Sony HT-CT550W

135 reviews

May, 2013

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

We have collected and analyzed 6 expert reviews and 129 user reviews from international sources. Experts rate this product 60/100 and users rate it 76/100. The average review date is Feb 29, 2012. We have compared these reviews to 65629 reviews from other Home Theater Systems. The alaScore™ for this product is 90/100 = Excellent. Last update: May 19, 2013.

Review analysis

(Based on 135 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Showing 1 - 10 of 132 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (23)

Expert review by: Matthew Moskovciak (cnet.com)

Sony HT-CT550W

When Sony released the HT-CT100 sound bar back in 2008, the company was way ahead of the competition, offering HDMI connectivity and surprisingly good sound quality at a budget price. Four years later, the Sony HT-CT550W ($400 street price) faces a...

The Sony HT-CT550W is packed with more connectivity than your average sound bar, with three HDMI inputs and three digital audio inputs. The sound bar itself feels surprisingly well-made, with a stylish, refined look.

Unlike other budget sound bars, the HT-CT550W requires a separate head unit, which vitiates some of the benefits of a minimalist sound bar system in the first place. And although it's priced at a premium, its sound quality is not as good as that of...

Consider the Sony HT-CT550W if you need a sound bar with a lot of connectivity, but it's otherwise not worth its premium price.

May, 2012

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Expert review by: (pcmag.com)

Buffalo Linkstation Pro Duo

In an attempt at making the product green, Buffalo has added automatic power management smartssort of. Just as with the master control outlets on the new APC Back-UPS ES750, the NAS box knows when the PC running its NAS Navigator software goes to...

New NAS management software supports Web Access

Mediocre performance. Hardware failed during drive reliability test. No USB print server. Can't handle more than one USB drive via a USB hub

The Buffalo LinkStation Pro Duo (LS-WTGL/R1) is a functioning NAS box, but it's ill-suited to serving multimedia in the home, and it lacks the features and reliability needed for SMB file serving. This is a device that could use additional software...

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Consumer review by: oscarpopcan (cnet.com)

"DANGER, WILL ROBINSON!! DANGER!!"

If you love tin can treble & NO BASS this is the product for you!!

SLEEK & easy to set up

ZERO BASS!!

Dec, 2012

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Consumer review by: IWC_Member_23495867 (cnet.com)

"Well worth it!"

This system was a great alternative to my proper 5.1 setup. I did some home remodeling and I couldn't take the wires/speakers everywhere anymore. Setup was quick and painless.

+Great sound

-Built-in wireless would have been nice on a system at this price level

Jul, 2012

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Consumer review by: Goodall20 (cnet.com)

"As good as, if not better than Bose, but 1/4 the price!"

I listened to several sound bars and true surround systems and read numerous reviews before deciding on this Sony system. It is the best bang for the buck without a doubt. It is not a true surround system, so if you really want true surround you'd...

+ Excellent sound for the price point

- Only 3 HDMI inputs

Jun, 2012

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Consumer review by: ice82 (cnet.com)

"CNet, do a bit of research before your reviews."

The setup was easy and clean. It looks me much more to take the existing setup apart than to setup this system.

- Sound quality is great after a little bit of setting tweaks.

- The receiver box could be smaller

May, 2012

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Consumer review by: birdyny (cnet.com)

"I bought this system to get rid of all the clutter."

Overall this system is great if u are looking to upgrade your home theater system or looking to buyone this is deffently the one for u.

wireless sub, less wires very good sounding system. u get everything the bose soundbar system offers u but without the heavy price tag.

don't have any.

Feb, 2012

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Consumer review by: cmttu08 (sonystyle.com)

Powerful Sound Bar - Put Subwoofer in Corner!

I replaced my Sony 5.1 Sound System (HTSS360) with this sound bar and love it! I never quite got the rear satellite speakers setup on the old system (I'm no audiophile) so I decided a simpler setup would be better. Didn't want to run the wires. This...

Wireless Subwoofer, 3 HDMI Inputs, Bravia Sync, FM Radio

Confusing Menu (but you're not in it much)

May, 2013

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Consumer review by: Savvy Shopper (beachcamera.com)

GREAT BAR!!

THIS SOUND BAR COMPLETES MY HOME THEATER SYSTEM. FIRST, I BOUGHT THE TV, THEN THE DVD PLAYER AND FINALLY THE SOUND BAR. NOW I CAN ENJOY TV, STREAMING AND MVOIES.

Clear Sound ; Easy To Set Up ; Energy Efficient ; Good Remote ; Interfaces Well With TV ; Thundering Bass

Feb, 2013

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Consumer review by: Savvy Shopper (buydig.com)

GREAT BAR!!

THIS SOUND BAR COMPLETES MY HOME THEATER SYSTEM. FIRST, I BOUGHT THE TV, THEN THE DVD PLAYER AND FINALLY THE SOUND BAR. NOW I CAN ENJOY TV, STREAMING AND MVOIES.

Clear Sound ; Easy To Set Up ; Energy Efficient ; Good Remote ; Interfaces Well With TV ; Thundering Bass

Feb, 2013