Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Soundbar Review
This year, Sony has taken a significant step in aligning the branding of its audio and visual products by rebranding the names of its soundbars to match its new line of TVs. Gone are the HT-A5000 and HT-A7000; instead, we are introduced to the BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 and BRAVIA Theater Bar 8. The BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 is the flagship model, while the BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 is positioned just below it as the premium option.
Despite this shift in naming, Sony has retained some of its popular models from last year, including the HT-A3000, HT-S2000, and HT-S400, which continue to serve as entry-level options. In this review, we turn our attention to the BRAVIA Theater Bar 8, which sits in the sweet spot in terms of price and performance.
Specifications
The BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 is equipped with 11 built-in speakers: two front-facing tweeters with a new 2-way design, a center tweeter, four woofers, and two up-firing and side-firing speakers. Unlike the flagship BRAVIA Theater Bar 9, it does not include beam tweeters and passive radiators.
The Bar 8 supports Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping to deliver a surround sound like experience and is compatible with Sony's optional SA-SW5 and SA-SW3 subwoofers, as well as the SA-RS3S and battery-powered SA-RS5 rear speakers. It handles key audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X and is IMAX Enhanced certified.
The system also includes features for gaming such as VRR, ALLM, and SBTM as well as connectivity options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Spotify. It can also be integrated into your smart home system with either Google Assistant or Alexa.
Design
The BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 soundbar features a simple design with a black cloth grille that wraps around the sides. It's a new design from the bottom up, compared to its predecessor. The rear has a smooth black plastic piece that sits flush against a wall.
A power button is located on the right rear, with all other controls managed through the remote or app. An LED display with two indicator lights shows the status of settings when adjusted with the remote.
The rear panel includes one HDMI 2.1 in port and an HDMI 2.1 out port supporting ARC/eARC. There is also an S-Center out connection for using your TV’s speaker as the center channel, provided your TV has a 3.5mm S-Center in port. The soundbar is on the lighter side, measuring just 10.6 lbs and weighing 43.3-inches wide by 2.6-inches tall and 4.5-inches deep.
Remote
The remote control is straightforward and functional. It includes an input button at the top, followed by Sound Field and Voice buttons to adjust audio settings. There is also a volume rocker, a bass rocker, a mute button, and a night mode button, which reduces the volume for late-night viewing. In addition to the remote, you can also use the newly overhauled Sony BRAVIA Connect app, which you’ll need to download in order to set up the system.
Setup
The setup for this soundbar is pretty simple, but it does involve a few steps. The BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 can be placed on a console beneath your TV or mounted on the wall using the included hardware. I positioned it under a Sony BRAVIA 9 and powered it on. Upon powering up, the next step is to launch the Sony BRAVIA Connect app and complete the setup process.
Once you open the Sony BRAVIA Connect app, it will guide you through the setup process. The app will prompt you to pair any wireless subwoofers or rear speakers you have and then run room calibration using your phone's microphone. This process takes only a few minutes and provides good results.
While the BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 doesn't have an extensive variety of sound modes (ie Movie, Music), it offers a few key sound settings: Voice Mode, which boosts dialogue and helps with poorly mixed movies; Night Mode for late-night viewing; and Sound Field, which is the result provided by the calibration process.
If you go into the more advanced settings, the app includes a Sound Field Setting, allowing you to choose between three surround sound modes: 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, Dolby Speaker Virtualizer, and DTS Neural:X. I found 360 Spatial Sound Mapping worked best in my space, but your experience may be different.
Another useful feature is the Height of Sound setting, which adjusts the sound based on your TV's height. Experimenting with these settings can make a noticeable difference, especially if your TV is mounted higher on the wall.
Performance
From the moment you start listening to the BRAVIA Theater Bar 8, it's evident that this soundbar was designed with movies in mind. It offers a wide soundstage and delivers a punchy sound that adds depth to any audio experience. The higher-range bass delivers a satisfying punch, especially when set to the maximum level (the default setting is mid).
However, there is a slight lack of bass due to the absence of a dedicated subwoofer, unless you opt to purchase one of Sony’s wireless subwoofers. The system effectively manages scale and dynamics, handling sudden changes in volume and intensity with ease.
When it comes to movies and TV shows, the soundbar delivers a strong cinematic experience for a soundbar. Watching "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" with the BRAVIA Theater Bar 8, offers a solid performance considering the size of this soundbar. It balanced the dynamic music with the dialogue, making sure that the music never overshadowed or overwhelmed the spoken lines.
Having recently reviewed the Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad and the Sony BRAVIA Theater U, both featuring 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, I was pleasantly surprised by how well this technology works with a single soundbar placed in front of the TV. Surround elements effectively enveloped the listening position, almost as if you had physical speakers beside you.
When the "Sound Field" feature is enabled, either through the remote control or the accompanying app, there is a noticeable transformation in the sound profile. During action movie playback and my various demo content, it improves the overall experience by adding a more lively and dynamic quality to the sound while also enveloping the listener.
Since I have a compatible Sony TV, I was also able to test Acoustic Center Sync. This feature integrates the TV speakers with the soundbar for a more cohesive soundstage. While it sounded good and did enhance the overall sound, I noticed a slight tonal difference between the TV speakers and the speakers on the BRAVIA Theater Bar 8. This difference, though subtle, can be noticeable during certain types of content.
The BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 handles music quite well. Apple Music's Dolby Atmos tracks sounded clear, with balanced highs and mids, and a decent amount of bass. While it's evident that this soundbar was primarily designed for movies, it still performs adequately for music playback.
Conclusion
Priced at $999, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 is a well-crafted soundbar that delivers a good audio experience, particularly for movie enthusiasts. Its wide soundstage, punchy sound, and features like 360 Spatial Sound Mapping create an immersive listening environment.
FAQ
What is HDMI ARC/eARC?
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) and eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) allow audio to be sent from your TV to your soundbar through a single HDMI cable, simplifying setup and improving sound quality.
Does a soundbar sound better with HDMI or Bluetooth?
Using an HDMI cable to link your TV and soundbar guarantees optimal audio quality. HDMI connections transmit digital audio, which features high bitrate formats like Dolby Atmos.
Will a soundbar improve TV sound?
Soundbars provide a valuable improvement over built-in TV speakers, particularly if you encounter difficulties in comprehending dialogue in TV shows and movies. They offer an excellent solution for enhancing your listening experience, whether you're enjoying podcasts or audiobooks, especially when you prefer the convenience of wireless casting for such content.
Do soundbars work with any TV?
Soundbars generally work with any TV that has compatible audio output options like HDMI-ARC, optical (Toslink), or analog RCA. It's essential to check the connectivity options of both your soundbar and TV. For instance, if your soundbar has only an HDMI-ARC input, your TV needs an HDMI-ARC output for proper connection. If your TV lacks HDMI-ARC, you can use alternative outputs like optical or analog RCA.
