So, been testing the RT5 for a few days now. UPDATE* As of this writing (16 Feb 2016), it's been a few months.
Had many movies, TV series and a few dozen hours of gaming thrown in on it.

Disclaimer:
Before I start my impressions, let me start by saying: YES, ANY mid-range 2.0 bookshelf speakers from KEF, Wharfedale, Q-accoustics, SVS or even Sony's own Core Series etc. etc. blah blah blah will blow the smithereens out of the RT5 and pretty much any soundbar. Before any smart allecks want to show off, yes I know.

I say that because I've gotten a few PMs flaming me on how mid-end bookshelfs > all soundbars. Yeah captain of obviousness, no shit.


Anyways, on to my impressions:

I would be comparing the Sony HT RT5 to the Philips HTL9100, this is because they are priced similarly and despite Philips phasing out the 9100, there are still quite a few old stocks left in many retailers.

I'll cut right to the chase on sound quality, the RT5 has a much better sub than the down-firing subs Sony was so fond of a couple years ago. Front firing is the design concept this time and it's for the better (at least in this case), the bass has noticeably better tightness and solidity. It's more controlled than any HTiB or soundbar subs Sony has done before.
The RT5's sub gives a decent enough low end, where it lacks however is not being able to scale properly into the low-mids. It can bleed and at times feel a bit too boomy. This is something the Philips HTL9100 does better. It's something Sony cannot ever get right, not being able to properly balance lows (in the 50-80hz region) and low-mids, there is a bleed in between but thankfully it's not as terrible as before.

How about the soundbar itself? It's a true LCR setup indeed. The L and R drivers are accompanied with tweeters, they're the same as that of the CT770 and CT780. Nothing great, but not bad either. There's good clarity, decent handling on crowded effects and aggressive in nature. It does however lack overall dynamics. There's not enough weight on the low mids (250-400hz region), so sometimes deep vocals or whacking effects may sound a little thin.
The center driver however, feels like a shoe horn. It's obvious Sony just took the same driver from the L/R without the tweeter just to incorporate a center speaker. But at least, I'm glad they did.

You see, the Philips HTL9100 was a 4.1 setup where the center channel was just a phantom. The problem on the 9100 was that the L/R does not have a wide enough spectrum, soundstage and depth to provide clear vocals. Sony solves this problem and although the center channel on the RT5 is pretty subpar, it's a game changer when playing proper 5.1 sources. The HTL9100 simply has no match for the RT5 in this department.
So, as shoehorn as it may be, the center channel is indeed important! Although vocals/dialogue do lack energy and any heft, it is at least much clearer than what a phantom center channel can only provide in a soundbar.

Which brings me to the highs, or the treble if you will. Tweeters does wonders to bring out energy in any source so that things wouldn't sound dull and muddy. I'm glad Sony didn't omit that, no matter how mediocre they might seem on the RT5.

There's decent energy in the highs, good enough that soundstage is heighten, but not great enough to really have that "cut through your soul" feeling when a sword goes through steel on screen. Or when a bullet ricochets off a wall, or a high pitch scream... none of that will make your hair stand or your body squirm, no the treble on the RT5 isn't that good. But how does it compare to the 9100? Similar I'd say. It's a limitation in design and economics. I wish there was more energy and sparkle, but at this price, I'm not particularly dissapointed to be honest.

*UPDATE*
Out of curiousity, I added some rubber floor standoffs onto the RT5's subwoofer and I was absolutely surprised by one thing: the boomyness has significantly decreased!
The sub now blends so much better with the front channels, there's depth on the low-end now without the vocals or front speakers sounding muddy at all. Most importantly, dialogue now sound less tinny and has some actual weight to them.

The rear speakers.
This is why people have been shifting to the whole soundbar 5.1 experience last year. Philips made it popular, it's credit to them where suddenly more and more manufacturers are coming out with 5.1 soundbar experiences. NO, before anybody starts, this isn't going to replace a full fledge HT setup, with subs half the size of an Ikea Gallant table. Far from it in fact.

But what the RT5 wants to provide, it provides well enough. The rear speakers aren't obnoxious in size, all it needs is a power cord and it connects wirelessly to the soundbar. Wouldn't it create drop outs? In my house of having 14 wireless devices, nope. Not once did the rear speakers drop out of connectivity. The use of a 5ghz channel is brilliant thinking by Sony, they didn't cheap out (if only they did the same with the PS4...). Their own "Secure Link" feature enables a specific frequency on the 5ghz spectrum that pretty much only a handfull of unknown wireless devices will ever touch. This is much like what Philips has done with their HTL9100 and kudos to Sony for thinking the same.

