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Sony HT-AX7 makes 360-degree home theater audio portable

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The HT-AX7 features Sony's Spatial Sound Mapping technology for portable immersive audio
Sony
The HT-AX7 features Sony's Spatial Sound Mapping technology for portable immersive audio
Sony
The main unit has two speakers and passive radiators, and the puck-like speaker modules can be detached and positioned around the listener for a more immersive experience
Sony
The HT-AX7 comes with a 30-hour battery, with the detachable speaker modules charged by docking on top
Sony
The HT-AX7 appears to be aimed more at smartphone and tablet users than folks watching movies on a big-screen TV
Sony
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If you consume much of your audiovisual content on a smartphone or tablet, then the living-room soundbar isn't going to satisfy your listening needs. Sony's new HT-AX7 could fit the bill though, which promises room-filling immersive audio in a portable package.

The main unit rocks two front-firing drivers and two passive radiators, and is topped by a pair of speaker pucks for placement behind or in corners, which automatically pair with the main unit when detached.

The audio source – whether that's a YouTube video running on a smartphone, music streamed from a hi-fi system or movies viewed with a smart projector – pairs over Bluetooth 5.2, and the HT-AX7 can connect wirelessly with two such devices simultaneously. Decoding is only AAC and SBC though, so don't expect Dolby quality.

The HT-AX7 appears to be aimed more at smartphone and tablet users than folks watching movies on a big-screen TV
Sony

Sony has treated the portable audio setup to its Spatial Sound Mapping technology, which throws audio out front, in back and above to envelop the listener in a surround-sound bubble. A special algorithm can also analyze and upscale two-channel audio in real-time, and push out and separate sound objects for a more immersive experience.

The dinky box packs a 30-hour battery, with an 10-minute quick charge offering 150 minutes of playback. The batteries in each of the speaker pucks are charged by docking them atop the main unit.

The HT-AX7 portable theater system is available now for US$499.99.

Product page: HT-AX7

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1 comment
guzmanchinky
That's really cool! Might work well in my van!