Sony completes its home theater ecosystem with a new BRAVIA Theatre range, designed as a modular, easy-to-install system that can be upgraded according to the user’s needs. With this new generation, the Japanese manufacturer enriches its catalog with two soundbars, the Sony BAR 7 and Sony BAR 5, accompanied by new subwoofers and Atmos rear speakers. A coherent approach in line with the recently launched BRAVIA Theatre strategy, aimed at creating a cinema ecosystem perfectly integrated with the brand’s TVs.
A modular philosophy at the heart of the experience
Rather than multiplying closed systems, Sony has opted for a scalable architecture. Users can build their own multi-channel installation to suit their space, needs and budget. A soundbar, for example, can be used alone, before being upgraded with one or two subwoofers and rear speakers. This logic is accompanied by a strong commitment to simplification. Installation is designed to be fast, with advanced integration with BRAVIA TVs, management via mobile app, and automated settings. The aim is to make immersive home theater experiences without technical complexity more accessible.
Sony BAR 7: the heart of the home theater system
With the new Sony BAR 7 soundbar, the Japanese manufacturer offers a solution that’s more accessible and compact (95 cm long) than the current Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 8 and Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9. It features a nine-driver architecture integrating front, side and vertical channels to reproduce an immersive sound field in Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Several passive radiators enhance bass without the need for a separate subwoofer.
This acoustic architecture, combined with the brand’s many proprietary technologies, enables the Sony BAR 7 soundbar to deliver immersive 5.1.2-channel surround sound when used on its own. For an even more immersive experience, it can be paired with rear speakers and one or two subwoofers. Sony is introducing a particularly interesting new feature here with support for two subwoofers at the same time. This configuration should provide a better distribution of low frequencies in the room, limiting dips and modal resonance, while reinforcing the overall impact of the bass.
Read: Why use two subwoofers?
The Sony BAR 7 soundbar also incorporates the Japanese manufacturer’s proprietary technologies, including 360 Spatial Sound Mapping. This is at the heart of the experience, enabling the creation of up to 11 virtual drivers to expand the soundstage without multiplying the number of physical speakers in the room.
There’s also IMAX Enhanced compatibility, as well as Voice Zoom 3 dialogue enhancement (only with a Sony Bravia TV) based on powerful artificial intelligence processing. Acoustic calibration can now be carried out using your smartphone’s microphone, with the Sony app launched to take measurements directly at the listening position. Finally, HDMI input and output support UHD 4K streams up to 120Hz, as well as VRR and ALLM gaming standards for connection to a latest-generation game console.
Sony BAR 5: a more affordable solution
With the BAR 5, Sony is targeting a wider audience looking for a simple, effective solution. At just 90 cm long and 6.4 cm thick, it is designed for medium-sized living rooms, or for users wishing to enhance their TV’s sound and dialogue clarity without a complex setup, thanks to a dedicated central channel.
Forming the new entry ticket to the Theater Bar range, the Sony Bar 5 adopts a 3.1-channel configuration accompanied by a wireless subwoofer. It promises powerful bass, clear dialogue and excellent value for money. Despite the absence of vertical drivers, Sony’s S-Force PRO Front Surround, Vertical Surround Engine and unique Upward Mixer technologies promise immersive, three-dimensional surround sound for movies and TV.
Sony Sub 8 and Sub 9: even more bass
For users wishing to take immersion even further, Sony introduces two new subwoofers designed to significantly enrich the system’s soundstage: the BRAVIA Theatre Sub 8 and Sub 9. Designed as natural complements to the range’s soundbars, they take depth, impact and realism to a new level.
The Sony BRAVIA Theatre Sub 8 uses a 200 mm driver powered by 300 W of amplification to deliver generous, full-bodied bass. It effectively reinforces the low frequencies, adding density to soundtracks. More ambitious still, with its 600 W, the Sony BRAVIA Theatre Sub 9 adopts dual 200 mm opposing drivers. This so-called force-cancellation configuration limits cabinet resonance while improving bass precision. The result is a cleaner, better-sustained sound reproduction that’s also deeper, with the ability to go all the way down to the lowest frequencies.
Beyond their respective performance, these two subwoofers are part of the system’s evolutionary approach. They allow the installation to be adapted to the size of the room and the expectations of the user, with the possibility of going even further by combining several subwoofers. This approach brings these compact solutions closer to traditional home theater configurations, while retaining the ease of integration characteristic of the Sony ecosystem.
Sony REAR 9: surround speakers with Atmos
The new Sony REAR 9 surround speakers are a central element in Sony’s immersive experience. More ambitious than the current Sony SA-RS8, they take things a step further by incorporating an 80 mm full-range, upward-firing driver dedicated to the reproduction of Dolby Atmos rear effects. This complements the drivers and tweeter for conventional surround channels.
When paired with the Sony BAR 7 soundbar, they significantly expand the soundstage to a 7.2.4-channel configuration. This upgrade transforms the soundbar into a true home theater system, capable of delivering an immersive, three-dimensional soundscape and providing an experience on par with a dedicated multi-channel setup.
With this new BRAVIA Theatre range, Sony refines its vision of modern home theater. The brand offers a fully modular alternative to conventional systems that are simpler to install, upgradeable and capable of delivering convincing immersion. The Sony BAR 7 serves as the cornerstone of this strategy, while the Sony BAR 5 makes this experience accessible to a wider audience. The new subwoofers and rear speakers round out the lineup, offering a gradual upgrade to higher-end models.
