Compare Hisense U7SG vs Sony BRAVIA 5

The screen gives vivid color, crisp detail and a bright image for the money, but uniformity and the accuracy of some presets vary.

The TV's overall image is vivid, natural and finely processed, but brightness and shadow precision depend on screen size, preset and lighting.

Compatible receivers and soundbars can receive high-quality audio using eARC and support for major surround formats.

eARC can carry major high-quality formats to external equipment, although a reported Android 14 LPCM sync issue warrants caution with certain setups.

Some listeners hear fuller, surprisingly punchy bass, while others find the deepest rumbles weak or the default boost overpowering.

Deep bass is the built-in speakers' clearest weakness: effects can sound hollow or lack cinematic rumble, making a soundbar attractive.

The panel delivers exceptional peak brightness for the price, keeping HDR highlights vivid and maintaining visibility in daylight.

Brightness is sufficient for many HDR scenes but does not rival the most luminous Mini LEDs; the 98-inch is a significant exception within the lineup.

Highlights and bright HDR scenes have serious punch, giving the U7SG an advantage over many similarly priced screens.

HDR has pleasing punch in many movies, but the 55–85-inch sets trail brighter rivals and small highlights can be restrained. The 98-inch version has markedly more headroom.

Full-screen bright content dims compared with smaller HDR highlights, something most visible in white-heavy sports.

Large bright areas remain impressively consistent, especially on the brighter 98-inch panel.

The matte treatment and strong light output overcome typical windows and room lights with little glare distraction.

Everyday daylight pictures have plenty of punch, but direct sunlight and reflected windows can distract, especially on smaller sizes.

SDR looks bright and colorful, although Filmmaker and PC/Game presets favor different aspects of accuracy.

Ordinary TV and HD content look crisp, natural and engaging, helped by sensitive processing and well-judged picture presets.

Colorful, high-impact HDR is a highlight of the set, but some presets require correction for their cooler color or tone-mapping behavior.

Rich color, controlled highlights and respectable contrast make HDR involving, while ultimate brightness and black precision remain below premium alternatives.

Low-quality video gets useful compression cleanup, but added image enhancements sometimes introduce unwanted grain.

Poor streams clean up well, but applying heavy reduction to pristine 4K material can soften fine detail.

Height channels add spaciousness, but the integrated system cannot match the width of separate speakers.

The speakers create a spacious, reasonably precise stereo image, positioning dialogue and effects convincingly.

Theater, Filmmaker and Dolby Vision IQ each offer useful alternatives, and turning off certain defaults can substantially improve realism.

Cinema and Professional modes prioritize balance, while brighter presets add punch; Vivid can look overdone and some choices need adjustment.

SDR color and skin tones can be remarkably natural, but uncalibrated HDR or different presets may introduce green or blue tints.

Natural skin tones and subtle colors are major strengths in well-chosen picture modes, though some test units show overly cool or greenish out-of-box balance.

Built-in sound often surprises with spaciousness and punch, but assessments vary on dialogue balance and deep bass.

Clear, balanced sound is better than expected for an LCD TV, though the low end is too light for full cinematic impact.

High native contrast and local dimming add depth, although OLEDs and some pricier Mini-LED alternatives are stronger in challenging darkness.

Mini LED dimming delivers strong everyday contrast, although competing premium panels can go much deeper in complex dark scenes. The 98-inch version has a clear contrast advantage over the 65-inch.

The dimming system gives dark scenes strong contrast and mostly controlled glow, with occasional odd highlighting or flicker.

Backlight control is frequently polished in ordinary scenes, yet tricky starfields can prompt conservative dimming and gray-looking black areas.

Dark scenes can look impressively deep for LCD, but raised blacks, residual blooming and shadow-processing quirks keep OLED ahead.

Movies can look rich in moderate or dim light, but raised blacks, occasional blooming and shadow quirks make a pitch-black reference theater a less convincing fit.

An impressive gaming feature list and very low lag coexist with middling motion sharpness for fast-moving objects.

Modern console titles look vibrant and feel responsive, yet motion smearing and the 120Hz ceiling keep it short of dedicated gaming leaders.

Well-mastered 4K footage reveals convincing textures and fine detail, especially in brighter HDR scenes.

Fine textures, subtitles and scene elements come through sharply without an excessively processed appearance.

