sound bar

Sony MT500 & MT300 sound bar offer a subwoofer for under your seat

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 12, 2017 | 0 comments

Strange but interesting tech is one of the reasons I enjoy going to CES so much and the Sony MT500 and MT300 sound bars do not disappoint in that area while not being too far fetched or impractical either. From a distance, both units are exactly what you’d expect, a 2.1 sound bar with a host of features like Bluetooth for wireless music streaming from your iOS/Android device and NFC for easy pairing.

Between the two, many of the features and technical specifications are identical like power (currently no documentation on exact power output) and color options which includes black and white, though I’m sure Sony will have something fancier in mind for them once they’re officially released. Where things differ between the two is in their brains or smart functionality that they provide. According to Sony:

Sony introduces impressive Dolby Atmos sound bar with 4K HDR (HT-ST5000)

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 10, 2017 | 8 comments

At CES 2016, the big question for Sony was why their fleet lacked supported for any initiative coming out of Dolby, namely Dolby Vision HDR in TVs and Dolby Atmos in their receives and sound bars. This year, Sony answered critics by unveiling the A1E OLED and X930/940E series with Dolby Vision HDR and the HT-ST5000 sound bar with Dolby Atmos support.

As I learned, with Dolby Atmos, we have a new way of looking at sound and to that point, the sound bar is a 7.1.2 system with the latter two numbers indicating sound that’s coming from above. With a proper sound system and receiver, the .2 can actually be expanded to beyond that number and actual speakers would be placed in your ceiling where with a sound bar, that sound is simulated. In the case of the HT-ST5000, the impressive thing Sony has done is to put speakers on its end and have them fire off into the ceiling which will ultimately bounce back the sound.

Sony Sound Bar HT-RT5 Specs

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 10, 2015 | 0 comments

On Monday, we reported on a new sound bar, the Sony HT-RT5. What makes it different than previous sound bars out there is that it offers true 5.1 surround sound and not simulated surround sound, thanks to its rear wireless speakers. Though mums been the word on a North American release, Sony has revealed some of its specs though it’s not as extensive as our usual pieces. Sony will likely release more information as we near its mid-July release.

After the jump, the Sony Sound bar HT-RT5 specs await.

Sony Sound Bar HT-RT5 Adds Wireless Rear Speakers to the Mix

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 6, 2015 | 2 comments

2015 is shaping up to be a good year for those looking at different sound bar options. Sony has already revealed a host of new units with many supporting 4K output and Hi-Res Audio. As beautiful, powerful, and sleek as they may be, the sticking point for some home theater enthusiasts remains that, no matter the brand, a sound bar is merely replicating a surround sound experience and isn’t true to what’s being offered by our games and movies.

Enter the Sony Sound Bar HT-RT5 with rear wireless speakers that might finally offer the convenience and experience we’ve all wanted.

2015 Sony Sound Bar (HT-CT380) Priced at $349

by Sohrab Osati | May 11, 2015 | 0 comments

The Sony HT-ST9 Sound Bar with Hi-Res audio is capable of delivering on many fronts, thanks to its built-in 7.1 surround sound with 800 watts of power. With its premium features comes a premium $1,499 price tag that, while perhaps justified, isn’t targeted at all consumers. The Sony HT-CT380 Sound Bar (pictured above), however, is priced at $349, making it affordable for almost all home theater fans. After the jump, we give you the details on this entry level sound bar and what you can expect to get from it.

Sony Hi-Res 7.1 Sound Bar HT-ST9 Specs

by Sohrab Osati | May 8, 2015 | 0 comments

Earlier this week, we brought you a preview of the Sony HT-ST9 Sound Bar, the latest flagship home theater offering that supports Hi-Res Audio and 4K output among other things. As a recap, a few noteworthy features of the HT-ST9 include:

7.1 channel sound bar w/wireless subwoofer
Expand your listening with powerful multi-room capability
Coaxial left, right, and center speakers for Hi-Res sound
HDMI with HDCP 2.2 for copyright protected 4K content
Easy set up with 3 HDMI in/1 out and ARC support

If you want to know all about the premium sound bar, including audio codecs and more, the full Sony HT-ST9 specs await you after the jump.

Meet the Flagship Sony HT-ST9 Sound Bar

by Sohrab Osati | May 5, 2015 | 3 comments

With an array of new 4K televisions, including the flagship X930C and X940C with HDR, Sony is also launching a new flagship sound bar, the HT-T9. Targeted at those who want the latest in sound technology, including native support for Hi-Res sound, the HT-ST9 is capable of delivering on many fronts, thanks to its built-in 7.1 surround sound. A few more details after the jump.

Sony Announces 3D Sound Bars for Home Theater

by Jenni Petot | Apr 21, 2010 | 10 comments

Sony’s HT-CT 100 is a great sound bar home theater system and is one of the only affordable ones that offers extensive HDMI connectivity. I’m a fan of sound bars sine I can’t hang any speakers in my place. They are easy to set up, have great sound, and they’re small with a clean look. What else could you ask for?

But wait, don’t buy just yet! Now Sony has just announced two new successors to the HT-CT 100 that will be available in May. The HT-CT 150 and HT-CT 350 will now have an upgrade to the HDMI 1.4 that will allow for 3D pass-through. Via CNET News, here are the key features of the new sound bars mentioned in Sony’s press release.

Key features of the Sony HT-CT150:

3.1-channel sound bar home theater system
340 watts of total system power
32 inches long
Three HDMI inputs, all 3D-compatible
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Two digital audio inputs (one optical, one coaxial)
Price: $300

Key step-up features of the Sony HT-CT350:

400 watts of total system power
40 inches long
Includes wall-mount bracket
Price: $400

Photo credit: Sony (HT-CT 150)