DESIGN and build
Each of these soundbars looks good, but is there any substance to their design?
The Sony HT-ST5000 is sheer luxe, with goldrimmed tweeters
Yamaha describes the YSP5600SW as a sound projector rather than a soundbar, and with good reason. Behind the mesh is a 46-speaker beam array, with each mini driver controlled by its own amplifier and time-delay electronics. At the edge are 12
(2 x 6) 28mm upward-angled height speakers, while in-between are 32 beam drivers used to create the front soundstage and surround. Completing this are two subwoofers. The YSP’s claimed power output is a believable 128W, with 88W distributed across the beam drivers and 40W to the woofers.
While the YSP-5600 can be purchased solo and partnered with any existing sub, we’re featuring the YSP-5600SW iteration, which includes Yamaha’s NS-SW300 subwoofer. Finished in glossy black, this sub has 250W of amplification and a powerful 10-inch driver.
The Sony HT-ST5000 is the most luxe bar in our line-up. Build quality is exceptional, and who doesn’t love a hairline finish? The fabric cover is smart, but we prefer the bar bare – the drivers are too pretty to hide away.
Positioned left and right are matching coaxial speakers with gold-rimmed, high frequency tweeters. A third coaxial, flanked by a mid-range quartet, is placed centrally.
Sat on top are two upfiring Dolby-enabled speakers for Atmos duties. Sony describes the HT-ST5000 as a 7.1.2 proposition, and claims a total power output of 800W.
In Dolby Atmos parlance, LG’s SJ9 equates to a 5.1.2 Atmos design. It has drivers facing forward, and angled at the edges; two Dolby-enabled upfiring drivers are built into the top of the bar. The total power output claims to be 500W; the wireless sub has a 200W amplifier, with the rest distributed to the seven drivers in the soundbar. The finish is gunmetal grey, and looks premium with chrome accent strips to the edge.
The compact LG sub uses a 6.5cm driver, and has a dressy fabric wrap.