Sony Bravia Theatre System 6 Review: One of the Most Unusual Soundbars

Explore the unique design and powerful sound of the Sony Bravia Theatre System 6, a soundbar system that defies convention with Dolby Atmos and a bold setup.

An Unexpected Rebel in the Soundbar World

We’ve always had a soft spot for the quirky and the rebellious. Whether it’s the fiery gang from Stranger Things or the wild James from the latest Pretenders season, those who march to the beat of their own drum undeniably draw us in. Usually, Sony soundbars play it safe, but the Bravia Theatre System 6 turns that expectation on its head.

Unlike the typical soundbar which is usually a single sleek unit, the Bravia Theatre System 6 is a full-fledged system that includes a soundbar, a hefty subwoofer, and two surround speakers, combining wired and wireless connections in a way that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Sony Bravia Theatre System 6 Price and Market Position

Sony’s Bravia Theatre System 6, also known as HT-S60, hit the market priced at around $800. That price puts it right in the thick of an intense soundbar battlefield where options abound. Yet, none quite match what Sony has crafted here.

While many in this segment are simple standalone soundbars like the compact Sonos Beam (Gen 2), or budget-friendly wireless kits such as the Hisense AX5125H, Sony’s offering is more of a hybrid beast—a wired-wired/wireless combo that stands apart.

Availability and Usage Insights

Though Sony’s systems are not officially distributed in some regions due to corporate pauses, the Bravia Theatre System 6 has begun appearing through specialty hi-fi retailers and parallel import channels. The system typically costs around $1,000 in these markets, reflecting extra costs for import and logistics. Warranty service is usually provided by the seller for 12 months.

Good news for users: this system lacks built-in streaming or voice assistant features, so it’s free from regional restrictions. It connects via a standard European plug (220V), and the companion Sony Bravia Connect app is available in regional App Stores, making setup and tuning accessible. HDMI eARC works smoothly with local TVs, and formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X play without hiccups. Though manuals might skip native language translations, the app’s interface is intuitive enough to fill in the gaps.

A Minimalist, Yet Heavy Design

When it comes to looks, Sony keeps things minimalist. Each component rocks a matte black finish that won’t steal attention but feels solid and weighty. The true showstopper is the subwoofer—massive and heavy because it’s not just the system’s heart but its brain. All the connectivity ports and power supplies are tucked into its rear, including special terminals for the wired soundbar connection.

Key Specs at a Glance:

• Connections: HDMI eARC, optical input, 3.5mm audio jack, Bluetooth
• Supported formats: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
• Streaming: None
• Voice control: None
• Dimensions:
  • Soundbar: 6.4 x 91 x 9 cm
  • Subwoofer: 39 x 28 x 39 cm
  • Rear speakers (each): 22 x 11 x 9.8 cm

The soundbar isn't ultra-thin but fits comfortably in front of most TVs without blocking the screen. Extra feet come in the box for more secure placement on media stands.

Clever Connectivity and Speaker Layout

The soundbar connects to the subwoofer via cable, but the rear speakers pair wirelessly to a receiver located behind the viewing area. This setup avoids the nightmare of running long wires across your living room, a thoughtful design choice if you ask me. All cables are generously long, and every component can be wall-mounted for a clean look.

A tiny remote handles source selection, sound profiles, volume, bass, voice enhancement, night mode, and mute. No screens or displays on the units mean you rely on a single LED near the subwoofer’s power light—pretty inconvenient, honestly. Fortunately, Sony’s Bravia Connect app offers full control and status info, and if you own a recent Sony Bravia TV, you can tweak some settings right through your TV’s interface, which is super handy.

Behind the Scenes: Features and Sound Tech

The subwoofer rear hosts the crucial ports—HDMI eARC/ARC, optical, and a 3.5mm jack. There’s no multi-HDMI hub here, so it won’t replace your AV receiver for multiple devices.

This 5.1 system packs three proprietary X-Balanced drivers and two tweeters inside the soundbar, covering center, left, and right channels. Each rear speaker holds one X-Balanced driver and a tweeter.

The X-Balanced drivers sport a rectangular shape, increasing cone surface area compared to traditional round speakers, enabling richer air movement and a wider frequency range.

Despite lacking dedicated upward-firing drivers, the System 6 delivers Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks using Sony’s Vertical Surround Engine, which digitally crafts virtual overhead channels for immersive 3D soundscapes. S-Force Pro technology widens the soundstage left and right, enhancing spatial feel.

