Sony HT-ST5000: Heavy box with even more oomph
27.9.2017
Translation: machine translated
After testing Sony's new small soundbar, it's time to make some really big noise. What can the HT-ST5000, Sony's flagship soundbar, do? I turned up the volume and put it to the test.
The packaging of the HT-ST5000 is quite large and heavy, but if you look at the specifications of the flagship, it's no wonder. Sony has built in some features here that don't disappoint for this rather high price. I can stream my music from a storage device via the USB input, via NFC via Bluetooth, via Spotify Connect, Chromecast built-in or even Airplay to the soundbar combo. Wherever the music comes from, the HT-ST5000 receives and plays it.
I may control everything via Chromecast at home, but the mate who is invited to dinner doesn't want to show me a song on his smartphone. I'm really pleased about these options, because I like the flexibility that Sony offers here.
The test in the grid
Since the HT-ST5000 has many more sound modes than its little brother, I had to start with these right away. In the first scene of the Hollywood film "Tron Legacy", the whole thing seems noticeably narrow with the sub-bass. I checked the separately adjustable subwoofer level. I was at 2 of 12 levels. After I had raised it to 6, the intro boomed towards me with a powerful bass. This was the first time I was amazed. The specifications promise bass levels from 30 Hz.
In movie mode, the scene sounds great, the soundtrack is present and powerful and Jeff Bridges' monologue still stands out clearly.
I tried out the standard mode for this scene. Where the little brother, the HT-MT300, was a little weak in terms of speech intelligibility, I understood Garrett Hedlund's rather quiet words surprisingly well. Only the clacking of shoes on the floor could be heard better on the HT-MT300. Sony's Clear Audio feature improves this when watching the scene again.
I start the Light Cycle Battle in 3D Surround Mode. I feel like I'm sitting in the middle of the battle arena - the background noise is wonderfully distributed throughout the room and the bass is really powerful.
Here I can hear the sheer power of the 15-kilogram subwoofer. The soundtrack thunders along, but the mix of strings and sound effects sounds somehow uneven. I switch to movie mode and the mix sounds cleanly balanced at the top and in the centre, but I have to turn down the bass. Here, in the middle of the scene, I realise once again why the film is considered a sub-killer. The sofa shakes, my neighbours hate me, but I don't care, I have to watch my absolute favourite film now.
I switch to the game preset and realise that this mode is the best fit here thanks to the electronic effects and Daft Punk soundtrack.
I start up in night mode and immediately notice how the sub-bass section of the Michael Bay classic "Transformers" is gone. Here, the vibration is effectively removed and the entire mix is compressed so that any loud parts don't suddenly cause me to be surprised by action scenes and my wife to wake up in the next room.
The Sony combo shows its full power in this clip. After switching off the night mode, the scene almost jumps out at me. I find myself in the midst of Michael Bay's powerful sound design. I'm not a fan of the story in these films, but in terms of audio-visuals, they are very impressive. With one click, I switch to Clear Audio+ and get even more of a cinema feel with a more dynamic sound spectrum. I smile.
When the building collapses in the film, not in my home, I'm right in the middle of it with the 3D Surround mode. The only thing missing here is the brilliance of the high tones. I try the movie mode, but even here the bass outweighs the treble.
Dolby Atmos, a little digression
Atmos is a surround technology that was introduced by Dolby in 2012 and enables film makers to enhance the surround feeling in the mix. Specifically, the previous five, seven, nine or even eleven lateral surround channels are extended by up to four additional channels on the ceiling. These then lead to designations such as 5.1.4 or 11.2.2.
If the device or the living situation does not allow it, there is the option of using so-called upfiring speakers. These are either available as attachments to the floorstanding speakers or, as with the HT-ST5000, are already built in. The "ceiling sound" is reflected from below on the ceiling and then hits the viewer from above at the listening position.
Since Dolby Atmos content is still relatively rare these days, I concentrated on the only Atmos film on Netflix, "Okja". However, there are a few prerequisites for the film to really be played in Dolby Atmos:
- Netflix access for CHF 17.90/month (four devices/UHD)
- TV or projector that can play 4k material
- If a playback device, in my case the Xbox One, is connected to it, it must be able to decode Dolby Atmos.
For the Xbox: There is an option for this in the sound settings, the free Dolby app must also be installed and configured for Atmos
In the promo films for the ATMOS soundbars from all the well-known manufacturers, scenes with as much movement and effects as possible were always selected. However, this film will really show how the soundbar copes with scenes that are not just action-packed and designed for Atmos, or how strong the effect will be here.
As soon as I hear the Netflix logo, I notice that the sound is somehow different, fuller and more voluminous. The first Dolby Atmos content on Netflix is ideal for putting Sony's flagship through its paces. In the scene, I can hear the separate frequencies very clearly, the bass is muffled but not boomy, the girl's voice is crystal clear. The striking thing is that the whole forest backdrop is distributed around the listening position, giving me the impression that I'm even more immersed in the film than with conventional surround sound. With the 5.1 home cinema, you can also get the all-round distribution, but with Dolby Atmos you get a much better "right in the middle" effect.
Conclusion
Pro
- Display on the front
The features are impressive (Airplay, Chromecast, Sony Multiroom, NFC, BT, USB port, LAN port 3x HDMI)
- Various sound modes(Standard, Movie, 3D Surround, Clear Audio+, Game)
- The current preset is always displayed when you click on Sound Field
Contra
- The soundbar is currently more expensive than the competition
Final word on the mini test series
After testing two soundbars, I would like to say a few words about Sony's entire line-up. Sony has positioned itself well with its current line-up of soundbars. With the HT-MT300, Sony has an entry-level soundbar that offers a lot of functions for its low price. The main focus is on Dolby Atmos, which is why it is also built into the most expensive device.
The solid workmanship, performance and number of speakers mean that even traditional home cinema enthusiasts will enjoy it. Although the soundbar is more expensive than the competition and has no additional rear speakers, it does have two additional front channels, 300W more power, Airplay, three HDMI inputs and a USB input. <p
Fabio Endrich
CM-ExternalWorker
fabio.endrich@digitecgalaxus.chAs a drummer, enthusiastic visitor of Drum 'n Bass parties, hobby producer of electronic music and record lover I am interested in all imaginable aspects of the audio universe. As a compensation I also enjoy the absolute silence under water while diving or taking pictures in the nature.
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