Sony Bravia Theater Quad: 360° sound with 4 speakers

The Sony Bravia Theater Quad wireless home theater promises three-dimensional sound in Dolby Atmos and DTS:X with just four speakers. The successor to Sony’s first 4-speaker home theater system, the HT-A9, revolutionizes its design while enhancing its 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology to create up to twelve virtual speakers and ensure enveloping 360° surround sound. Is this the best solution for an immersive experience with a minimum of speakers?

What’s in the Sony Bravia Theater Quad system?

The Sony Bravia Theater Quad home theater system includes four wireless speakers, each equipped with a power cable, base and wall bracket. A box is also included to establish the connection between the TV and the speakers. All the necessary cables, including an HDMI cable, are included. Finally, a battery-powered remote control operates the entire system.

How does the Sony Bravia Theater Quad work?

In 2022, Sony revolutionized the world of home theater with the launch of the Sony HT-A9 system, now on special offer. This model offers a unique solution: three-dimensional surround sound from just four physical speakers. It’s a real hit with users looking for a discreet solution without compromising sound immersion. The new Sony Bravia Theater Quad has the same concept, while refining the formula and technologies behind it.

Read: Sony HT-A9: a wireless Dolby Atmos experience with only 4 speakers

To offer a 4.0.4-channel configuration and distribute sound over 360° with just four speakers, the manufacturer relies on a state-of-the-art acoustic design. Each satellite incorporates no fewer than four drivers, with a midbass driver and a soft-dome tweeter on the front panel, plus a new woofer specifically dedicated to bass and mounted in a base-reflex enclosure. As a result, they are more generous in the bass than the previous generation, although lovers of ultra-deep lows will still find it worthwhile to pair them with one of the range’s optional subwoofers: the Sony SA-SW3 or Sony SA-SW5. On the top panel, each speaker benefits from a driver dedicated to the vertical effects of Atmos and DTS:X tracks by reflection off the ceiling. Each driver is combined with its own S-Master HX amplifier module for a total power output of 100W RMS per speaker.

However, the real secret to delivering 360° three-dimensional sound with minimal equipment lies in 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology. Exclusive to the brand, it can create up to twelve virtual speakers from just four physical speakers. Their position in the room is taken into account by the acoustic calibration system. Each speaker incorporates two microphones to measure its height and position relative to the other speakers. It is therefore not necessary to place the speakers at the same height and symmetrically in the room, although this is recommended for an optimal experience.

What formats are compatible?

The four wireless speakers in the Sony Bravia Theater Quad home theater system are combined with a control box designed to receive and transmit sound from the TV and other sources. To do this, it features an HDMI input and an HDMI eARC/ARC port. It supports the latest cinema formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. What’s more, Sony’s new upmixer is capable of creating three-dimensional sound, even with a stereo or 5.1 program.

As for video, the control box adopts an HDMI eARC input and output, both certified HDMI 2.1. UHD 8K streams at 60 fps and 4K 120 fps are supported, ensuring perfect compatibility with latest-generation sources. Gamers will be delighted with the support of VRR and ALLM technologies to maximize fluidity and optimize the gaming experience. Last but not least, HDR programs in HLG and Dolby Vision are also included for extended dynamic range. However, we regret the absence of HDR10+. An optical input would also have been appreciated for connecting an older-generation TV.

Is it also suitable for listening to music?

The Sony Quad system is also designed for music listening sessions, with support for Chromecast and AirPlay 2 protocols enabling CD-quality streaming from a smartphone, tablet or computer. Bluetooth HD listening is also possible, thanks to the LDAC codec, which limits compression. Finally, Spotify Connect provides direct access to the Swedish platform’s content.

Wall-mounted or free-standing

Sony has completely redesigned the speakers, abandoning the cylindrical shape of the Sony HT-A9 in favor of a rather flat, parallelepiped format with rounded edges. While slimmer, these speakers are still more imposing than the previous generation, at 28cm wide, compared with 16cm previously. The new gray fabric covering is very elegant and blends in well with all types of decor.

This new design is particularly useful when the speakers are wall-mounted. By lengthening their format, Sony has managed to reduce their thickness to just 7cm. As a result, they’re almost as thin as a picture frame, blending seamlessly into the decor once mounted on the wall.

Installing the Sony Bravia Theater Quad home theater

In just a few minutes, the Sony Bravia Theater Quad system is up and running. Each of the four speakers is designed to reproduce a specific channel, which determines its placement in the room. Simply position them according to these instructions, then connect them to the mains. As soon as the hub is connected to the TV, the sound is diffused automatically. If you have a Sony TV, you can also connect the Acoustic Center Sync port using the included mini-jack cable, and have the TV play the center channel.

Connected via HDMI eARC, the Sony Bravia Theater Quad system can be switched on and off simultaneously with the associated TV. Volume control is also available via the remote control. To personalize the sound reproduction, the Sony Theater Quad remote control lets you switch between the various sound modes: Automatic, Cinema, Music, Standard and Immersive Audio Enhancement, activate night mode to limit dynamics, and adjust bass levels. You can also select the source and activate the invaluable voice mode to optimize dialogue perception.

Read: all the solutions for increasing dialogue volume in films and series

Listening impressions

The Sony Bravia Theater Quad system impressed us with its ability to create enveloping sound with just four speakers. The bubble effect was particularly successful, with sounds emanating from all directions. On the latest Top Gun: Maverick, the aerial scenes took on a new dimension, juxtaposing the impression that the F/A-18s were flying overhead with unprecedented immersion in the cockpit, depending on the shots. The energy of the fighters’ engines was reproduced with phenomenal intensity and dynamic range, enhancing the immersion and adrenalin of each scene.

Thanks to the bass driver in each speaker, the Sony Bravia Theater Quad system was much less frustrating in this register than its predecessor. Without being abyssal, the bass was reproduced with great intensity, bringing substance to action scenes. However, adding an optional Sony SA-SW3 or Sony SA-SW5 wireless subwoofer is recommended for rooms larger than 20m². In our test, the Sony SA-SW3 brought a physical dimension to Avatar 2‘s fight scenes, undeniably enhancing the sonic impact of subsonic effects.

Despite the absence of a dedicated center-channel speaker, dialogue was reproduced with remarkable clarity and was generally well centered. Occasionally, some voices switched to the surround channels when the actors were moving around the edges of the screen. However, even when the soundtrack reached its climax, with effects coming from all directions, the dialogue remained clear and distinct.

Who is the Sony Bravia Theater Quad designed for?

The Sony Bravia Theater Quad wireless home theater system is designed for cinema and gaming enthusiasts who want to rediscover the sensations of conventional home theater, without the constraints of cables and multiple components to install. Thanks to the speakers’ ultra-slim format, this system is ideal for wall mounting, although it is also suitable for positioning on a piece of furniture.

Conclusion

With the Sony Bravia Theater Quad system, the Japanese manufacturer redefines the concept of wireless home theater, offering a highly immersive three-dimensional experience with just four speakers. Thanks to 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology, the listener is immersed in the atmosphere of each program, with 360° sound effects worthy of multi-speaker systems. The new speaker design eliminates the need for an optional subwoofer, although the latter will be appreciated by infra-bass enthusiasts or those with very large living rooms.

We liked:

• The unique and innovative concept
• The immersive sound with a minimum of speakers
• The system’s high power
• The ease of use

We would have liked:

• HDR10+ compatibility
• For voices to have been consistently centered
• An optical input