feel like listening to music while cleaning or doing other household chores.

Thankfully, Sony kept the branding to a minimum with just a small logo that doesn’t take away from the sleek, all-black design.

While the Sony HT-S350 soundbar does have Dolby Digital compatibility, that’s basically all it has. So if you’re hoping to get any of the more advanced surround sound codecs for a more immersive experience, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Still, if you’ve never heard or cared about something like Dolby Atmos, then this is a perfect soundbar for you. It isn’t the most technologically advanced, but it will hands-down drastically improve the sound coming from your TV speakers.

How does the Sony HT-S350 sound?

The subwoofer (grey), adds a strong, but not-overpowering low end to the mix.

If you look at the graph above, you’ll notice that the sound quality on the HT-S350 is surprisingly neutral. This means that, for the most part, notes in basically all the frequencies above around 200Hz will sound pretty much equally as loud. The big drop off that happens below 200Hz is nothing to worry about, as that’s what the subwoofer (grey) is for. While testing I turned off the sub so as to get the response from just the soundbar, but with the sub turned on it fills out the low ends nicely to the point where my roommate loves turning it on just for the intro of Law & Order because of how much more intense it sounds.

Crime shows aside, this is also good news when listening to music as you can control exactly how much low end you want. I found this useful when listening to music fairly late at night, as I just turned off the sub so as not to annoy the neighbors. It does make songs feel a little empty, and I was missing the thumping kicks throughout the song Haul by Christian Loffler but it’s all there when you turn the sub back on. Mids and highs were also handled nicely.

Listening to Nunca Es Suficiente by Los Angeles Azules and Natalie Lafourcade, the trumpets and her vocals were not competing at all. My only critique would be the cymbal hit that comes in during the chorus at around 1:16 which sounds a little too soft and underemphasized. As I mentioned, the soundbar only supports SBC over Bluetooth as well, so while I wasn’t blown away by the sound, the HT-S350 is still tuned nicely to my liking.

Should you get the Sony HT-S350?

If you already have a soundbar or a 2.1 channel setup, then the Sony HT-S350 might be more of a horizontal shuffle than an upgrade. However, if you don’t have any speakers connected to your TV and want to step up your sound game for cheap, I have no problem recommending the HT-S350 soundbar. This is one of those products that I can easily talk myself into getting once this review unit goes back, and that rarely happens to me. While you won’t get the best quality over Bluetooth and you also won’t get any game-changing surround sound audio codecs, it’s inexpensive and was an instant improvement to my movie-watching experience. The only thing you should keep a lookout for is the price. When this was first released it was hovering around $200 USD but now it’s up to almost $250 on Amazon which is just a little too much. If you think this soundbar could be for you I’d recommend exercising a little patience and waiting for the price to drop again before you pull the trigger.

If you’re still not sold and would rather check out some other soundbars, then we got you covered there too. Just click here to go on and read about some other top of the line options. If you already have a soundbar and are looking to upgrade to something a little better (maybe with some Dolby Atmos support) then make sure to check out our list for the best soundbars. Assuming you have a little money to play with and really want to get the best around we would definitely recommend checking out the Sennheiser Ambeo soundbar or the LG SK10Y, just be prepared to spend significantly more than the Sony HT-S350.

Sony HT-S350 Review | Tested by GearLab

This is the best sounding entry-level soundbar, and the loudest model we tested

Credit: Sony

$202 at Amazon

Price:  $280 List

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Manufacturer:  
Sony

By Michelle Powell and Matt Bento  ⋅  Nov 11, 2021

69

OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#3 of 10

• Sound Quality – 45%
  7. 1

• Ease of Use – 35%
  5.8

• Volume – 15%
  9.0

• Style/Design – 5%
  6.8

RELATED: Best Sound Bar of 2023

Our Verdict

The Sony HT-S350 sounds quite impressive, especially considering its entry-level price. While it doesn’t have WiFi connectivity or support for immersive sound formats like Dolby Atmos, it sounds better than all the other soundbars we tested at the same price point and a handful that cost considerably more, too. It has two channels and a subwoofer, and though it doesn’t try to simulate surround sound, its wireless external subwoofer adds some rumble and excitement to home cinemas. Apple users might be disappointed that Airplay 2 is not supported with this soundbar.

