Representative photography — not the exact unit shipped.
Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer (HT-S20R)
In stock
5.1 channel soundbar with wired surrounds. Channels: 5.
Direct answer: is the Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer (HT-S20R) right for you?
Real rear speakers rather than virtual ones is the entire argument for this over a slimmer bar, and it is a strong one -- sound genuinely comes from behind you instead of being simulated.
Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer (HT-S20R)
Editorial verdict
Grounded in published specifications
Summary verdict: Real rear speakers rather than virtual ones is the entire argument for this over a slimmer bar, and it is a strong one -- sound genuinely comes from behind you instead of being simulated. The cost is literal cabling: the surrounds wire to the subwoofer, so cable has to cross the room. No Dolby Atmos, which at this price is expected rather than a failing.
Who should buy this
Anyone who wants actual surround sound and can route speaker cable to the back of the room.
Who should avoid this
Anyone unwilling to run cables, or who specifically wants Dolby Atmos height effects.
Key strengths
- Physically wired rear speakers, not virtual surround
- HDMI ARC, so one cable and the TV remote controls volume
- 400 W peak with a genuinely separate subwoofer
Limitations
- Rear speakers wire to the subwoofer, so cable must cross the room
- No Dolby Atmos
- Bluetooth is input only -- it will not send to headphones
Technical specifications
- Type
- 5.1 channel soundbar with wired surrounds
- Brand
- Sony
- Weight
- Bar 2.3 kg, subwoofer 5.6 kg
- Channels
- 5.1, with physically wired rear speakers
- Warranty
- 1 Year Official Brand Warranty
- Model SKU
- HT-S20R
- Subwoofer
- Wired, external
- Cabling note
- The rear speakers are wired to the subwoofer, so cable has to be run across the room
- Connectivity
- HDMI ARC, optical, USB, Bluetooth
- Total output
- 400 W peak
- Audio decoding
- Dolby Digital and DTS. No Dolby Atmos
- Bar dimensions
- 90 x 6.4 x 8.8 cm
- Power consumption
- About 55 W in use
- Subwoofer dimensions
- 17 x 34 x 36 cm
Product overview
Real rear speakers rather than virtual ones is the entire argument for this over a slimmer bar, and it is a strong one -- sound genuinely comes from behind you instead of being simulated. The cost is literal cabling: the surrounds wire to the subwoofer, so cable has to cross the room. No Dolby Atmos, which at this price is expected rather than a failing.
Key capabilities
- Channels: 5
- Total output: 400 W peak
- Subwoofer: Wired, external
- Audio decoding: Dolby Digital and DTS
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer (HT-S20R) worth buying?
Real rear speakers rather than virtual ones is the entire argument for this over a slimmer bar, and it is a strong one -- sound genuinely comes from behind you instead of being simulated.
What is the warranty and return policy for the Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer (HT-S20R)?
1 Year Official Brand Warranty. Returns: 7 Days Replacement Guarantee.
Who is the Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer (HT-S20R) best suited for?
Anyone who wants actual surround sound and can route speaker cable to the back of the room.
Who should avoid the Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer (HT-S20R)?
Anyone unwilling to run cables, or who specifically wants Dolby Atmos height effects.
Sample reviews
3 reviewsThese are illustrative, not customer reviews.
DealSurge has not sold this product, so nobody has reviewed it. Each entry below is written from the strengths and drawbacks recorded on this page, to show how reviews would appear — none of it is a real buyer’s experience, and none of it is counted in search results or given to the shopping assistant.
Mean of 3 samples
- 5 ★1
- 4 ★1
- 3 ★0
- 2 ★1
- 1 ★0
- 5 out of 5 stars, in a sample review of Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer (HT-S20R)
Specs match the listing
I compared four of these on paper before ordering, so the line I actually checked was "Channels". The page says 5.1, with physically wired rear speakers, and that is what turned up. HDMI ARC, so one cable and the TV remote controls volume.
Sameer C.Sample11 found this helpful - 2 out of 5 stars, in a sample review of Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer (HT-S20R)
Not the product’s fault, but be warned
Genuinely my own fault. Posting so somebody else does not repeat it. The listing says who should avoid this: Anyone unwilling to run cables, or who specifically wants Dolby Atmos height effects. That was my situation and I ordered anyway. It does what it says on the page — it just was not the thing I needed.
Shreya P.Sample1 found this helpful - 4 out of 5 stars, in a sample review of Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer (HT-S20R)
Happy with it, but go in informed
Physically wired rear speakers, not virtual surround. The one thing to know before ordering: Rear speakers wire to the subwoofer, so cable must cross the room. To be fair that is written on the product page. I skimmed past it and had to rearrange things afterwards.
Ananya L.Sample8 found this helpful