Sony announces 7.1.2 soundbar with HDMI 2.1 support
Sony has announced the HT-A7000, a 7.1.2 soundbar. In addition, the manufacturer comes with the HT-A9, a bundle of four speakers that together should provide an experience in which the sound seems to come from all sides. Both products support HDMI 2.1.
The HT-A7000 contains two upward-firing speakers to allow the sound of these two channels to come from above via ceiling reflection. Furthermore, the soundbar has two tweeters and five front speakers. In addition, two optional subwoofers will be available: the SA-SW5 and the SA-SW3. A pair of wireless rear speakers, the SA-RS3S, can also be placed in combination with this soundbar.
Sony also comes with the HT-A9. This is a bundle of four cylindrical loudspeakers, two of which are placed on either side of the television and two to the left and right behind the listening position. According to Sony, the speakers are able to accurately map the room via built-in microphones and ‘place’ up to twelve imaginary, pseudo speakers in the room. This should lead to a 360-degree sound field where the sound seems to come from all sides. These four speakers must be connected to mains power, but are connected wirelessly to a central, small control box.
Both products support HDMI 2.1. The HT-A7000 has two HDMI 2.1 ports, so that, for example, a PlayStation 5 and an Xbox Series X can be connected simultaneously. The HDMI 2.1 support allows transmission of 4k120 signals. Also e-arc and Dolby Vision are supported. The HT-A9’s control box has a single HDMI 2.1 input. Both the HT-A7000 and HT-A9 can work with recent Sony Bravia TVs, so that the TV’s speakers can serve as an additional center channel, for example.
The HT-A7000 gets a suggested retail price of 1300 euros and for the HT-A9 that is 1800 euros. The optional SA-SW5 subwoofer will cost 800 euros and the optional SA-SW3 subwoofer will cost 500 euros. The wireless SA-RS3S rear speakers for the HT-A7000 cost about 500 euros. All these products will be available from September.