REASONS TO BUY

Great sound for the price

Bluetooth

External subwoofer

REASONS TO AVOID

No wifi connection

No EQ controls

Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)

	This Product Sony HT-S350	Vizio V-Series 2. 1 Home Theater Sound Bar V21-H8	Bose TV Speaker	Polk Audio Signa S3	Yamaha YAS-109
Awards
Price	$280 List $202.25 at Amazon	$190 List $129.95 at Amazon	$279 List $279.00 at Amazon	$299 List $299.00 at Amazon	$220 List $171.81 at Amazon
Overall Score
Star Rating	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Pros	Great sound for the price, bluetooth, external subwoofer	Easy setup, great price tag, subwoofer included	Compact footprint, simple setup, versatile physical inputs	Three levels of voice enhancement, versatile physical inputs, subwoofer included	Inexpensive, good connectivity, great dialogue enhancement mode
Cons	No wifi connection, no EQ controls	Not the best overall sound quality	No smart features, minimal EQ customization	Instructions are confusing and don’t include wifi setup, subwoofer is quite large, sub-par sound quality	Overall audio quality is unimpressive
Bottom Line	This is the best sounding entry-level soundbar, and the loudest model we tested	This soundbar is loaded with great features and has an enormous sound, making it an exceptionally good value	This soundbar sounds great for its size, but can’t hold a candle to higher-end models	This is a two-piece system that may take up more space than it’s worth	This soundbar is sure to improve your home theater experience and is easy to plug in and start enjoying, though the audio quality is far from top-notch
Rating Categories	Sony HT-S350	Vizio V-Series 2. 1…	Bose TV Speaker	Polk Audio Signa S3	Yamaha YAS-109
Sound Quality (45%)
Ease of Use (35%)
Volume (15%)
Style/Design (5%)
Specs	Sony HT-S350	Vizio V-Series 2.1…	Bose TV Speaker	Polk Audio Signa S3	Yamaha YAS-109
Dimensions	Bar: 2.6″ x 35.5″ x 3.5″ Sub: 15.4″ x 7.5″ x 15.13″	Bar: 2.28″ x 36.00″ x 3.20″ Sub: 9.9″ x 8.25″ x 8.25″	Bar: 2.6″ x 35.5″ x 3.5″ Sub: 15.4″ x 7.5″ x 15.13″”	Bar: 2.15″ x 35.43″ x 3.22″ Sub: 13.4″ x 6.72″ x 12. 2″	2.13″ x 35″ x 5.13″
External Subwoofer	Yes	Yes	No (optional)	Yes	No (optional)
Inputs (wired)	Digitcal audio in (optical), HDMI (ARC)	Digital audio in (optical), HDMI (ARC), 3.5mm AUX VA, 3.5mm AUX, USB	Digital audio in (optical), HDMI (ARC), 3.5mm AUX	Digital audio in (optical), HDMI (ARC), 3.5mm AUX, USB	Digital audio in (optical), HDMI (ARC), HDMI in, USB (update only), Ethernet, Subwoofer out
Supported Audio File Formats	Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual mono, LPCM 2ch	DTS	Dolby	Dolby	Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS Digital Surround
WiFi-enabled	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Voice Assistants	n/a	None, but has a dedicated 3. 5mm AUX port to connect a VA device	n/a	Google Assistant	Alexa
App	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Yamaha Sound Bar
Remote control?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Max Volume	102dB	95dB	91dB	88dB	85dB
Syncs with:	None	None	Bose Simplesync enabled speakers	Chromecast and/or Google Home enabled devices	None

Show full specification detailsHide full specification details

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Sony HT-S350 is an entry-level soundbar that really nails it where it counts (sound quality) but has some oversights concerning connectivity (no WiFi). For the money, you get a powerful soundbar and subwoofer that will blow your TV speakers out of the water, has a number of useful presets, and the ability to play music off your phone or tablet via Bluetooth connection.

Performance Comparison

If you want a simple and affordable soundbar, the Sony HT-S350 is a solid option with above-average audio quality.

