ZVOX SB380 vs Sony HT-X8500

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

SB380 vs HT-X8500 comparison chart

Overall
ZVOX SB380
4
Sony HT-X8500
6
4
4
Multichannel surround
4
10

ZVOX SB380 vs Sony HT-X8500 review

ZVOX SB380
vs
Sony HT-X8500

Being able to compare ZVOX SB380 and Sony HT-X8500 gave us an insight into what features and technologies these devices offer. HT-X8500 turned out to be a more technological and better-sounding device than the SB380. According to the results of our comparison, SB380 received 4 points out of 10 possible, and HT-X8500 was rated 6 points.

Advantages ZVOX SB380 over Sony HT-X8500

  • We do not know advantages

Advantages Sony HT-X8500 over ZVOX SB380

  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology
  • Surround sound with DTS:X support
  • Wireless connection and control via Bluetooth
  • Supports external media connection via USB
  • HDMI ARC supports

Audio features

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

SB380
6
HT-X8500
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 SB380 and the HT-X8500.

There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. It is worth noting one of the main differences, the SB380 has 3.1 channels, while the HT-X8500 has 2.1 channels.

SB380 HT-X8500
Built-in channels3.12.1
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W45N/A
Separate speaker (in package)00
Separate speaker connectionshas notN/A

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 are not equipped with an external subwoofer.

SB380 HT-X8500
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connections

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 SB380 received rating 4 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the HT-X8500, in the same category, earned 10 out of 10 points.

SB380
4
HT-X8500
10

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.

SB380 HT-X8500
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby DigitalDolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD
DTS:X
DTS (other)has notDTS 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.

SB380
0
HT-X8500
0

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

SB380 HT-X8500
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas nothas not

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: ZVOX SB380 was rated 4 out of 10, and Sony HT-X8500 was rated 8 out of 10.

SB380
4
HT-X8500
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. Such connection as via Wi-Fi is not possible on any of the devices in comparison.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. Modern Bluetooth protocol is the privilege of Sony HT-X8500 only.

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 a feature unique to Sony HT-X8500.

SB380 HT-X8500
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output0/01/1
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output2/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)1/00/0
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. In our case, the ability to control the soundbar using the app is not implemented in any of the competitors. None of these soundbars have 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.

SB380 HT-X8500
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

SB380 HT-X8500
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in88.9 x 12.7 x 7.6/35.5 x 5.7 x 3.389 x 6.4 x 9.9/35.1 x 2.6 x 3.8
Weight, kg/pounds4/9.83.1/6.1
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