Sound quality: Sony's SRS-RA5000 had Good overall sound quality. With the immersive audio enhancement turned off, the bass has good impact and goes deep, but is a bit prominent and somewhat tubby. Midrange is a bit thin, somewhat hazy, grainy, constricted, and plasticky. Treble is fairly extended, but somewhat smeared and subdued. Does a so-so job recovering room ambience, and sounds somewhat congested. The immersive audio enhancement mode makes the sound stage much larger and higher, but also makes the sound echoey and somewhat muffled. When playing 360 Reality Audio material the sound has the same characteristics as when playing in the non-enhanced mode, however the soundstage is much larger and higher and while the overall sound is more spacious and detailed, it can sound echoey with some program material. There is no significant difference between WiFi, Bluetooth, and Aux input sound quality. It provides a decent volume level in a large sized room. Tech note: At the time of testing the 360 reality content is very limited and is only available through paid streaming services such as Tidal and Amazon Music.
Ease of use: We found the Sony SRS-RA5000 ease of use to be Very Good overall. Bluetooth pairing requires a press of the power button which is also labeled "Pairing" then selection of unit from the Bluetooth selection list on source device; unit provides an obvious indication that the unit is in pairing mode as well as when pairing has actually occurred. It is also NFC capable for those who can can use this feature for pairing. WiFi Setup requires downloading either the Google Home app or the Sony Music Center app to a mobile device; easy and intuitive - instructions are provided in the app, may or may not involve inputting Wi-Fi network password. The volume touch controls are medium contrast, not prominent due to position on back/side of the speaker, and nothing to indicate that it is a volume control except + and - symbols. However, there is a max/min audible indicator. The source button is clearly labeled and clearly indicates with words and symbols which source has been selected, but is not prominent due to position.
