soundbars · Head-to-head
Sony HT-S100F vs ZVOX AV157
The short answer
Sony HT-S100F and ZVOX AV157 finish almost level in our scoring (7.0 vs 7.0 out of 10), so the right pick depends on what you value most. Sony HT-S100F is stronger on ease of setup & use for seniors, overall sound quality and value. ZVOX AV157 is stronger on dialogue clarity, dialogue boost range & controls and safety, energy & repairability.
- Choose the Sony HT-S100F if: Shoppers who want the cheapest no-fuss, no-app upgrade over TV speakers, with a Voice mode.
- Choose the ZVOX AV157 if: Viewers with hearing loss whose main goal is understanding speech, with the finest-grained voice boost available.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Sony HT-S100F | ZVOX AV157 |
|---|---|---|
| Dialogue clarity | 6.8Beats TV speakers, but there's no center channel (RTINGS). | 7.5Older TechHive praise, offset by TechRadar's 'unnatural' remark. |
| Dialogue boost range & controls | 4.5Single Voice toggle. | 8.512 levels plus Output Leveling. |
| Ease of setup & use for seniors | 8.8HDMI ARC/CEC, simple remote, no app. | 6.5Single cable, but a separate remote is required. |
| Overall sound quality | 6.0Decent 2.0 with modest bass. | 4.5Single-purpose small speaker. |
| Value | 8.8$98 with three testers behind it. | 6.5$199.99, close to the HDMI-equipped AV835. |
| Safety, energy & repairability | 5.0Neutral: no parts or idle-power evidence found. | 8.0Replacement power supply and remotes, renewed units and a 60-day trial. |
Specifications
| Spec | Sony HT-S100F | ZVOX AV157 |
|---|---|---|
| Exact evaluated bar, subwoofer and surround configuration | HT-S100F bar only | Single AccuVoice AV157 speaker bar; no subwoofer or surrounds |
| Workflow type | Standalone budget bar | Standalone single-box TV speaker |
| Dialogue feature | Voice mode | AccuVoice + SuperVoice |
| Exact US model and regional suffix | HT-S100F | AV157 |
| Dialogue enhancement levels | 1 levels | 12 levels |
| Soundbar width | 902 mm | 432 mm |
| Dedicated center channel / speech driver | No | No |
| Soundbar height | 64 mm | 86 mm |
| Automatic volume leveling | — | Yes |
| Soundbar depth | 89 mm | 74 mm |
| Channel configuration | 2.0 | — |
| Meets editorial 800-mm width and 80-mm height filter | No | No |
| Dolby Atmos | No | No |
| Separate subwoofer included | No | No |
| Verified decoding and transport support | Dolby Digital, LPCM 2ch (retailer spec) | — |
| HDMI ARC/eARC | Yes | No |
| Full HDMI source inputs excluding ARC/eARC return port | 0 ports | 0 ports |
| Optical input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| ARC/eARC, optical, TV-specific and adapter requirements | HDMI ARC or optical | — |
| Width | 35.5 in | 17 in |
| Physical remote, TV remote, account and app requirements | Included remote; TV remote via HDMI-CEC; no app | Included remote; no app; mode switch by long press (Digital Trends) |
| Observed direct manufacturer selling price | — | 199.99 USD |
| Verified manufacturer list price, not assumed from a crossed-out reference | — | 249.99 USD |
| Listing, indexed listing, cart, delivery or conflicting-render status | Amazon new offer $98 from third-party seller Electronic Express (search snippet) | zvox.com $199.99 with 60-day trial; Amazon $199.99 from third-party seller (live) |
| Manufacturer direct home-trial period | — | 60 days |
Sony HT-S100F
Pros
- Very low price
- HDMI ARC/CEC for TV-remote control
- One-touch Voice mode
- Bluetooth and optical inputs
- Backed by several independent testers
Cons
- No center channel
- Single voice toggle, no levels
- Older 2018 design
- An owner reports Bluetooth lag with video
A fair budget upgrade. For stronger hearing needs, spend more on one of the ZVOX bars.
Full Sony HT-S100F review →ZVOX AV157
Pros
- Works with optical or 3.5mm TVs
- 12 voice-boost levels
- Output Leveling for ads
- Replacement power supplies, remotes and renewed units sold
- Compact size
Cons
- No HDMI, so the TV remote cannot control it
- Voices can sound unnatural at high boost
- Weak for music and movies
- Needs a second remote
A narrow but useful product. It is best for older TVs, where it can make a real difference to speech.
Full ZVOX AV157 review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Soundbars Under $300 of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.