Sony's latest Dolby Atmos soundbar has a much ... - The Verge

Sony has announced the HT-A5000, a new $899.99 soundbar that features Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and more. Skiptomaincontent clock menu more-arrow no yes Tech Video Amazon Apple Facebook Google Microsoft Samsung Tesla AI Cars Cybersecurity Mobile Policy Privacy Scooters AllTech Reviews Phones Laptops Headphones Cameras Tablets Smartwatches Speakers Drones Accessories BuyingGuides How-tos Deals MorefromVergeReviews Science Video Space NASA SpaceX Health Energy Environment AllScience Creators YouTube Instagram Adobe Kickstarter Tumblr ArtClub Cameras Photography What’sinyourbag? AllCreators Entertainment Film TV Games Fortnite GameofThrones Books Comics Music AllEntertainment Video Features Podcasts Newsletters MerchStore ✕ Filedunder: Tech Sony Sony’slatestDolbyAtmossoundbarhasamuchmoresensibleprice New, 9 comments TheHT-A5000costs$900andhasoneHDMI2.1passthroughport By ChrisWelch@chriswelch Sep9,2021,10:00amEDT Sharethisstory SharethisonFacebook SharethisonTwitter Share Allsharingoptions Share Allsharingoptionsfor: Sony’slatestDolbyAtmossoundbarhasamuchmoresensibleprice Linkedin Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email Image:Sony IrecentlyreviewedSony’sflagship2021DolbyAtmossoundbar,theHT-A7000,andfoundittobeafantasticperformermadeevenbetterbytwopassthroughinputsthatoffersupportforHDMI2.1featureslike4Kgamingat120Hz.Butwithapriceof$1,300(andthat’sbeforeaddingrearsurroundsandasub),Sony’slatestandgreatestisn’tgoingtobepracticalforeveryone.Sowiththatinmind,thecompanyistodayannouncingacheaper,smallermodelcalledtheHT-A5000thatcosts$899.99. ThatpriceputsitsomewhatcloserinlinewithsomethingliketheSonosArc,butSony’snewsoundbarcouldwinpeopleoverforitsaddedfunctionalityandfuture-proofing.TheHT-A5000retainsmuchofwhat’sgoodaboutthehigher-endmodel:it’sstillanAtmosbarwithup-firingspeakers—albeitfewerdriversoverall.Thisisa5.1.2configurationcomparedtothe7.1.2HT-A7000.Butyoustillgetbuilt-insupportforChromecast,AirPlay2,SpotifyConnect,andBluetoothaudio. TheHT-A7000mighthaveapremiumglasssurface,butIthinkyoucouldarguethattheHT-A5000looksbetter. Image:Sony At10pounds(comparedtothehulking26poundsoftheHT-A7000),theHT-A5000alsomeasuressignificantlysmallerthanthemoreexpensivemodel.It’llcertainlylookmoreathomenexttoa55-inchTVlikeminethantheverylongHT-A7000did.Butwiththosesmallerdimensions,youcanexpectweakersoundperformancethantheflagship.Thelarger,heavierenclosureoftheHT-A7000preventsunwantedvibrationsandhelpsmaintaincleanersoundatloudvolumelevels.ItalsoallowedSonytohavetwotweetersfacingtheleftandrightsides,whichisn’tthecaseontheHT-A5000. TheHT-A5000isa5.1.2Atmossoundbar. Image:Sony OnekeydifferenceisthatinsteadofincludingtwoHDMI2.1passthroughs,SonystickswithjustoneontheHT-A5000.It’llstillsendthrough8Kvideo,4Kat120Hz,andDolbyVision.Butunfortunately,likeitspriciersibling,thissoundbardoesn’tcurrentlysupportvariablerefreshrate(VRR)orautolowlatencymode(ALLM).Sonyislookingintobothofthesefeaturesbutisn’tpromisinganythingatthemoment. Liketheflagship,theHT-A5000hasacousticoptimizationtoautomaticallyproducethebestsoundforwhateverroomyouputitin.Sony’stechnologieslikeVerticalSurroundEngineandS-ForceProarealsopresentforconvincingheighteffectsandawide,immersivesurroundexperience.Itsupportsthesameoptionalrearsurrounds($349.99)andtwosubwooferchoicesastheHT-A7000.Thosewillobviouslydrivethecostup,butatleastyou’restartingoffspending$400less.TheHT-A5000isexpectedtoshipinearlyfall. NextUpIn Tech Signupforthe newsletter VergeDeals SubscribetogetthebestVerge-approvedtechdealsoftheweek. Justonemorething! PleaseconfirmyoursubscriptiontoVergeDealsviatheverificationemailwejustsentyou. Email(required) Bysubmittingyouremail,youagreetoourTermsandPrivacyNotice.Youcanoptoutatanytime.ThissiteisprotectedbyreCAPTCHAandtheGooglePrivacyPolicyandTermsofServiceapply. Subscribe Loadingcomments... Sharethisstory Twitter Facebook