Customer Ratings & Reviews
- Model:
- HTA9000
- |
- SKU:
- 6577855
Customer reviews
Rating 4.4 out of 5 stars with 670 reviews
(670 customer reviews)Rating by feature
- Value4.2
Rating 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Quality4.5
Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Ease of Use4.4
Rating 4.4 out of 5 stars
Customers are saying
Customers love the BRAVIA Theater Bar 9's sound quality, repeatedly praising its amazing and immersive audio. Many reviewers highlighted the clear, detailed sound and exceptional surround sound capabilities. The 360 spatial audio feature also received high praise. Overall, the overwhelmingly positive feedback centers on the impressive audio performance.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
- Pros mentioned:Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Love, Love, Love this Sound Bar!
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Overall: Wow! The sound is amazing. I can actually hear what the actors are saying. And the volume is at normal range. Setup: Easy. I rarely read directions and when I opened the box there was a power cable and a HDMI cable. How hard can it be? It turns out, you do need to the read the directions. It’s the large paper the same color as the packaging, right on top when you open the box. The directions are pictures only. It clearly shows to plug the HDMI cable into the TV HDMI ARC connection, not the HDMI connection. App: Sony Bravia Connect. Installs without issues. Will run through a sound check and set the soundbar up appropriately for your room and where you normally sit in the room. The settings option will allow customization. Size: The soundbar is 52” long and 4.5” wide. Additional: The soundbar is a bit longer than the table my TV sits on. I put the soundbar behind the TV so it would be a better aesthetic. The sound is still incredibly clear. There’s an English TV show I watch and I can clearly hear every word they say. I didn’t have this experience with the previous sound bar I had connected to the TV.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Wonderful, Debbi! We're glad that you are amazed by the sound quality of the soundbar. We're also happy to hear that you are able to use the app easily. Enjoy and thanks for choosing Sony. -Craig
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Good surround bar but requires app
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.In the box: • Bar speaker • Remote control • 2 AAA Batteries • TV center speaker mode cable • HDMI cable (4K, 8K transmission supported) • AC power cord • Feet • Wall mounting brackets with screws & template Setup: Connected soundbar to HDMI (ARC) port on LG C8PUA 4K UHD TV Setup requires the BRAVIA Connect app and an account with the Sony Home Entertainment & Sound Service. Users should be aware of data and privacy issues related to the associated service agreements. Initial setup efforts (several over 1.5h) stalled after network setup step with a “server unavailable” error. Setup completed as expected the following day. Sound field optimization was guided with the app. It is advised that you remove any case from your phone prior to optimization to prevent any interference with the microphone. Some steps require you to turn the phone so that the microphone is pointed up. The screen prompts conveniently invert so that you can read subsequent instructions. Soundbar Design: There are only two small lights on the front of the unit to indicate its status. The myriad of different color and blinking combinations are impossible to decipher without three pages of information in the Help Guide. The HDMI and power ports are recessed to allow for flush wall mounting. App Design: Aside from the server issue noted above, the app’s setup dialog was straightforward. The app only allows storage of one seating location at a time. Given the limitations of the indicator lights, the app is the only convenient way to determine the status of the soundbar. Operation: While there is a remote, the indicator lights are so cryptic as to make render it useless. The app is needed for almost all operations. Before installing the soundbar, I was able to control my cable box with the LG TV remote. This functionality is retained with another LG TV and Sony soundbar. It is NOT retained with the BRAVIA Theater Bar 8. I now have to use a separate remote to turn on the cable box and change channels. Audio Quality: Once optimized, the simulated surround sound is quite good. The bass is adequate when equalized to its highest level but a subwoofer would be nice addition. The voice enhancement does a very good job of clarifying dialog. Overall: Once optimized, the surround simulation is good. The disabling of my TV remote functionality for cable box power and channel selection is a real inconvenience. Dialog enhancement works very well.
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi SonyCameraGuy, we appreciate your detailed review of our product. We're glad you are enjoying your new soundbar. We understand your feedback regarding the app. Use BRAVIA Connect app to easily control BRAVIA Theater from your smartphone and change volume, sound profiles, and advanced settings.
If you require any additional support with regard to this product, please email us at socialsupport@am.sony.com with the following details: Name: Username: Model Number: Issue: Telephone Number:
Thanks for choosing Sony. ~Earl
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
A GREAT soundbar without a subwoofer? Who knew!?!
