Last month, we got a chance to check out Sony’s new home theater soundbar offerings, which are officially being unveiled today. The BRAVIA Theater Bar 6 and BRAVIA Theater System 6 offer more affordable options than the company’s current BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 and Bar 9 as well as a simpler set-up. The BRAVIA Theater Bar 6 is a soundbar+subwoofer combo (3.1.2-channel) while the System 6 includes a soundbar, powered subwoofer and rear speakers (5.1-channel). The System 6 is akin to the old “home theater in a box” systems but with simpler set-up and a single HDMI connection between TV and soundbar.
The main difference between the two systems is that the Theater Bar 6 includes up-firing drivers for enhanced height channel effects but no rear speakers, while the System 6 virtualizes the height effects while providing actual rear channel speakers. With this height virtualization, the System 6 can support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound, but without discrete drivers to provide real sound coming from above the listener. Both systems are offered as more affordable options to the company’s current BRAVIA Theater Bar 8, Bar 9 and BRAVIA Theater Quad systems.
We listened to both systems at Sony’s headquarters in Japan and they both offered a substantial upgrade compared to the speakers built into Sony’s QD-OLED and LED/LCD TVs. Bass response was solid from the included subwoofer and both systems provided a decent feeling of immersion, with the Theater System 6 more capable of creating an effective surround soundstage thanks to its included rear speakers.
The company also unveiled an upgraded version of their rear channel speakers, the BRAVIA Rear 8, which are an optional rear speaker for the BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 and BRAVIA Theater Bar 9. These speakers replace the SA-RS3S rear channel speakers in the line-up. Unlike the SA-RS5 rear speakers (which remain available), the BRAVIA Rear 8 speakers do not include upward firing drivers for height channel support.
BRAVIA Theater Bar 6
BRAVIA Theater Bar 6 is a 3.1.2ch soundbar with wireless powered subwoofer which supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding for maximum compatibility. It includes Sony’s Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force PRO Front Surround in order to create a realistic, multi-dimensional soundstage. For clear dialogue and more precise sound placement, the Bar 6 includes a dedicated center speaker in addition to the left and right front firing and left and right up-firing drivers. Paired with a compatible BRAVIA TV, the BRAVIA Theater Bar 6 supports Sony’s AI-powered Voice Zoom 3 feature which recognizes human voices to make them stand out in the mix. Of course, the feature can be turned off if you prefer to hear the creators’ intended sound mix.
BRAVIA Theater System 6
Sony BRAVIA Theater System 6 is an all-in-one 5.1-channel sound system with a subwoofer and rear speakers include for well-rounded and immersive surround sound. With height virtualization, the unit can decode both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive sound formats. Like the System 6, the Bar 6 is powered by Sony’s Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force PRO Front Surround for enhanced dimensionality. The BRAVIA Theater System 6 also supports Voice Zoom 3 which allows voices to cut through the sound mix more clearly and articulately when needed. A new Multi Stereo Mode is available for stereo music to provide balanced stereo sound to both the front and back of the room when entertaining. This is similar to the “Multi Stereo” or “Multichannel Stereo” mode available on most A/V Receivers.
The BRAVIA Theater System 6 does wireless surround a bit differently from the BRAVIA 8 and BRAVIA 9. The System 6 includes a wireless receiver/amplifier module which provides power to the rear speakers. This wireless receiver then connects to the rear speakers via speaker wires which are included in the package.
BRAVIA Theater Rear 8
BRAVIA Theater Rear 8 is an optional rear channel speaker which connects wirelessly to a compatible Sony soundbar to create an enhanced surround soundstage. It supports Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping feature to provide a more seamless integration among all of the speakers in the system, regardless of where they may be placed. BRAVIA Rear 8 wireless speakers can be used with the BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 and BRAVIA Theater Bar 9.
Integrated Operation with Sony BRAVIA TVs
While these systems can be controlled via the Sony BRAVIA Connect mobile app or a remote control, when paired with a Sony TV you can also make adjustments to speaker settings such as the soundfield and volume within the TV’s on-screen menus, using the TV’s remote control. This eliminates the need for multiple remotes for most functions and adjustments.
Pricing/Availability
As of press time, Sony has not yet announced pricing or availability for these new BRAVIA home theater products. These details are expected later this spring so stay tuned for an update.
The Bottom Line
These new soundbar products help to round out Sony’s audio offerings and will allow those on a budget to enjoy significantly better sound for their TVs. The BRAVIA Theater Bar 6 and BRAVIA Theater System 6 provide a particularly good match for Sony TVs which can exploit integrated control and Sony’s AI-powered Voice Zoom 3 feature which we have found effective at isolating and enhancing dialog in movies and TV shows. Personally, I would have liked to see the option to add rear channels to the BRAVIA Theater Bar 6 because then the customer could enjoy both discrete height channels and discrete rear channels. But for this, customers will still have to invest a bit more in the BRAVIA Theater Bar 8, Theater Bar 9 or BRAVIA Theater Quad systems.
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Lord Anton of Brick
April 2, 2025 at 4:19 pm
With Sonos and Samsung bricking their own devices making them inoperable — Sony has a real opportunity to sell a lot of these.
Remember to disable the automatic firmware updates.
Just how effective are the rear channel speakers? Many of them feel like cheap add-on products that don’t work that well.