Sony claims a hefty 1000W total power output, with the subwoofer delivering 200W alone—an impressive punch for this price. The companion app lacks automatic room calibration but allows manual volume adjustment for rear speakers and the subwoofer, along with distance settings from your listening spot to optimize timing and balance. A test tone and SPL meter pairing can fine-tune channel levels, although approximate settings already yield excellent sound cohesion.

Sound Performance That Commands Attention

Despite its power, the System 6 seems best suited for smaller rooms where the rear speakers aren’t too far apart. Still, it performed with remarkable sonic unity even in a large test space.

Placement of rear speakers is key. Sony’s instructions suggest positioning them behind you facing the TV—unusual and inconvenient for many living rooms. Our experience suggests classical side placement beside the couch works beautifully, blending the soundbar and surrounds seamlessly for a rich presence effect.

Standard 5.1 audio tracks reveal a slight disconnect between front and rear channels—just a minor dip noticeable to trained ears. But switch to Dolby Atmos, and that gap vanishes. The sound becomes completely seamless and enveloping.

For example, in the iconic “Blade Runner 2049” test scene, the examiner’s voice appears clearly behind and slightly above, while the protagonist’s voice anchors firmly to the screen. During a scene featuring Frank Sinatra’s “Summer Wind,” the song plays perfectly in the background, and the complex futuristic city hum wraps the room convincingly. Advertisements and ambient sounds localize crisply in space.

Bass That Shakes and Shapes the Soundscape

The subwoofer is the system’s ace. It delivers such deep and powerful bass that it can literally rattle your couch, all while maintaining tight, punchy response and tonal clarity. We did catch a faint buzz during the ultra-low intro of Blade Runner 2049’s second chapter, as if something inside briefly vibrated, but this issue didn’t recur in other films during two days of testing.

Detail retrieval is outstanding. In Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World with Dolby Atmos, the crisp snap of splintering wood and cannonball impacts comes through vividly. Quiet scenes reveal subtle nuances with impressive clarity.

The soundbar also nails distance cues: in Alex Garland’s Men, mortar shells sound hauntingly distant, while gunfire behind the protagonist hits close and loud. Even chaotic sequences—Washington battle scenes, garage shootouts, or oil rig disasters—stay controlled, with crystal-clear dialogue. If you’ve ever struggled to catch actors’ lines over explosions and effects, this system might just be your salvation.

Timbre matching between the soundbar and surrounds is flawless, letting effects glide naturally through the soundstage. For the price, few systems deliver such scale, density, and immersive blockbuster sound.

Music Playback: A Solid Bonus

Many buyers hope their soundbar doubles as a music center, and the Bravia Theatre System 6 does a commendable job here. The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) edges it out with cleaner, crisper music playback, but Sony’s system compensates with a bigger, deeper sound thanks to its dedicated subwoofer. The bass remains rhythmically solid and blends beautifully with the soundbar’s output.

While punchy, dynamic musical transitions could use slightly more bite, the overall sound easily outshines many competitors in the same price bracket, avoiding the thin, lifeless sound that plagues so many budget soundbars.

Final Verdict: An Oddball Gem Worth the Effort

The thought of wrestling with cables might scare off many potential buyers, which is a shame because this system is a phenomenal value for what it delivers.

Sony’s Bravia Theatre System 6 offers expansive, deep, and room-filling sound, combining power with precise control and detail. If you can overlook its unconventional, somewhat tangled setup—which only needs to be done once—you’ll get a stellar home theater experience at a very reasonable price.

Ratings:

• Sound: 5/5
• Design: 3/5
• Features: 4/5

It delivers such deep and powerful bass that it can literally rattle your couch, all while maintaining tight, punchy response and tonal clarity.

FAQ

• What makes the Bravia Theatre System 6 different from typical soundbars?
  It is a multi-component system with a wired soundbar, large subwoofer housing all connections, and wireless rear speakers, blending wired and wireless tech uniquely.
• Does the system support Dolby Atmos?
  Yes, it uses Sony’s Vertical Surround Engine to create immersive 3D audio without dedicated upward-firing speakers.
• Can it be used as a hub for multiple HDMI devices?
  No, it only offers one HDMI eARC/ARC port and does not function as a central HDMI switch.
• Is the system easy to set up and control?
  Setup involves some wiring, especially between soundbar and subwoofer, but the Sony Bravia Connect app offers comprehensive control and easy tuning.
• How does it perform for music playback?
  It provides a deep, powerful soundstage suitable for music, though some may prefer the slightly cleaner sound of competitors like Sonos Beam.

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