Sound quality: Sony's HT-A5000 Good overall sound quality - this model reproduces music and dialog reasonably well despite the obvious shortcomings in its sound. The bass has good impact and goes fairly deep, but is a bit prominent and boomy. Midrange is fairly even, but is somewhat grainy and hazy. Treble is fairly extended, but is a bit subdued and smeared. Does a so-so job of recovering room ambience and sounds somewhat congested. When playing back stereo program material the sound field extends a bit above but not beyond the sides of the soundbar, and there is no sense of depth. The various sound modes (night, voice, sound field) have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance and/or volume level of program material. When 5.1 channel program material is played, the sound field extends somewhat above but not beyond the sides of the soundbar, but there is still no sense of depth. The various sound modes (voice, night) have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance and/or volume level of program material played through the HDMI and optical inputs (the inputs for 5.1 channel source material); when using the sound field surround mode the width and height of the sound stage expands further. When playing Dolby Atmos material, the width and height of the sound field expands somewhat depending on the program material; the sound field can extend up and above into the ceiling and extends about 1/5th of the way into the room, however, there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front. The various sound modes have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance and/or volume level of program material; when using the Sound Field Surround mode the width and height of the sound field expands further, and depending on the program material can fill the front end of the room; the sound field can extend up and above from the front of the room to almost directly overhead depending on the program material, but there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front. When playing DTS:X material, the sound field is wider than when playing Dolby Atmos in all of the various sound modes. There was no significant difference in sound quality between the HDMI, optical, USB, Bluetooth, and WiFi inputs. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X program material can only be played when the soundbar is directly connected to video player via an HDMI connection, or when it is used with a TV that has a HDMI ARC connection that supports Dolby Digital+ or a HDMI eARC connection that supports Dolby Digital+ or Dolby Digital TrueHD. The system can provide satisfying volume in a medium sized room.
TV ease of use: Very good overall.
Features ease of use: Acceptable overall.