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.The Bravia Theater Bar 8 has truly impressed me after 24 hours of testing. Straight out of the box, it includes a power plug, HDMI cable, mounting brackets, pegs, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The sound quality is exceptional for a standalone soundbar. One standout feature is its HDMI 2.1 compatibility, which allows it to output 4K at 120Hz (perfect for gamers). It also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, great for both gaming and movie experiences. I connected the Bravia Bar 8 to my LG CX 65-inch TV’s eARC port and my XBox Series X to the soundbar’s HDMI IN port. Watching Bad Boys for Life on 4K Blu-ray was an awesome experience, despite the lack of a subwoofer and rear speakers. The bass is robust yet tempered and the soundstage was is pretty encompassing after calibrating with the Bravia Connect app. The 3D spatial sound mapping worked wonders when watching Stranger Things. I needed to see how it took advantage of Netflix's newly implemented spatial audio feature. Sidebar: Nothing beats the feeling of seeing all those green checks on the Xbox Audio & Visual setting details. Thanks the Bravia Bar 8 for the HDMI 2.1 connection! However, there are some negatives. There is only 1 HDMI-IN connection. While it is not a necessity if your TV has eARC on multiple inputs, 3 is usually what I'd like to see. Also, the cloth mesh material on the speakers tends to collect dust and lacks the easy to clean convenience of a metal grill. However, most frustratingly, the soundbar lacks a comprehensive LED indicator. While there is a small dot LED indicator for Atmos and DTS:X, I need more seeing visibility directly from the bar itself instead of having to reach for my phone. After using my phone all day, I prefer to leave it on the charger when I get home, and during testing, my phone was down to 10% battery. Sony, please address this in next year’s model. The remote is compact but functional, with controls for input, sound field, voice, bass, mute, and night mode. If you have a smart TV from 2016 or newer, you can use its remote for basic soundbar controls via HDMI/ARC technology. Overall, the Bravia Theater Bar 8 delivers warm, room-filling mids and impressive sound dynamics. If you happen to have Bad Boys for Life (IMAX Enhanced) be sure to play the final scene where the Helicopter crashes into the derelict mansion. The glass shattering in that scene is particularly vivid, thanks to the top-firing and wide-angle channels. Priced at $1000, it might appeal more to home theater enthusiasts, but I believe the average TV watcher will be overly very satisfied with its performance (sans sub and rear speakers). I tested it from about 8 1/2 feet away with the volume at 40. At 37 years old, my hearing is decent, so take that into consideration. In conclusion, the Bravia Theater Bar 8 is an excellent choice for anyone seeking high-quality sound without the need for additional subwoofers or rear speakers right away. 4.75/5
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi Drew B, we're glad you like our product. We appreciate your feedback regarding the number of HDMI ports, metal grill and LED indicator on your Sony unit. Thanks for choosing Sony. ~Earl
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
High end soundbar which deliveres
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 is an all-in-one soundbar which has some unique engineering and design qualities which produce an immersive entertainment experience. Able to decode the advanced Dolby Atmos and DTS-X digital output of modern content sources this unit is able to provide an impressive sound field without the need for surround speakers or an external subwoofer (more about that later). The sound bar contains eleven speakers including four front firing woofers, three front tweeters with a dedicated center channel. To provide the surround components there are two side firing speakers and two up-firing speakers (both with are used to mimic a dedicated Dolby Atmos or DTS-X experience usually provided by numerous speakers. The results are fairly impressive for a sound bar, although the bass is not exactly punchy, it does provide good lower end. Given that the built in amplifier provides 495 RMS watts, it is not underpowered or lightweight. The BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 is also compatible with specific dedicated wireless Sony subwoofers as well dedicated wireless surround speakers. For my use case, I have two distinct areas where we watch television, one room which is essentially our home theater, with dedicated surrounds, a subwoofer and ceiling firing Dolby Atmos speakers all attached to a dedicated AV Receiver. However, in my living room where the acoustics are not tuned and frankly is not meant to be a home theater I have the venerable Sony HT-CT660 sound bar (which was a monster of a soundbar, when soundbars became a thing). This Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 is an evolutionary solution for everyday television watching or music playback (given that this soundbar is Apple Airplay 2, Bluetooth and Spotify Connect compatible). Setup isn’t overly difficult and by downloading the BRAVIA Connect mobile app the setup process will actually use the microphone on your mobile device to calibrate the unit for optimal configuration based on your typical listening position. Originally, I was not overly impressed by the unit, until I determined that my LG OLED TV was passing PCM digital stream