A soundbar is essential for enhancing your TV’s audio experience—your TV’s built-in speakers simply won’t deliver the quality you deserve. Even if you’re skeptical, once you experience the difference, there’s no turning back. The experience becomes even more impressive when paired with rear speakers and a subwoofer. While audio enthusiasts might suggest building a custom home theater, complete systems are available right out of the box.
You don’t need to spend over $1,000 for a quality home theater system, though budget options may lack some premium features. A midrange solution like Sony’s Bravia Theater System 6 offers an excellent upgrade for those seeking enhanced TV audio without breaking the bank.
What’s Included in the System 6
The System 6 isn’t a flagship soundbar, but it’s not an entry-level option either. The package includes a center channel bar, two rear speakers, one external subwoofer, and all necessary cables and connectivity components.
Unlike Sony’s premium Bravia products, the System 6 lacks Wi-Fi connectivity and relies on wired connections for power. This means wireless streaming options like AirPlay, Spotify Connect, or Google Cast aren’t available.
However, Sony equipped the system with its Digital Sound Enhancement Engine to improve compressed audio quality via Bluetooth streaming. The System 6 supports Bluetooth wireless streaming, and the main soundbar features an optical input for various Dolby Digital audio formats.
Audio Format Support and Connectivity
The soundbar’s HDMI eARC input provides access to Dolby Digital audio formats, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X spatial audio formats. Without Wi-Fi, system updates require a more traditional approach—downloading software to a flash drive, plugging it into the soundbar, and manually uploading the update.
If wireless streaming isn’t a priority, the System 6 excels at delivering powerful sound for movies and TV shows. The system’s standout feature is the external subwoofer. Once positioned in your space, it transforms the audio experience. The subwoofer is substantial, weighing 25 pounds with a 15-inch cabinet.
Setup and Configuration
The System 6’s rear speakers are wired and connect to the included amp box. Once everything is connected, Sony’s Bravia Connect app guides you through the setup process.
The System 6’s 10-speaker configuration supports 5.1 or 7.1-channel setups, notably without dedicated upfiring speakers. Instead, it utilizes Sony’s virtual surround technology—an excellent option for rooms with high ceilings, as upfiring speakers require a ceiling to bounce sound effectively.
Real-World Performance
During a Monday Night Football game, the System 6 delivered an exceptional experience. The subwoofer provides impressive depth, while the main soundbar accurately reproduces announcers’ commentary. The rear speakers create an immersive atmosphere—one particularly enthusiastic fan’s cheering from the right rear speaker made it feel like being at the stadium with traveling Atlanta Falcons supporters.
The System 6 includes Night Mode, which reduces bass and enhances dialogue at lower volumes, and Voice Mode, which improves speech clarity. Additional dialogue enhancement features are available for users with select Bravia TVs.
Is the System 6 Worth It?
At its price point, the Sony Bravia Theater System 6 is a capable theater-in-a-box solution, ideal for those who want excellent performance without every premium feature. Setup requires some effort, but once operational, the system is remarkably straightforward.
The absence of Wi-Fi means popular wireless streaming options aren’t available. However, if you primarily use soundbars for TV and movie watching, this limitation shouldn’t be a significant concern.
Key Takeaways
- The Bravia Theater System 6 includes a center channel soundbar, two rear speakers, and an external subwoofer for $800
- Delivers excellent sound quality with in-app Bravia audio features and simple user experience
- Lacks Wi-Fi connectivity, limiting wireless streaming options, but doesn’t affect movie and TV performance
High-performing theater-in-a-box systems typically cost $200 to $400 more than the System 6. If you own a compatible Bravia TV, choosing the System 6 is an obvious decision. For those seeking even higher performance, consider Sony’s flagship Bravia Theater Bar 9. If permanently wired rear speakers aren’t appealing but you still want immersive surround sound, the JBL Bar 1000MK2 offers an alternative with wireless rear speakers.
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