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Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6: One minute evaluate
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 lives as much as the ‘Theater’ a part of its identify. If you wish to improve your TV’s audio however can’t fairly go the total house theater route, the following smartest thing is a soundbar with a separate subwoofer for prolonged, theater-like bass. As nice because the best soundbars are, not all include, and even assist, exterior subwoofers, and that low rumble a subwoofer delivers makes the most important distinction between listening to a film and feeling it.
Dolby Atmos audio system for top results take the theater expertise to the following step, and the Sony Bravia Theater 6, together with having a robust wi-fi subwoofer, has upward-firing audio system for immersive spatial audio.
Whereas the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 has some shortcomings – there’s a delayed response when utilizing Sony’s Bravia Join management app, and the soundbar’s soundstage is a bit narrower than I would love – I nonetheless assume it’s a powerful contender for the best Dolby Atmos soundbar.
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 evaluate: Value & launch date
- Launched in April 2025
- Value: $649.00 / £449.00 / AU$899
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 soundbar is extensively accessible for $649.00 / £449.00 / AU$899).
That worth is way from funds, although the Theater Bar 6 does embrace a wi-fi subwoofer, to not point out a very good characteristic set together with some first-party integration with Sony Bravia TVs. The soundbar’s upward-firing audio system, which let it ship Dolby Atmos and DTS:X top results with out resorting to digital processing, add to the associated fee as properly.
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 evaluate: Specs
|
Dimensions (W x H x D) |
Bar: 37.5 x 2.63 x 4.38 inch / 950 x 64 x 110 mm, (Sub) 8.27 x 15.28 x 15.28 inch / 210 x 388 x 388 mm |
|
Speaker channels |
3.1.2 |
|
Connections: |
1x HDMI (with eARC), optical, digital, Bluetooth, USB, IR |
|
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X |
Sure/Sure |
|
Sub included |
Sure |
|
Rear audio system included |
No |
|
Options |
Bravia Sync, DSEE, app assist |
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 evaluate: Options
- Can upmix stereo to spatial audio
- Evening mode is obvious whereas limiting audio spikes
- Voice mode is adequately subtle to not distort audio
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6’s characteristic set is a vibrant spot. There’s the aforementioned Bravia Sync (together with an enhanced dialogue mode that can be utilized with Bravia TVs) and it might probably upmix stereo audio to spatial audio. There’s Bluetooth connectivity, although no Wi-Fi streaming, and a bunch extra options that you simply’ll discover digging by way of the Sony Bravia Join app.
Most notably, I need to point out the app’s Evening Mode and Voice Mode options. The primary does an exquisite job of flattening audio so you possibly can hear it clearly, though virtually all dynamic vary has been misplaced. That makes it excellent for watching when another person in your house is asleep.
The Voice mode boosts the frequency vary the place the dialogue in films and TV reveals sits. And it does so with out distorting the best way the audio sounds, which is normally the case with voice or dialogue modes.
Utilizing the app offers you entry to much more capabilities for establishing and adjusting the soundbar. Nonetheless, there gave the impression to be a delay with each press once I examined the Theater Bar 6. If I turned up the quantity or adjusted the bass stage, I needed to do it slowly in order that the app registered and transmitted every press to the soundbar. I don’t fairly perceive the lag, because the soundbar has Bluetooth 5.3, which isn’t that previous a Bluetooth normal, and needs to be adequate to register a management command rapidly.
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 evaluate: Efficiency
- Good total audio high quality
- A lot of energy from subwoofer
- Soundstage is a bit slim
Now to the fascinating half. The Theater Bar 6’s sound high quality is superb. It’s full with out sounding bloated, and the high-end is crisp and clear. Bass from the system’s subwoofer is huge – I had the subwoofer’s stage set at 4 out of 10 and nonetheless received fairly the punch from it. Most listeners will likely be very happy with the Theater Bar 6’s sound.
That mentioned, there may be one space the place the sound falls a little bit brief. The soundstage is a bit narrower than I would love. I examined with action-packed films, akin to The Batman and Deadpool & Wolverine, and I didn’t sense quite a lot of motion with sound results. That’s to not say it’s not there. It’s simply not dramatic like one would count on from a sound system with the phrase “Theater” in it.
The Theater Bar 6’s restricted soundstage didn’t fairly take me out of the expertise, however it’s actually a limitation. Not less than the subwoofer delivers a pleasant rumble that you could really feel, and the Dolby Atmos audio system add some top to the audio. The impact is refined, however the whole lot simply sounds a little bit taller.
- Efficiency rating: 4.5 / 5
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 evaluate: Design
- Soundbar and subwoofer on the large facet
- Options upward-firing audio system
- Restricted port choice
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 is basically two items: the soundbar itself and a subwoofer. The soundbar is pretty huge, measuring 37 1/2 inches throughout, in addition to 2 5/8 inches tall and 4 3/8 inches deep (950 x 64 x 110 mm). If in case you have something smaller than a 50-inch TV, then this soundbar is just too huge for it.
It is available in matte black and has a couple of LED indicators that gentle up on the decrease proper facet each time something is modified. I do choose an precise LED show that offers extra data, however this extra minimal means of speaking modifications to settings appears to be the norm for many mid-range and funds soundbars.
This can be a 3.1.2 system with six complete audio system, with 5 of them within the soundbar itself. The left, middle, and proper audio system are all, as is anticipated, front-facing, although I might have anticipated the left and proper to perhaps angle out a little bit. The wo upward-firing audio system align with the left and proper ones. These audio system are angled in order that they’ll bounce hold forth the ceiling to the listener’s ears.
