Soundbars / Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) vs Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A)
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) vs Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A)
Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A)
Its subwoofer detaches and works as a portable Bluetooth speaker.
Wins overall by 1.2 points
Quick Verdict
The Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) takes this by a clear 1.2 points. Its subwoofer detaches and works as a portable Bluetooth speaker. 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 5 (HT-B500) and Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) are both closely matched soundbar models, and the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) is $150 cheaper than the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) ($349.99 vs $499.95). On Connectivity, the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) leads (7.5 vs 4.5/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. On Features, the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) leads (8.0 vs 5.0/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. On Surround & Height, the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) leads (7.0 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio. Overall, the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) scores 7.5/10 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 5 (HT-B500) | Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 | $499.95 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2023 |
| Channels | 3.1 | 2.1.2 |
| Total Power (W) | Sony publishes power consumption only (bar 30W, subwoofer 20W), not system output | 280 |
| Subwoofer | Included (wireless), model SA-WB500 | Both — dual built-in woofers plus an included 100W wireless True X Sub 100A |
| Rear Speakers | None — Sony has published no compatible wireless rear kit for this model | Optional add-on — Yamaha TRUE X SPEAKER 1A wireless surrounds |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| DTS:X | Yes | No |
| HDMI Ports (ports) | 1 | 2✓ |
| HDMI Passthrough | None — there is no HDMI input, only eARC out | 4K pass-through; Yamaha does not specify a refresh rate, so assume 4K/60 |
| eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi & Streaming | None — no AirPlay, Chromecast or Spotify Connect | Wi-Fi 5 with AirPlay 2; Chromecast is not supported |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Voice Assistant | None | Retailer listings claim built-in Alexa, but Yamaha's own specification does not list it for this model |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-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 Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.5 — a 1.0-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 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Dialogue Clarity
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) and Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) are level here, at 7.5/10 each. how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Surround & Height
The Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) leads clearly here, 7.0 against 5.5 — a 1.5-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 Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 4.5 — a 3.0-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 Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 5.0 — a 3.0-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 5 (HT-B500) and Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) are level here, at 7.5/10 each. finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Value
The Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.5 — a 1.0-point margin on performance and features relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $150 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is compact.
Choose the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) if…
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) scores 7.5/10 here (HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support).
- • Features matters most to you — the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) scores 8.0/10 here (room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability).
- • Surround & Height matters most to you — the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) scores 7.0/10 here (dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio).
- • Bass matters most to you — the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) scores 7.5/10 here (low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer).
- • Value matters most to you — the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) scores 7.5/10 here (performance and features relative to price).
Pros & Cons
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
Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A)
Pros
- +The detachable subwoofer working as a portable Bluetooth speaker is genuinely useful and unique here
- +280W published power, plus a real HDMI input
- +A clear upgrade path to true wireless surrounds
- +AirPlay 2 built in
Cons
- −No DTS support at all — not DTS:X, not even DTS Digital Surround
- −Bluetooth 5.0 is dated
- −Yamaha does not confirm whether Alexa is actually built in
- −Pass-through refresh rate is unspecified, so gamers should assume 4K/60
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) or Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) 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 5 (HT-B500) or the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A)?+
The Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) scores higher on Connectivity (7.5/10 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 5 (HT-B500) or the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A)?+
The Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) scores higher on Features (8.0/10 vs 5.0/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability.
Which is better for Surround & Height, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) or the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A)?+
The Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) scores higher on Surround & Height (7.0/10 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 5 (HT-B500) or the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A)?+
The Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) scores higher on Bass (7.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer.
Is the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) worth the price difference over the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A)?+
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) is the cheaper option at $349.99 versus $499.95. 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 5 (HT-B500) is the better fit if you mainly care about compact. The Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) is the better fit for home-theater.
What's the warranty on the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) vs the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A)?+
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Yamaha TRUE X BAR 50A (SR-X50A) 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
Bose Smart Soundbar — $549.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.