Sony HT-A5000: European and UK pricing and availability announced for 5.1.2 channel soundbar
Sony has announced European availability and pricing for the HT-A5000, a soundbar that it presented in September 2021. Initially, Sony hoped to begin shipping the HT-A5000 in Europe from January 2022. However, the soundbar still has not arrived and will not do so for a few months yet. Based on Sony's press release, the HT-A5000 will land in the UK at the same time as the Eurozone.
To recap, the HT-A5000 is a 5.1.2 channel soundbar that supports Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth Google Chromecast Audio and Spotify Connect. Additionally, Sony includes an HDMI 2.1 port for connecting a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X or a high-end gaming laptop or PC. According to Sony, the HT-A5000 supports the PlayStation 5-specific Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode too, which arrived via a firmware update that Sony released this spring.
Moreover, the HT-A5000 has two upward-firing drivers, unlike the new and cheaper HT-A3000. A built-in subwoofer is also onboard, as are side-firing tweeters. According to Sony, the HT-A5000 will now be available from October 2022. Unfortunately, the company has not provided a firm release date yet; Amazon UK continues to list the soundbar as being 'currently unavailable' too. The HT-A5000 will be available for €999 in the Eurozone, €100 more than when Sony unveiled the soundbar in September. Similarly, the HT-A5000 will cost £899 in the UK, £300 more than the HT-A3000.
Source(s)
