Warm the heels of the incredibly robust HT-A7000, From Sony returns with another Dolby Atmos sound bar. And while the specifications of these two speakers they are quite similar, the Sony AT-5000 is designed for smaller spaces and rooms. Oh, and it’s $ 400 cheaper.
While the A7000 is a 7.1.2 channel sound bar, the A5000 is a 5.1.2 system, which mmeans you have two less built-in speakers it also gives up the 7000 side-beam tweeters for normal use tweeteres of bundles and sacrifices an HDMI port 2.1. Otherwise, the specifications are almost identical, with Dolby Atmos, DTS: X and 360 Reality Audio from Sony. The A5000 also has Sony’s automatic calibration technology, which is designed to optimize the sound of the room where you are. You’ll also get support for 8K HDR, 4K at 120p and Dolst Vision passsthrough. Like the A7000, it is a buildable system that supports optional rear speakers and a subwoofer. Both also support Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa, as well as Chromecast. I that it also supports Sony’s new feature that allows you to connect the soundbar directly to Bravia TVs for an integrated user interface.
So what does it give? It seems a bit strange for Sony to release a cheaper soundbar than it is that very different from its flagship. When I asked Sony, the company pointed out something I had missed. The A5000 is a lot more compact and weighs 16 whole pounds less. While the A7000 is 54 inches long and 9 inches high, the A5000 is 37 inches long and 6 inches high.
I’m currently testing the A7000, and let me tell you this is a strong guy. It barely fits my TV stand (which supports my 55-inch LG TV very well) and frankly locks the bottom of the TV screen. And in my humble New York City bedroom? It is the definition of excess.
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According to Sony, the A5000 is intended for people from small homes or who plan to use it in a smaller entertainment room. And while supporting passthrough and 4K at 120p, its unique HDMI 2.1 input does not make it the best choice if you want feel like making your setup. The A7000 is for those cavernous living rooms or for people who want to operate their consoles, decoders, and everything else through its sound bar. TThe A5000 is for city dwellers who don’t literally need the socks they take off their feet while watching an action movie.
It makes sense to this context, but it still feels a bit like muddy waters. At $ 900, the A5000 is still expensive, mostly because we’re starting to see Dolby Atmos being added to mid-range soundbars. Still, getting an Atmos sound bar from a solution that can simulate pitch for less than $ 1,000 is still a good proposition. (El Sonos Arc is $ 800, while the Raise the vice it’s even $ 1,000.)
The HT-A5000 will be available for order in early fall at authorized dealers. In the meantime, you can check out the full specifications here.