and not set to Auto. Once I set my TV to Auto and the soundbar was able to determine the digital audio stream my TV was feeding it, the performance of the soundbar became really impressive, decoding a Dolby Atmos stream. In addition, the soundbar has a few settings which really are useful, including a late night mode which reduces the dynamic range (also good for apartment dwellers), a woofer setting (three different levels), a Sound field and dialog enhancer feature. Some of these which can be accessed by the provided remote control. However, the Bravia app is best to adjust these settings and I found provided the remote control mostly unnecessary (except to provide to my wife for more basic control of the soundbar). Since this unit is ARC compatible, your TV remote can also be used for basic soundbar control. If you happen to have a Sony Bravia TV you can also use (via the provided cable) the internal TV speakers as a dedicated center channel/dialog speakers. In addition, the Sony Bravia lines of televisions will recognize and display some of the functions on the TV screen. One of the overlooked aspects of a soundbar is its ability to passthrough video streams to other devices via HDMI. This unit is compatible with 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video passthrough with support for Dolby Vision, HLG, and HDR10. The soundbar can also be controlled using Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa device. Overall, this is a very good soundbar and provides a rich audio experience in an integrated all-in-one unit. Pros: - Good immersive surround experience, Dolby Atmos and DTS-X compatible - Decent bass, you can get away without a dedicated subwoofer - Easy setup process via the BRAVIA Connect mobile app - Passthrough capabilities - Expandability within the Sony Home theater ecosystem Cons: - Wish the optional subwoofer was included - No indicator lights other than power on the soundbar. - Only one HDMI eArc and HDMI in port.
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi Bappy, we're happy to know that you like your new soundbar. We appreciate your feedback regarding light indicator, number of HDMI ports and optional subwoofer. Thanks for choosing Sony. ~Earl
- Pros mentioned:Sound quality
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Salesman misinformed me horribly.
Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.For the price and it being a stand alone system that can not be connected to home Theater A/V Unit like My Denon 7.1.2 system and can only add 4 more surround speakers due to it being stand alone. I was very disapointed and was misinformed by the sales man who told me i couls connect it to my A/V unit, & said i could add up to 7 more RS5 to get a total of 7 more speakers was disappointing. I will be returning this in the next few days. As by itself with the SW5 sub, it is ok. But for me to have perfect surround sound in my huge master suite i need to be able to add up to 7 more speakers & now i know i can only add 4 more. So hugely disappointed. Been trying to find out if i buy the Bravia 9 Bar, if i could add 7 more speakers or at minimum 5 pairs of the RS5 speakers. Hopefully i can find the answers somewhere, but not even Sony themselves can provide that answer. I had bought the Sony XR95L TV, and added the bar and sub due to connectivity issues, but if i can't connect the Bar to my Denon A/V unit it means both 4K HDMI ports on my TV are used. The only downfall to the XR95L is only 2 out of 4 HDMI are 4K and only 1 is EARC. So if you plan to buy the best OLED TV as I did, this is something you must consider when buying the Sony Bar, sub, and rear speakers.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Great sound; but is it “too much”?
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.First, I should say that the BRAVIA Theater 8 sound bar delivers superb sound, and with its ELEVEN (!) speakers, and with its Sound Field Optimization, does an admirable job simulating surround sound, based on an analysis it does during the initial setup. Once again, another product that requires an app download. I know it’s free and simplifies some things, but most of the time, I end up having to create another account, verify, etc. It features full HDMI, which includes the ability to turn on and off a (downstream) TV. This seems like a nice feature, but doesn’t take into account strict component audio-video systems where all sound is produced by a receiver/amplifier. HDMI is “smart,” and makes incredible home theater possible, but it can also insulates you from more discrete components, such as high-end speakers and the like. It can become more problematic when you have several “smart” devices (like a surround sound receiver/amplifier and a smart speaker system, like the BRAVIA Theater 8). Do they compete for control? Who wins? Can one act in a “slave mode” (relinquishing control) so that something else can control the system? Can a device control everything else, or are there components that just don’t play well together? I say all this because I am “old school” and I question the implementation of HDMI in speakers. Perhaps speakers should simply be component-level devices driven by a surround sound receiver/amplifier. Overall, the BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 is a nice addition to an audio-video system with stereo speakers, and a fantastic choice if you only have a TV. I’d have given 3.5 stars, if that were possible. It’s not, so I focused on its superior sound quality and gave it four stars.
