Sony HT-S20R Home Theatre System

About These Operating Instructions

The instructions in this document describe the controls on the remote control. Some illustrations are presented as conceptual drawings and may differ from actual products. Default settings are underlined. Characters in brackets [ ] appear in the front panel display or on the TV screen.

Installation and Connection

Refer to the supplied Startup Guide for initial connection steps.

Mounting the Bar Speaker and Surround Speakers on a Wall

You can mount the bar speaker and surround speakers on a wall. Ensure you use appropriate screws (not supplied) for your wall type and strength. For plasterboard walls, attach screws securely into wall beams. Install speakers horizontally, hung by screws in studs in a continuous flat section of the wall. Professional installation by a Sony dealer or licensed contractor is recommended, paying special attention to safety.

Mounting the Bar Speaker on a Wall

1. Prepare two screws (not supplied) suitable for the wall mount holes on the rear of the bar speaker. Ensure they are more than 30 mm long, with a head diameter of approximately 4.5 mm and a shaft diameter of approximately 4 mm.
2. Stick the WALL MOUNT TEMPLATE (supplied) on a wall, aligning the TV CENTER LINE with your TV's center line and the TV BOTTOM LINE with the bottom of your TV. Use commercially available adhesive tape.
3. Fasten screws into the marks on the SCREW LINE of the WALL MOUNT TEMPLATE. The screw should protrude about 6 mm to 7 mm.
4. Remove the WALL MOUNT TEMPLATE.
5. Hang the bar speaker on the screws, aligning the holes on the rear of the bar speaker with the screws.

Mounting the Surround Speakers on a Wall

1. Prepare a screw (not supplied) for each speaker, suitable for the wall mount hole on the rear of the surround speaker. Ensure screws are more than 30 mm long, with a head diameter of approximately 4.5 mm and a shaft diameter of approximately 4 mm.
2. Fasten the screw into the wall. The screw should protrude about 6 mm to 7 mm.
3. Hang the surround speaker on the screw, aligning the hole on the rear of the surround speaker with the screw.

Guide to Parts and Controls

Subwoofer

Front Panel:

• (power) button ⏻: Turns on the system or sets it to standby mode.
• (input select) button ➡️: Selects the input source.
• BLUETOOTH button : Activates Bluetooth pairing or selects Bluetooth input.
• +/ (volume) buttons ➕/➖: Adjusts the system volume.
• BLUETOOTH indicator: Lights in blue when connected; flashes slowly in blue when attempting connection; flashes twice in blue when in pairing standby.
• Front panel display: Shows system status.
• (USB) port : Connects USB devices.
• Remote control sensor: Receives signals from the remote control.

Rear Panel:

• ANALOG IN jack: For analog audio input.
• HDMI OUT (TV (ARC)) jack: Connects to a TV's HDMI input with ARC support for audio return.
• TV IN (OPTICAL) jack: For optical digital audio input.
• SPEAKERS jacks: Connects to bar and surround speakers.
• AC inlet: Connects the AC power cord.

Remote Control

• INPUT ➡️: Selects input source ([TV], [ANALOG], [BT], [USB]).
• AUTO SOUND: Selects AUTO SOUND mode.
• CINEMA: Selects CINEMA sound mode.
• VOICE: Turns voice mode on/off to emphasize dialog.
• +/ (volume) buttons ➕/➖: Adjusts system volume.
• SW +/: Adjusts subwoofer volume.
• MENU ☰: Turns the menu on/off in the front panel display.
• /: Selects menu items or content for USB playback.
• ENTER ✔️: Confirms selection or starts USB playback.
• BACK ↩️: Returns to the previous display or stops USB playback.
• / (previous/next): Selects previous/next track or file for USB playback. Hold down to search backward or forward.
• (power) button ⏻: Turns the system on or sets it to standby.
• STANDARD: Selects STANDARD sound mode.
• MUSIC: Selects MUSIC sound mode.
• NIGHT: Turns night mode on/off for clear sound at low volume.
• (muting) button ?: Mutes or unmutes the sound temporarily.
• DIMMER: Adjusts the brightness of the front panel display and BLUETOOTH indicator.

Battery Replacement: Replace with two R03 (size AAA) manganese batteries when the remote control is unresponsive.

Listening to Music/Sound

Listening to a TV

Connect your TV using an HDMI Cable (ARC) or Optical Digital Cable. Press INPUT repeatedly to select [TV] on the front panel display. Adjust volume using +/ on the remote. Subwoofer volume can be adjusted with SW +/.

