More moving/exposed parts = more things to break. The plastic/metal bottom cover is easily damaged. All the floor display models at the store I’ve see already have scratches on the bottom plate. Also, it’s not too hard for a curious child or cat to reach into the bottom opening and rip the radiator. Plus, you can also do it manually if you want. It takes seconds to set up and connect. Once it is sorted, you are now able to enjoy the unmatchable bass experience of the Bluetooth subwoofer. Sony SA-SW5 300W Wireless Subwoofer Cons 1. Not a Standalone Device Covering all those speakers is a mish-mash of textures and materials. On the front is a metal grille that covers all the front-firing drivers and a small LED screen, while on the top you’ve got a fabric mesh covering the upfiring drivers. There’s also a glossy finish on the top where you can find the touch-capacitive control buttons. Changing to music, we listen to Ani DeFranco’s Little Plastic Castle on Tidal. The stereo imaging is good, and the vocal has plenty of nuance and character. While it adds to the lively spaciousness of transients such as the ringing snare or the reverb on the solo acoustic guitar, the top-end feels a little insistent, especially when the arrangement becomes busy and brassy. The tonal depth of the satellite speakers exceeds that of other compact systems but adding the sub helps to counterbalance the high frequencies, as does listening with Immersive AE. Though in this instance, the up-mixing sounds a touch cluttered. The Sony SA-SW5 300W Wireless Subwoofer is a powerful audio accessory that aims to enhance your home theater or audio setup. As a wireless subwoofer, it offers the convenience of easy placement and eliminates the need for messy cables. Having had the opportunity to test and evaluate this subwoofer, I'd like to share my thoughts and impressions.

I have this, got it on an RS offer that put it at 900 if bought with an XR Bravia. Then they gave me a ton gift voucher as well. Added information about the new 360 Spatial Mapping feature to Sound Enhancement Features box. No changes in test results. With the Atmos format (or the less common Sony 360 Reality Audio) the HT-A7000 really shines. It was a treat to watch big-budget movies that clearly put attention into Atmos sound mixing. In Dune, the rotary dirge of the dragonfly-like ornithopters, the paranormal voices during Paul Atreides’ hallucinations, and the desert-shaking movements of the sandworms took on a multidimensional realism as sounds scattered over, around, and through the room. One notable feature of the SA-SW5 is its compatibility with Sony's digital sound processing technologies, such as Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) and ClearAudio+. These technologies work together to optimize the audio signal and enhance the overall sound quality. They can help improve the clarity and detail of compressed audio files, ensuring that you get the best possible sound regardless of the source material. Much smoother bass, sounds more natural and blends in with the A7000. Male voices sound a lot better on the SW5 compared to the SW3.There are so many connections that the cavern on the rear that’s designed to hold all the ports is on the cramped side, which is worth bearing in mind if you think you might want to access it regularly.

Even with non-Atmos media, the HT-A7000’s Immersive AE effect makes excellent use of the top-and side-firing drivers to create an enveloping soundstage than they would be when listening to lesser-equipped soundbars or the best bookshelf speakers. The HT-A7000 creates a large sweet spot that I estimate as a spherical space with a radius of 3 to 4 feet, where listeners can enjoy close to the optimal listening experience. Many home cinema enthusiasts feel that the sonic trade-offs of a soundbar are simply too significant for them to be worth considering. Still, the impracticality of a full system, especially in smaller homes or for those with children, makes them prohibitive to most people. Both options rely on fairly strict placement to create a ‘sweet spot’ for listening, which is often frustratingly narrow, and in the case of soundbars, front-heavy with inadequate rear speakers that often seem tagged on as an afterthought. But the most impressive aspects of Sony’s design lie within, where the virtual 7.1.2 soundbar’s 11 powered speaker channels deliver 500W of total output across five front-facing speakers, two up-firing speakers, two “beam” tweeters on the sides, and an internal dual-channel subwoofer. The rectangular shape of X-Balanced Speaker Units makes that subbass punchier, vocals clearer, and distortion lower, according to Sony’s claims.Subwoofers and speakers are usually quite expensive. If you have already bought a soundbar, you might think that purchasing an optional addition is useless. But, that’s not the case with Sony SA-SW5 300W.

A wireless subwoofer means that it requires no wires or cables to connect with the soundbar or other devices. However, that does not prevent its power source. You will still need a power cable to connect and start the device. Is it necessary to buy a subwoofer? My use-case may not be the best since I wasn't looking for a soundbar exclusively for TV/films, my driver was music. I tried all the sound settings, cinema, music, standard and immersive AI, but IMHO they sounded worse than my current setup, and in I felt a little too processed.

Sony HT-A7000 Review

The 300W of SA-SW5 offers an immersive and explosive bass experience. Even better, the subwoofer is equipped with a passive radiator and a 180mm driver. Whether you are listening to songs or watching movies, it impacts the entire environment. Another Sony proprietary technology, Separated Notch Edge, uses an innovative woofer surround to reduce cone distortion. Less distortion means a cleaner, punchier sound, without the excessive ‘boom’ and wallow that can afflict some subwoofers.