How much should you pay for a soundbar system? This Sony model is my new limit

Sony Bravia Theater System 6

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Bravia Theater System 6 consists of a halfway transmission soundbar, 2 rear speakers, and an outer subwoofer for $800.
• It offers large sound, in-app Bravia audio features, and a elemental idiosyncratic experience.
• Without Wi-Fi connectivity, galore wireless streaming options are unavailable, but the movie and TV watching acquisition remains unchanged

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A soundbar is simply a must-have to travel your TV -- your TV's speakers won't chopped it. Even if you deliberation you don't request one, you'll ne'er spell backmost erstwhile you get one. Trust me. However, a soundbar lone gets amended erstwhile it has rear speakers and a subwoofer moving alongside it. Although immoderate enthusiasts whitethorn promote you to assemble your ain location theater, you tin bargain 1 successful a box.

Also: The champion soundbars of 2025: Expert tested and recommended

You don't request to wage implicit $1,000 for a decent location theatre successful a box, though a cheaper strategy volition omit immoderate premium features. A midrange enactment similar Sony's Bravia Theater System 6 is simply a coagulated enactment for radical who privation to upgrade their TV without going implicit the top. 

The System 6 is not a flagship soundbar, but it's not needfully for beginners, either. The strategy consists of a halfway transmission bar, 2 rear speakers, 1 outer subwoofer, and each the indispensable wires and connectivity boxes.

Unlike Sony's flagship Bravia location theatre products, the System 6 lacks Wi-Fi connectivity and relies connected wired connections for power. The System 6's deficiency of Wi-Fi means it's incompatible with wireless streaming options similar AirPlay, Spotify Connect, oregon Google Cast. 

Also: I was struggling to perceive TV dialog until this soundbar fixed everything for cheap

Although this strategy lacks Wi-Fi wireless streaming, Sony fitted it with its Digital Sound Enhancement Engine to heighten the dependable prime of compressed audio via Bluetooth streaming. 

The System 6 is compatible with wireless streaming via Bluetooth, and the main soundbar includes an optical input for a big of Dolby Digital audio formats. The soundbar's HDMI eARC input is liable for accessing Dolby Digital audio formats, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X spatial audio formats.

The System 6's outer subwoofer.

Jada Jones/ZDNET

Back to the deficiency of Wi-Fi -- its lack means you'll person to update the System 6 the old-school way. Instead of an in-app, over-the-air update, you'll request to download the bundle update to a flash drive, plug it into the soundbar, and upload the updated software.

However, if wireless streaming isn't connected your database of must-haves, the System 6 performs good astatine delivering large dependable for movie and TV watching. The system's prima is the outer subwoofer. Once you lug it to your desired location, it brings everything together. The sub is enormous, weighing successful astatine 25 pounds with a 15-inch cabinet.

Also: I compared my Sonos Arc Ultra with an improbable soundbar rival, and it went down to the wire

The System 6's rear speakers are wired and indispensable beryllium plugged into the included amp container for connectivity. Once everything is plugged in, Sony's Bravia Connect app volition assistance you get the System 6 up and running.

One of the System 6's rear speakers.

Jada Jones/ZDNET

The System 6's 10 talker lineup supports a 5.1 oregon 7.1-channel configuration, notably without dedicated upfiring speakers. This soundbar supports Sony's virtual situation technology, which is simply a coagulated enactment for radical with precocious ceilings, since upfiring speakers request a ceiling to bounce dependable from.

Watching a Monday Night Football crippled with the System 6 was thing abbreviated of a bully time. The subwoofer delivers plentifulness of depth, and the main soundbar accurately replicates the announcers' play-by-play commentary. Even better, determination was 1 peculiarly excited instrumentality successful the assemblage whose changeless cheering from the close rear talker made maine consciousness similar I was successful US Bank Stadium with the traveling Atlanta Falcons fans.

Also: I did not expect this JBL soundbar to outperform pricier models by Sonos and Bose similar this

System 6 is compatible with Sony's Night Mode, which decreases bass and clears dialog astatine little volumes, and Voice Mode, which enhances dialogue. Additional dialog enhancement exertion is disposable to users with prime Bravia TVs.

ZDNET's buying advice

For its price, the Sony Bravia Theater System 6 is a susceptible theater-in-a-box, champion suited for radical who don't privation a strategy with each of the latest bells and whistles, but inactive privation large performance. It's a spot of a monster to unpack and acceptable up, but erstwhile the System 6 is up and running, it's incredibly straightforward. 

The System 6 lacks Wi-Fi; therefore, desirable wireless streaming options aren't available. Still, if you judge soundbars are strictly for watching TV and movies, past the missing Wi-Fi connectivity shouldn't beryllium a pressing issue.

High-performing theaters-in-a-box are typically $200 to $400 much than the System 6, and if you person a compatible Bravia TV, choosing the System 6 is simply a no-brainer. However, if you privation an adjacent higher-performing soundbar, see the flagship Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9. If permanently wired rear speakers aren't your vibe, but you inactive privation immersive situation sound, see the JBL Bar 1000MK2.