Listening to Music on a USB Device

1. Connect a USB device to the  (USB) port.
2. Press INPUT repeatedly to select [USB]. The system reads the device.
3. The USB content list appears on the TV screen. Use / to select content and ENTER to play.
4. Adjust volume using +/ and subwoofer volume with SW +/.

Play Modes for USB: Press MENU, select [USB] [REPEAT], then choose from [OFF], [ONE], [FOLDER], [RANDOM], or [ALL]. Press MENU to exit.

Other USB Operations: Use ▶️/⏸️ to pause/resume, / to select tracks, and hold / for fast forward/rewind.

Listening to Music from a Mobile Device with BLUETOOTH

Pairing with a Mobile Device

1. Press and hold the BLUETOOTH button  on the subwoofer for 2 seconds. The BLUETOOTH indicator flashes twice.
2. On your mobile device, search for Bluetooth devices and select "HT-S20R" from the list. If prompted, enter passkey "0000".
3. The BLUETOOTH indicator will light blue when the connection is established.
4. Start audio playback from your mobile device's music app.
5. Adjust volume using +/ and subwoofer volume with SW +/. Use / for track selection (search function may not work).

Listening to Music of the Paired Mobile Device

1. Turn on the BLUETOOTH function on your mobile device.
2. Press INPUT repeatedly to select [BT] or press the BLUETOOTH button  on the subwoofer. The system automatically reconnects to the last paired device.
3. Ensure the BLUETOOTH indicator is blue.
4. Start audio playback from your mobile device.
5. Adjust volume as needed.

Enjoying the Sound Effect that is Tailored to Sound Sources (Sound Mode)

Select sound modes using the dedicated buttons on the remote control:

• STANDARD: Sony-recommended sound mode.
• AUTO SOUND: Automatically optimizes sound based on content.
• MUSIC: Optimized for music playback.
• CINEMA: For realistic and powerful surround sound effects, suitable for movies.

Making Dialogs Clearer (VOICE)

Press the VOICE button to turn voice mode on ([Vo.ON]) or off ([Vo.OFF]) to emphasize dialog.

Enjoying Clear Sound with Low Volume at Midnight (NIGHT)

Press the NIGHT button to turn night mode on ([N.ON]) or off ([N.OFF]). This compresses sound for clarity at low volumes. The mode is automatically set to off when the system is turned off.

Checking the Current Sound Settings

Press MENU, select [CURRENT STATUS] using / and ENTER. Press repeatedly to cycle through Sound mode, Voice mode, Night mode, and Stream Information. Press MENU to exit.

Changing the Settings

Your settings are retained even if the AC power cord is disconnected.

1. Press MENU ☰ to turn on the menu.
2. Use / to select the desired item and setting, then press ENTER ✔️. Press BACK ↩️ to return to the upper layer.
3. Press MENU ☰ to exit the menu.

Menu List

Using the Control for HDMI Function

Control for HDMI (CEC) allows connected HDMI devices to control each other. Ensure devices are compatible and connected via HDMI.

Preparing to Use the Control for HDMI Function

Set [HDMI] [CONTROL FOR HDMI] to [ON]. Enable the function on your TV and other connected devices. For Sony TVs, enabling Control for HDMI on the TV may enable it on the system automatically.

System Power Off Function

When the TV is turned off, the system will turn off automatically.

System Audio Control Function

When the system is turned on while watching TV, TV sound is output from the system's speakers. System volume can be adjusted using the TV remote control. The system may turn on automatically when the TV is turned on if TV sound was output from the system previously.

Audio Return Channel (ARC)

If your TV's HDMI IN jack supports ARC, you can listen to TV sound through the system's speakers without an optical digital cable. If not compatible, an optical digital cable is required.

One-Touch Play Function

When playing content on a connected device (e.g., Blu-ray Disc player, PlayStation4), the system and TV turn on automatically, the system input switches to TV, and sound is output from the system speakers.

Notes on HDMI Connections

• Use an HDMI-authorized cable, preferably a Sony High Speed HDMI cable.
• Avoid HDMI-DVI conversion cables.
• Check connected device setup if image or sound is poor.
• Audio signals may be suppressed by the connected device.