Credit: Laura Casner

Sound Quality

This soundbar sounds fantastic considering its lower price. Sounds are well-balanced across the spectrum, and the external subwoofer adds some much-desired power and immersiveness to the home theater setup.

Cinematic Experience

While by no means 3-dimensional, the Sony HT-S350 adds plenty of gut-wrenching power to movie night while maintaining decent separation in the sound mix. This soundbar doesn’t support Dolby Atmos or DTS Virtual:X, so you won’t experience a simulated surround sound or height differential (more common in the high-end soundbars), but the subwoofer offers a low end you can feel, which is half the fun of shelling out for a better sound set up anyway. Dialogue cuts through the mix exceptionally well, and when we switch on the “voice” preset, it becomes even more discernible without sounding weird or too trebly, a common problem with several of the cheaper soundbars we’ve tested in dialogue or voice mode.

The Dialogue Enhancement mode makes it easier to discern your favorite lines over all the commotion and while listening at lower volumes.

Credit: Laura Casner

Music

If you’re hoping to get more out of your soundbar and use it as your primary living room music player, you can expect a decent performance, but nothing like the competition from Bose and Sonos. While the bass is powerful, it can overwhelm the rest of the mix. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to sync this soundbar with any other speakers in your home, as there’s no WiFi compatibility and Sony doesn’t currently offer any speakers to link up with this soundbar via Bluetooth.

Ease of Use

This model has limited connectivity options and is also sparse in terms of customization options. On the flip side, setting this model up is a breeze, though that’s a one-time pleasure. On the bar are buttons for power, volume, input, and Bluetooth. A small remote is included that allows you to access the sound presets. There isn’t an app available for control or customization, so you’ll need to keep the remote handy.

Setup

Getting the Sony HT-S350 out of its oddly-shaped box and connected to our flat screen takes all of 5 minutes, including connecting the subwoofer, which links up automatically through the Bluetooth connection. A straightforward setup is a nice benefit of these sound systems, and Sony nails it here.

This sleek remote is the only way to toggle the sound presets, so keep track of it because this soundbar doesn’t have an app.

Credit: Laura Casner

Connectivity

This soundbar has standard HDMI ARC and optical connections, plus Bluetooth. You’ll be able to stream audio from your device, but you won’t be able to use Apple Airplay 2 or connect to streaming services or smart speaker functions. Again, its features are limited but very functional.

An HDMI or an optical connection is all you need to connect the Sony HT-S350 to your TV. The Subwoofer connects wirelessly, but it still needs a power connection.

Credit: Laura Casner

Sound Customization

While there are 7 preset sound profiles (cinema, music, night, auto, game, news, sports, standard dynamic range compression), there is no EQ adjustment. Several of these settings felt redundant. Night mode lowers the volume and accentuates dialogue; it is pretty useful, especially if you share walls with others. Dynamic range compression evens out the overall volume, making loud sounds quieter and quiet sounds louder.

The Sony HT-350 and a few other models include a wirelessly connected subwoofer.

Credit: Laura Casner

Volume

This puppy is plenty loud enough for most folks, as we measured 102 dBa at max volume. That being said, it doesn’t sound very good when we crank it all the way up. Since 102 dBa is exceptionally loud for a small home theater, you shouldn’t need to operate this soundbar at that level.

This model is the loudest we tested, blasting out 102 dBa according to our decibel meter.

Credit: Laura Casner

Design/Style

The Sony HT-S350 has a more slick design than many other entry-level soundbars. It has a protective metal housing and a pleather top, making it easy to clean and more durable than a cloth-covered speaker. Measuring 2 5/8″ x 35 1/2″ x 3 1/2″, this is one of the larger soundbars available, and you’ll need to make additional space considerations for the subwoofer.

Value

If sound quality is your first priority (it is for us), this is the best entry-level soundbar for the money. It sounds better than similarly priced models from Samsung, Yamaha, and Vizio.

Like most of the soundbars we purchased, this one reminds us of the floating black monolith from 2001: A Space Oddessey.

Credit: Laura Casner

Conclusion

The HT-S350 is an affordable way to get the most out of your flatscreen. For a decent price, you can ditch those tinny TV speakers and add some sonic drama and excitement to movie night.

—
Michelle Powell and Matt Bento

 

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