SDR white balance is generally good, while uncalibrated HDR can look noticeably cool until adjusted.

Initial white balance varies by tested size and unit, with cool or greenish casts on some sets; calibration can markedly improve it.

The pedestal offers height options that can make room for an external soundbar without blocking the screen.

The raised stand positions on smaller models and generous clearance on the 98-inch help accommodate a soundbar beneath the screen.

Real-world sports can look fluid, but slow pixel transitions, film judder and occasional artifacts mean motion is not consistently premium.

Film cadence and broadcast motion are polished, while some fast games still reveal slower pixel transitions.

Controller actions appear rapidly across supported modes, making this one of the set's clearest gaming strengths.

Game mode responds promptly, with particularly impressive 120Hz lag results for a Sony LCD.

The set handles 1440p/120Hz game signals and can run at even higher frame rates at reduced resolution with suitable PCs.

1440p signals are a conspicuous gap for some console and PC setups, even though 4K120 works well.

Direct reflections are strongly reduced by the matte surface, and indirect ambient glare is mostly kept in check.

Direct light sources are obvious on the reflective screen and can interrupt darker scenes.

Four full-bandwidth HDMI inputs on the common sizes provide unusual flexibility for consoles, PCs and soundbars; the biggest model is an exception.

Only two HDMI inputs carry full gaming bandwidth, and one doubles as eARC. Multi-console soundbar setups may need compromises or extra hardware.

The matte screen suppresses direct sunlight and bright lamps better than many similarly priced TVs; larger glossy variants differ.

Direct reflections are a persistent weakness: windows and lamps can remain clearly visible, despite sufficient brightness for indirect daylight.

Dark HDR skies and gradients may show banding, with unusual artifacts sometimes visible in greens.

Smooth gradations and low-quality stream cleanup are strengths, with only limited banding in difficult shades.

The 165Hz native 4K mode and faster reduced-resolution options favor capable PCs, but response-time blur limits ultimate competitive clarity.

120Hz is excellent for current consoles, but limited compared with 144Hz, 165Hz or faster sets aimed at serious PC gamers.

The backlit tactile keys are helpful at night, but shortcut placement and missing direct playback controls bother some users.

The compact everyday remote feels intuitive in the hand and makes navigation easy.

Dark backgrounds generally look even, with little backlight bleed, though sample variation can affect the edges.

Some cloudiness and haloing remain, especially on the 98-inch model with dimming off or challenging highlights.

The zones generally follow movement well, but highlights can visibly flicker while moving across the screen.

Moving highlights generally transition smoothly between dimming zones, although very fast objects can reveal halo trails or dark edges.

Google's show-first home page can be useful for discovery but offers limited control over the promoted rows.

Google TV organizes shows and watchlists well, but its recommendation system can feel busy and less clever than alternatives.

The available app storage is adequate for everyday streaming, although heavy app users may want more space.

Preloaded software leaves useful free storage for additional apps, which can be removed if unwanted.

Pixel transitions are slower than the refresh-rate label suggests, leaving dark smearing and blur in fast scenes.

Pixel transitions are adequate on smaller sets rather than truly fast, while the 98-inch panel makes visible gains in gaming clarity.

The metal pedestal is secure once assembled; some find the screws straightforward, while others recommend an extra pair of hands.

Click-in feet and installation-friendly packaging make assembly straightforward for the smaller and very large sizes alike.

Game Mode keeps HDR brightness strong and latency low, though it cannot eliminate the screen's slower response times.

Game mode keeps inputs responsive, but specialized presets do not always preserve the strongest picture quality.

Careful calibration can yield excellent accuracy, although the absence of a familiar automatic calibration option is disappointing.

White balance and grayscale often improve dramatically after calibration, although some calibration controls are more limited than enthusiasts might expect.

Subtle HDR gradients sometimes break into visible steps, particularly darker greens and grays.

Most gradients look smooth, although grays and certain green tones can show visible steps.

Fast-frequency backlight PWM is hard to see normally, although transitions and VRR flicker may trouble sensitive viewers.

High-frequency PWM is generally subtle, but sensitive viewers may still notice it; Standard mode has a lower flicker frequency.

Common sources play without major judder, while some 24p material or 25p sources can require motion tweaks.

Sony's film cadence handling is an exceptional strength, keeping 24fps movies natural without obvious judder.

