Sony HT-ST7: A $1,300 sound bar for music lovers
Sound bars have always seemed like starter home audio systems almost by definition, sacrificing performance for a slim, convenient design that sounds "good enough."
Sony's trying to change that reputation with its newly announced HT-ST7, a decidedly high-end sound bar with audiophile aspirations and a $1,300 price tag. And while the system isn't breaking any particularly new ground -- it's a typical 2.1-channel sound bar-subwoofer system -- it aims to do everything better, especially when it comes to playing music.
The sound bar itself is striking. The black aluminum cabinet immediately sets it apart from the plasticky sound bars that line the shelves at Best Buy, and Sony's design team has done a great job of giving it a distinctive look. Pull off the speaker grille (it's removable) and you'll see nine drivers that are driven by seven discrete amplifiers. The wireless subwoofer doesn't have the same aesthetic flair, but it packs a 7-inch woofer paired with a passive radiator.
Even the remote has been given the redesign treatment, pared down to just six buttons, with more functions hidden behind a slide-down cover. I'm not sure how much I'd like the "stick" shape in everyday use, but simple layout of buttons is certainly appreciated.
As you'd want from a system this expensive, the HT-ST7 has a lot of connectivity options. There are three HDMI inputs, plus support for ARC (Audio Return Channel), allowing for just a single cable connection from ARC-compatible TVs. Typically I'd say those HDMI inputs are little overkill -- in most case it's much simpler to just use the optical audio output from your TV -- but Sony claims the HT-ST7's sound quality is good enough to benefit from direct HDMI connections. (Many TVs "dumb down" audio over their optical audio output.) In addition to HDMI connectivity, there are also three digital audio inputs (two optical, one coaxial) and an analog input.
Built-in Bluetooth is included, plus support for the aptX codec, which offers better sound quality with compatible devices. While Bluetooth will allow wireless audio streaming from nearly every smartphone and tablet, including Apple devices, it is disappointing that Sony doesn't include AirPlay on a system this expensive. AirPlay offers better sound quality and works slightly more smoothly with Apple devices, particularly for volume control. Rounding out the wireless functionality is NFC support for simple pairing.
Sony invited me to a private demo to listen to the HT-ST7 in New York, where the company pitted its new sound bar against the Definitive Technology SoloCinema XTR ($2,000). As you'd expect from a Sony-designed demo, the HT-ST7 sounded dramatically better than the SoloCinema XTR. I listened to a variety of Sony-selected content, ranging from "Spider-Man 3" (Sony Pictures) to "Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds: Live at Radio City Music Hall" (Sony BMG), while a Sony representative toggled between the two systems. In each case, the HT-ST7 undeniably sounded better in just about every way: deeper, tighter bass and a fuller, more detailed sound. The difference between the two systems was far from subtle, but my main takeaway from the demo was how lousy the SoloCinema XTR sounded, at least as configured by Sony for the demo.
Even if the HT-ST7 ends up sounding fantastic after hands-on testing, the $1,300 price is awfully high; even $800 sound bars like Atlantic Technology PB-235 seem pricey. Sony's trying to hit a market that I'm not fully convinced exists: those willing to pay quite a bit for better sound, but unwilling to go with full-size speakers. (Sony provided NPD data that claims that "20 percent of all sound bars sold today are priced above $1,000," although it's not clear how well they sell.) But if this is the kind of system you want, and you don't mind paying handsomely for it, the Sony HT-ST7 initially strikes me as a particularly well-designed high-end sound bar, one that might even live up to its lofty sound-quality claims.
0 comments: