Sony HT-SF150 review: a super-cheap soundbar which doesn’t compromise on quality
Sony HT-SF150 Review
If you decide it’s time to upgrade below-standard TV audio, but don’t want to lose your life savings, Sony The HT-SF150 may be the ideal low-budget solution for you. This super SLIM 2.0 channel soundbar is designed to provide “strong bass without damaging detail and clarity”, simple connectivity and cinematic virtual surround sound – but can it get the job done?
OK, let’s talk about setting up to get things started. It really doesn’t have much easier than that: just connect the soundbar via HDMI arc or digital optics, plug it into the power outlet, and then it won’t. I chose HDMI ARC mainly because it allows you to adjust the volume of the soundbar using a standard TV remote – very convenient.
After getting the Sony HT-SF150 setup, I can directly test its audio features. I’m happy to report that the speakers it usually works are very good for often available at its otherwise cheap $129/£99/au $194. Even in medium to large cases, I didn’t encounter much subtle or distortion, which I’ve experienced a lot of cheap speakers. Speaking of volume, this thing can be surprisingly loud thanks to its 120W power output The best cheap speakers supply.
I was impressed by the clarity of the conversation when using the Sony HT-SF150. For example, I watched a movie Smile On Netflix, the vocals are very clear when two women talk in an isolated room, and the tone of each character sounds natural. While listening to a podcast, I can switch to voice mode using the included remote control, which really brings voice to the forefront and presents it in a clear, clear way.
In addition to voice, there are standard, movie, music, nighttime and automatic sound modes. The final mode adjusts the EQ based on what you are consuming, although sometimes I still need to do this manually.
Another luminous aspect of the performance of this soundbar is the effectiveness of Sony’s S-Force Front Allodual Processing, a process that strives to mimic “film-style surround sound.” For soundbars without Dolby Atmos or DTS, this may be a bit stretching:X, not to mention any sub or rear speakers Boy and Heronthe soundbar can accurately draw the ability of the heron to fly when he soared on my screen and rubbed towards me. You won’t get incredible vertical or indoor-filled swelling here, but the HT-SF150 certainly outweighs my TV’s efforts.
Many independent soundbars fall flat areas are bass outputs – without a dedicated subwoofer, it can be difficult to summon meat boom, especially in such budget models. While the HT-SF150 won’t rock your world with a fascinating low-end output, it can still boost the bass. This model includes a built-in bass reflective speaker that provides legs for depth tones, making it ideal for movies or video games with dark or ambient scores.
While playing Final Fantasy VII: Rebirththe protagonist cloud faces impressive depths as it faces an oversized mechanical monster. I wish I could manually raise the bass level to really enhance the low-end output option, but unfortunately you won’t get it.
In some places, the game includes speeches by the main actors, background characters or enemies’ chats and music from its grand soundtrack. This exposes a faint weakness in the Sony HT-SF150 – sometimes tilting into slightly confusing performances. When there are several layers to balance, you might experience some business in the mid-range. There is no grinding or harsh tolerance, only some bloating, which can contain some details.
You probably won’t expect completely separate, super detailed audio, so the HT-SF150 will do well in the department for the most part. But the sound is not the only positive part of the model, and I like the design of it, too. Indeed, this soundbar looks much higher than many of its budget counterparts. It has a nice leather-like finish on the top, onboard buttons, and an attractive surround speaker grille.
The included remote is slim, with sized button controls and a premium feel. Unfortunately, certain features can only be triggered by repeatedly pressing certain buttons on the remote, which can be confusing unless you consult the user manual.
The only frustrating aspect of this speaker design is its LED display. Just like a competitor Panasonic SC-HTB100this thing just uses a small light to indicate volume and sound mode changes or Bluetooth mode. This works fine, but I do prefer more visual displays with letters and numbers – you can pass Most EriasFor example.
However, back to the positives. Given its price point, I found that the soundbar is very rich. For example, you can switch Dolby Dynamic Range Control, which makes Dolby Digital Audio easier to hear under lower volumes. There are also multiple broadcast sounds and USB connectivity. A key feature is the included Bluetooth 4.2, which allows you to connect your phone to the soundbar and play music.