Color ghosting, soft edges and distracting transition trails may appear in rapid action despite the high refresh specification.

Dark transitions can produce black smears or inverse ghosting, with the faster 98-inch panel showing a different overshoot tradeoff.

Low-bitrate cleanup and upscaling are strong, although certain default settings can make highlights or motion look unnatural.

The XR chip is the product's defining strength, making film motion, colors and weaker sources look notably polished.

Low-frame-rate films can stutter on slow pans, but a little interpolation makes motion easier to watch.

Some slow camera pans in 24fps material can show mild response-time stutter despite effective judder removal.

Small bright objects and sunlight often retain clear separation, with occasional dimming of the tiniest specular highlights.

Fine highlight structure is usually well maintained, but very bright or complex scenes can clip or suppress tiny specular details.

Head-on viewing is strongest, with off-center colors and contrast fading more than ideal for large family seating.

VA-panel contrast and color degrade away from a centered seat; a few impressions are more forgiving, but wide seating remains risky.

A compact central footprint can fit narrower media units than widely spaced feet.

Centered or flexible foot placement makes most sizes friendly to narrow furniture, but the 98-inch stand is substantially wider and fixed.

Many dark scenes retain fine texture, although some modes flatten shadows or raise near-black detail.

Shadows retain subtle textures in most scenes, but aggressive brightness preferences or complex backlight behavior can sacrifice some dark detail.

Some tests found clean sports fields, while others exposed blotchy patches and darker screen edges on uniform backgrounds.

Some slight center-screen patchiness can appear during bright panning shots, though it is rarely intrusive in normal viewing.

Dark scenes tend to look clean, but bright uniform backgrounds may expose vignetting or dirty-screen patches depending on the panel.

Mostly even images can show slightly dark corners or subtle patchiness in bright material, especially at very large sizes.

A bright, feature-packed Mini-LED set makes a convincing mainstream choice, with motion performance and dark-room precision its main compromises.

Most experiences are positive, especially for movies and everyday viewing, although some buyers question the premium price and gaming tradeoffs.

The black-frame insertion option is compromised by image duplication and a pronounced loss of brightness.

Black-frame insertion is poorly executed, with image duplication or unusual flicker patterns undermining its usefulness.

Adding light smoothing helps slow pans and 24p stutter, although aggressive settings can change the cinematic look.

True Cinema and conservative settings can help films, but stronger smoothing introduces artifacts or a soap-opera look.

Lift-off packaging can make unboxing safer and easier, although one demonstration used special shipping protection not supplied to retail buyers.

The large model's packaging separates easily and supports safer stand installation without lifting the panel immediately.

The heavy center base gives the TV reassuring resistance to wobble.

Properly installed feet keep the screen planted despite its size; only minor movement appears if the panel is pushed.

The panel covers most of DCI-P3 with vivid results, but it cannot reproduce every shade of the wider BT.2020 gamut.

HDR colors cover a wide, useful range and look rich in most content, despite less-than-complete coverage of the broadest gamuts.

Speech is generally clear on the integrated speakers, but one comparison found voices harder to hear against effects and music.

Voices are consistently easy to follow, even with busy film soundtracks, and Sony offers useful speech-enhancement options.

The redesigned metal pedestal is solid and stylish, with a heavier feel than previous plastic stands.

The feet feel sturdy and stable, though the 98-inch version is wider and less adjustable.

VRR is useful over a broad gaming range, but 60Hz handshakes and certain frame-rate changes can produce flicker or incompatibility.

VRR helps keep supported console games smooth and nearly tear-free, within the TV's 120Hz ceiling.

The Mini-LED backlight usually produces deep blacks, but some dark-room comparisons reveal raised shadows and residual halos.

Blacks are generally convincing from a central seat, but difficult starfields and mixed highlights can look gray. The 98-inch model delivers deeper blacks than the 65-inch in size-specific testing.

Games can trigger the lowest-lag mode automatically rather than requiring manual switching.

Game mode engages automatically with compatible consoles, making it easier to get responsive play without switching presets manually.

Side-mounted, labeled ports are straightforward to find and connect once the TV is on its stand.

Side- or rear-facing connections remain reasonably easy to reach, even when some sizes are wall-mounted.

Full chroma support helps desktop detail, yet the BGR subpixel layout can cause text fringing on a PC.

