Sony Australia has today announced that the range of Google Cast enabled wireless speakers, soundbars and audio receivers announced at CES will be available in Australia starting in May.
Sound bars and AV receivers
The AV-Receivers (models STR-DN1060 and STR-DN860) are Google Cast ready, with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and offer 7.2 channel audio playback. The STR-DN1060 is the more powerful of the two models offering 4K resolution upscaling and passthrough and 165 watts of power, while the STR-DN860 will still pump out 150 watts of power.
The STR-DN1060 and STR-DN860 will be available for SRP $1,299 and $1,099 respectively from May 2015 onwards.
The two soundbars coming to Australia, the HT-NT3 and HT-XT3 are both quite nice, though only the HT-NT3 is Google cast certified (they’ll also do Spotify Connect). The HT-NT3 offers a wireless subwoofer, with support for 4K content via HDCP 2.2. The HT-NT3 offers 2.1 Channel audio at 450 watts, with an ultra-slim design to fit in with your thin flat-panel display.
The HT-NT3 and HT-XT3 will be available in May 2015 for SRP $899 and $799 respectively.
Wireless Network Speakers
Sony will also be stepping into the ring with Sonos, Samsung and LG, bringing their wireless network speaker range to Australia, offering three models in the range – SRS-X99, SRS-X88 and SRS-X77 – which are all Google Cast certified, with additional support for Spotify. They’re controlled by Sony’s SongPal app.
The SRS-X99 wireless speaker features support for Sony’s Hi-res Audio with 2.1 channel audio at 154 watts, with support for 24bit/192kHz (ALAC, FLAC, AIFF) and DSD audio playback. The SRS-X99 features a 7-speaker system with extra, dual upward facing tweeters and a 94mm subwoofer for extra bass. The SRS-X99 will support Bluetooth and NFC for oen-touch pairing and wireless audio without a Wi-Fi network.
The SRS-X88 is a smaller version of the SRS-X99 with a 5-speaker system and dual passive radiators, the SRS-X88 will still put out a fairly impressive 90 watts, but also comes with a $300 drop in price to match the lesser power.
The SRS-X77 is a portable 2.1 channel wireless speaker with 10 hours of battery life. The speaker promises ‘rich bass and clear vocals’ and should give quite a respectable sound on the move.
Finally, the CMT-SX7B, is a self-contained multifunctional home audio system designed to play back music from multiple sources such as CD, USB, USB-DAC, FM, DAB+, iPad/iPhone/iPod, Walkman, Aux-in and Optical inputs and of course, Google Cast. It’s powered by Sony’s S-Master HX, DSEE HX and ClearAudio+ technologies.
The SRS-X99, SRS-X88, SRS-X77 will be available in June 2015 for SRP $899, $599 and $449 respectively. The CMT-SX7B will be available July 2015 for SRP $799.
You can find full specs for each of the products on Sony’s Asia-Pacific site:
AV Receivers: STR-DN1060 and STR-DN860
Sound Bars: HT-NT3 and HT-XT3
Wireless Network Speakers: SRS-X99, SRS-X88, SRS-X77 and CMT-SX7B
Given that these speakers were announced at CES, we’re hoping this bodes well for Sony’s new Android TV-powered televisions to arrive in Australia soon too!
Will you be checking out Sony’s new Google Cast compatible audio products? Tell us in the comments!
Why are we forced to pay $1299 for the STR-DN1060, when in the USA it’s only $599.99?? Even at today’s exchange rate that works out to $752 AUD. Almost cheaper to take a holiday in the US and bring one back rather than buying in Australia.
(And I know it can’t be just the usual “Australians earns more so we get marked up on everything”, as Bravia TVs in the USA are more expensive than here).
Massively at the wrong end of things.
Give me something I can plug into existing amp/speakers via some phono sockets that will yield a castable/syncable solution for $30. Maybe combine with a class-T amp for $99.
Otherwise you might as well stick with a chromecast in an AV amp.
Lots of money. I have a receiver and 5.1 speaker setup. The Chromecast is plugged into one of the receiver’s HDM Iinputs. Don’tt see any reason to go for I something like this.