Sony announces two 3D soundbars, new 3D home theater system

In anticipation of the roll-out of its first 3D HDTVs in the coming months, Sony is adding more accessories that make nice with the new sets. Today, the company announced a pair of soundbars and a new home theater system that are 3D compatible and reasonably price.

What 3D support from each of these units means is that it offers 3D pass-through via its HDMI v1.4 connection, which means you can route your 3D TV and 3D Blu-ray player through the three-input HDMI repeater. The 340-watt HT-CT150 (pictured) is the lower-priced soundbar and designed to accompany 32-inch Bravia TVs, while the 400-watt HT-CT350 is suited for new Bravias 40 inches and larger and comes with a bracket that lets you attach the bar to many of those TVs, whether wall-mounted or sitting on a table. Both soundbars include Sony's Digital Media Port for iPod, though they don't throw a docking cradle in for the price.

I'm not quite sure what the appeal of the HT-SF470 5.1 home theater system will be to most people, which is 3D-ready but doesn't come with a 3D Blu-ray player like the previously announced BDV-E570 and BDV-E770W systems and is priced the same as the BDV-E570. I guess if you've already purchased a 3D Blu-ray player separately, you'd appreciate the four floor-standing front and rear speakers, 1,000 watts of power, and the company's S-Air wireless technology to connect the rear speakers wirelessly.

The HT-SF470 will be available in June for $550, while the soundbars will ship in May for $300 for the HT-CT150 and $400 for the HT-CT350. Maybe you'll have a Sony 3D TV by then, too.