Sony’s HT-B500 is built for viewers who want a cleaner TV upgrade without adding clutter to the room. The soundbar combines a compact 3.1-channel layout with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, while also including a wireless subwoofer for deeper low-end impact.
That mix makes the HT-B500 more than a simple slim bar. Sony is clearly aiming at home entertainment setups where space matters, but where dialog clarity, surround effects, and stronger bass still need to improve.
Clearer voices, stronger presence
A dedicated center speaker sits at the heart of the HT-B500’s front-channel setup. Sony uses it to improve vocal clarity, especially in movies, series, and other programs where dialogue can easily get buried under background audio.
The system also includes AI Voice Enhancement 3.0, which works in real time to separate speech from ambient noise. Combined with the center speaker, that feature gives the soundbar a strong focus on making conversations easier to follow without pushing the volume too high.
Immersive audio without a complicated setup
The HT-B500 supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, two formats widely associated with more layered and enveloping sound. Sony adds Vertical Surround Engine, or VSE, to simulate overhead audio without requiring speakers mounted in the ceiling.
For wider front-stage presentation, the soundbar also uses S-Force Pro Front Surround. In practical terms, that means the sound is designed to spread more broadly across the living room, giving TV and movie playback a more expansive feel.
Sony further includes one-touch 3D upmix surround. This feature can transform standard stereo or 2-channel content into a 3D surround output, which is useful for everyday streaming and television content that does not always arrive with premium audio mastering.
Wireless bass and flexible connections
A wireless subwoofer comes in the box, giving the HT-B500 a separate low-frequency unit instead of forcing the soundbar itself to carry all the bass duties. That arrangement is meant to give explosions, music, and action scenes a stronger and deeper foundation.
Connectivity is also kept practical. The soundbar supports Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless playback from devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
For wired use, Sony provides HDMI eARC and an optical input. The system also includes DSEE, or Digital Sound Enhancement Engine, which is designed to improve compressed audio files by restoring details that may have been lost.
A compact design made for living rooms
Sony has kept the chassis slim and minimal, with a metal grille and softly rounded edges. The design is intended to blend into a wide range of interiors rather than dominate the room.
That compact form also makes placement more flexible. The HT-B500 can be mounted on a wall or placed on a tabletop, which should suit users who want better TV sound without turning the room into a full speaker setup.
The model is already listed on JD.com at 2,341 yuan. In a market that continues to fill up with home-audio launches, the HT-B500 stands out by combining compact dimensions, wireless bass support, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Sony’s speech-focused processing in a package aimed at easier everyday use.