Sony Arc rival also packs in 360 Spatial Sound
Sony has taken the covers off its latest smart soundbar, taking on the likes of Sonos and Denon in the Dolby Atmos TV audio stakes.
The Sony HT-A3000 works with Google Assistant (via voice input from another Google smart speaker) and is Google Home multi-room music compatible, as it has Chromecast built in.
That means you can group the HT-A3000 in a multi-room speaker group along with Google Home speakers from other brands.
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Sony also tells us that its latest mid-range soundbar, which sits below the higher-end 5.1.2-channel A5000 and the flagship 7.1.2-channel A7000, works with Alexa; although this is not native – you’ll need to use a skill and another Alexa smart speaker to get Amazon’s digital assistant running the show.
The HT-A3000 is also compatible with Spotify Connect, as well as Apple’s AirPlay 2. There’s also Bluetooth if you want to keep things simple when streaming from your smartphone.
In terms of audio output, the HT-A3000 is a 3.1 speaker, with three front speakers including a dedicated centre speaker for dialogue, and a built-in dual subwoofer.
You can also pair the soundbar with one of Sony’s subs, such as the SW5 or SW3, as well as rear speakers for a less virtual surround sound experience with Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound.
That will allow you to experience 360 Reality Audio through streaming platforms such as Amazon Music HD and Tidal.
Like the impressive Sonos Arc, Sony’s newest soundbar hooks up to your TV using an HDMI eARC connection. There’s also optical on board and S-Center Out for compatible Bravia TVs.
The new Sony HT-A3000 will hit the shops in October, priced at $699 Stateside, £599 in the UK.
