Comparing Sony HT-A5000 and Polk Audio Signa S3 makes sense because it shows what devices in their segment can offer. HT-A5000 offers better sound and bass than its opponent - Signa S3. According to the results of our comparison, HT-A5000 received 7.8 points out of 10 possible, and Signa S3 was rated 6.4 points.
The HT-A5000 is rated 8 of 10 against 4 for the Signa S3 according to the audio features rating.
It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the HT-A5000 and the Signa S3.
There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. It is worth noting one of the main differences, the HT-A5000 has 5.1.2 channels, while the Signa S3 has 2.1 channels.
HT-A5000 | Signa S3 | |
---|---|---|
Built-in channels | 5.1.2 | 2.1 |
Amplification type | active | active |
Output power, W | 450 (overall) | N/A |
Separate speaker (in package) | 0 | 0 |
Separate speaker connections | has not | has not |
Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. A built-in subwoofer is only present in the HT-A5000. The Signa S3 comes with an external subwoofer.
HT-A5000 | Signa S3 | |
---|---|---|
Built-in subwoofer | ✔ | ✖ |
Separate subwoofer (in package) | ✖ | ✔ |
Separate subwoofer connections | ✖ | wireless |
Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The HT-A5000 received rating 10 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the Signa S3, in the same category, earned 4 out of 10 points.
The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. Dolby Atmos surround sound support is implemented only in Sony HT-A5000.
DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. The manufacturer has implemented DTS:X technology only in HT-A5000.
HT-A5000 | Signa S3 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual mono, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital plus, Dolby TrueHD | Dolby Digital |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | DTS HD High Resolution Audio, DTS HD Master Audio, DTS ES | ✖ |
The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services. The streaming services category rating is the same - 10 out of 10 points.
The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars. The streaming audio from Pandora, SoundCloud, it is possible to listen to each of soundbars.
HT-A5000 | Signa S3 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✔ | ✔ |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Pandora, SoundCloud | Pandora, SoundCloud |
The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: Sony HT-A5000 was rated 7 out of 10, and Polk Audio Signa S3 was rated 5 out of 10.
The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on both devices.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The HT-A5000 has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the Signa S3 got 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs from the manufacturer.
HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.
HT-A5000 | Signa S3 | |
---|---|---|
WI-FI | ✔ | ✔ |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 0 |
NFC | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI input/output | 1/1 | 1/0 |
HDMI ARC | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC | ✔ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✖ |
Optical digital input/output | 1/0 | 1/0 |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Coaxial digital input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Analog audio input/output (RCA) | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Headphone output | 0 | 0 |
Subwoofer output | 0 | 0 |
Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.
Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Signa S3 has its own remote control application. Only Polk Audio Signa S3 has a built-in microphone.
Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. However, it is impossible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.
HT-A5000 | Signa S3 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | ✔ |
App control | ✖ | ✔ |
Microphone | ✖ | ✔ |
Remote control | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room | ✖ | ✖ |
HT-A5000 | Signa S3 | |
---|---|---|
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in | 121x6.7x1.4/47.5x2.5x5.5 | 89.8x5.6x8.3/35.3x2.1x3.2 |
Weight, kg/pounds | 6.1/13.1 | 2.9/6 |