Sony HT-ST5000 Dolby Atmos soundbar review

The Sony HT-ST5000 appeared in 2017 with a powerful degree of sound high quality and a excessive price ticket. Since then the market has solely obtained extra crowded, however what follows is our unique overview of the HT-ST5000 soundbar.Sony’s first soundbar to launch with Dolby Atmos assist, the HT-ST5000 is a beast. Stretching 1180mm extensive alongside a wi-fi sub, the system boasts an engineering heritage that is extra stereophile than TV audio, and has a end commensurate with its wallet-wincing price ticket. At first look it might appear like an over-dressed 2.1 bundle, however Sony describes the HT-ST5000 as a 7.1.2 proposition. The characteristic spec is definitely expansive – along with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding, there’s Excessive-Res Audio assist, built-in Chromecast performance, dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.The draw back, in fact, is that you’re going to play dearly for the pleasure. At $1,500 (£1,500 / round AU$2,436) the soundbar is definitely costly, however for the cash you are getting a really succesful piece of apparatus. Sony HT-ST5000: excessive constancy designThe construct high quality of the Sony HT-ST5000 is fabulous, there is not any debate about that. The bar comes with a material grille, however seems to be higher uncovered, as a result of the drivers are as fairly as an image.Left and proper are two matching coaxial audio system with gold-rimmed, excessive frequency tweeters, whereas a coaxial driver with mid-range cones deal with the middle channel.  This slight distinction interprets to a minor timbre mismatch, though it is not actually obvious when listening stay to multi-channel mixes. Proof of its Dolby Atmos credentials will be discovered up high. Behind mounted steel grilles are two upfiring Dolby-enabled audio system for Atmos and height-orientated audio. Sony HT-ST5000: AVR-like functionalityUnlike lesser bars, the HT-ST5000 affords full AV receiver versatility. There are 4 HDMIs (three inputs, plus one ARC output). All are HDCP 2.2 prepared in your varied 4K sources (UHD participant, Xbox One X, Amazon Hearth 4K) however must be configured earlier than being paired. Choose Enhanced over Normal, so as to assist 4K 60p and four:four:four (or incrementally decrease) video settings. There are a variety of extra show choices, all of that are greatest left in Auto mode. Positioned right-side on the bar is a coated USB port, for useful native file playback.There’s additionally an optical digital audio enter and stereo minijack on the HT-ST5000. An Ethernet LAN port permits wired networking, however there’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the latter with NFC pairing and Sony’s proprietary LDAC headroom extension. A transparent show window reveals enter choice and quantity. A number of on-body controls are additionally offered for these of us that don’t just like the stubby IR distant management.The soundbar is straightforward to drive: there is a tiled interface on the HT-ST5000 which lists all of the enter choices, plus any linked house community gadgets. In different phrases, there’s nothing right here which ought to alienate non-techies.The partnering subwoofer, which sits on a stylised plinth, is healthier trying than most LFE growth bins. A forward-facing grille is topped with a classy matte lid, and there are drivers entrance dealing with and downward firing. The sub connects to the bar mechanically throughout arrange, with an LED confirming the hyperlink is energetic.Sony HT-ST5000: performanceIn full flight, the ST-HT5000 actually does sound immense. It creates a large, excessive soundstage, and spatial placement is great; the opening narration from Mad Max Fury Street (Blu-ray), with its acquainted “the place are you?” whispers, is atmospherically drawn. A specified energy output of 800W signifies the system is not wanting slam or dynamics, and it definitely hits exhausting. When the Warfare Boys rev their engines, the gutty roar will vibrate your popcorn.The HT-ST5000 is not nearly muscle although, as a result of there’s musical refinement right here too. Christy Baron ‘Ain’t no sunshine’, LPCM 96kHz 24-bit, reveals simply how naturalistic the soundbar’s vocal efficiency will be – rounded and wealthy, the presentation is sort of three dimensional.Don’t come to the HT-ST5000 anticipating pronounced Atmos overhead steering although. The bar could properly characteristic a barrage of drivers, but it surely does not convincingly create an encompassing audio cover. There’s the inkling of a sprinkling, notable through the rain-soaked climax of John Wick (Blu-ray), but it surely’s removed from a full-on Atmos bathe. The Sony HT-ST5000 listening expertise is not corresponding to an AV receiver with audio system in a 5.1.2 configuration, say.Finally, a lot will rely in your room and your seating distance from the bar itself – round 1.5m labored greatest for me. Additional again, the soundstage comes throughout as extra stereophonic than Atmos-pheric.One facet of this two-piece that actually impresses is bass response. Sony’s earlier soundbar options have in all probability been too well mannered for their very own good, however the HT-ST5000 can sound correctly seismic. These dragon grumbles in Sport of Thrones (5.1, Sky Q) have deep, horrifying heft. The wi-fi subwoofer murmurs from 31.5Hz, and has copious vitality at 50Hz. The soundbar itself crosses over at 100Hz.Along with Dolby Atmos encoded software program, the HT-ST5000 system does a advantageous job height-scaling common multichannel audio. The Dolby Encompass mode will be fairly good in relation to figuring out spatial parts in a 5.1 combine that it may well distribute up excessive. This works significantly properly with stay occasions and live performance materials, the place there is a enormously enhanced sense of ambiance. The soundbar can be a reliable streamer. DLNA compliant, it instantly acknowledged our NAS gadgets and Twonky server. Audio file assist covers all the same old lossy codecs, in addition to 24-bit 96kHz FLAC and DSD. A Excessive-Res vinyl rip of Rust in Peace by Megadeth rips alongside, however the bar additionally has the precision to deal with classical works too. Marianne Thorsen’s Mozart Violin Concerto in D Main, a Excessive-Res Audio obtain from 2L, has entrancing depth. Have extra MP3s than you would like? Nicely the DSEE HX processor on the Sony HT-ST5000 goes some option to restoring the constancy in compressed audio too.We likedSony’s debut Dolby Atmos soundbar is a no-compromise answer for audiophiles trying to combine refined music with immersive film audio. It is fabulously properly completed and presents a soundstage that is extensive and excessive. The supply of built-in Chromecast capabilities is a pleasant bonus.We dislikedA Dolby Atmos decoder in itself isn’t any assure of over-head audio results, and this Sony system is not as immersive as a traditional AV receiver with a number of audio system. Closing verdictThe Sony HT-ST5000 could also be costly, but it surely justifies its price ticket with knock-out attractiveness and a superior efficiency. Sony’s first Dolby Atmos soundbar is gloriously over-engineered, and affords an audio efficiency that is wealthy and thrilling, greater than warranting its flagship standing. If you would like a top-flight sound system that doesn’t take over your room, then the Sony HT-ST5000 has few equals.