Sony's HT-ST7 soundbar melds HiFi with Bluetooth and NFC for $1,299

[cdmagurus.com]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/08/imght-st7buceaf-1200-copy-1375918407.jpg (http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/08/sony-ht-st7-soundbar/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget)As of late, Sony's home theater soundbar offerings (http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/26/sony-prices-and-dates-its-2013-home-and-shelf-audio-lineups/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget) haven't catered to the higher-end (http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/26/philips-htl9100-fidelio-soundbar/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget) of the market, but that changes today. The company's aluminum-clad HT-ST7 aims to take on speakers that cost much more, while offering NFC-enabled Bluetooth pairing and a plethora of wired connectivity options. The unit features nine drivers powered by seven independent amplifiers, with an included wireless subwoofer that houses dual bass drivers. Sony even opted to have Academy award-winner Paul Ottoson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_N._J._Ottosson) give audio-engineering input, no doubt figuring his golden ears could help the bar better reproduce movie dialogue. AptX (http://www.engadget.com/tag/aptx/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget) and AAC are baked in for wireless music streaming, as is other audio tech including DTS and Dolby Digital for simulated surround sound.
Aside from all that, there's a built-in IR repeater, dimmable LCD info-screen, a trio of both HDMI and Toslink inputs, as well as a single analog audio input and an audio return channel. The HT-ST7 will run space-concerned home theater enthusiasts $1,299 starting today, which includes a nifty collapsible remote. Check out the quartz-inspired design in the embedded galleries and find more details in the press release after the break. Gallery: Sony HT-ST7 soundbar (press images) (http://www.engadget.com/photos/sony-ht-st7-soundbar-press-images/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/08/imght-st7l11ucea-1200_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.engadget.com/photos/sony-ht-st7-soundbar-press-images/6086299?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/08/imght-st7l12ucea-1200_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.engadget.com/photos/sony-ht-st7-soundbar-press-images/6086300?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/08/imght-st7buceajf-1200_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.engadget.com/photos/sony-ht-st7-soundbar-press-images/6086301?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/08/imght-st7buceajrmopen-1200_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.engadget.com/photos/sony-ht-st7-soundbar-press-images/6086302?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/08/imght-st7buceajrm-1200_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.engadget.com/photos/sony-ht-st7-soundbar-press-images/6086303?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget)

Filed under: Home Entertainment (http://www.engadget.com/category/home-entertainment/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget), Portable Audio/Video (http://www.engadget.com/category/portable-audio-video/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget), HD (http://www.engadget.com/category/hd/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget), Sony (http://www.engadget.com/category/sony/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget)
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