SonyHT-X8500

How we test sound quality

The overall sound quality star-rating is based on the movie, speech, music and maximum volume sound quality scores. Movie: Our TV and film clips test a sound bar's ability to deliver rich and atmospheric audio while dialogue remains clear. Speech: We test speech on dialogue-heavy TV shows and movies to ensure voices are both clear and not overly harsh. Music: We test our soundbars with a variety of music tracks to ensure they do justice to your tunes no matter the genre. Volume before distortion: We turn a sound bar all the way up to its maximum volume and assess whether artificial-sounding distortion starts to creep in. A high score means you can achieve a good maximum volume without the sound quality deteriorating.

How we test ease of use

We rate sound bars's ease of use in three ways. First, how easy it is to setup. Second, we assess how easy the soundbar is to use for everyday tasks, such as switching on and adjusting basic settings such as inputs and volume. Finally, we also look at its advanced features - this final rating is for audiophiles who really want to tweak their sound options.

How we test features

This score takes into account all the sound bar's various features including the number of audio inputs, its wireless connectivity and any added smart features. A higher score means more features, as detailed on the specifications page.