From a physical standpoint, it can technically only produce true 3.1 sound, but thanks to some intriguing tech, this bar can at least imitate a much fuller experience. The Sony HT-A5000 is a standalone 5.1.2 setup released in 2021. You can use it to control the sound modes, Sound Field Optimization, and adjust the volume. Sony HT-G700 review: Virtually irresistible. Theres no Wi-Fi connectivity in the HT-G700, so theres no app to download or updates to configure. The Sony HT-A5000 and the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) are both standalone soundbars, but they cater to different types of listeners. The Sonos Arc is better than the Sony HT-A5000. There are also metal grilles covering the up-firing drivers on top of the bar instead of fabric. All you need to know: Fake Dolby Atmos but cant beat the price. There is a Dolby Speaker Virtualizer mode, which, according to the Sony manual, enhances the channels and sound quality of the height speakers for an immersive and enveloping virtual surround effect.The same is written about the DTS Virtual: X mode. To add to the challenge, Sony attempted to do so at a reasonably affordable price point. There are also more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ.
The Sony HT-A5000 has a good stereo THD performance.
Night mode lowers the volume for viewing at night. The bar uses its up-firing drivers to bounce sound off the ceiling and back down towards you, which creates the illusion of height. It should also be borne in mind that achieving good music sounding with small speakers packed in the same cabinet is not easy. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. And my TV is sony so wanted a pair. The soundstage is perceived to be a bit wider than the bar itself. It offers better surround and Atmos performances, and it comes with more sound enhancement features, like room correction. Having trouble deciding between two soundbars? The Sony HT-A5000 supports high-quality passthrough. With every genre I threw at it over a few weeks of testing from Puddle of Mudds She Hates Me, to Eric Churchs Like A Wrecking Ball, with some funkier selections like M.I.A.s Paper Planes mixed in the bar maintained impressive clarity and an overall pleasant sound signature. Overall, we can conclude that the HT-G700 soundbar can surprise with its sound effects and sound quality, but it has its limits. This technology not only allows Sony to claim the ability to recreate surround sound and even Dolby Atmos, but it also helps this panel deliver great sound on a tight budget. I would give 4.5 stars were it possible, but went with 5 just because overall it is a solid bar. Soundbars store-bought and tested, supported by you via. Just plug everything in, turn it on, and it just works. The soundbar and subwoofer require power. The bass in songs really comes out a lot more with the soundbar as well.
It may not be too noticeable with real-life content, though. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. [SOUND MODE ON]: Vertical Surround Engine enhances the, surround and height speaker channels to create an, immersive and enveloping virtual surround effect such as, sound mode (page 27) and Immersive Audio Enhancement, [DOLBY SPEAKER VIRTUALIZER]: Dolby Speaker Virtualizer, enhances the surround and height speaker channels to, create an immersive and enveloping virtual surround. By pressing the Immersive AE button on the bars remote, Sony says the HT-G700 can upscale even stereo audio to its virtual 7.1.2 sound.
It also supports more wireless playback options, including Bluetooth. [NO EFFECT]: Disables the sound effects. Despite its minimalist body, the soundbar offers great sound for both music and movies. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, It was a good upgrade for me but it's not as good as you think! I had a really hard time hearing people talk on movies or anything I watched. The remote is pretty similar to other Sony remotes. You can power it on/off, change the input, activate Bluetooth, access music services like Spotify, and adjust the volume. You can set the center speaker on a higher volume so the dialog is much easier to hear for us hard of hearing folks (thanks Sony). However, this setup doesn't sound as clear or as real as the discrete localization offered by dedicated rear speakers. Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2020. The Samsung is a full 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated subwoofer and discrete satellites. This soundbar comes with a Sound Field Optimization room correction feature that uses microphones built into the bar to automatically optimize audio reproduction based on your room's unique acoustics. Yes. Typically, theres a lot to unpack with these soundbar systems, but not so with the HT-G700. However, we noticed the same issue with DTS content when listening via Full HDMI In. However, like the Sony HT-A7000, this soundbar lets you control many of its settings using your TV. Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2020. The HT-A5000 is a premium 5.1.2 standalone soundbar. It doesn't get very loud, so it's not suitable for listening in large rooms or at noisy parties. Still, it offers Sony's Virtual Surround Engine and S-Force Pro Front Surround technologies to help create a more immersive listening experience, and there's also Sound Field Optimization technology to optimize audio reproduction based on the room you're listening in. Report article. While the Sony HT-G700 3.1ch Soundbar has its own physical limitations, it has some impressive technology under the hood. However, the manufacturer says that you can connect it to a third-party voice assistant device to control it with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. It was interesting navigating through these settings and noticing the impacts of the sound, which were sometimes subtle and sometimes less so. There are three drivers inside the bar, representing the left, center, and right channels. I love the vocal clarity of this sound bar! Keep in mind that latency can vary based on many different