Chroma detail is usable, but the BGR pixel layout can cause text quirks in some desktop applications.

High frequencies retain good definition without as much harshness as cheaper television speakers.

High frequencies are generally clean and controlled, but the tonal balance does not reach a dedicated sound system.

The game overlay supplies frame-rate, HDR and crosshair tools, but reaching the panel can take more remote presses than ideal.

The game menu offers useful on-screen tuning, source information, crosshairs and screen-size controls without leaving play.

Older HD and lower-bitrate sources receive sharper detail with minimal artificial edge enhancement.

Making poor sources look better is the signature advantage here: HD, SD and compressed streams remain detailed and natural.

Compressed streams and older HD material get cleaner edges and reduced macroblocking without excessive over-sharpening.

Low-bitrate streams, old shows and SD broadcasts become more watchable through Sony's cleanup without heavy artificial sharpening.

Most bright highlights are well contained, although small subtitles and starfields can reveal halos.

Sony usually suppresses halos without crushing small bright details, but the conservative approach can raise blacks and leave some complex dark scenes washed out.

The backlit remote and brushed finish are practical, although the large utilitarian shape looks dated to some people.

The remotes are comfortable and functional, but the lack of backlighting and rechargeable power disappoints some owners.

Bright highlights retain richly saturated colors, with little washout in strong light.

Bright HDR colors remain punchy, particularly on the 98-inch panel, which has more color-brightness headroom than the 65-inch version.

Sports and some games can look crisp, yet laboratory testing and several owners note blur during dark transitions.

Sports and movies generally remain readable, but fast game motion can smear on smaller panels; the 98-inch is noticeably clearer.

Channels in the pedestal help hide cords, but some find the routing limited outside the stand itself.

Cable routing is neat on some smaller versions, but the 98-inch rear offers little built-in cable management beyond a tie wrap.

Large promoted banners and personalized recommendations consume much of the Google TV home screen; switching off personalized ads does not remove them.

The Google TV home screen carries ads; turning off personalization does not remove them. Basic TV mode removes ads only by sacrificing smart functions.

The very large versions offer imposing cinematic scale, and the strong brightness keeps that extra screen area lively.

The 98-inch screen delivers a room-filling movie and gaming experience, with additional brightness and motion advantages beyond its area.

Color and contrast can fade rapidly as viewers move away from the center, especially on the tested VA panel.

Colors lose intensity and blacks wash out when viewers sit to the sides, especially beyond modest angles.

Spaced tactile keys are easy to locate, but the missing play/pause shortcut and awkward tuner key slow certain actions.

Dedicated input and streaming buttons are handy, but extra settings buttons and no illumination can make dark-room use fiddly.

As an LCD, the TV avoids permanent burn-in and several common panel risks, but the newest generation lacks long-term owner history.

Menus and smart functions generally feel dependable, with few noticeable bugs in normal use.

AMD FreeSync Premium Pro adds a valuable adaptive-refresh option for compatible gaming equipment.

Native FreeSync support is missing, although HDMI Forum VRR provides a practical alternative with compatible systems.

The eARC port makes high-quality audio transfer to a soundbar or AV receiver straightforward.

eARC is useful for connecting a capable receiver or soundbar, though it uses one of the two highest-bandwidth HDMI inputs.

High-bandwidth connections extend to all four standard-size HDMI inputs, avoiding the typical compromise of only one or two gaming-ready ports.

The two compatible ports handle 4K120 and VRR effectively, offering capable current-generation console connections.

When discounted, the U7SG combines standout daylight viewing and connectivity for far less than many flagship models; full price is less persuasive.

As a Sony Mini LED, the processing can justify a premium on sale, but cheaper rivals often offer higher brightness or more gaming hardware.

A discounted 75-, 85- or 100-inch model can deliver substantial screen space for the cost, though premium extra-large sizes rise sharply in price.

The huge screen brings compelling scale, but the 98-inch price, space requirements and power consumption demand careful justification.

Google TV onboarding can be fast, but the heavy stand, app-pairing failures and unskippable updates may slow a new owner's setup.

Smaller models have simple feet and clear setup menus; even the 98-inch uses smart packaging, though moving it takes strength.

PS5 and Xbox consoles can use 4K at 120Hz without giving up their usual VRR options.