The port choice is fairly slim right here, although that’s common on this worth vary. Moreover energy, there’s one HDMI and one optical port. Each ports assist fairly a couple of options. For instance, the HDMI helps eARC, permitting you to take heed to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content material, in addition to HDMI CEC, which lets you use your TV’s distant to regulate the quantity on the soundbar. It additionally helps Bravia Sync, a characteristic that requires a Bravia TV.
In the event you plan on shopping for the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6, be sure you have sufficient area for the wi-fi subwoofer, because it’s fairly hefty, measuring 8.26 x 15.28 x 15.28 in (210 x 388 x 388 mm). It is available in the identical matte black end, has one plug for energy, a forward-facing woofer, and a bass reflex port (the large gap within the entrance) to increase bass response.
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 evaluate: Setup & usability
- Easy setup
- App is simple
- Distant management is intuitive
The bodily setup of the Theater Bar 6 may be very straightforward, simply requiring a screwdriver for attaching the rubber toes that elevate the soundbar off the floor it’s sitting on by half an inch. Connecting it to a TV simply requires both an HDMI or optical cable (Sony contains an HDMI cable).
Subwoofer setup is even simpler. After connecting it to energy, it robotically hyperlinks to the soundbar wirelessly (although there are directions on tips on how to pair if there’s a problem).
Regardless of my annoyance with the app’s lagging, setting it up and pairing it with the soundbar can be easy. There are a selection of screens to undergo, however there’s nothing complicated, and also you simply comply with the directions or reply the questions on the display.
So far as utilizing the soundbar, you both work together with it through the distant or the app, as there are not any bodily buttons on the unit. The distant is simple in its operation, and the Voice mode and Evening mode every have their very own buttons.
- Setup & usability rating: 5 / 5
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 evaluate: Worth
- Can discover Dolby Atmos fashions with a subwoofer for cheaper
- Priced about proper for the standard
- Stiff competitors from firms like Samsung
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6’s price ticket of $649.00 / £449.00 / AU$899 is nowhere close to funds. Contemplate the Hisense AX5125H with its present pricing of $299 / £349 (roughly AU$449). It’s a 5.1.2-channel system, so it not solely comes with that subwoofer and upward-firing audio system however two rear audio system for encompass sound functionality. That mentioned, it doesn’t have an app for any type of EQ or audio fine-tuning. Even worse, the rear audio system can get overwhelmed and warp. That’s a very good reminder that typically you do get what you pay for. It’s additionally value mentioning that the Hisense initially went for $449 / £499 (roughly AU$599) when it was launched in 2023.
A greater comparability is likely to be the Samsung HW-Q700C, a 3.1.2-channel soundbar system that goes for $549.99 / £599 / AU$899 that may be upgraded at a later date to encompass sound, although getting these further audio system will add $299 / £249 / AU$349 to the associated fee. It covers quite a lot of the identical floor because the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6, although the Samsung appears to endure much more from app-related connectivity points.
Ought to I purchase the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6?
|
Part |
Notes |
Rating |
|
Options |
It might upmix stereo to spatial audio and has strong Evening and Voice modes |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Efficiency |
The soundstage is a bit slim, however the sound high quality is superb, particularly the low finish, due to the highly effective subwoofer |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Design |
On the larger facet, and there is no alphanumeric LED show for management suggestions |
4 / 5 |
|
Setup & usability |
All the pieces about utilizing the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 is straightforward and intuitive |
5 / 5 |
|
Worth |
A strong mid-range soundbar. You’ll find cheaper choices with related setups, however the high quality could also be much less |
4 / 5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 evaluate: Additionally take into account
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 |
Samsung HW-Q700C |
Hisense AX5125H |
Sony HT-A7000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Value |
$649.00 / £449.00 / AU$899 |
$549.99 / £599 / AU$899 |
$299 / £349 (roughly AU$449) |
$999 / £1,299 / AU$1,699 |
|
Dimensions (w x h x d) |
Soundbar: 37.5 x 2.63 x 4.38 in (950 x 64 x 110 mm); Subwoofer: 8.27 x 15.28 x 15.28 in (210 x 388 x 388 mm) |
Soundbar: 46.5 x 18.5 x 10.7 in (1182 x 468 x 272 mm); Subwoofer: 8 x 13.8 x 11.8 in (205 x 353 x 302 mm) |
Soundbar: 36.2 x 18.8 x 3.5 in (920 x 478 x 90mm); Subwoofer: 8.5 x 12.3 x 11.9 in (210.5 x 310 x 300mm); Satellites: 3.6 x 5.7 x 4.3 in (90.1 x 140.5 x 110mm) |
51.8 x 3.1 x 5.6 in(1300 x 80 x 142 mm) |
|
Speaker channels |
3.1.2 |
3.1.2 |
5.1.2 |
7.1.2 |
|
Connections |
1x HDMI (with eARC), optical, digital, Bluetooth, USB, IR |
1 x HDMI enter, 1 x HDMI eARC assist, digital optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
1x HDMI Out (eARC), 1x HDMI in, optical, USB, 3.5mm AUX |
2 HDMI inputs, one HDMI output with eARC assist, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
|
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X |
Sure/Sure |
Sure/Sure |
Sure/Sure |
Sure/Sure |
How I examined the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6
- I used the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 for a number of weeks
- Examined with TV, films, video games, and music
I used the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 repeatedly for a number of weeks. I watched films, reveals, video games, and listened to music with it. I examined all the assorted options, particularly the assorted audio modes.
After having examined the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6, it’s clear that it’s a really perfect soundbar for anybody who needs a considerably premium, house theater-type expertise with out having to pay premium costs.
I’ve examined quite a lot of tech gear through the years, from laptops to keyboards and audio system, and so have been in a position to make use of my experience in the direction of giving an sincere and honest opinion, to not point out a vital eye, to any product I check.
- First reviewed: July 2024