factors, including the TV and the app you use, meaning your real-world results can vary. I have a Samsung TV. That Bluetooth 5 technology is best reserved for pairing a mobile device for music playback. What you should know before getting it wet, Personal data of 69 million Neopets users is now up for sale after a data breach, How to pre-order the Google Pixel 6a right now, Heres your chance to win ultra comfortable Oladance OWS open-ear headphones, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora isnt coming until after March 2023, The Roomba i6 is $250 off for a limited time, This Lenovo laptop deal is so good it must be a mistake, The 105 best shows on Hulu right now (July 2022), Not quite as immersive as true surround sound. Theres a music preset on the remote itself that for most people would work wonders in terms of jamming out. It also supports Dolby Atmos content, using its up-firing drivers to ricochet sound off the ceiling to simulate height. The Sony HT-A5000 has poor Atmos performance. Note: In our sound tests, we aim to replicate the average user experience as closely as possible to make our results helpful for the majority of our readers. Disabling it will result in some disabled or missing features. You can access this feature on your TV, which some users may find more handy than controlling the bar with an app or a remote. That said, the standalone Sony is ideal if you don't have a lot of space in your living room. This item intrigued me based on a review by UrAvgConsumer. Even with the strides Bluetooth is making in quality, streaming natively from a speaker or soundbar is still the best way to listen, and the fact that Sony doesnt afford you that option in a $500 bar is disappointing. Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2020. Sounds much much better than the x900hs speakers AND doesnt bottleneck the PS5s 4:4:4 and HDR 10bit output capabilities, which is primarily what I wanted. The Samsung is a 7.1.2 setup that comes with a dedicated subwoofer, unlike the Sony. The Sony HT-A5000 has a disappointing surrounds performance. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. You cant scroll through the HT-G700s product page without multiple mentions of 7.1.2 channel surround sound. As mentioned, in reality, you wont get actual 7.1.2 without two pairs of rear speakers, and either height channels or upfiring drivers that bounce sound off the ceiling and toward your ears. Manual will be automatically added to "My Manuals", Sony HT-G700 Operating Instructions Manual, Sony HTG700CEK Operating Instructions Manual, Speaker System Sony HT-G700 Startup Manual, Speaker System Sony HT-CT660 Troubleshooting Manual, Speaker System Sony HT-CT260H Service Manual, Speaker System Sony HT-ST7 Reference Manual, Speaker System Sony HT-ST7 Operating Instructions Manual, Speaker System Sony HT-CT770 Service Manual, Speaker System Sony HT-CT770 Startup Manual. Latest news and reviews in hi-fi, home cinema and technology reviews, products, news, advice, videos and more, from around the world! My family was very excited when the Sony soundbar arrived and we couldn't wait to test it out since we watch a lot of Netflix shows and movies these days. I love it and I can adjust the bass and voice with the little remote! The Sony HT-A5000 has a fantastic latency performance. DTS Virtual:X, Technology in the system puts you in the middle of multi. Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2020. Circling back to how the HT-G700 actually sounds for content, heres my take after hours of movie and TV watching, including everything from Logan to Family Guy and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope:This is a soundbar that will seriously step up your audio experience, but it does have its limits. [AUTO]: Automatically compresses sound encoded in, [ON]: Reproduces the dolby and DTS sound track with the, kind of dynamic range that the recording engineer. If you want a better surrounds performance, you can purchase the SA-RS3S rear speakers separately. When the Immersive AE button is pressed on the remote control, the user opens up many settings for watching movies. However, only the Sony has DTS support and a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.
Disables sound effects for the Dolby format. From an aesthetic point of view, this HT-G700 soundbar fits perfectly into any interior. This soundbar uses its front-firing drivers to simulate a phantom surround, though this doesn't sound quite as clear and real as a discrete localization from dedicated rear speakers. The Sony HT-A5000 supports both Dolby Digital and DTS via Optical. The panel automatically processes Dolby Atmos or DTS: X content to deliver this effect, but Sony doesnt stop there. Only the Sony hasa Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough. If you want dialogue to seem more clear and crisp, you can also use its dialogue enhancement feature. Ultimately, it's suitable for listening to most types of audio content, but fans of action-packed movies may be disappointed by the lack of deep rumble in the low-bass. There may be a better Dolby Atmos bar out there for the money, but by effectively simulating that sound, the Sony HT-G700 stays competitive with a more compact system. You can also adda dedicated subwoofer and rear satellite speakers if you prefer. I probably should have expected that, given the pedigree that Sony has when it comes to audio. It's turned off by default, so you need to turn it on if you don't want to have to manually power the bar down. The soundstage is perceived to be much more narrow, and sound seems to extend only to where the speakers are on the bar itself. Also, you can purchase either the SA-SW3 or the SA-SW5 subwoofer from the manufacturer separately. It uses its front-firing drivers to simulate surround objects in the soundstage. Note: Since we tested the Sony HT-A5000 with Sound Field turned on, these results were taken with the left and right channels playing alongside the surround channels. After all, most everything about this soundbar points to movies first, and all else second.
