Sony HT-ST5000: Pros and Cons

Sennheiser Ambeo Max Soundbar: Pros and Cons

Best features: Sony HT-ST5000

Sony HT-ST5000 uses Magnetic Fluid speaker technology that ensures increase energy efficiency. Compared to other speakers, it is 1.6 times louder. It uses Digital Signal Processing, and S-Force PRO Front Surround to produce 3D immersive sound.

Best features: Sennheiser Ambeo

Ambeo Max Sennheiser soundbar uses AMBEO Virtualization for surround sound. It has room calibration feature and supports multiroom audio via Chromecast.

Sony HT-ST5000 vs Sennheiser Ambeo: Feature to Feature Analysis

Sony HT-ST5000 vs Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar, which one should you get? Read along to find out more.

Design:

Sony has a solid rectangular design, but Sennheiser Ambeo has curved sides. Comparing Sony HT-ST5000 vs Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar, the Ambeo is larger than Sony, but Sony has better built. Ambeo is heavy as well as big so moving it around might need help. On the good side, you can easily pair it with 75 or 80” TVs. Sony claims each component in the bar is of high quality and we think that as well.

Build quality is very good, it has metal grille and, the bar is made of plastic and metal. Subwoofer is well-built but the top panel will attract fingerprints. Instead of metal grille, Sennheiser Ambeo is covered by fabric. You can also take off the cloth to show off drivers or to clean them. It has brushed aluminum exterior with a modern yet simple look.  

Performance:

Sony HT-ST5000 has a total of 12 drivers. Mid and treble region show extreme-detail and clarity. It has coaxial speakers where tweeter and woofer work together. This results in enhanced sound quality throughout the frequencies. When you sit in front of the bar you will hear broader soundstage, sound pinpoints the action on screen.

The 7.125” wireless subwoofer produces clean and deep bass. Digital sound field processing technology allows you to feel that sound is coming from all around you. Dolby Atmos and DTS: X produces prominent overhead effects along with multi-dimensional sound. Atmos effects are powerful due to up-firing speakers that allows sound to bounce off the ceiling.  

When connected to TV, it allows 4k@60Hz passthrough. Along with HDR and Wide color gamut, it supports multiple color technologies. This results in accurate color presentation along with picturesque images.

Sennheiser Ambeo Max soundbar uses auto room calibration feature to analyze the room structure via wall reflections. The process will improve sound based on room acoustics. This active standalone soundbar can produce multi-dimensional immersive sound with powerful surround sound. Although it doesn’t have independent subwoofer, it can produce deep low ends.

Play movies through the bar and enjoy overhead effects, tighter low ends and cinematic sound. It has impressive and accurate sound profile that makes it best for most contents. Vocals are crystal clear so dialog-oriented contents are covered. Soundstage is focused and as wide as the bar. Place them in crowded areas and enjoy room-filling audio.

It uses Ambeo 3D mode to produce powerful surround sound. You will feel sound coming from all around your sides and ‘heights’. With the help of Chromecast, you can use 360 Reality audio to produce spherical soundfield.

Settings:

Sony HT-ST5000 allows you to choose from different sound effects like Movie, Music, Game Studio, Sports, Standard, or 3D Surround. It has ClearAudio+ option that adjusts sound based on the content you are watching. Other options include Voice mode, night mode and Audio DRC. It has ‘setup’ screen where you can input ceiling height and distance between user and speakers.

Sennheiser Ambeo Max soundbar has the following sound profiles: Movie, Music, News, Sports, and Neutral. It has 4 Band EQ and night mode option.

Connectivity:

Sony HT-ST5000 has 3 HDMI In, 1 out, optical port, 3.5mm port and USB. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Chromecast are built in.

Smart features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Spotify are available in Sennheiser as well. However, comparing Sony HT-ST5000 vs Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar, the Sony soundbar doesn’t have Airplay nor does it have auto calibration option. It has 3 HDMI in, 1 out, digital optical audio, stereo analogue and pre-out for subwoofer.

Remote or Mobile app:

Sony HT-ST5000 has a large remote control with several buttons. It has a Music service button on the remote that will start playing Spotify automatically. The remote is user-friendly. It also comes with mobile app and works with Google Assistant via external speaker.

Sennheiser Ambeo also comes with a handy remote control. It has Ambeo button that allows you to choose option like Dolby Atmos. It has mobile app and supports Google Assistant via voice enabled device.

Conclusion:

Sony HT-ST5000 is an excellent soundbar that comes with a separate subwoofer. If you are looking for affordable option, go with this model. Overhead effects and surround performance is satisfying but there are other better models. You can have a look at Samsung HW-Q900A . This 7.1.2 soundbar has better surround sound and is louder.

Sennheiser is a high-end soundbar in terms of performance and price. Both these soundbars support Dolby Atmos and DTS: X but smart features are more in Sennheiser than in Sony. Control options and basic wireless options are similar.  In case you want to look at an alternative, you can check JBL Bar 9.1. It comes with separate satellite speakers, so surrounds are better.  

FAQ:

Is room acoustics important?

Room layout is a crucial factor that affects your sound system. Ceiling height, curtains, wall type and other things in a room affect sound quality. If you are too much serious you can look for ways like covering windows or using carpets to improve it.

Does speaker placement affect sound?

Speaker placement is important and will affect sound performance. Place the speakers making equilateral triangle with the user and change their location slightly to see the changes.