Sony BRAVIA Theater U Wearable Speaker Review
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If you’ve ever found yourself wishing for a way to watch a movie late at night without disturbing your family or roommates, you might find wearable speakers to be the perfect solution. Unlike traditional headphones, which can be uncomfortable for long periods, wearable speakers rest comfortably on your shoulders. They provide a personal, localized audio experience without the pressure on your ears or the isolation that headphones often bring.
Granted, the idea of wearing a speaker might make you worry about looking odd or annoying to those around you. However, wearable speakers are not designed to be the next fashion trend, nor are they meant to replace headphones in all situations. Whether you’re watching a movie, playing video games, or enjoying your favorite playlist, the sound surrounds you more naturally than with headphones. Granted they won’t replace a dedicated multi-speaker home theater system, but for those who don’t want to shake the entire house, this is a compelling option.
Specifications
With that said, The Bravia Theatre U is an update to Sony’s existing wearable speakers, the NS7, and is a 360-degree audio setup that fits comfortably around your neck. It’s designed to immerse you in the audio from your TV while ensuring that people around you aren’t disturbed. This lightweight personal speaker features Sony's 360 Spatial Sound technology, delivering a full Dolby Atmos-mastered soundtrack with a compatible BRAVIA TV.
The Theatre U can connect to two devices at the same time via Bluetooth and delivers sound through an upward-facing X-Balanced Speaker Unit. It features a pair of full-range speakers that direct sound upward toward your ears, while two downward-facing slitted openings fire sound into your shoulders. This setup helps improve the low-end frequencies. With up to 12 hours of battery life, it's ideal for long movie sessions or gaming marathons. The Theatre U also supports quick charging, providing 60 minutes of playtime with just a 10-minute charge. It’s also IPX4 water resistant, so you can use it confidently in various conditions without worrying about getting it wet.
Build & Comfort
The speakers are positioned on the top of both sides and are covered with black cloth fabric, similar to what you'd find on bookshelf speakers. When worn, they face upwards, directing sound around your head. Weighing just 0.6 lbs, the Theatre U is lightweight and comfortable for extended use.
The U-shaped design rests on your shoulders with a small gap in the front, and the section behind your head is made of flexible silicon, providing some give while remaining firm. On the outside of the neckband, there is a covered USB-C port for charging and a built-in microphone.
Looking at the inside of the speaker, the controls are pretty straightforward. The left side houses the volume buttons, along with a button to pause and skip tracks. On the right side, you'll find the power button and a mute button for the microphone.
Setup
The BRAVIA Theatre U is easy to use right out of the box. Simply turn on the device and connect it via Bluetooth. To connect it to a TV, like the BRAVIA 7 used for this review, go into the Bluetooth settings and connect it as you would any other Bluetooth speaker. When connected to the BRAVIA 7, you can control the volume from the TV and toggle the 360 Spatial Sound feature, though I recommend leaving it on. More on this in a bit.
For a more customized experience, download the Sony Headphones app and you will gain access to additional controls, including a five-band EQ. Both the Headphones app and Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer app allow for further customization by uploading a photo of your face and ears, which Sony then analyzes to create a custom sound profile. While I initially doubted the effectiveness of this process, creating a profile did result in a slight improvement in sound performance, with better mid-range and detail.
Performance
While the speakers aren't as private as over-ear headphones or earbuds, they do a good job of keeping sound isolated to the wearer at mid and lower-volume levels. For example, if someone is sitting on the other side of the couch, they would barely hear what you're listening to. The sound is noticeable, but not loud enough to be annoying.
Starting with a movie like "Ford v Ferrari "and having the 360 Spatial Audio on, the BRAVIA Theatre U provides an impressive experience. I didn't expect the effect to be so prominent, but it's definitely noticeable. The sound positioning is accurate, with car engines roaring past you from right to left and front to back. Turning off the 360 Spatial Audio still results in good sound quality, but the audio loses its spatial effect and becomes more forward-focused.
Switching to another Dolby Atmos track like "Spider-Man: No Way Home," the spatial surround truly stands out. The sound of web-slinging moves seamlessly from one side to the other, making you feel like you're in the middle of the action. The ambient sounds of the city, the whoosh of Spider-Man's movements, and the directional effects create an engaging listening experience. The dialogue remains clear and does in fact shift to their position on the screen. Despite initial concerns that the sound might be too open, the drivers' focus is well-targeted, making it difficult to hear ambient noises while listening to content.
When it comes to music, I found it more enjoyable without the 3D sound feature. Listening to Daft Punk sounded really good. While it doesn’t match the quality of headphones, it performs far better than expected for a wearable neckband speaker.
Gaming is where the BRAVIA Theatre U shines. Wearing these while playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III enhances the experience by allowing you to hear sounds coming from all directions. They’re also a lot more comfortable for long gaming sessions compared to traditional headphones. One thing to note is the BRAVIA Theater U only works for single player gaming and does not support two-way communication.
It's important to note that the BRAVIA Theatre U is designed to work best when your head is in a stable position. Tilting your head left or right can cause the audio to become unbalanced, so it’s not ideal for slouching on the couch.
For phone calls, the microphone performs well. Voices come through balanced and clear, and your voice is transmitted clearly to the other end, comparable to or even better than a pair of earbuds.
Conclusion
Wearable speakers are a relatively niche market with few options available, and they offer a unique listening experience that sets them apart from traditional headphones. The BRAVIA Theatre U, priced at $299, was my first experience with a wearable speaker, and I was pleasantly surprised by its performance. The immersive sound quality, especially with 360 Spatial Audio for movies and gaming, and the comfort during extended use make it a standout choice. While it has some limitations, the overall experience was impressive.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
360 Spatial Sound effect | The bass could use a bit more depth |
Great for late-night viewing | Limited head movement |
12-hour battery life |
FAQ
Which Sony models are compatible with Bluetooth 360 Spatial Sound?
Sony's new BRAVIA 7, BRAVIA 8, BRAVIA 9, and A95L models are all compatible with Bluetooth 360 Spatial Sound.
Will this work with any TV or home theater setup, or only Sony products?
Yes, the HT-AN7 wireless neckband speaker can be connected to non-Sony TVs or home theater setups. You can listen to TV audio through the neckband speaker via a direct Bluetooth connection (for TVs that support the A2DP Bluetooth profile) or by connecting to a TV via the transmitter (sold separately).
Can you recharge the battery and use the Bluetooth speaker at the same time?
No, you cannot use the speaker while it's charging. Connecting the speaker to an AC outlet or a computer will automatically turn it off.