The best speakers for 2022: great hi-fi options for music and more. Inside the operation panel are three speakers representing the left, center and right channels. It has one HDMI input and one HDMI output, with the latter supporting both ARC andeARCto make communication between the panel and TV easier. The Acoustic Center Sync feature uses the TV's speakers as a discrete center channel. The Sony HT-A5000 has incredible audio format support via ARC. If not, Sony provides instructions on how to manually pair them. The Sony HT-A5000 has an great selection of sound enhancement features. Sony has a long history of making quality products and standing by them, and I wouldnt expect anything different when it comes to the HT-G700. Unfortunately, this bar doesn't offer a lot of sound customization features. The HT-G700 does not have a Wi-Fi connection, so there are no apps to download or updates to set up. When we tested this feature with the Sony HT-A7000, we found it helped anchor dialogue more vertically. Its focus isn't very good, and sound objects seem to come from a more general region instead of an accurate location. The Sony HT-A5000 has a standby mode that shuts it off after 20 minutes of inactivity. Its got one HDMI in and one HDMI out port, with the latter supporting both ARC and eARC to streamline sharing data between the bar and your TV. When it came time to finally see what the processing abilities in this soundbar could really do, I called up old faithful: That is, I referenced our list of best Dolby Atmos movies, and went to work. The remote is easy to operate and the controls on the soundbar and subwoofer are also a snap to use. The Sony HT-A7000 is a bit better than the Sony HT-A5000.
It's large, and there are lots of buttons so you can control its features, change its inputs, and adjust its volume. You can purchase SA-RS3S rear speakers for the Sony HT-A5000 from the manufacturer separately. However, the Sony gets louder. Love the look and sound quality ! But the $500 SB36512-F6, or the slightly more expensive, $700 SB36514-G6 would likely be better Dolby Atmos options on a budget. The Sony HT-A5000 doesn't have built-in voice assistant support. You can also control the virtual surround by choosing between Sony | Vertical Surround Engine (which we used in testing), Dolby Speaker Virtualizer, and DTS Neural:X. This tool will clearly show you the differences, Use our data and table to find the best soundbar for your needs, Want to see us review a specific soundbar? Please make sure that you are posting in the form of a question. We purchase our own soundbars and You can adjust from 0 dB to 6 dB in 1 dB increments. The Sony HT-A5000 is a bit better than the Sony HT-Z9F overall. It comes with a subwoofer, and it can get louder. Notably missing are codecs like aptX or even Sonys LDAC technology. It also comes with some more sound enhancement features, including room correction. Its a little sneaky on Sonys part, since the average person may not do this deep of a dive to break down this bars sound capabilities. please, Sony HT-G700 Review Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS: X, LG S80QY Review: 3.1.3 soundbar with that extra bass, Cornucopia: Wireless speakers in the form of a gramophone horn, PSB Speakers Announces Passif 50 Anniversary Floorstanding Set, Wired and Wireless Headphones and Amp Style Speakers from Fender Audio, V-Moda -80: Headphone speakers for extroverts, PSB Speakers celebrates 50th anniversary with documentary. When you plug it into your TV, you get access to a menu with features like Sound Field Optimization, Virtual Surround, and additional audio and video settings. Ill give Sony a pass on that, though, because as well get to in a minute, the HT-G700 creates an experience believable enough that most people may not care anyway. The Sony HT-A5000 soundbar is satisfactory for mixed usage. In our subjective listening tests, we felt that the Sony HT-A5000 did an okay job with Atmos content. The HT-G700 bar is pretty good for listening to music. If you prefer a more neutral sound, we recommend using its default settings.
The Sony HT-ST5000 is better than the Sony HT-A5000. It comes with a dedicated subwoofer and can reproduce a more extended low-bass. Moreover, most consumers, most likely, will not notice the catch. The HT-G700 not only makes it work, but it does so exceptionally. But compared to a similar product with actual upfiring drivers and rear speakers, the Sonys limits are laid bare. effect. We expect that it will have a similar performance with the Sony HT-A5000.
Setup gave me some issues due to user error - when it says to disconnect the power to the TV prior to plugging in the sound bar, do it - the setup instructions should put this in bigger print! That is, it will usually provide the majority of listeners with the desired cinematic experience. Sound quality is very good and the remote is easily navigable. That sub is a punchy little workhorse, too.
The amount of distortion is within good limits at a normal listening volume, resulting in clean and pure audio reproduction. There's an HDMI ARC input as well as a Full HDMI In port. With this feature on, and its Vertical Surround Engine feature, it has a pretty neutral, though slightly U-shaped sound profile. You can compress the dynamic range of the sound track. In an age where everything is getting smarter and more connected, soundbars included, the HT-G700 is a modern representation of the plug-and-play systems of yesteryear. That said, the HT-Z9F is still a decent bar for mixed usage. The HT-G700 is disconnected from the Wi-Fi world, which is a little disappointing. The controls have a small learning curve but easy enough to get up and running quickly. Our receiver said that the bar was downmixing DTS:X and DTS-HD MA content to DTS 5.1. On that note, there are tons of easily accessible audio settings available on the remote control.
I purchased this sound bar and it was really easy to set up. The height of the soundstage extended to about the middle of the TV. So it's more expensive than your standard 2.1 sound bar and cheaper than a full blown Dolby Atmos system. I did have concerns with a Sony speaker working with Samsung TV. Immersive AEs processing technology is surprisingly good. This is despite the fact that almost everything in this soundbar first points to sound reproduction in films, and then to music. The reason Sony can make such claims is due to a couple of technologies that go into its immersive sound enhancement. Its default sound profile is also more balanced and neutral, which some listeners may prefer. It's mostly made of a solid texturized plastic, and there's a metal grille covering the front. Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available. The Samsung HW-Q900A is better than the Sony HT-A5000. For more interested enthusiasts, this gives the opportunity to tinker with each of the many options to achieve the desired listening result. The Sony HT-A5000 has a satisfactory stereo frequency response. The competition subwoofer I think is several hundred dollars if not more so my friend didnt have it. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks. HDMI or digital optical: Whats the difference, and which is best for you? Subscribe to our Google feed and get the latest updates! Theres a Dolby Speaker Virtualizer that Sonys manual says enhances the surround and height speaker channels to create an immersive and enveloping virtual surround effect, as well as a setting to enable DTS Virtual:X. Even with Bluetooths advances in quality, streaming through speakers or soundbar is still the best way to listen. There aren't a lot of sound customization features, either. As mentioned, the subwoofer provides solid bass, and the center speaker performs admirably to stay on pace with the left and right channels. The technology behind the HT-G700 commendably compensates for the lack of true surround sound, but not entirely. If you have a compatible BRAVIA TV, you can also set up Acoustic Center Sync, which uses your TV speakers as a discrete center channel to more accurately place voices in the soundstage. However, the Sony HT-G700 remains a competitive soundbar among its peers in size. The bar and the optional rear speakers are designed under Sony's Omnidirectional Block concept with rounded edges and similar textures. However, if you prefer a standalone bar, the Sony is still a decent choice overall. Works exactly like I hoped with my SONY x900h 55 and PlayStation 5 console.
You can adjust from 0 msec to 120 msec in 40 msec, This function is available only when the HDMI input is, By adjusting the dialog volume, you can easily listen to, dialog since it stands out from the ambient noise. Sony has challenged its new soundbar to an almost impossible task: to create a completely immersive home theater experience without the many speakers that normally work in unison to deliver the same sound. Because you cant beat a Dolby Atmos soundbar for $398. The HT-ST5000 is a 7.1.2 setup that's better built.
It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Some details were missing in scenes, especially compared to more premium standalone setups like the Bose Smart Soundbar 900. The Sony HT-A5000 has a great build quality. The Sony HT-A5000 is a simple, sleek soundbar. The best soundbars 2022: which should you buy? It also comes with an HDMI In port for video passthrough, which the Sonos lacks. Compared to other premium standalone bars like the Bose Smart Soundbar 900, it isn't as well-built. Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. But once again, these can be a lot to deal with for the average soundbar buyer, and the standard presets will probably suffice.
Plus, Id be worried about the noticeable lag between audio and video in that setup and would recommend saving yourself the trouble and sticking with a physical connection. It doesn't feel quite as premium as the Sony HT-A7000 or the Bose Smart Soundbar 900, though.
Physically, the soundbar can only reproduce real3.1 sound, but thanks to some intriguing technology, this band can at least simulate surround sound. Once I turned on my Netflix and watched a few shows I realized how amazing this sound bar is . In practice, the G700 soundbar creates a fairly believable surround sound experience. On top of everything else it supports the newest codecs of audio wow ! Expensive and is not without flaws, Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2020. The Sony HT-A5000 has a good stereo dynamics performance. There are also metal grilles covering the front and the up-firing drivers on the top, which help to protect the drivers inside. The processing technology weve covered is surprisingly good, meaning it will generally give most listeners the cinematic experience they desire. There are also holes under the bar that let you mount it to the wall. Dialogue is reproduced quite clearly, but you notice the lack of deep thump and rumble in the low-bass during action-packed scenes. The Sony HT-A5000 soundbar is good for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. When many bars these days are connected entities (the new Sonos Arc is the industry leader in that regard, but even Vizios bar has Chromecast capabilities built-in), the HT-G700 is shut off from the world of Wi-Fi, which is a little disappointing. There's a small interface on the front of the bar. The HT-A5000 is a better-built 5.1.2 setup with a standalone design. There's a little extra boom in the bass range and some extra brightness and sparkle on vocals and lead instruments in the treble range. For standard audio, Id probably prefer the HT-G700 to Vizios alternatives. That said, there's a noticeable difference when you use the Sony HT-A5000 with Sound Field turned off. Aside from the soundbars front panel that flashes to life when you adjust the volume or access a setting, this system fades into the background of a dark room nicely. Its become the unofficial official stance at Digital Trends that aesthetically, the ideal soundbar blends into your existing entertainment ensemble rather than assume the role of spotlight stealer. Like the Sony HT-A7000, you can control many of the bar's settings with its TV menu. It is possible that there is a panel for the same money that reproduces sound better in Dolby Atmos mode.
The package contains the soundbar, subwoofer, two power supply cables, the remote with batteries, an HDMI cable and all the instructions and warranty cards. He seemed to rave about it and it's new release for Sony. The Sony HT-A5000 soundbar is decent for music. You can connect the soundbar to your TV via Bluetooth as well, though youll only get stereo sound with that configuration. It also comes with an additional HDMI input. It's easier to follow sound objects to a more accurate, pinpoint location. There's a touch of extra brightness in the treble that makes vocals and lead instruments sparkle. EASY to set up and use. However, when watching video content, it is better to use a physical connection in order to avoid desync between audio and video. As easy as this system is to connect for someone who literally sets up soundbars for a living, the HT-G700 is just as simple to hook up for the less experienced. There are more sound enhancement features available, too, including a graphic EQ. This, function works while playing content that is compatible with. speaker. In reality, this is not the case. However, the focus is better, and sound seems less diffused. Surprisingly, Sony kept this bar fairly limited in audio codec support over Bluetooth, with only AAC and SBC formats to speak of. The Sony HT-A5000 is a bit better than the Sony HT-G700. It's suitable for listening to many different types of audio content, and it also supports Dolby Atmos content.