Current consoles can take advantage of smooth 4K120 play, provided they use one of the two full-bandwidth HDMI ports.

4K console games benefit from bold HDR, low lag, and up to 120Hz support, though some motion smears on rapid transitions.

A huge screen, low input lag and 4K HDR presentation make the 98-inch model especially engaging for games.

Smaller and larger variants differ in peak output, coating, stand and sometimes connections, so specifications should be checked for the precise screen size.

The 98-inch is not merely a larger 65-inch: it is brighter, has deeper blacks and responds faster, so size-specific conclusions matter.

Thin bezels keep the picture visually prominent and give the set a clean, modern appearance.

Most sizes have thin, unobtrusive borders; the 98-inch model is noticeably chunkier around the edges.

A broad selection extends well beyond 85 inches, but brightness, coating and stand designs are not identical across sizes.

The range spans manageable 55-inch screens through a giant 98-inch version, giving buyers considerable freedom to fit their room.

The sturdy metal stand and improved finish feel substantial for the price, even though the cabinet remains midrange rather than luxury-grade.

The cabinet generally feels sturdy and stable, with a premium impression despite extensive plastic; large screens can wobble slightly when pushed.

A thin frame and substantial industrial-style center pedestal make this look more expensive than an ordinary budget screen.

The minimalist shape and discreet front styling look premium in a living room; the larger model's thickness is less elegant from the side.

HDR tracking is mostly good, while optional dynamic mapping can brighten scenes or make movement look unnatural.

Dynamic HDR adjustments preserve useful detail in tricky mixed-brightness scenes, though the brightest highlights are not always perfect.

Core brightness tracking can be close to the intended curve, while optional dynamic tone mapping sometimes produces a strange, overprocessed image.

Sony's tone mapping generally follows intended luminance well, particularly in accurate presets, though some modes introduce raised blacks or clipped highlights.

Google's hands-free Gemini commands and searches are convenient, but they are not always able to complete playback tasks.

Google Assistant can handle complex voice searches and shortcuts, making it easier to navigate a large content library.

Navigation is usually quick, with occasional slower responses or extra clicks in deeper menus.

Settings and shortcuts appear quickly and keep on-the-fly changes convenient.

Google TV delivers familiar apps and easy browsing, but the recommendation-heavy home screen and layered menus can feel cluttered.

Google TV brings an extensive app ecosystem and intuitive navigation, with occasional clutter from recommendations and ads.

The Google TV catalog covers popular subscription services along with plenty of additional streaming choices.

Google TV brings together a broad selection of streaming services; regional catch-up apps are also thoughtfully handled in the UK.

Google TV generally feels snappy and responsive, although it is not always as fast as premium rivals.

Google TV is consistently quick to open menus and switch apps, with little of the sluggishness associated with weaker smart TVs.

A hardware microphone mute and software toggles offer control, though tracking and promotions may be enabled by default.

Users can disable personalized ads or the microphone, but opting out of targeted ads does not clear the home-screen ad placements.

Everyday streaming is simple, but advanced picture settings, forced updates and signup prompts can complicate the first experience.

Optional Bravia Cam features add possibilities, but the camera's price is difficult to justify for what it offers.

Google setup brings account prompts and legal agreements, which can slow down first use.

Automatic picture switching is handy for viewers who would rather let the TV choose between movies, sports, and games.

The display can double as a pleasant ambient picture frame or screensaver when entertainment is paused.

Sony's gentle SDR-to-HDR enhancement can give everyday material extra pop without making colors look exaggerated. Cinema and Professional modes provide a more restrained alternative.

The upward-firing speakers can add welcome width and height, but separate surround speakers still create a larger sound field.

The LCD panel is effectively immune to permanent OLED-style image burn-in, a useful advantage for long-term static-content use.

Especially at 98 inches, the cabinet is much thicker than today's slimmest TVs, so wall mounting will not look particularly flush.

Speakers remain composed during loud or demanding moments rather than breaking into obvious distortion.

The 98-inch model draws substantially more electricity than smaller versions, offsetting some of its big-screen appeal in daily running costs.

There is no standard Filmmaker Mode, although Cinema and Professional presets provide accurate-viewing alternatives for enthusiasts.

Free ad-supported channels add extra viewing choices, including some worthwhile older programming.

G-SYNC works across the supported variable-refresh range on the 98-inch model.

