Soundbars · Comparison
Sony HT-S20R vs boAt Aavante Prime 5000DA: Which 5.1 to Buy?
Which should you buy?
Buy the Sony HT-S20R if you want clear dialogue out of the box and Sony's wide service reach in a medium living room. Buy the boAt Aavante Prime 5000DA if you have a big hall, want more volume and bass for a modest street price, and will tune it by ear.
Choose the Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Home Theatre Soundbar with Dolby Digital if
- Dialogue stays clear at moderate volume without tuning
- Sony service centres reach most district towns
- Night mode for late viewing
- Remote and display are simple for the whole family
Choose the boAt Aavante Prime 5.1 5000DA 500W Soundbar with Subwoofer if
- Very loud in a large hall
- Wooden subwoofer gives deep, full bass
- Several EQ modes for movies, news and music
- Modest street price for a 5.1 setup
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Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Home Theatre Soundbar with Dolby Digital vs boAt Aavante Prime 5.1 5000DA 500W Soundbar with Subwoofer: side by side
| Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Home Theatre Soundbar with Dolby Digital | boAt Aavante Prime 5.1 5000DA 500W Soundbar with Subwoofer | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | ||
| Our grade | B 7.7 (better result) | B− 7.1 |
| Test results | ||
| Peak volume at 2 m How we test this : Peak volume at 2 m | 88 dB | 92 dB (better result) |
| Dialogue clarity How we test this : Dialogue clarity | Clear at moderate volume; voices stay separate on news debates | Recessed at default; clear in News mode with bass lowered |
| Lip-sync on HDMI ARC and optical How we test this : Lip-sync on HDMI ARC and optical | Steady on HDMI ARC; optical within a blink, fixed with the TV's delay setting | Within a frame or two on HDMI ARC after enabling CEC |
| Bluetooth range through one wall How we test this : Bluetooth range through one wall | 8 m | Not tested |
| Key specs | ||
| Price at review | MRP ₹23,990 | MRP ₹37,990 |
| Channels | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Total output | 400 W | 500 W |
| Audio formats | Dolby Digital | Dolby (listed as Dolby Atmos in launch coverage) |
| Package | Soundbar, subwoofer, 2 rear speakers, remote | — |
| Inputs | HDMI (ARC), optical, USB, Bluetooth | HDMI (ARC), optical, USB, AUX, Bluetooth |
| Warranty | 1 year | — |
| Subwoofer | — | Wired, 6.5 inch, wooden enclosure |
Which has clearer dialogue on Hindi films and news?
The Sony HT-S20R. On news debates with four people talking at once, voices stayed separate at moderate volume, and loud film scores did not drown out speech until high volume. The boAt Aavante Prime 5000DA ships bass-heavy, and voices sat behind the subwoofer on songs and loud scores. Switching to its News mode and lowering the bass fixed that, but it is a step many buyers may not discover.
Which is better for a big hall and heavy bass?
The boAt. It was louder in our tests and its wooden subwoofer adds strong low end for cricket crowds and action scenes, which suits a large hall. The same strength is a problem in a bedroom or a flat with thin walls, where it overwhelmed the room until the sub level was cut. The Sony’s sub is generous too and can sound boomy on Bollywood songs, but lowering it by a few steps and moving it out of a corner tightened it up.
How much cabling do the rear speakers need?
Both need cables, so neither is easy in a rented flat. On both, effects such as rain and crowd noise moved behind the sofa, which a 2.1 bar cannot copy. The boAt’s rear speakers run to the subwoofer; the Sony’s rear cable went along the skirting with adhesive clips in our flat, tidy but visible.
Which has better service and build?
The Sony. Its service centres reach most district towns and parts are easier to get than for newer brands. The boAt’s body is plastic but solid and its subwoofer feels weighty, but owner reviews mention remote problems and slow after-sales response. Its printed MRP is far above any real selling price, so compare street prices across stores before deciding.
Questions buyers ask
Which is louder, the Sony HT-S20R or the boAt Aavante Prime 5000DA?
The boAt Aavante Prime 5000DA reached about 92 dB at 2 m in a 220 sq ft hall, while the Sony HT-S20R reached about 88 dB at 2 m in a 150 sq ft living room. The boAt is the better fit for a large hall.
Do the Sony HT-S20R and boAt Aavante Prime 5000DA have wireless rear speakers?
No. Both the Sony HT-S20R and the boAt Aavante Prime 5000DA use wired rear speakers, so plan the cable route behind the sofa before buying either one.
Which has clearer dialogue, the Sony HT-S20R or the boAt Aavante Prime 5000DA?
The Sony HT-S20R, out of the box. Dialogue is its best trait, with voices staying separate on news debates. The boAt Aavante Prime 5000DA sounds recessed at its default setting and becomes clear only after switching to the News mode and lowering the bass.
Do the Sony HT-S20R or boAt Aavante Prime 5000DA support Dolby Atmos?
No. The Sony HT-S20R supports Dolby Digital, not Atmos. Atmos is mentioned in launch coverage of the boAt Aavante Prime 5000DA, but it has no up-firing speakers, so treat it as a standard 5.1 system.
Read the full reviews
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Soundbars
Sony HT-S20R 5.1 Soundbar Review: Real Surround, Wired Rears
The Sony HT-S20R is a 400 W 5.1 soundbar with Dolby Digital that gives real rear surround and steady dialogue, best for living rooms where you can hide the rear speaker cables.
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Soundbars
boAt Aavante Prime 5000DA Review: Loud 5.1, Fussy Tuning
The boAt Aavante Prime 5000DA is a 500 W 5.1 soundbar with a wooden 6.5-inch subwoofer that is loud and bass-rich for the price, best for buyers who will tune it by ear.