The Sony HT-A5000 has a good stereo THD performance.
Night mode lowers the volume for viewing at night. The bar uses its up-firing drivers to bounce sound off the ceiling and back down towards you, which creates the illusion of height. It should also be borne in mind that achieving good music sounding with small speakers packed in the same cabinet is not easy. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. And my TV is sony so wanted a pair. The soundstage is perceived to be a bit wider than the bar itself. It offers better surround and Atmos performances, and it comes with more sound enhancement features, like room correction. Having trouble deciding between two soundbars? The Sony HT-A5000 supports high-quality passthrough. With every genre I threw at it over a few weeks of testing from Puddle of Mudds She Hates Me, to Eric Churchs Like A Wrecking Ball, with some funkier selections like M.I.A.s Paper Planes mixed in the bar maintained impressive clarity and an overall pleasant sound signature. Overall, we can conclude that the HT-G700 soundbar can surprise with its sound effects and sound quality, but it has its limits. This technology not only allows Sony to claim the ability to recreate surround sound and even Dolby Atmos, but it also helps this panel deliver great sound on a tight budget. I would give 4.5 stars were it possible, but went with 5 just because overall it is a solid bar. Soundbars store-bought and tested, supported by you via. Just plug everything in, turn it on, and it just works. The soundbar and subwoofer require power. The bass in songs really comes out a lot more with the soundbar as well.
It may not be too noticeable with real-life content, though. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. [SOUND MODE ON]: Vertical Surround Engine enhances the, surround and height speaker channels to create an, immersive and enveloping virtual surround effect such as, sound mode (page 27) and Immersive Audio Enhancement, [DOLBY SPEAKER VIRTUALIZER]: Dolby Speaker Virtualizer, enhances the surround and height speaker channels to, create an immersive and enveloping virtual surround. By pressing the Immersive AE button on the bars remote, Sony says the HT-G700 can upscale even stereo audio to its virtual 7.1.2 sound.
It also supports more wireless playback options, including Bluetooth. [NO EFFECT]: Disables the sound effects. Despite its minimalist body, the soundbar offers great sound for both music and movies. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, It was a good upgrade for me but it's not as good as you think! I had a really hard time hearing people talk on movies or anything I watched. The remote is pretty similar to other Sony remotes. You can power it on/off, change the input, activate Bluetooth, access music services like Spotify, and adjust the volume. You can set the center speaker on a higher volume so the dialog is much easier to hear for us hard of hearing folks (thanks Sony). However, this setup doesn't sound as clear or as real as the discrete localization offered by dedicated rear speakers. Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2020. The Samsung is a full 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated subwoofer and discrete satellites. This soundbar comes with a Sound Field Optimization room correction feature that uses microphones built into the bar to automatically optimize audio reproduction based on your room's unique acoustics. Yes. Typically, theres a lot to unpack with these soundbar systems, but not so with the HT-G700. However, we noticed the same issue with DTS content when listening via Full HDMI In. However, like the Sony HT-A7000, this soundbar lets you control many of its settings using your TV. Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2020. The HT-A5000 is a premium 5.1.2 standalone soundbar. It doesn't get very loud, so it's not suitable for listening in large rooms or at noisy parties. Still, it offers Sony's Virtual Surround Engine and S-Force Pro Front Surround technologies to help create a more immersive listening experience, and there's also Sound Field Optimization technology to optimize audio reproduction based on the room you're listening in. Report article. While the Sony HT-G700 3.1ch Soundbar has its own physical limitations, it has some impressive technology under the hood. However, the manufacturer says that you can connect it to a third-party voice assistant device to control it with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. It was interesting navigating through these settings and noticing the impacts of the sound, which were sometimes subtle and sometimes less so. There are three drivers inside the bar, representing the left, center, and right channels. I love the vocal clarity of this sound bar! Keep in mind that latency can vary based on many different factors, including the TV and the app you use, meaning your real-world results can vary. I have a Samsung TV. That Bluetooth 5 technology is best reserved for pairing a mobile device for music playback. What you should know before getting it wet, Personal data of 69 million Neopets users is now up for sale after a data breach, How to pre-order the Google Pixel 6a right now, Heres your chance to win ultra comfortable Oladance OWS open-ear headphones, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora isnt coming until after March 2023, The Roomba i6 is $250 off for a limited time, This Lenovo laptop deal is so good it must be a mistake, The 105 best shows on Hulu right now (July 2022), Not quite as immersive as true surround sound. Theres a music preset on the remote itself that for most people would work wonders in terms of jamming out. It also supports Dolby Atmos content, using its up-firing drivers to ricochet sound off the ceiling to simulate height. The Sony HT-A5000 has poor Atmos performance. Note: In our sound tests, we aim to replicate the average user experience as closely as possible to make our results helpful for the majority of our readers. Disabling it will result in some disabled or missing features. You can access this feature on your TV, which some users may find more handy than controlling the bar with an app or a remote. That said, the standalone Sony is ideal if you don't have a lot of space in your living room. This item intrigued me based on a review by UrAvgConsumer. Even with the strides Bluetooth is making in quality, streaming natively from a speaker or soundbar is still the best way to listen, and the fact that Sony doesnt afford you that option in a $500 bar is disappointing. Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2020. Sounds much much better than the x900hs speakers AND doesnt bottleneck the PS5s 4:4:4 and HDR 10bit output capabilities, which is primarily what I wanted. The Samsung is a 7.1.2 setup that comes with a dedicated subwoofer, unlike the Sony. The Sony HT-A5000 has a disappointing surrounds performance. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. You cant scroll through the HT-G700s product page without multiple mentions of 7.1.2 channel surround sound. As mentioned, in reality, you wont get actual 7.1.2 without two pairs of rear speakers, and either height channels or upfiring drivers that bounce sound off the ceiling and toward your ears. Manual will be automatically added to "My Manuals", Sony HT-G700 Operating Instructions Manual, Sony HTG700CEK Operating Instructions Manual, Speaker System Sony HT-G700 Startup Manual, Speaker System Sony HT-CT660 Troubleshooting Manual, Speaker System Sony HT-CT260H Service Manual, Speaker System Sony HT-ST7 Reference Manual, Speaker System Sony HT-ST7 Operating Instructions Manual, Speaker System Sony HT-CT770 Service Manual, Speaker System Sony HT-CT770 Startup Manual. Latest news and reviews in hi-fi, home cinema and technology reviews, products, news, advice, videos and more, from around the world! My family was very excited when the Sony soundbar arrived and we couldn't wait to test it out since we watch a lot of Netflix shows and movies these days. I love it and I can adjust the bass and voice with the little remote! The Sony HT-A5000 has a fantastic latency performance. DTS Virtual:X, Technology in the system puts you in the middle of multi. Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2020. Circling back to how the HT-G700 actually sounds for content, heres my take after hours of movie and TV watching, including everything from Logan to Family Guy and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope:This is a soundbar that will seriously step up your audio experience, but it does have its limits. [AUTO]: Automatically compresses sound encoded in, [ON]: Reproduces the dolby and DTS sound track with the, kind of dynamic range that the recording engineer. If you want a better surrounds performance, you can purchase the SA-RS3S rear speakers separately. When the Immersive AE button is pressed on the remote control, the user opens up many settings for watching movies. However, only the Sony has DTS support and a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.
Disables sound effects for the Dolby format. From an aesthetic point of view, this HT-G700 soundbar fits perfectly into any interior. This soundbar uses its front-firing drivers to simulate a phantom surround, though this doesn't sound quite as clear and real as a discrete localization from dedicated rear speakers. The Sony HT-A5000 supports both Dolby Digital and DTS via Optical. The panel automatically processes Dolby Atmos or DTS: X content to deliver this effect, but Sony doesnt stop there. Only the Sony hasa Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough. If you want dialogue to seem more clear and crisp, you can also use its dialogue enhancement feature. Ultimately, it's suitable for listening to most types of audio content, but fans of action-packed movies may be disappointed by the lack of deep rumble in the low-bass. There may be a better Dolby Atmos bar out there for the money, but by effectively simulating that sound, the Sony HT-G700 stays competitive with a more compact system. You can also adda dedicated subwoofer and rear satellite speakers if you prefer. I probably should have expected that, given the pedigree that Sony has when it comes to audio. It's turned off by default, so you need to turn it on if you don't want to have to manually power the bar down. The soundstage is perceived to be much more narrow, and sound seems to extend only to where the speakers are on the bar itself. Also, you can purchase either the SA-SW3 or the SA-SW5 subwoofer from the manufacturer separately. It uses its front-firing drivers to simulate surround objects in the soundstage. Note: Since we tested the Sony HT-A5000 with Sound Field turned on, these results were taken with the left and right channels playing alongside the surround channels. After all, most everything about this soundbar points to movies first, and all else second.
The best speakers for 2022: great hi-fi options for music and more. Inside the operation panel are three speakers representing the left, center and right channels. It has one HDMI input and one HDMI output, with the latter supporting both ARC andeARCto make communication between the panel and TV easier. The Acoustic Center Sync feature uses the TV's speakers as a discrete center channel. The Sony HT-A5000 has incredible audio format support via ARC. If not, Sony provides instructions on how to manually pair them. The Sony HT-A5000 has an great selection of sound enhancement features. Sony has a long history of making quality products and standing by them, and I wouldnt expect anything different when it comes to the HT-G700. Unfortunately, this bar doesn't offer a lot of sound customization features. The HT-G700 does not have a Wi-Fi connection, so there are no apps to download or updates to set up. When we tested this feature with the Sony HT-A7000, we found it helped anchor dialogue more vertically. Its focus isn't very good, and sound objects seem to come from a more general region instead of an accurate location. The Sony HT-A5000 has a standby mode that shuts it off after 20 minutes of inactivity. Its got one HDMI in and one HDMI out port, with the latter supporting both ARC and eARC to streamline sharing data between the bar and your TV. When it came time to finally see what the processing abilities in this soundbar could really do, I called up old faithful: That is, I referenced our list of best Dolby Atmos movies, and went to work. The remote is easy to operate and the controls on the soundbar and subwoofer are also a snap to use. The Sony HT-A7000 is a bit better than the Sony HT-A5000.
