The latest Sony soundbar comes with in-house features rated for room-filling quality audio

Sony has launched the A5000 (model number: HT-A5000) as a soundbar with the OEM's up-to-date "Omnidirectional Block" design. The company also asserts it comes with the audio specs necessary to keep up with visual standards including Dolby Vision, 8K HDR or 4K/120fps and, thus, would be an ideal fit alongside some new BRAVIA TVs.

The 5.1.2 channel bar starts out in fulfilling this potential with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It also supports Sony's latest S-Force PRO Front Surround technology, designed to enhance "horizontal" sound. It might also handle audio in the y and z axes through a Vertical Surround Engine and Sound Field Optimizer, the last of which employs the device's AI to "map" the room in which it finds itself and fine-tune the soundscape accordingly.

The A5000 contains 3 types of driver, all of which come with a Sony X-Balanced Speaker Unit. They consist of a subwoofer, an up-firing speaker and a beam (or "side") tweeter. There are 2 of these per unit; nevertheless, Sony hints the user might like to use it alongside a dedicated external speaker set-up in any case.

These A5000 internals are rated for a maximum output of 450W, and is also rated for DSEE Extreme, High-Resolution Audio and 360 Reality Audio, somewhat the same as that found in Sony's flagship wireless headphones. On the other hand, the OEM makes no mention of the HDMI 2.1 spec found in the soundbar's even more premium counterpart, the A7000 - although the newer model does come with eARC, at least.

The A5000 is now priced at US$899.99, although it will not be available until "early fall 2021" via Sony-approved retailers.