Sony HT-A5000 5.1.2ch Dolby Atmos

Pros

• Powerful and clear sound
• 3D surround sound also for music

Cons

• Few settings for surround sound

The Sony HT-A5000 looks unassuming, but it's full of refinements: it offers a wide range of music streaming options, optimises the sound quality at the touch of a button, and offers an additional HDMI connection that is even console-compatible. Sony packages all this as a pleasantly compact soundbar. The most important thing, however, is the powerful and clear sound with great spaciousness and intense bass - without an additional subwoofer box.

The Sony HT-A5000 stays out of the way

The Sony HT-A5000 could look more exciting and more businesslike. The speaker bar is a stately 121 centimetres wide, so visually, it's more suited to TVs from 55 inches upwards. At 6.7 centimetres high, it is flat enough not to protrude into the picture in front of many TVs. Great: If the Soundbar blocks the TV's infrared receiver and thus the remote control, it can receive the commands of the TV remote control and forward them to the TV via two infrared transmitters in its rear. Wall mounting is also possible; metal brackets for this are included in the delivery.

Easy connection

The coections on the Sony HT-A5000 are located in an indentation so that no plugs interfere with wall mounting. One of the two HDMI sockets is sealed with a sticker, and the other for the cable to the TV is free. This is how Sony reduces the risk of confusion. An HDMI cable is included in the delivery; on the TV, it belongs in the HDMI socket with the additional designation ARC or eARC (Audio Return Chael or enhanced Audio Return Chael). The TV uses this to output the sound for the current picture - regardless of whether a programme is ruing, an external player is delivering the programme or the TV is playing a stream from the Internet.

With console-compatible HDMI input

If the Soundbar has to be coected to the TV set to make way for another HDMI player, there is an HDMI input on the Soundbar as an alternative - the taped coection. Console players need help with TVs if their ARC coection is also the only input that handles the high console frame rate of 120 hertz - and the problem occurs with many TVs. Great: the Sony HT-A5000 provides a remedy! Its HDMI input is also suitable for 4K resolution at up to 120 hertz so that Sony can forward the console image to the TV without damage. Other soundbars, on the other hand, often only transmit 60 hertz.

Operation is uncomplicated

Another unusual feature is the Sony HT-A5000's on-screen menu. It's easy to change all settings at a glance, much better than the usual tiny displays and LEDs. There is a handy remote control for sound settings and input selection. Once everything is adjusted, the remote control can disappear in the drawer for everyday TV viewing, as the TV remote controls the volume. A small status display is on the front of the Sony HT-A5000, and it can also be controlled via an app - it couldn't be more convenient.

Musical talents, including 3D

TTV sound alone would be too little for a soundbar in the upper price range, so the Sony HT-A5000 goes all out and also plays content from other sources. The number one source is a smartphone, or a tablet. With Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, music from all conceivable apps can be listened to with the Soundbar. The most popular streaming provider can be used via Spotify Coect. And there's more: the HT-A5000 can also play music in 3D format. This is available, for example, with Amazon Music. With Apple Music, the selection is even more incredible, but the offer can only be used via AirPlay - which excludes 3D sounds.

Conclusion

Don't be fooled by the unassuming exterior, because the Sony HT-A5000 is full of refinements: it offers many options for music streaming, optimises the sound quality at the touch of a button and offers an additional HDMI coection that is even console-compatible. Sony packs all this into a pleasantly compact housing. Most important, however, is the powerful and clear sound with great spaciousness and amazingly deep bass - and without an additional subwoofer box. Given its features, the Soundbar should be unrivalled.