Saving Power Consumption

Turning the System Off by Detecting the Using State

Set [SYSTEM] [AUTO STANDBY] to [ON]. The system enters standby mode automatically after about 20 minutes of inactivity and no input signal. Default for Europe: [ON]. Default for Australia/New Zealand: [OFF].

Saving Power in Standby Mode

To save power during standby, set [BT] - [STANDBY] and [HDMI] [CONTROL FOR HDMI] to [OFF]. Default settings are [ON].

Resetting the System

If the system does not operate properly, reset it to factory defaults.

1. Press MENU ☰.
2. Select [RESET] using / and ENTER.
3. Select [ALL RESET] using / and ENTER.
4. Select [START] using / and ENTER to begin the reset. Select [CANCEL] to abort.

If You Cannot Perform Resetting Using the Menu: Press and hold the ⏻ (power) button and the ➖ (volume) button on the subwoofer for more than 5 seconds.

Troubleshooting

Follow these steps if the system does not work properly: 1. Search for the cause and solution in this section. 2. Reset the system. If problems persist, consult your nearest Sony dealer.

Power Issues

• System does not power up: Check AC power cord connection. Disconnect and reconnect power.
• System turns off automatically: Auto standby is active. Set [SYSTEM] [AUTO STANDBY] to [OFF].
• System does not turn on when TV turns on: Ensure [HDMI] [CONTROL FOR HDMI] is [ON] and TV supports it. Check TV speaker settings. TV may not trigger system power-on if sound previously output from TV speakers.
• System turns off when TV turns off: Check [HDMI] [CONTROL FOR HDMI] setting. System turns off automatically only if system input is TV input.
• System does not turn off when TV turns off: Check [HDMI] [CONTROL FOR HDMI] setting. System turns off automatically only if system input is TV input.

Picture Issues

• No picture or incorrect picture: Select the appropriate input. For TV input, select the desired TV channel. Disconnect and reconnect HDMI cable firmly.

Sound Issues

• No TV sound from system: Check HDMI/Optical cable connections. Reconnect cables firmly. Disconnect and reconnect AC power cords for TV and system. If using HDMI, ensure TV's HDMI jack is labeled "ARC", Control for HDMI is ON on TV and system. If TV not ARC compatible, connect optical cable. If TV optical input sound is not output, connect source directly to system's TV IN (OPTICAL). Select TV input. Increase TV/system volume or cancel mute. Turn on TV first, then system. Set TV speaker setting to "Audio System". Check TV sound output settings. System supports Dolby Digital and PCM; set TV digital audio out to "PCM" if unsupported format is played.
• Sound from both system and TV: Change TV audio output setting to external speaker. Set TV volume to minimum.
• No or low sound from subwoofer: Ensure subwoofer AC power cord is connected. Press SW + to increase volume. Subwoofer is for bass; may be less noticeable with low-bass sources (e.g., TV programs). Not output during HDCP protected content.
• No or low sound from connected device: Check volume level. Cancel mute. Ensure correct input source is selected. Check cable connections. Turn off upsampling feature on connected device if supported.
• No or low sound from surround speakers: Check surround speaker cable connections. Ensure [SPEAKER] [MULTI SPEAKER] is set to [ON]. Multi-channel audio not recorded as surround sound may not output from surround speakers.

USB Device Connection

• USB device not recognized: Turn system off, remove/reconnect USB device, turn system on. Ensure secure connection. Check for device/cable damage. Ensure USB device is on. Connect directly if using a USB hub.

Mobile Device Connection (Bluetooth)

• Bluetooth connection cannot be completed: Ensure Bluetooth indicator is lit. Ensure Bluetooth device is ON and Bluetooth is enabled. Bring device close to subwoofer. Re-pair devices. Set [BT] [POWER] to [ON].
• Pairing cannot be achieved: Bring device close. Minimize interference from wireless LAN, other 2.4 GHz devices, or microwave ovens. Turn off other Bluetooth devices nearby.
• Bluetooth audio not output: Ensure Bluetooth indicator is lit. Bring device close. Minimize interference. Move USB 3.0 devices/cables away. Remove obstacles. Reposition Bluetooth device. Switch wireless LAN frequency to 5 GHz. Increase volume on Bluetooth device.

Remote Control Issues

• System remote not functioning: Point at remote sensor. Remove obstacles. Replace batteries. Ensure correct button is pressed.
• TV remote not working: Ensure bar speaker does not obstruct TV's remote control sensor.