It's large, and there are lots of buttons so you can control its features, change its inputs, and adjust its volume. You can purchase SA-RS3S rear speakers for the Sony HT-A5000 from the manufacturer separately. However, the Sony gets louder. Love the look and sound quality ! But the $500 SB36512-F6, or the slightly more expensive, $700 SB36514-G6 would likely be better Dolby Atmos options on a budget. The Sony HT-A5000 doesn't have built-in voice assistant support. You can also control the virtual surround by choosing between Sony | Vertical Surround Engine (which we used in testing), Dolby Speaker Virtualizer, and DTS Neural:X. This tool will clearly show you the differences, Use our data and table to find the best soundbar for your needs, Want to see us review a specific soundbar? Please make sure that you are posting in the form of a question. We purchase our own soundbars and You can adjust from 0 dB to 6 dB in 1 dB increments. The Sony HT-A5000 is a bit better than the Sony HT-Z9F overall. It comes with a subwoofer, and it can get louder. Notably missing are codecs like aptX or even Sonys LDAC technology. It also comes with some more sound enhancement features, including room correction. Its a little sneaky on Sonys part, since the average person may not do this deep of a dive to break down this bars sound capabilities. please, Sony HT-G700 Review Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS: X, LG S80QY Review: 3.1.3 soundbar with that extra bass, Cornucopia: Wireless speakers in the form of a gramophone horn, PSB Speakers Announces Passif 50 Anniversary Floorstanding Set, Wired and Wireless Headphones and Amp Style Speakers from Fender Audio, V-Moda -80: Headphone speakers for extroverts, PSB Speakers celebrates 50th anniversary with documentary. When you plug it into your TV, you get access to a menu with features like Sound Field Optimization, Virtual Surround, and additional audio and video settings. Ill give Sony a pass on that, though, because as well get to in a minute, the HT-G700 creates an experience believable enough that most people may not care anyway. The Sony HT-A5000 soundbar is satisfactory for mixed usage. In our subjective listening tests, we felt that the Sony HT-A5000 did an okay job with Atmos content. The HT-G700 bar is pretty good for listening to music. If you prefer a more neutral sound, we recommend using its default settings.
The Sony HT-ST5000 is better than the Sony HT-A5000. It comes with a dedicated subwoofer and can reproduce a more extended low-bass. Moreover, most consumers, most likely, will not notice the catch. The HT-G700 not only makes it work, but it does so exceptionally. But compared to a similar product with actual upfiring drivers and rear speakers, the Sonys limits are laid bare. effect. We expect that it will have a similar performance with the Sony HT-A5000.
Setup gave me some issues due to user error - when it says to disconnect the power to the TV prior to plugging in the sound bar, do it - the setup instructions should put this in bigger print! That is, it will usually provide the majority of listeners with the desired cinematic experience. Sound quality is very good and the remote is easily navigable. That sub is a punchy little workhorse, too.
The amount of distortion is within good limits at a normal listening volume, resulting in clean and pure audio reproduction. There's an HDMI ARC input as well as a Full HDMI In port. With this feature on, and its Vertical Surround Engine feature, it has a pretty neutral, though slightly U-shaped sound profile. You can compress the dynamic range of the sound track. In an age where everything is getting smarter and more connected, soundbars included, the HT-G700 is a modern representation of the plug-and-play systems of yesteryear. That said, the HT-Z9F is still a decent bar for mixed usage. The HT-G700 is disconnected from the Wi-Fi world, which is a little disappointing. The controls have a small learning curve but easy enough to get up and running quickly. Our receiver said that the bar was downmixing DTS:X and DTS-HD MA content to DTS 5.1. On that note, there are tons of easily accessible audio settings available on the remote control.
I purchased this sound bar and it was really easy to set up. The height of the soundstage extended to about the middle of the TV. So it's more expensive than your standard 2.1 sound bar and cheaper than a full blown Dolby Atmos system. I did have concerns with a Sony speaker working with Samsung TV. Immersive AEs processing technology is surprisingly good. This is despite the fact that almost everything in this soundbar first points to sound reproduction in films, and then to music. The reason Sony can make such claims is due to a couple of technologies that go into its immersive sound enhancement. Its default sound profile is also more balanced and neutral, which some listeners may prefer. It's mostly made of a solid texturized plastic, and there's a metal grille covering the front. Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available. The Samsung HW-Q900A is better than the Sony HT-A5000. For more interested enthusiasts, this gives the opportunity to tinker with each of the many options to achieve the desired listening result. The Sony HT-A5000 has a satisfactory stereo frequency response. The competition subwoofer I think is several hundred dollars if not more so my friend didnt have it. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks. HDMI or digital optical: Whats the difference, and which is best for you? Subscribe to our Google feed and get the latest updates! Theres a Dolby Speaker Virtualizer that Sonys manual says enhances the surround and height speaker channels to create an immersive and enveloping virtual surround effect, as well as a setting to enable DTS Virtual:X. Even with Bluetooths advances in quality, streaming through speakers or soundbar is still the best way to listen. There aren't a lot of sound customization features, either. As mentioned, the subwoofer provides solid bass, and the center speaker performs admirably to stay on pace with the left and right channels. The technology behind the HT-G700 commendably compensates for the lack of true surround sound, but not entirely. If you have a compatible BRAVIA TV, you can also set up Acoustic Center Sync, which uses your TV speakers as a discrete center channel to more accurately place voices in the soundstage. However, the Sony HT-G700 remains a competitive soundbar among its peers in size. The bar and the optional rear speakers are designed under Sony's Omnidirectional Block concept with rounded edges and similar textures. However, if you prefer a standalone bar, the Sony is still a decent choice overall. Works exactly like I hoped with my SONY x900h 55 and PlayStation 5 console.
