Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad Review
Table of contents
In a year where Sony is heavily emphasizing its "Cinema is Coming Home" campaign, the company has positioned itself to bring the theatrical experience into our living rooms. While many casual viewers are satisfied with the simplicity and performance of a soundbar, some seek a more immersive audio setup without going to the lengths of a full-blown dedicated theater.
Specifications
This is where the Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad speaker system comes into play. As the successor to the HT-A9 system, the BRAVIA Theater Quad offers a new design with improved features. This system includes four wireless speakers with a combined output of 504 watts and can be paired with the optional SA-SW5 or the SA-SW3 wireless subwoofers.
Each of the four matching speakers houses a set of four drivers: a front-firing 3/4-inch tweeter, a 2 3/8-inch mid-bass driver, a 3 3/8-inch woofer, and a 3 1/8-inch upward-firing Atmos driver. The speakers are powered by their own internal amplifier. The BRAVIA Theater Quad supports all the formats you would need, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and is also IMAX Enhanced certified. The system also includes features for gaming such as VRR and ALLM, as well as connectivity options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, AirPlay 2, and Spotify.
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad also includes a control box that serves as a hub, allowing all of the speakers to communicate wirelessly with your HDMI TV. On the back of the control box, you'll find one HDMI input, one HDMI output that supports eARC, an Ethernet port for hardwiring, a port for Acoustic Center Sync, and a 12V power connector. The control box supports signals up to 8K and 4K at 120Hz and is compatible with Dolby Vision.
For this review, we were sent the SA-SW5, priced at $699. It features a 7-inch woofer powered by a built-in 300-watt amplifier and a down-firing passive radiator. The SA-SW5 connects to the BRAVIA Theater Quad wirelessly, eliminating the need for a signal cable across your floor. Its compact and wireless design makes it easy to find a suitable spot for the subwoofer. It’s worth noting that you can only pair one subwoofer with this system, so be sure to choose the appropriate size for your space.
Design
When it comes to design, the BRAVIA Theater Quad system looks completely different from the cylindrical HT-A9 that it replaces. It now features a decor-friendly flat design covered in neutral grey fabric. Sony includes both table and wall mounts, making it easy to place the speakers in your room. Each speaker is labeled at the bottom (e.g., Front Left, Front Right) for easy identification. The longer power cables provide extra flexibility during setup.
Each speaker measures 11 1/2 inches x 10 7/8 inches x 2 1/4 inches without the stand and weighs 5.5 pounds. The control box measures 6 3/8 inches x 2 1/4 inches x 6 3/8 inches and weighs roughly 2 pounds.
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.
However, the remote is not the only way to control the system. You can use your existing TV remote, thanks to the HDMI and CEC options. If you own a compatible Sony TV, the BRAVIA Theater Quad settings are automatically transferred to your TV's quick menu. You can also use the newly overhauled Sony BRAVIA Connect app, which you will need to download to set up the system.
Setup
Setup for this system is simple but does involve a few steps. When unboxing, you'll find a ton of various parts (e.g., stands, screws, power cables), but it’s not as overwhelming as it appears. The stands easily screw into the bottom of the speakers. After assembling the stands, place the speakers around the room and connect the control box to your TV using an HDMI cable. I connected this system to two different TVs, the new Sony BRAVIA 7 as well as an older Sony A9G OLED TV. For the front stage, I positioned the speakers roughly 11 inches from the wall with a slight toe-in.
Next, download the Sony BRAVIA Connect app, which will guide you through the setup process. The app will prompt you to pair any wireless subwoofers you have, and then you can run room calibration using your phone's microphone. This process takes only a few minutes and provides good results.
The app also offers additional settings, such as adjusting the subwoofer and rear speakers' volume, enabling dialogue mode, and toggling between surround and night modes. Night mode reduces the bass significantly, which is helpful for late-night viewing without disturbing others. For 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
When it comes to performance, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad speakers deliver an immersive sound. Despite being made up of only four speakers, the sound effectively covers my entire living room. For example, when watching "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire," which features some of the best bass I've heard in an Atmos mix, the opening sequence where the Ghostbusters chase the dragon ghost showcased the system's expansive sound field. The effects moved seamlessly between the four speakers and around the listener, with cohesive front-to-back integration.
The system also excels in scale and dynamics. During the action scenes in "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire," the speakers handled sudden changes in volume and intensity with ease, giving the effects a nice amount of weight to them. The 360 Spatial Sound Mapping feature adds a next-level immersion. With this feature enabled, it felt as though the sound wasn't coming directly from the speakers, but rather floating in the space around me.
Since these speakers only play down to around 90Hz, a subwoofer is essential for this system. With the SA-SW5 subwoofer connected, the system delivered impressive bass. Initially, I had the subwoofer turned up a little too high, which overpowered the other speakers and sounded a bit boomy. But after adjusting the levels, the bass output was balanced and impactful, reaching down to 28Hz in my room.
When it comes to dialogue and clarity, I thought these speakers performed very well. Since there is no center channel, owners of a compatible Sony TV can connect and use their TV's internal speakers as the center channel. Pairing this with the BRAVIA 7 added a sense of dialogue coming from the TV instead of the phantom center the Quad system provides.
However, you can hear the difference between the TV speakers and the Quad speakers. For casual viewers, this might not be an issue, but for enthusiasts, I would recommend sticking with the Phantom Center. Speaking of the phantom center, these speakers do a pretty good job of creating a center image. Engaging the dialogue mode boosts the dialogue and helps with poorly mixed movies.
What caught me by surprise was how well these speakers performed with music playback. Listening to Bryson Tiller's "Whatever She Wants" in two-channel mode was impressive, but upscaling the audio to play on all four speakers truly elevated the experience. The system delivered an immersive sound that filled the room, making the music feel more dynamic and engaging while keeping the soundstage pretty neutral.
Since this system is wireless, reliability is a crucial factor when it comes to enjoying the system. I'm happy to report that the Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad has been dependable throughout my testing period without experiencing any dropouts. I've seen a couple of discussions here on the forum where users have experienced dropouts with the HT-A9 system, but I didn’t encounter any issues during my time with the BRAVIA Theater Quad. For the past three weeks, all the speakers have worked admirably in my living room.
Conclusion
While Soundbars have come a long way in delivering quality audio, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad surpasses them, offering an immersive and versatile experience that will satisfy most home theater enthusiasts. Priced at $2,499, this system provides a comprehensive audio solution that excels in both movie and music playback. The BRAVIA Theater Quad's performance, with its seamless integration and rich sound, makes it a standout option in the market. With its reliable performance, impressive sound quality, and advanced features, the BRAVIA Theater Quad certainly stands out as an excellent choice.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Exceptional soundstage | No included subwoofer |
Not sensitive to placement | More expensive than a premium soundbar |
360 Spatial Mapping works great |
FAQ
What is 360 spatial sound?
In stereo, audio comes from only two speakers. With 360 Reality Audio, each sound source—such as vocals, instruments, and effects—is positioned on a 360-degree sphere around the listener, creating a fully immersive experience.
Do the Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad speakers run on batteries?
No, these speakers do not run on batteries. They require a power connection.
Can I connect a subwoofer by wire?
No, the system only supports wireless connection with compatible Sony subwoofers.
Does the system support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X?
Yes, the BRAVIA Theater Quad supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