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi dsjjfgrn, we're glad you like our product. We appreciate your feedback regarding your soundbar. Thanks for choosing Sony. ~Earl
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
One great sound bar for your house
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.In full disclosure, I am a firm believer in Sony technology and my TV was already a Bravia model. The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 is a natural combination for my living room set. I tested the model for a few days (5 in total) and to be safe with my feedback, I tried all kinds of shows: movies, sports, talk shows, and news. After all those tests, I can affirm that this is the best soundbar that I own (I have 3 right now at home). I love that Sony always includes all the components needed for the use of the product since day one and this is not an exception. The box includes the ARC/HDI cable, the remote (with batteries), and the power cord, all as expected. In this case, it also includes the wall mount brackets and the instructions for a definitive installation on your walls. In case you decide that the bar could be used with other inputs, note that Bluetooth is an option as one audio jack. The initial setup is summarized in four basic steps that are quite intuitive: connect to your TV, sound, and power cords and the Bravia Connect app does the rest. I found it strange that the quick start instructions are not in a separate paper but on one of the cardboards covering the bar you could miss them once you unbox the bar. Note that after installation, the app recognizes the bar, and the setup is launched. After connecting to your home wireless, you will be able to download the last firmware version (that was quick) and optimize the sound delivery, which includes a measurement of the space and your position in that space. This bar has eleven speakers so, the coverage of the entire space is absolutely guaranteed but its capacity to deliver a surrounding sound is out of this world. The bar does not include a separate subwoofer but if you decide to go for it, the bar will connect to them also with Bluetooth. I note that because I own a Bravia TV, my usage of the app or the bar remote is very limited for basic functioning, all goes directly from the TV remote and the TV sound setup. However, I strongly recommend spending some time in the app settings, when you see the different options play extensively with the ‘Sound Settings” when you change your content. The specs are clear the bar, supports all the sound formats in the market: Dolby, DTS, and IMAX but one of the options that worked the best for me is activating the automatic volume adjustment to minimize volume changes when there are changes in the input signals. More obvious options are the adjustment of the 3 Bass levels (min, mid, or max) to obtain a quality sound. This is still a great option even without annexed subwoofers. The final, test was the bar power, it’s clear that this is a monster and complements any TV. It’s so powerful that it’s impossible to stay in a room (mid-size) with more power than 50%. Great quality and great aesthetics complement the package. One single complaint that I hope is not a problem, I wish that Sony would increase the warranty period. For such an investment, more than a year could be nicer. This is a great option and a great addition to your living room.
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi Luis, we're glad you like our newest product. We appreciate your feedback regarding the warranty. Thanks for choosing Sony. ~Earl
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Very nice soundbar. I would definitely recommend
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8, having 11 speakers and supporting both Dolby Atmos and DTS: X is a solid option if you're in the market for home theater sound but don't have the space for an entire set of individual speakers. As with any home audio, what matters most is the overall quality of the sound it produces, No one wants to sit down to watch a Hollywood blockbuster or listen to their favorite albums and be greeted with something sub par and disappointing. Luckily, the Bar 8 handily delivers, especially where Atmos is concerned. In addition to watching films that make use of Dolby Atmos, many of the albums I listen to via my streaming music subscription do also. I was eager to test this out and boy am I impressed. All of the effects present on Harry Styles' "Harry's House" album that I experienced while listening via a friend's multi-thousand dollar discrete speaker system were present and accounted for. I heard it all, loud and clear, and without the clutter of speakers all over the place and hefty expense. Kudos to Sony for figuring out how to pull this off! There is one drawback though. I feel that the bass is a bit lacking for something the size of this device. It's not bad by any means, but I was hoping for a bit more punch. Sure, you can pair this with a wireless sub and have bass to your heart's content, but I have heard the bass from other soundbars with no added sub that came through better. To be fair, their overall sound can't touch the Bravia 8 though. All in all, this is a solid recommend for me. I think anyone, especially in a smaller space, would be 100% satisfied with this product.
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi TotalTechGeek,
Thank you for reaching out to us today! We're glad to hear that you like the sound quality of the soundbar. We appreciate the recommendation and thank you for choosing Sony!
