Sony HT-AX7 blends portable speakers with a spatial surround system
Sony HT-AX7 is a unique Bluetooth speaker system, comprised of three battery-powered units, described by Sony as a “portable theater system”.
Rarely do portable speakers and home theater systems coexist, where portable speakers are usually single, battery-powered units, verses wired surround sound systems found in the home. Sony tears up the rule book with the release of HT-AX7, which strikes the balance between the two.
Sony HT-AX7 is a battery-powered, three-speaker Bluetooth system. Ideally, the main large unit sits in front of the listener, while the two smaller speakers sit in the rear corners of the room. These rear speakers are always automatically paired to the main unit, meaning you need only connect to the one device for the full experience. The main speaker has two front drivers and two passive radiators on each side.
Using 360 Spatial Sound Mapping and multiple phantom speakers, the HT-AX7 is able to create a 360-degree, room-filling, cinematic, spatial sound, simulating surround speakers all around the listener. You won’t be restricted to spatial content to make the most of the system. Sony’s up mixer, turns stereo sound into three-dimensional surround sound, by separating individual sound objects and redistributing them in virtual space for an immersive listening experience.
While a battery-powered system can be inconvinent for permanent at-home setups, the benefits come from wireless speakers that seamlessly blend into your enviroment. Speaking of battery, the HT-AX7 is good for 30 hours of playback on a full charge, with a 10 minute quick charge providing 2.5 hours of playback. The rear speakers are charged by simply placing them on the front speaker.
Head to the Sony Home Entertain Connect app to set-up and troubleshoot, as well as control over the soundfield, volume and more. Sony HT-AX7 can be connected to by two devices simultaneously, which makes switching sources instant.
While certainly an interesting hybrid, the Sony HT-AX7 comes with a heafty $499.99 price tag.