Sony launches new wireless speakers with 360 Reality Audio

Sony has debuted new wireless speakers aimed at an enhanced home audio experience. The RA5000 and RA3000 are both rated for the 360 Reality Audio and Immersive Audio Enhancement technologies, so that their side-firing speaker arrays can be more sure of filling a room with sound.

Sony purports to leave this in even less doubt with the speakers' Sound Calibration mode, which uses sensors to assess the amount of space in any given room they are to strive to fill with sound. They also support Auto Volume, which allows the speaker to select the ideal volume for any given track so the user does not have to go fumbling for the remote in the event of a sudden extra-loud next song.

Then again, some consumers might prefer to be in control of the level at which their tunes are blasted themselves. In addition, the RA5000 also has a new triple "crown" of upward-firing speakers, which means it also directs its output at the ceiling so as to make sure of immersion...even if this does leave it looking like a massive high-end electric razor.

The RA5000 is also certified for High-Resolution Audio and is equipped for a subwoofer for (theoretically) enhanced bass. The RA3000, on the other hand, comes with humidity resistance, which might make it more suitable for bathroom or kitchen use-cases.

Therefore, the 2 new wireless speakers seem like straightforward and solid residential sound units. However, they also come with built-in Chromecasts for Google Assistant functions, and are also compatible with the Amazon Alexa smart system. They can also automatically connect to compatible BRAVIA TVs via Bluetooth to offer instant stereo sound in a media room.

The RA5000 and RA3000 are available in the UK and the EU only at present, and will go for £280 (~US$380)/€359 (~$439) and £500 (~$678)/€599 (~$731) on their February 2021 release.