How do the rear speakers sound then? Decent at best, subpar mostly. Because most movies still do not actually record for Atmos/DTSX or 7.1, the vast majority relies on good ol' 5.1. With that, the rear speakers does a so-so job in ambient noises. There's discernible clarity, laid back in signature if I'd say. I do wish there's more grunt, better detail retrieval and more forward presentation though.
That said, I had very little issues pinpointing other guardians in Destiny during Crucible matches on the map, front, sides or back. In games like MGSV where stealth is important, audio cues are crucial. Again I had little issue pinpointing where enemies are when hiding behind an object without relying on the use of the sonar. The problem is they just don't sound very immersive.


So what else does the RT5 has going for its price? How about 3x HDMI inputs with 4k60p passthrough? That's both good and bad news. Good because 3 HDMI inputs is rather generous for most people getting a soundbar setup. The 4k60p passthrough though? Well, you can pass 4k60p so long the content is in 4:2:0. There 4k60p at 4:4:4 is not possible on the RT5 unfortunately. And no, there is no HDR support.

I do not know of any soundbar at the RM2.4k segment that also has as much features as the RT5. NFC? check. Bluetooth streaming to devices? Check! Screen mirroring via Google Cast? Yup. Every major audio codec from the traditional DD5.1, DTS, to lossless codecs like DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD, all CHECK! Sony even gave people the option to upmix stereo sources to multi channel via Dolby Prologic OR DTS Neo. Yeah, it's nothing special given entry level AVRs provide these kind of features, but on a mid-range soundbar? WHERE do you even find this?


On price alone, the Sony HT RT5 is unbeaten. RM2.4k is the SRP, places like Harvey Norman are selling at RM2.2k (or even less if you know how to bargain). In comparison, an entry level Yamaha NSP40 5.1 speaker set + Yamaha RXV379 would cost in about the same region as the Sony HT RT5. But sound quality alone, the Yamaha set is only marginally better with some trade offs.

The multitude of features, a decent listening experience, and a good price, there's not much Sony has done wrong on the RT5 I feel. Every once in a while, Sony comes up with a good product for its price but sadly they always become inconsistent with it.

I do still need to spend at least a few more weeks with it to come up with a definite conclusion, but there's no doubt in my mind that the RT5 is a great system for what it provides and its price point. Sony has Philips beat, where the latter's B5 (this year's version of the HTL9100) is somewhat of a disappointment, costs more and has limited functionalities.

My conclusion on the RT5 is; The RT5 isn't bad at all, but it's no where great either. Action movies can be quite immersive, games can be really fun to play. Music is the weakest point of the soundbar simply because the drivers just can't hold its own in stereo mode.
In some aspects, it shines but there niggly things that keep it from becoming a perfect entrance for surround setup beginners.

If you have a budget of RM2k or so, but absolutely want a 5.1 experiece without the fuss of a proper home theater setup, then the RT5 is for you.
Anymore than that then I'd suggest you look at a good pair of bookshelf speakers and a decent amp or entry level receiver.

This post has been edited by SSJBen: Mar 6 2016, 08:07 PM

2k for a sound bar which is just virtual 5.1 is not exactly cheap

any comments on yamaha ysp 1600 ?

Err.. I assume you're talking about the RT5?

It is A FULL FLEDGE 5.1 system, 6 speakers exactly. There is nothing virtual in surround about it. Where or when did you get the info that the RT5 is virtual 5.1?

This post has been edited by SSJBen: Nov 17 2015, 02:58 PM

Between Sony HT-RT5, Yamaha YSP-2500, Philips B5 or incoming Philips E6, which one is more recommended?

Can't compare the E6 because it doesn't exist yet.

I talked about the HTL9100 in my post above, the B5 is basically the HTL9100 with better battery life on the rear speakers and reworked DSP. They basically sound the same.
The RT5 > B5, there's no contest.

In stereo mode, YSP 2500 has better dynamics, a better balance in tonality and a more weightier sound overall. But that's in stereo mode, I repeat.
Turn on the virtual surround vs the real surround on the Sony RT5, the winner is obvious: the RT5. There's really no contest.
Feature wise, the YSP2500 and RT5 is quite neck and neck. So you can't go wrong with either of them, features alone.