You can adjust from 0 msec to 120 msec in 40 msec, This function is available only when the HDMI input is, By adjusting the dialog volume, you can easily listen to, dialog since it stands out from the ambient noise. Sony has challenged its new soundbar to an almost impossible task: to create a completely immersive home theater experience without the many speakers that normally work in unison to deliver the same sound. Because you cant beat a Dolby Atmos soundbar for $398. The HT-ST5000 is a 7.1.2 setup that's better built.
It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Some details were missing in scenes, especially compared to more premium standalone setups like the Bose Smart Soundbar 900. The Sony HT-A5000 has a great build quality. The Sony HT-A5000 is a simple, sleek soundbar. The best soundbars 2022: which should you buy? It also comes with an HDMI In port for video passthrough, which the Sonos lacks. Compared to other premium standalone bars like the Bose Smart Soundbar 900, it isn't as well-built. Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. But once again, these can be a lot to deal with for the average soundbar buyer, and the standard presets will probably suffice.
Plus, Id be worried about the noticeable lag between audio and video in that setup and would recommend saving yourself the trouble and sticking with a physical connection. It doesn't feel quite as premium as the Sony HT-A7000 or the Bose Smart Soundbar 900, though.
Physically, the soundbar can only reproduce real3.1 sound, but thanks to some intriguing technology, this band can at least simulate surround sound. Once I turned on my Netflix and watched a few shows I realized how amazing this sound bar is . In practice, the G700 soundbar creates a fairly believable surround sound experience. On top of everything else it supports the newest codecs of audio wow ! Expensive and is not without flaws, Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2020. The Sony HT-A5000 has a good stereo dynamics performance. There are also metal grilles covering the front and the up-firing drivers on the top, which help to protect the drivers inside. The processing technology weve covered is surprisingly good, meaning it will generally give most listeners the cinematic experience they desire. There are also holes under the bar that let you mount it to the wall. Dialogue is reproduced quite clearly, but you notice the lack of deep thump and rumble in the low-bass during action-packed scenes. The Sony HT-A5000 soundbar is good for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. When many bars these days are connected entities (the new Sonos Arc is the industry leader in that regard, but even Vizios bar has Chromecast capabilities built-in), the HT-G700 is shut off from the world of Wi-Fi, which is a little disappointing. There's a small interface on the front of the bar. The HT-A5000 is a better-built 5.1.2 setup with a standalone design. There's a little extra boom in the bass range and some extra brightness and sparkle on vocals and lead instruments in the treble range. For standard audio, Id probably prefer the HT-G700 to Vizios alternatives. That said, there's a noticeable difference when you use the Sony HT-A5000 with Sound Field turned off. Aside from the soundbars front panel that flashes to life when you adjust the volume or access a setting, this system fades into the background of a dark room nicely. Its become the unofficial official stance at Digital Trends that aesthetically, the ideal soundbar blends into your existing entertainment ensemble rather than assume the role of spotlight stealer. Like the Sony HT-A7000, you can control many of the bar's settings with its TV menu. It is possible that there is a panel for the same money that reproduces sound better in Dolby Atmos mode.
The package contains the soundbar, subwoofer, two power supply cables, the remote with batteries, an HDMI cable and all the instructions and warranty cards. He seemed to rave about it and it's new release for Sony. The Sony HT-A5000 soundbar is decent for music. You can connect the soundbar to your TV via Bluetooth as well, though youll only get stereo sound with that configuration. It also comes with an additional HDMI input. It's easier to follow sound objects to a more accurate, pinpoint location. There's a touch of extra brightness in the treble that makes vocals and lead instruments sparkle. EASY to set up and use. However, when watching video content, it is better to use a physical connection in order to avoid desync between audio and video. As easy as this system is to connect for someone who literally sets up soundbars for a living, the HT-G700 is just as simple to hook up for the less experienced. There are more sound enhancement features available, too, including a graphic EQ. This, function works while playing content that is compatible with. speaker. In reality, this is not the case. However, the focus is better, and sound seems less diffused. Surprisingly, Sony kept this bar fairly limited in audio codec support over Bluetooth, with only AAC and SBC formats to speak of. The Sony HT-A5000 is a bit better than the Sony HT-G700. It's suitable for listening to many different types of audio content, and it also supports Dolby Atmos content.