Sony HT-X8500 vs Polk Audio Signa S3

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

HT-X8500 vs Signa S3 comparison chart

Overall
Sony HT-X8500
6
Polk Audio Signa S3
6.4
4
9
Multichannel surround
10
4

Sony HT-X8500 vs Polk Audio Signa S3 review

Sony HT-X8500
vs
Polk Audio Signa S3

Comparing Sony HT-X8500 and Polk Audio Signa S3 makes sense because it shows what devices in their segment can offer. Signa S3 offers better sound and bass than its opponent - HT-X8500. According to the results of our comparison, HT-X8500 received 6 points out of 10 possible, and Signa S3 was rated 6.4 points.

Advantages Sony HT-X8500 over Polk Audio Signa S3

  • Has an integrated subwoofer
  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology
  • Surround sound with DTS:X support

Advantages Polk Audio Signa S3 over Sony HT-X8500

  • Separate subwoofer provided
  • Available the Apple Music service
  • Available the Amazon Music service
  • Stream music with Spotify
  • Wireless connection via Wi-Fi
  • Voice control supports
  • App for remote control
  • Built-in microphone

Audio features

The HT-X8500 is rated 6 of 10 against 4 for the Signa S3 according to the audio features rating.

HT-X8500
6
Signa S3
4

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 HT-X8500 and the Signa S3.

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.

HT-X8500 Signa S3
Built-in channels2.12.1
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, WN/AN/A
Separate speaker (in package)00
Separate speaker connectionsN/Ahas not

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. A built-in subwoofer is only present in the HT-X8500. The Signa S3 comes with an external subwoofer.

HT-X8500 Signa S3
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswireless

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 HT-X8500 received rating 10 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the Signa S3, in the same category, earned 4 out of 10 points.

HT-X8500
10
Signa S3
4

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. Dolby Atmos surround sound support is implemented only in Sony HT-X8500.

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. The manufacturer has implemented DTS:X technology only in HT-X8500.

HT-X8500 Signa S3
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HDDolby Digital
DTS:X
DTS (other)DTS HD, DTS ES, DTS 96/24

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services.

HT-X8500
0
Signa S3
10

The popular Spotify service is available on the Signa S3.

HT-X8500 Signa S3
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notPandora, SoundCloud

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: Sony HT-X8500 was rated 8 out of 10, and Polk Audio Signa S3 was rated 5 out of 10.

HT-X8500
8
Signa S3
5

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 Signa S3.

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 HT-X8500 has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the Signa S3 got 1/0 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.

HT-X8500 Signa S3
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output1/11/0
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)0/00/0
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. The Signa S3 has its own remote control application. Only Polk Audio Signa S3 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. However, it is impossible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.

HT-X8500 Signa S3
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

HT-X8500 Signa S3
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in89 x 6.4 x 9.9/35.1 x 2.6 x 3.889.8x5.6x8.3/35.3x2.1x3.2
Weight, kg/pounds3.1/6.12.9/6
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