Comparison Sony HT-A5000 vs Sony HT-A7000

The audio format produced by a sound projector is actually the largest number of individual audio channels supported by the device. Note that in this case we are talking about the number of real channels, that is, channels for each of which at least one speaker is allocated; Models that support virtual surround sound can give the listener the impression of more channels than there actually are (see below for more details).

The sound format is indicated by two or three numbers separated by a dot. The first indicates the number of main channels, the second - the number of subwoofers, the third - the number of additional vertical radiators. For example, 2.1 format corresponds to stereo sound (2.0) supplemented by a subwoofer. And the conditional 3.1.2 format includes left, right and center channels, a subwoofer, left and right vertical speakers.

Sound projectors that support a more advanced sound format than 3.1 are designated in our catalog as multi-channel. The classic multichannel audio format is 5.1, but there are other options. In any case, a large number of real channels contributes to the fidelity of the reproduced sound and simplifies setup compared to virtual surround sound systems, but is also more expensive.

The most common sound formats are: 2.0, 2.1, 3.0, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 5.1.2, 7.1.

The projector supports the virtual surround function.

The purpose of this feature is that due to special sound settings and the reflection of sound beams from the walls of the room, the listener hears more channels than are actually available in the projector (see "Audio Format"). For example, a 3.1 system with virtual surround sound can produce sound similar to 5.1 surround sound. This allows you to achieve the effect of "immersion" in sound without increasing the number of channels and the cost of the projector. On the other hand, the reliability of such sound is usually noticeably worse than that of real surround sound, and the overall quality is highly dependent on the characteristics of a particular room.

Note that the virtual surround function is specified for 2.0, 2.1, 3.0, 3.1 format systems. In more advanced multi-channel systems, there are a priori additional channels for reproducing surround sound.

The total power rating of the sound projector speakers (including subwoofer, if present).

This parameter is often used to estimate the overall sound volume of the device, but this is not entirely true. The fact is that the actual sound volume is determined mainly by the power of the main speakers of the sound projector, and the total power is the sum of this power and the power of the subwoofer. Therefore, models with the same power rating can vary markedly in actual volume: for example, a 150-watt soundbar with a 50-watt subwoofer will be louder than a 100-watt projector with a subwoofer of the same power, although in both cases the rated power will be equal to 200 watts.

Summing up, we can say that it is possible to evaluate the volume by rated power only if the sound projector is not equipped with a subwoofer — in such models, the rated power is equal to the power of the main speakers. In other cases, it is worth focus on the power of the soundbar and the power of the subwoofer directly stated in the characteristics (see below for both).

The number of HDMI inputs in the design of the sound projector.

HDMI is the most popular modern interface for working with HD content, it allows you to transmit high-definition video simultaneously with multi-channel audio over a single cable. Having multiple inputs allows you to keep multiple signal sources connected to the projector at the same time and select the source from the remote without fiddling with reconnecting wires.

HDMI interface version supported by the soundbar.

See the interface itself for more details (“HDMI input”, “HDMI output”), and its versions differ primarily in bandwidth. Here are the current options:

— v 1.4. The earliest of the widespread versions, which, nevertheless, has quite decent features: in particular, it supports 4096x2160 video at 24 fps, and in Full HD the frame rate can reach 120 fps, which already allows you to work with 3D. It has two modifications — v.1.4a and v.1.4b — differing from the original mainly in slightly advanced capabilities for working with three-dimensional content.

-v 2.0. The version introduced back in 2013. The increased bandwidth allowed support for 4K video at frame rates up to 60 fps, as well as up to 32 channels of audio and up to 4 audio streams simultaneously. This version also has two extensions: HDR support was added in the v.2.0a update, and this feature was improved and expanded in v.2.0b.

— v 2.1. An update to the HDMI standard released in 2017. Of the main innovations, support for 8K and 10K video at speeds up to 120 fps has been added, and HDR capabilities have been improved. However it is worth considering that all these features are available only when using special HDMI Ultra High Speed cables.

The total number of speakers installed in the sound projector housing (external subwoofer is not taken into account in this calculation).

Given the same audio format (see above), more speakers typically provide greater fidelity and more precise localization of individual sound sources. This is especially true for models with virtual surround sound.

The presence of its own display in the design of the soundbar.

As displays, usually, small screens with the simplest LCD matrices are used. Various service information can be displayed on such a screen : volume level, operating mode, active inputs and outputs, equalizer settings, etc. This makes management easier and more intuitive.

The ability to control the soundbar, in addition to the standard push-button from the device case, also includes control from the remote control, the TV remote control to which the acoustics are connected, through the application from a smartphone or tablet, and in some cases using a voice assistant. More details about each of them:

— Remote control. The presence in the configuration of the classic remote control on IR sensors, like those used in TVs. It can contain much more settings functions than the controls on the body of the device and, of course, makes it easier to control the soundbar.

— TV remote control (HDMI-CEC). Connecting the soundbar via the HDMI port allows you to control it via the HDMI-CEC protocol via the TV remote control. This solution will reduce the number of remotes in the room and facilitate the comfort of the settings. However, the functionality of the "non-native" remote control may be limited. In this case, the compatibility of the TV and the soundbar can be achieved using other protocols (not necessarily HDMI-CEC).

— Smartphone control. The ability to control the soundbar through the application. This makes it easier to “search” for the remote control, because the phone is always at hand. The application also has extensive settings and such control is highly likely to be supported by t...he TV, which allows you to execute absolutely any commands from your smartphone for a comfortable pastime on the TV.

— Voice assistant. This is not about the assistant built into the soundbar itself, but about compatibility with external devices that have this function (for example, with a smartphone or tablet). But even such compatibility allows you to give commands to the voice projector by voice — this is often more convenient than more traditional control methods. The specific set of supported commands and languages may vary depending on the voice assistant and its specific version. And among the most popular at the moment are Google Assistant, Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa.

The total power consumption of the entire system, both the sound projector itself and the external subwoofer (if present). Usually this indicator is indicated by the average power consumption at maximum volume. Note that on individual signal jumps, the actual power consumption may exceed the claimed one; in some cases (for example, when connected through a voltage stabilizer), this must be taken into account.