Music performances are not surprising on Bluetooth – Voice details of breathing I want you Moloko’s sound isn’t very easy, and even when listening in music mode, it may be a little lost in the overall mix. But, the low-end kick of the bass Splash Mountain Commended by Yung Gravy, the depth and rapid attenuation of the drum machine Black eyes Allie X also reached out to me. If you just want to listen to some music in the background, this soundbar can complete the task The best speakers.
Overall, the Sony HT-SF150 is a very solid budget soundbar with a wide feature set, usually clear dialogue, considerable features and elegant design. Its value is fantastic in terms of price, and while it’s not without sound flaws, it can be trusted to offer some of the best small TVs and even more premium models. So this soundbar is definitely worth the one who keeps the budget in mind, but if you’re a little under-space, then Mini Hisense The HS214 is a great choice. Those with more cash may also want to consider one of them The best Dolby altos Soundbars For incredibly good space sound.
Sony HT-SF150 Review: Price and Release Date
- $129 / £99 / au $194
- Launched in 2018
The Sony HT-SF150 is available in the UK with an RRP of £99. In the US and Australia, the model has a slightly different name – Sony HT-S100F – $129/au $194. But I brought good news… This soundbar can usually be less. I often see it for less than $100/£90/au $180, which makes it a very low-priced option. It may not be the latest soundbar on the market, but it is compatible with all modern TVs thanks to the use of HDMI and digital optical connections.
Sony HT-SF150 Review: Specifications
| aspect | 35.4 x 2.5 x 3.5 inches / 900 x 64 x 88mm |
| Speaker channel | 2.0 |
| connect | HDMI, Digital Optics, USB, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Dolby Atmos/DTS:X | No, no |
| Including sub | No |
| Includes rear speakers | No |
Should I buy the Sony HT-SF150?
| property | notes | grade |
| feature | S power, excellent sound mode, no bass/treble adjustments or atmosphericity. | 4/5 |
| Audio performance | It can also be a little swollen, but usually has clear dialogue and good bass. | 4/5 |
| design | Given its price, the quality remote control, the small LED display may be confused. | 4.5/5 |
| Settings and Availability | Easy to use HDMI setup, there are many ways to connect, some unorthodox controls. | 4/5 |
| value | Great price for sound upgrades and build quality. | 4.5/5 |
If…buy it
if…
Sony HT-SF150 Comment: Please consider it too
| Line 0 – Unit 0 | Sony HT-SF150 | HESENSE HS214 | Amazon Fire TV Audio Bar |
| price | $129 / £99 / au $194 | $99/£79 (approximately $160) | $119.99 / £119.99 (approximately $180) |
| aspect | 35.4 x 2.5 x 3.5 inches / 900 x 64 x 88mm | 25.6 x 3.7 x 2.3 inches / 650 x 95 x 58mm | 24 x 3.5 x 2.6 inches / 610 x 90 x 65mm |
| Speaker channel | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.0 |
| connect | HDMI, Digital Optics, USB, Bluetooth 4.2 | HDMI arc, digital optics, assist, USB, coaxial, Bluetooth 4.2 | HDMI arc, digital optics, Bluetooth |
| Dolby Atmos/DTS:X | No, no | No, no | No, no |
| Including sub | No | No (but including built-in woofer) | No |
| Includes rear speakers | No | No | No |
Sony HT-SF150 Review: How I Test
- Tested for a week
- Connect the soundbar to the HESENSE U7K TV at home
- HDMI arc connection option is used
Within a week, I completed the task of testing the Sony HT-SF150. During this time, I used HDMI Arc to connect the Soundbar to my HESENSE U7K TV – it already has reliable built-in audio.
During testing, I watched various TV shows, videos and movies – mainly using such Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and Youtube. I’ve played, too Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth exist PS5 Evaluate the game features of the soundbar. Also, I’ve connected Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Go to SF150 and try out Bluetooth connection to play music. I made sure to play the tracks from the Techradar test playlist to judge the quality of the Soundbar music mode.
- First review: February 2025
- Read more How do we test
