Experience cinematic sound like never before with the Sony HT-A7000 soundbar. The soundbar’s impressive features will transform your home entertainment by taking it to the next level.
Sound Review Hub’s Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Pros
- Dolby Atmos
- 360 spatial sound
Cons
- High price tag
- Subwoofer not included
If you’re searching for an impressive home audio system that delivers immersive sound and enhances your audio experience, then you’re going to love what I’m about to share with you.
I had the chance to try out the Sony HT-A7000 soundbar, and I have to say, I was blown away by its excellent features and powerful audio performance. The soundbar has a sleek design that complements any room, and it delivers a robust and clear sound that makes you feel like you’re in the movie or concert hall.
But what’s so special about the Sony HT-A7000 soundbar? Well, for starters, it packs 7.1.2 channels of surround sound, meaning it delivers sound from different directions for a truly immersive experience. And if you’re into bass-heavy music, you’ll be happy to know that it comes with a wireless 200W SW3 sub that delivers an excellent bass response without sacrificing clarity.
But that’s not all. The Sony HT-A7000 soundbar is versatile and compatible with Sony RS3S and Sony RS5 rear speakers, which can be added to the soundbar system to deliver even more audio depth and a more cinematic experience. You can also add a Sony SW3 or SW5 Sub to complete your home theater system.
But don’t just take my word for it. Stay tuned for my full review of the Sony HT-A7000 soundbar, where I dive deeper into the sound quality, setup process, and overall experience. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it!
Design And Build Quality
Let’s talk about the design and build quality of the Sony HT-A7000 soundbar. As soon as I unboxed it, I was impressed by its latest flagship design. Unlike its predecessor, where you could see some of the drivers, all 11 speakers drivers in this soundbar are hidden behind a mesh grille on the front, with cloth grilles on the sides and top, giving it a sleek and modern look. The soundbar’s low-profile design measures 3.25 x 5.7 inches (H x D), making it slim enough to fit comfortably under your TV without obstructing the view.
However, you may want to consider investing in a bigger TV stand or mount, as the soundbar is 51 inches long, making it too long for anything under 55-inch screens. The Sony HT-A7000 soundbar fits nicely with my LG 65″ OLED TV, but anything smaller may make the soundbar look massive.
The build quality of the Sony HT-A7000 soundbar is top-notch, reflecting its flagship status and premium price. The soundbar is beautifully constructed and precisely made with quality materials, and it can be mounted on a wall if desired.
Audio Performance
One of the things that make the audio performance of the HT-A7000 exceptional is Sony’s forward-firing driver configuration with widely-spaced beam tweeters that rapidly project sound through a series of chambers. This gives the audio exceptional clarity and a soundstage that rivals some of the best soundbars out in the market.
Enabling the S-Force technology makes soundtracks sound more immediate, and you’ll feel as though you’re actively involved in the moment unfolding on screen. Along with the upward-firing speakers at the top of the soundbar for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content, Sony also uses its Vertical Surround Engine (VSE) to create immersive height elements for standard content, offering a natural feel that transports you to whatever acoustic environment or landscape is unfolding on the screen.
While it may not be the same as having direct audio from the speakers located above or to the side, the extra dimensions are impressive and add an immersive element that makes viewers feel more involved with what’s happening on the screen. I noticed that the HT-A7000 soundbar’s audio performance was on par with the Sonos Arc, but it also stands out with its unique features.
The integrated subwoofer drivers of the HT-A7000 soundbar are not the largest, but they do an excellent job at giving voices, action effects, and soundtracks the weight they need to carry things off convincingly. For streaming music lovers, the HT-A7000 soundbar doubles as an effective music system, with Spotify Connect embedded to allow users to directly connect or use Chromecast or AirPlay 2 to connect to their favorite alternative music streaming services from their device.
Through my testing, I found that keeping the Sony HT-A7000 in Music mode was preferable because it gave the best balance to vocals and a sense of instrument separation. The soundtrack sounded a lot more dynamic and closer to the sound I’m used to experiencing from a pair of stereo speakers. I noticed that Standard and Cinema mode’s music tracks sounded less dynamic, and the rhythmic elements were less engaging.
Features And Connectivity
To create a full home theater system, you can connect the Sony HT-A7000 soundbar to a Sony SW3 or SW5 Sub and RS3S or RS5 rear speakers. This setup provides a more immersive and complete surround sound experience, which is perfect for movie nights.
Setting up the Sony HT-A7000 soundbar is a breeze, especially if you have a TV with an eARC port. Simply plug in the power cable and connect the soundbar to the TV using an HDMI cable. Once connected, you can run a quick room calibration test to optimize the soundbar’s performance.
In terms of connectivity options, the HT-A7000 is well-equipped to handle a variety of devices. It supports HDMI, Bluetooth audio, USB devices, Spotify, Chromecast, Amazon Alexa, and even 360 Reality Audio via Deezer, Tidal, and Amazon Music. This means you can easily listen to your music or watch your favorite movies from almost any device.
The soundbar also features Sony’s DSEE Extreme upscaling technology, which helps restore details that may have been lost in the wireless transmission process.
For added convenience, the Sony HT-A7000 soundbar comes with a handheld remote control, but you can also use your TV’s remote for basic volume control. If you prefer to control the soundbar using your phone, Sony has also included the Music Center app for Android and iOS.
Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Exceptional Sound Quality: The HT-A7000 features 7.1.2 channel sound, which provides a more immersive and complete surround sound experience. The sound is well-balanced and detailed, with excellent separation between different channels.
- Versatile Connectivity: The soundbar supports several connectivity options, including HDMI, Bluetooth audio, and USB devices. It also supports popular streaming services like Spotify, Chromecast, Amazon Alexa, and 360 Reality Audio via Deezer, Tidal, and Amazon Music, making it easy to listen to your favorite music and watch movies from different devices.
- Sleek Design: The HT-A7000 features a sleek, modern design that blends well with any home décor. It’s not bulky, and its presence doesn’t dominate your room.
- Flexible Control Options: The soundbar comes with a reliable handheld remote control. Still, it also allows you to use your TV’s remote for basic volume control, and you can use Sony’s Music Center app for Android and iOS to control it using your phone.
Cons:
- Limited Bass: Despite the exceptional sound quality, the HT-A7000 lacks a powerful bass. It’s noticeable, especially when you listen to music with deep bass.
- Price: Since the soundbar is an advanced product, it might not fit everybody’s budget.
- Lack of a Display Panel: A soundbar’s display panel can be a helpful feature. However, the HT-A7000 lacks one, which might be an issue for some users.
- Remote Control is Not Backlit: The remote control comes with essential functions. Still, it’s not backlit, so seeing the buttons in a dark room is hard.
Should You Buy It?
After testing out the Sony HT-A7000 soundbar, I can confidently say it’s a great addition to your home theater setup. While it perfectly complemented my LG OLED 65″ TV, smaller TVs will especially benefit from the size of this soundbar.
Now let’s talk about the sound quality. It was noticeably better than my TV’s audio and really brought movies and TV shows to life. But to take it up a notch, I highly recommend adding a Sony subwoofer and rear speakers to create a complete home theater experience.
Here’s what I suggest: start by purchasing the Sony HT-A7000 soundbar itself, then add a Sony SW3 Sub or SW5 Sub, followed by a pair of rear speakers. Trust me on this, it’s worth it!
I’m happy with my purchase and believe you will be too. So if you’re considering the Sony HT-A7000 soundbar, I say go for it! And don’t forget to let me know how it improves your at-home entertainment experience.
