Polk Audio Command Bar vs Sony HT-CT800

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

Command Bar vs HT-CT800 comparison chart

Overall
Polk Audio Command Bar
6.6
Sony HT-CT800
6.4
10
5
Multichannel surround
5
6

Polk Audio Command Bar vs Sony HT-CT800 review

Polk Audio Command Bar
vs
Sony HT-CT800

Let's compare Polk Audio Command Bar and Sony HT-CT800 for an overview of all their audio functions. And according to the comparison results, we can see that Command Bar is superior to HT-CT800 in quality and number of functions. According to the results of our comparison, Command Bar received 6.6 points out of 10 possible, and HT-CT800 was rated 6.4 points.

Advantages Polk Audio Command Bar over Sony HT-CT800

  • Voice control supports
  • Built-in microphone

Advantages Sony HT-CT800 over Polk Audio Command Bar

  • Wireless connection via Wi-Fi

Audio features

Each of the compared models received 6 points for the audio features.

Command Bar
6
HT-CT800
6

It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the Command Bar and the HT-CT800.

There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. The number of channels in the considered devices is the same - 2.1. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, Polk Audio Command Bar has 160 (overall) W, and 350 (overall) W has the competitor.

Command Bar HT-CT800
Built-in channels2.12.1
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W160 (overall)350 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)00
Separate speaker connectionshas notwireless

Subwoofers

Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. Both reviewed devices are equipped with an external subwoofer. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.

Command Bar HT-CT800
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswirelesswireless

Multichannel surround

Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The Command Bar received rating 5 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the HT-CT800, in the same category, earned 6 out of 10 points.

Command Bar
5
HT-CT800
6

The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. If we look at the models in terms of Dolby Atmos support, then none of these soundbars can work with this technology.

DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. This ability to reproduce surround sound with DTS:X technology is not implemented in any of the soundbars in this comparison.

Command Bar HT-CT800
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby DigitalDolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD
DTS:X
DTS (other)DTS Digital SurroundDTS-HD

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services. For the ability to work with streaming services, the Command Bar received 5 points, and the HT-CT800 - 7 on a 10-point scale.

Command Bar
5
HT-CT800
7

None of the two models is not implemented AirPlay function. The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars.

Command Bar HT-CT800
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notPandora, Napster, TIDAL, Deezer, Chromecast

Connectivity

The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: Polk Audio Command Bar was rated 7 out of 10, and Sony HT-CT800 was rated 8 out of 10.

Command Bar
7
HT-CT800
8

The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the HT-CT800.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The Command Bar has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the HT-CT800 got 3/0 HDMI inputs/outputs from the manufacturer.

HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.

Command Bar HT-CT800
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)01
NFC
HDMI input/output1/13/0
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output1/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)0/01/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output00

Features

Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.

Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. In our case, the ability to control the soundbar using the app is not implemented in any of the competitors. Only Polk Audio Command Bar has a built-in microphone.

Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. It is possible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.

Command Bar HT-CT800
Voice controlAmazon Alexa
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

Command Bar HT-CT800
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in110 x 5 x 10.1/43.3 x 2.1 x 4.1103 x 5.2 x 12.6/40.5 x 2.1 x 5
Weight, kg/pounds1.8/4.92.8/6.1
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