Soundbars / Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100)
8K/120Hz pass-through and the best dialogue tech — but buy the sub too.
Wins overall by 1.6 points
Quick Verdict
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) takes this by a clear 1.6 points. 8K/120Hz pass-through and the best dialogue tech — but buy the sub too. The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) only makes sense if it wins on a category you care about more than the total.
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) and Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) are both current-generation soundbar models, and the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) is $520 cheaper than the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) ($349.99 vs $869.99). On Connectivity, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) leads (9.5 vs 4.5/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. On Features, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) leads (8.5 vs 5.0/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. On Surround & Height, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) leads (8.5 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio. Overall, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) scores 7.9/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 6.3/10 for the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500). Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) | Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $869.99 | $349.99 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Channels | 5.0.2 — Sony's own materials describe 9 speaker units with no built-in subwoofer | 3.1 |
| Total Power (W) | Sony publishes power consumption (52W) only, not system output | Sony publishes power consumption only (bar 30W, subwoofer 20W), not system output |
| Subwoofer | Optional add-on — Theater Sub 7, Sub 8 or Sub 9; dual-subwoofer capable | Included (wireless), model SA-WB500 |
| Rear Speakers | Optional add-on — Theater Rear 9 or Rear 8 | None — Sony has published no compatible wireless rear kit for this model |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| DTS:X | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Ports (ports) | 2✓ | 1 |
| HDMI Passthrough | 8K HDR and 4K/120Hz with VRR and ALLM, plus Dolby Vision | None — there is no HDMI input, only eARC out |
| eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi & Streaming | Wi-Fi 6 with AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect; Chromecast is not supported | None — no AirPlay, Chromecast or Spotify Connect |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Voice Assistant | None built in | None |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.0 — a 1.0-point margin on overall tonal balance, clarity and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Bass
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) leads clearly here, 6.5 against 5.0 — a 1.5-point margin on low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Dialogue Clarity
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 7.5 — a 1.5-point margin on how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Surround & Height
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 5.5 — a 3.0-point margin on dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) leads clearly here, 9.5 against 4.5 — a 5.0-point margin on HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 5.0 — a 3.5-point margin on room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Design & Build
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-point margin on finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) and Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) are level here, at 6.5/10 each. performance and features relative to price is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Best For
Choose the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) if…
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) scores 9.5/10 here (HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support).
- • Features matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) scores 8.5/10 here (room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability).
- • Surround & Height matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) scores 8.5/10 here (dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio).
- • Dialogue Clarity matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) scores 9.0/10 here (how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack).
- • Your main use case is gaming or home-theater.
Choose the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) if…
- • Bass matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) scores 6.5/10 here (low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer).
- • You want to spend less — it's $520 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is tv-upgrade or compact.
Pros & Cons
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100)
Pros
- +8K and 4K/120Hz VRR pass-through, which almost nothing else at this price offers
- +Voice Zoom 3 with a Sony BRAVIA TV is the best dialogue system in the category
- +Both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, plus IMAX Enhanced
- +A clear modular upgrade path to subs and rears
Cons
- −No subwoofer included, and reviewers describe the bass as poor without one — budget at least $330 more
- −No on-screen setup menus and no alphanumeric front display
- −No EQ, bass or treble controls at all
- −No USB, DLNA or local file playback
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)
Pros
- +A genuine 2026 model rather than old stock
- +Dedicated centre channel makes dialogue noticeably clearer than a 2.1 bar
- +Slim profile designed to fit under a BRAVIA without blocking the screen
- +Both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
Cons
- −Reviewers report almost no sense of overhead height despite the Atmos badge
- −No room calibration
- −No Wi-Fi streaming of any kind
- −No HDMI input
- −Only a power button on the unit itself, so you depend entirely on the remote
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) or Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) scores higher on Connectivity (9.5/10 vs 4.5/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support.
Which is better for Features, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) scores higher on Features (8.5/10 vs 5.0/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability.
Which is better for Surround & Height, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) scores higher on Surround & Height (8.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio.
Which is better for Bass, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) scores higher on Bass (6.5/10 vs 5.0/10) — low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer.
Is the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) worth the price difference over the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) is the cheaper option at $349.99 versus $869.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Connectivity.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) is the better fit if you mainly care about gaming or home-theater. The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) is the better fit for tv-upgrade or compact.
What's the warranty on the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) vs the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
TCL S55H — $139.00
Premium Option
Sonos Arc Ultra — $1099.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.