Four total HDMI ports are useful, but only half provide the highest-bandwidth gaming functions.

Colors and textures usually look lifelike rather than oversaturated, especially in Cinema and Professional modes.

Small text and fine details survive scaling well, helping lower-resolution sources avoid a soft appearance.

A full set of standard accessories is packed with the TV, although the box location can initially be confusing.

The built-in system gets loud enough for typical rooms without sacrificing easy-to-hear dialogue.

Gaming alongside a YouTube guide or video is an appealing convenience, rather than forcing players to switch screens.

Owners with local media libraries or Plex servers can get especially good use from the TV's processing and film presentation.

Thoughtfully shaped protective material and packing tabs make an intimidating 98-inch unboxing more manageable.

Remote Play can bring a PS5 or PS4 session onto the TV from another room or even another location.

A conventional removable two-prong cord is a welcome practical touch.

The 98-inch screen carries a major running-cost premium, commonly using hundreds of watts while streaming.

Up to 165Hz at 4K is excellent for a midrange television, even though frame transitions are not always as fast as the refresh number implies.

The semi-gloss finish preserves a clear picture overall but costs a little perceived sharpness; BGR pixels can also affect desktop text.

Sony's built-in speaker arrangement provides refined detail and generally clean output, without much deep bass.

A rich input selection handles multiple consoles and external audio equipment without demanding constant cable swaps.

The broad adaptive-refresh window is useful at high frame rates, but 60Hz handshakes and certain VRR transitions can be problematic.

The deeper cabinet, particularly at large sizes, prevents the sleek flush-wall effect of thinner televisions.

A large screen takes real effort to maneuver; even helpful packaging and handles cannot eliminate the need for assistance.

The panel tops out at 120Hz, so it is less attractive than 144Hz or faster rivals for high-refresh PC gaming.

Built-in AirPlay makes sharing video from Apple devices easy, without an extra streaming box.

Built-in casting makes it straightforward to send videos or other content from a phone.

Google Cast makes Android and other compatible phone-to-TV playback simple.

Dolby Vision playback is a strong part of the TV's movie and gaming appeal, with useful picture presets for different lighting.

DTS and DTS:X compatibility helps Blu-ray and home-theater owners avoid the format limitations found on some rival TVs.

The lack of HDR10+ frustrates viewers who want every major dynamic HDR format, even though Dolby Vision is included.

Dolby Vision and HDR10+ cover both major premium HDR ecosystems, so format compatibility is rarely a concern.

On-TV streaming generally runs smoothly, although the newer phone setup app can struggle to connect during onboarding.

Voice Zoom and similar speech controls make hard-to-hear dialogue easier to follow without simply boosting total volume.

Detailed brightness, contrast, HDR and game controls offer extensive tuning for owners who like to experiment.

Automatic PlayStation HDR tuning provides a strong starting point for game brightness and shadow balance, though manual verification may still help.

Google Home and Android integration is useful for linked devices, photos and household smart-home controls.

Gemini handles ordinary questions but sometimes points to the wrong service or stops at a show's information page.

An intermittent audio-delay warning for Sony's Android 14 platform raises concern for gamers using LPCM over ARC after display-mode changes.

A useful EQ, sound modes, dialogue boosts and subwoofer controls offer lots of flexibility, but intelligent settings can complicate manual adjustments.

Ambient-light adaptation can gently adjust the screen for changing room conditions without repeated manual changes.

Compatible Sony soundbars can let the TV handle the center channel, making voices appear to come from the screen itself.

Black equalizer, crosshairs and screen-size options are practical aids for navigating dark or precision-focused games.

Filmmaker Mode can look impressively faithful, but HDR white balance and default brightness curves need care for reference results.

Automatic format switching between streaming services and apps is quick and keeps the appropriate audio/video modes active.

Daytime SDR material has strong brightness, particularly on the 98-inch version, though full-field scenes are somewhat less punchy.

Sony's high-bitrate movie streaming is an especially attractive extra for film enthusiasts, with sharp presentation and included movie credits.

Sound-positioning tweeters and supported formats lend spatial depth, but a dedicated system still provides a more enveloping theater effect.

Dedicated Netflix, Prime Video and Sony Pictures Core presets aim for faithful playback with little manual fiddling.

Virtual surround spreads the sound somewhat but produces little convincing rear-channel action.