Sony has simply introduced two new high-end residence theater audio methods, each of which embrace HDMI 2.1 passthrough ports that provide full assist for options like 8K video, 4K gaming at 120Hz, Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR, eARC, and extra.
First up is the HT-A7000 Dolby Atmos 7.1.2-channel soundbar. Priced at $1,299.99, the soundbar has two HDMI 2.1 inputs, so theoretically you could possibly run each a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Collection X into this factor and play every console to its full potential.
Positioned as Sony’s newest flagship soundbar, the A7000 has two up-firing audio system for Atmos, two beam tweeters, and 5 entrance audio system for wider encompass. There’s a built-in twin subwoofer, however in case you want deeper bass, you possibly can pay further for a standalone sub; Sony’s promoting a 300-watt wi-fi subwoofer for $699.99 or a 200-watt unit for $399.99. The corporate can be promoting wi-fi rear surrounds for $349.99.
We’re nonetheless within the early days of future-proofed HDMI 2.1 soundbars, however they’re beginning to seem: Klipsch simply introduced an identical Atmos bar known as the Cinema 1200. It additionally has two HDMI inputs, although the $1,699 worth features a bundled subwoofer and surrounds.
As has develop into comparatively widespread for premium soundbars, Sony’s A7000 can tune itself for a room’s acoustics, utilizing a microphone on the distant to “measure the peak and width of a room” and optimize the sound profile. It helps 360 Actuality Audio, hi-res audio, and is suitable with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Chromecast, Spotify Join, and Apple AirPlay 2.
The second, pricier new audio system known as the HT-A9, and it consists of 4 wi-fi audio system and a management field unit that’s comparable in dimension to an Apple TV. Sony says you possibly can place the 4 cylinder-shaped audio system just about anyplace in a room, and the sound area optimization will take their place into consideration when tuning the audio efficiency. (The again of every speaker is flat for handy mounting.)
With these, the corporate can be together with what it calls “360 spatial sound mapping know-how,” which may supposedly “create as much as twelve ‘phantom’ audio system from simply 4 audio system by synthesizing sound waves based mostly on positional data.” These sound like huge claims, however for a worth of $1,799.99, I’d hope Sony might ship on a few of that sound area trickery.
Every speaker measures a bit over 12 inches tall. The A9 has only one HDMI enter relatively than the 2 on the soundbar, however the management field additionally has an ethernet jack and an aux port that enables suitable Sony TVs to behave as the middle channel. That ought to make for glorious voice readability.
One draw back is that every speaker wants its personal energy outlet — as does the management field — so that you’re taking a look at a complete of 5 retailers. Since this technique leans on wi-fi a lot, I’m additionally interested by any latency or audio sync points that may pop up when gaming. Sony advised me it hasn’t encountered any such issues, but it surely’s one thing I’d wish to make certain of. The A9 is clearly meant for individuals who don’t wish to fuss with wires (aside from the facility cords) of their residence theater encompass setup.
Each the HT-A7000 and HT-A9 will begin delivery someday between September and October, in accordance with Sony.
