Sony returns to high-end audio with ES Series speakers

Sony is making a long-awaited comeback to the high-end audio market after more than 25 years with the introduction the ES Series floor speakers.

New CEO Kaz Hirai is said to be behind Sony’s return to premium audio and the ES Series speakers are the result.

The ES Series speakers have an innovative design, top-shelf build quality and remarkable sound reproduction.

The ES Series speakers follow in the footsteps of the acclaimed AR Series and share the same two-part enclosure construction – one for the woofer and one for the mid-range and tweeter – for precise audio performance.

And it all starts with the materials and the high quality craftsmanship.

It’s made in Japan by hand from Japanese maple and English birchwood – materials well known for their acoustic qualities and ability to absorb internal vibration.

The ES Series floor standing speakers also have aluminium cone woofers, flexible spiral pressed paper cones in the midrange and fabric dome tweeters with a consistent sound over the whole audio range.

Sony’s aim with the ES Series is to create the most realistic and life-like sound possible and this was achieved by taking audio measurements in places like concert halls and large digital theatres.

Another result of this attention to detail was the onboard I-Array system which includes three tweeters – one main soft dome tweeter and two smaller ones – to help reproduce higher frequency across a wider audio range.

The ES Series speakers can be used for two-channel listening or in a home theatre and integrated with bookshelf and centre speakers with the active subwoofer for a memorable surround sound movie experience.

Tech Guide was given a demonstration of the speakers listening to music and watching a Hollywood action blockbuster.

We listened to various styles of music from jazz, easy listening and classical on CD and SACD and were impressed by the precision of the sound which was accurate enough to hear the strings and keys like we they were in the room.

The concert hall feel of some of the pieces also gave the music a real atmosphere and warmth.

The ES Series speakers could easily handle the grand and epic orchestra sound as well as the softer and more intimate music and vocals.

In movie mode the speakers were connected to Sony’s STRDA5800ES multi-channel receiver and created a rich surround sound backdrop.

The Sony ES Series speakers will be available in December with price to be announced closer to the release date.

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