Other Issues

• Control for HDMI not working: Check system connection. Enable Control for HDMI on TV. Wait a while after unplugging system before trying again. Ensure connected devices support Control for HDMI and have it enabled. Note device control limitations (e.g., max 1 audio system).
• [PROTECT] appears: Protection feature activated. Turn system off, disconnect AC, check ventilation, remove USB device if applicable. If system works without USB, the device may draw too much current (>500 mA) or be abnormal.
• Front panel display not lit: Press DIMMER to set brightness to [BRIGHT] or [DARK].
• TV sensors blocked: Move bar speaker away from TV if it obstructs sensors (brightness, remote receiver, 3D emitter, wireless communication).
• System not working ([.DEMO] appears): System is in demo mode. Reset the system (hold ⏻ and ➖ on subwoofer for >5 seconds).
• Surround effect cannot be obtained: Surround effect may be subtle depending on input signal, sound mode, or program. Check digital audio output settings on connected device.

Specifications

Subwoofer (SA-WS20R)

Bar Speaker (SS-S20R)

Surround Speakers (SS-SS20R)

Playable Types of Files (USB Input)

Supported Input Audio Formats (HDMI OUT (TV (ARC)) or TV IN (OPTICAL))

• Dolby Digital
• Linear PCM 2ch (up to 48kHz)

On BLUETOOTH Communication

Range: Devices should be within approx. 10 meters (33 feet) unobstructed. Range may decrease due to obstacles (person, metal, wall), wireless LAN, microwave ovens, or other electromagnetic waves.

Interference: BLUETOOTH and wireless LAN (2.4 GHz) use the same band. Interference may cause lower data rates, noise, or connection failure. Keep devices at least 10 meters apart, turn off wireless LAN when using Bluetooth nearby, or place devices as close as possible.

Medical Devices: Radio waves may interfere with medical devices. Turn off system and Bluetooth device in hospitals, airplanes, gas stations, or near flammable gases. Keep away from automatic doors or fire alarms.

Security: System supports Bluetooth security features, but security may be insufficient depending on settings. Be careful during communication. Sony is not liable for information leaks.

Compatibility: Bluetooth communication is not guaranteed with all Bluetooth devices, even if they have the same profile. Devices must comply with Bluetooth specifications and be certified. Characteristics or specifications of a device may prevent connection or alter control methods.

Noise/Audio Cut-off: May occur depending on the Bluetooth device, communication environment, or surrounding conditions.

Copyrights and Trademarks

• This system incorporates Dolby Digital. Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. Dolby, Dolby Audio, and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
• The terms HDMI, HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface, and the HDMI Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc.
• The BLUETOOTH word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Sony Corporation is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.
• "BRAVIA" logo is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
• "PlayStation" is a registered trademark or trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
• MPEG Layer-3 audio coding technology and patents licensed from Fraunhofer IIS and Thomson.
• Windows Media is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
• All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.

Precautions

On Safety

• If solid object or liquid falls into the system, unplug and have it checked by qualified personnel.
• Do not touch the AC power cord with wet hands.
• Do not climb on speakers; risk of injury or damage.

On Power Sources

• Check operating voltage matches local supply (indicated on rear nameplate).
• Disconnect from wall outlet if not using for a long time. Grasp plug, not cord, to disconnect.
• AC power cord must be replaced only at a qualified service shop.

On Heat Buildup

The system heats up during operation; this is not a malfunction. Avoid touching the system during continuous high-volume use.

On Placement

• Place in a location with adequate ventilation to prevent heat buildup.
• Do not place near heat sources, direct sunlight, excessive dust, or mechanical shock.
• Do not place on soft surfaces (rugs, blankets) or block ventilation holes.
• If used with a TV, VCR, or tape deck, place system away from them to avoid noise or picture quality issues.
• Use caution on specially treated surfaces (wax, oil) to avoid staining or discoloration.
• Take care to avoid injury from speaker corners.
• Keep 3 cm or more space under wall-mounted speakers.

On Operation

• Turn off and unplug the system before connecting other devices.
• Color Irregularity on TV: If observed, turn TV off and on again after 15-30 minutes. If it persists, move the system further away from the TV.
• Cleaning: Clean with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use abrasive pads, scouring powder, or solvents (alcohol, benzine).

On Handling the Subwoofer

Do not place hands into the subwoofer slit when lifting. Hold the bottom of the subwoofer.

If you have any questions or problems, consult your nearest Sony dealer.