Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 Review: Amplifying Your Home Cinema Experience in a Crowded Market
Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8: A Solid Mid-Range Soundbar with Some Caveats
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 is a sleek and compact soundbar that promises to deliver an immersive audio experience. With its Dolby Atmos capabilities and 11 speakers, it’s designed to elevate your TV viewing experience. But does it live up to its promises? Let’s dive in and find out.
Design and Build
The Bravia Theater Bar 8 has a slim and modern design that will fit seamlessly into any living room. Measuring 1200 x 140 x 245 mm, it’s compact enough to sit in front of a TV without obstructing the view. The soundbar is made of high-quality materials, and the build quality is solid.
Performance
The Bravia Theater Bar 8 delivers a powerful and immersive audio experience, with great object placement and capable of reaching great heights. However, it falls short in terms of bass response, and music playback can suffer. The soundbar’s ability to handle Dolby Atmos soundtracks is impressive, but it’s not without its limitations.
Connectivity
The Bravia Theater Bar 8 has a decent range of connectivity options, including two HDMI ports, one of which is eARC-enabled, as well as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a USB port. However, it’s worth noting that the soundbar only has one HDMI input, which may limit its versatility.
Value
The Bravia Theater Bar 8 is a solid mid-range soundbar that offers good value for its price. However, it’s not without its flaws, and some users may find it lacking in terms of bass response and music playback.
Who is it for?
The Bravia Theater Bar 8 is ideal for those who want a compact and easy-to-use soundbar that can deliver a good audio experience. It’s perfect for small to medium-sized rooms and is suitable for TV viewing, music playback, and gaming.
Alternatives
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Sonos Beam is a great alternative. It’s a compact soundbar that delivers a similar audio experience, but with a more affordable price tag. If you’re looking for a more premium option, the Samsung HW-Q990D is a great choice. It’s a more expensive soundbar, but it offers more advanced features and a more immersive audio experience.
Conclusion
The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 is a solid mid-range soundbar that offers good value for its price. While it has some limitations, it’s a great option for those who want a compact and easy-to-use soundbar that can deliver a good audio experience. However, it’s worth considering the alternatives before making a decision.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 1200 x 140 x 245 mm
- Speaker channels: 5.0.2
- Connections: 1x HDMI out (with eARC), 1x HDMI in, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Dolby Atmos/DTS:X: Yes/Yes
- Price: $999 / £999 / AU$1,499
How I tested the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8
I tested the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 over a period of two weeks, connecting it to a Sony Bravia 8 TV in a small room and an LG G4 in a larger room. I tested it with a variety of sources, including streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs, and analyzed its sound output, bass response, and music playback.
