Back to theatres without leaving the sofa

Let’s face it: the speakers built into our smart TVs are crummy to the point that the booming chariot race sequence in Ben-Hur sounds somewhat better than a mob of Australian desert brumbies galloping away in a YouTube video. Shelling out for a big TV is not enough. Like on smartphones, sound is a big issue on smart TVs. It makes a world of a difference when a soundbar gets plugged in.

Recently, we had an opportunity to review Sony’s HT-G700 soundbar, which is a lot different from what you usually find in the market. Equipped with Dolby Atmos, the explosions in Die Hard sound explosive, John Cusack’s sweet-nothings playing out to a brilliant soundtrack in Serendipity appear crisp and all the details in a film like Inception are made enjoyable. Not that there are a few quibbles but overall, it’s meant to complement one’s smart TV.