Which brings us to price. The RT5 can be gotten for 2.2k, last I check the YSP2500 goes for at least 2.9k. That's RM700 difference! You gimp yourself for virtual surround for a better stereo image? Might as well get a pair of KEF Q100 + Yamaha RXV379 (or any other equivalent entry level AVR) for just a couple hundred more, of which would obliterate the YSP2500 into non-existance.

SSJBen,

How did you place rear RT5 speaker?
Ceiling mount? On top of table? or Speaker stand mount?

If the left and right rear speaker placements is not in symetrical, will its affect the sound stage(SQ)? Or is it have the auto calibration/ partial calibration?

Speaker stand, about a feet behind my sofa in the bedroom. Setup perfectly for the best possible soundstage.

There is an auto calibration mic. You can also manually set the speaker's location, the distance measurements from the center sit, and the decibels. Pretty much all you'd find on an entry level AVR's calibration is available on the RT5.

Any review on the Sony HT-ST9?

If Sony HT-RT5 vs Philips CS5530, which one is the bestest?

This post has been edited by mujinkun: Nov 19 2015, 12:35 PM

BTW, where to find Sony HT-RT5? Need to do some audition...

From which Sony shop you get the HT RT5? I search at Subang Sony, they don't have it. Other electrical shop also didn't have.

You missed a point here, bro. Yamaha YSP-2500 is not Virtual Surround, it's a True 5.1ch using sound beams and wall reflection.
http://www.whathifi.com/yamaha/ysp-2500/review


This post has been edited by hann2: Nov 23 2015, 09:43 PM

I tried to searched around the ESH at Main Place (and other surrounding electrical shop). Their inform me, the product already enter Malaysia market, but no stock.

Any place/ shop can do audition for Sony HT-RT5?
Even with no review from WhatsHifi, the specs look promising enough.

Please advise

This post has been edited by mujinkun: Nov 24 2015, 12:28 PM

I saw RT5 in KLCC Sony centre... it was on a display

btw, anyone able to give some expert opinions about ..

Philips HTL5140 vs Sony CT780?

which has a wider soundstage and better overall delivery sound quality? Any other comments about both? thx!

I didn't buy mine, Sony sent it to me for review.
However, the place that I know of that has stock is Harvey Norman. They were offering it for RM2.2k a few weeks ago, probably back at its 2.4k price now though.

For audition, Sony KLCC and The Curve has them. Harvey Norman Pavillion has it too.


Which is, virtual surround. You don't put multiple speakers in front and call it surround.
Using the walls to deflect sound = virtual surround.

Technically, surround = means multi channel. A stereo setup is surround.

But even having 20 speakers upfront does not mean you're going to get the same audio cues with actual speakers.
All the DSP is doing is expanding the soundstage by thinning out the low mids and bringing forth the treble range to have more 'air', then with the help of the room structure, helps create the rear cues. This is basically virtual surround, no matter how you want to put it.


Sound quality alone, the HTL5140 > CT780.
The Philips is noticeably more dynamic, punchier, fuller and have a more pronounced balance than the Sony.

On the subs, the Philips HTL5140 has less depth. But it is tighter and more tactile, it also doesn't sound as one-note'ish as the CT780's sub. The HTL5140 has a better balance into the low mids, where the CT780's sub usually would either sound hollow or bleed into the mids too much.

The CT780 also lacks punch in low volumes, as if it lacks amplification. This was an issue with the CT770 also, you definitely need to turn up the volume to get the most out of the soundbar.

But features wise, the HTL5140 is no match for the CT780. The latter has more HDMI ports, less input lag on the
HDMI passthrough port, supports 4k60p (this is a critical "feature" if you're planning to connect from a PC), and decodes pretty much ever lossy and lossless sound formats.

If I have to choose one, I'd choose the Philips despite the lack of the additional HDMI ports and lower input lag (important if you play games). HDMI ARC is there as long as the TV is compatible (take note, HDMI ARC does not always work!). The sound quality on the 5140 is just a whole level higher than the 780, it's difficult to pass that up despite the lack of versatility.

SSJBen

How about Sony HT-RT5 vs Philips Zenit CSS5530?

Any comments?

Only had about half an hour impressions with the CSS5530 in less than optimal conditions/area, so I don't want to comment about it as I don't have a conclusive opinion.

any comment on yamaha 1600 ?