Sony at CES 2019: What’s new

January is barely underway, but Sony’s already hitting us with a wide range of launches for the new year. Sony at CES 2019 presented us with huge new 8K and 4K screens, new Bluetooth speakers, and—get this—a beer-holding karaoke speaker.

The Sony presentation started off with a few references by Tim Rothman (chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment) discussing the success of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and honestly, if you haven’t seen it yet, you’re missing out. Into the Spider-Verse is a fantastic example of what’s coming from Sony.

Expect to see punchier colours, amazing sound quality, and a stretch of wild imagination from this year’s new products. (Sadly, none of this year’s launches include your very own Spider-Gwen. You’ll have to go about finding a well-poised best friend on your own.)

Sony at CES 2019: Sony sound 

Sony will be launching a few new sound systems this year, alongside big, bright, OLED screens that double as speakers. (More on that in the TV section below!)

The brand is ready to release two new main products: the X8500, an Atmos-compatible sound bar with built-in subwoofers, and the HT-S350, a non-Atmos sound bar with a separate, wireless subwoofer. Both models offer either HDMI ARC connectivity or Bluetooth connectivity, and they’re a little old-fashioned, which I love. Neither are “smart” products that respond to voice commands, so unlike many of 2019’s newest speakers and sound bars, they won’t be listening to your living room discussions.

Also out from Sony this year is the SRS-XB12, a micro bluetooth speaker with an integrated strap. The next steps up from the XB12 are the SRS-XB22 and SRS-XB32, which have on-body colour-changing and strobing lights. All three are IP67 water- and shock-resistant, but each has unique features as well.

Finally from Sony audio is the GTK-PG10, a new Sony Extra Bass party speaker that, yes, has holders for your Solo cups. It’s a high-powered speaker with an “outdoor party mode,” and it has a rechargeable battery that offers up to 13 hours of cord-free listening. The Extra Bass party speaker is particularly ideal for karaoke, with its water-resistant top, four cup holders, and a mic input for impromptu karaoke sessions. (Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a screen for the lyrics.) The new Sony sound products begin shipping this spring.

Big vision: Screens from Sony at CES 2019

Sony’s new Master Series OLED sets will also be out this year, and they’re taking the “master” title pretty seriously. The Master Series 8K TVs come in whopping 85-inch and 98-inch models (although you can likely expect a price tag to match). The Master Series sets use a unique Picture Processor X1 Ultimate to convert 4K video into 8K, giving you better picture quality between until 8K media begins to be released.

The 8K series may be the newest of the new, but the brand will be offering larger 4K screens as well. Sony’s A9G Master Series OLED 4K TVs will come in 77-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch options, with a slightly different structure than the line’s 2018 models: a thin base instead of a kickstand-style support. It seems like Sony is pushing their 8K range (the 4K models weren’t even out for display at the Sony at CES 2019 booth), but early reviewers are already noting that the two seem to have comparable visuals. We’ll have to wait a few more months for the verdict, but both are said to be extra bright and crisp.