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Hot on the heels of Sony’s 4K Ultra HDTV announcement, the manufacturer is following up with a few new details on their upcoming 2015 soundbars and A/V receivers. While not normally Android-related news, a couple of Sony’s new soundbars (along with both of their new A/V receivers) feature Google Cast technology built right in, meaning you can “cast” any audio streams from apps like Google Play Music straight to the speakers themselves.
Here are the new soundbars and A/V receivers launching in May and July:
Sony Sound Bars
- HT-ST9 (July) $1,500 – Comes with a wireless subwoofer and features 800 watts and 7.1 channel surround sound from seven amplifiers and nine speakers and a wireless, front-firing subwoofer with passive radiator. There are 3 HDMI inputs along with Bluetooth reception and transmission so you can enjoy music/movies with your Bluetooth headphones. Sony’s LDAC technology provides enhanced wireless listening for all music with compatible products. Sound was tuned by Academy Award-winning Sony Pictures engineers and is Hi-Res capable. Also supports Google Cast and Spotify Connect.
- HT-NT3 (July) $700 – Hi-Res Sound Bar with 2.1 channel audio and wireless subwoofer with 450 watts of power. Also incorporates Sony LDAC technology, single HDMI connection with 3 HDMI inputs, and audio streaming with Bluetooth and NFC connections. Google Cast ready.
- HT-CT780 (May) $450 – 330 watt 2.1 Sound Bar with wireless subwoofer and wall-mount. Features 3 HDMI inputs with one supporting 4K with HDCP 2.2, HDMI TV connectivity with Audio Return Channel support.
- HT-CT380 (May) $350 – 300 watt 2.1 Sound Bar with wireless subwoofer and Bluetooth/NFC support. Like the CT780, it can also be mounted on the wall.
Sony A/V Receivers
- STR-DN860 (May) $600 – Hi-Res Wi-Fi Network A/V Receiver offers 7.2 channels and 165 watts of power per channel. Also comes with 4K resolution upscaling and pass-through, flexible connectivity with ten HD inputs, support for two separate powered zones, and hi-res audio compatibility. Wireless connectivity includes streaming of music with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth reception and transmission, along with support for Google Cast, Apple AirPlay, and Spotify Connect.
- STR-DN1060 (May) $500 – 7.2 channel Hi-Res Wi-Fi Network A/V Receiver offers 7.2 channels and 150 watts of power, Wi-Fi music streaming, Bluetooth reception and transmission, Google Cast for Audio and Apple AirPlay. Adjust settings, change inputs, and confirm volume levels on-screen using graphical user interface, refined remote control, or SongPal App.
In case you missed it, we wanted to remind you that of Sony’s 4 soundbars, only the HT-ST9 and HT-NT3 feature Google Cast functionality, as well as both of their new receivers. If home audio is your thing, Sony’s new products should be an interesting prospect.
Nice. Glad I haven’t gotten a sound bar yet. In no rush either. This will be a little more incentive to get one
Since the soundbar probably has bluetooth already, I’m not sure there’s huge value except maybe for range, but I can’t really think of a time I was looking to play music to a device that wasn’t in bluetooth rang. I guess maybe, if you’re having a party it would be convenient for playing music off a computer.
Googlecast takes your music stream from your phone, tablet or chrome browser on your computer and hands it off to the googlecast device. then the googlecast device pulls the stream in on its own. freeing up your device to be used like nothing is happening. it just then becomes a remote control for the stream. when you use bluetooth the sound is just being duplicated from your phone. so any phone calls or sounds on your phone would also be sent to your bluetooth connected device.
And yes, Range with a googlecast is not a problem. the googlecast is connected to the internet itself. and it receives the media from the internet, not from your phone or tablet.
The Google Cast is coming, next year this time it will be a whole new landscape!