-David
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Frustrating user experience
Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I paired the BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with the SA-SW3 subwoofer, and I'm glad I did because I would have been very unhappy with the Theater Bar itself. I'm not sure if it's the acoustics of our house or the fact that we still have a 10 year old smart TV, but the sound while watching movies is underwhelming. I do think that our 15 year old blu ray player could be blamed for that as well. I couldn't get the movie to play loud enough even at the highest level. So while that is not the sound bars fault, I do blame the lack of documentation. That's the real reason I'm only giving it 4 stars. It was absolutely awful trying to get it setup using our old TV, and I almost took it back because I couldn't get it working because we don't have an eARC HDMI port. I'm replacing an 8 year old Sony Soundbar which I used the optical sound cable, and this soundbar doesn't have that. The app you have to use to setup this soundbar allowed me to connect regardless of not having the eARC port, but it didn't help with figuring out HOW to do it. We eventually just plugged the ROKU or Blu Ray player directly into the soundbar, but now that leaves us with having to change it each time - I still need to research some sort of adapter. The experience has just been awful. I didn't know it would require all these workarounds or I would have just kept the old soundbar and bought a shelf (trying to downsize an entertainment center). Online help has been difficult as well and either refers you to the app or to "press the home button on the remote" which the Theater Bar 8 doesn't have. I'd recommend the soundbar, but would maybe only do so if you have a newer TV with the eARC port.
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi JenniferW, We regret to hear that the sound did not meet your expectations. Sony values the opinions of customers and is always striving to make Sony better. We appreciate your time sharing this feedback. We'd also like to help you troubleshoot your concern, please email us at socialsupport@am.sony.com for further assistance. Regards, Erin
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Mind blowing sound, app control necessary
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I was looking for an upgrade to my current Sony theater bar so I decided on this Bravia Bar 8 with 11 speakers. I figured it would add some missing surround sound and maybe a little extra bass. Out of the box, this is mainly plug-n-play which is simple, though maybe not as good as it seems. I have a high end subwoofer from another brand I wanted to connect, but there are no connection for that, only wireless. Setting up the speaker requires an app download and uses your smartphone's microphone to get your seating position. It then sends tones to each speaker group and uses the phone's mic to map the room for spatial surround. It seems you need the phone every time you want to change the sound field settings. My old sound bar had a small digital display telling me what setting I was on. Sounds like I have a lot of cons about this sound bar, but it really adds a cinematic experience to everyday television shows. The neural DTS-X is quite immersive and the up-firing speakers improve the overall effect. When connected to a Blu-ray player, the sound is amazing! You almost don't need a subwoofer. When it's receiving a Dolby Atmos signal, horror films are bone chilling, action films are spellbinding; it's just that much better. Once you play with the settings and get the sound and features just the way you want them, this sound bar rewards you with a great experience.
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi joecaffe, we're glad you are enjoying our product. Thanks for choosing Sony! ~Earl
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Expectations Exceeded
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.In the box is the speaker, power cord, remote with AAA batteries, 3.5 mm headphone cord, HDMI cord, wall mounts with a wall mount template, instructional manual with QR code (for the help manual) and addition warranty information. First Impression - A lot of speakers packed into a decent sized sound bar. The Sony Bravia Connect App - First off, I am not a big fan of downloading apps but this one is definitely necessary for setup. Not only does it complete a software update but it also walks you through the room setup. During the setup, it will also ask if you have additional rear or sub woofer speakers that you would like to add as well. Something that was new to me was setting up the room location with the app, which I was able to use my phone to tell the soundbar where I sit in the room and where the middle of the room was also. I also like being able to have the remote on the app as well. So many times, we are searching for remotes in my household and this one is small, so I am pretty sure it will get lost quickly in my household; it is a little thicker than my Apple TV remote, so we maybe able to keep up with it a little better. Sound - So far, the sound is really sharp and the Dolby Atmos sounds really good. I also blue-toothed my music app and the music sounds great. (I listened to Classical-piano and violin and it was AMAZING, R&B, Reggae, Alternative, Country, Hip Hop) I watched a few movies that were in Dolby Atmos and they of course sounded excellent but there were a few that I wish I had my subwoofer but the bass still sounded good. There is a voice button on the app and it’s definitely great when I want to watch my regular network shows. I find myself adjusting the bass from mid to max when I am watching different movies or listening to different music. Beware, the bass is sufficient if you don’t want to shake house with a subwoofer. But if you like to shake the house then you can definitely add it. (In the app, there is a night mode and you can connect your Spotify account.) Overall, I am really happy with this sound bar and in my opinion, it sounds great by itself. The room that I am currently using it in is perfect. I would definitely recommend this product to friends and family.
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi CoppinFam, we're glad you are happy with your purchase! Enjoy your new soundbar! Thanks for choosing Sony! ~Earl
- Pros mentioned:Sound qualityCons mentioned:Bass
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent soundbar
Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Great sound. A major upgrade from my previous soundbar. The only knock I have on it is the bass. Adding a sub is a must
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi nino313, Thanks for the 5-star rating! Enjoy and thanks for choosing Sony. -Carl
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Do not buy this without the matching subwoofer
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Each new generation of sound bar attempts the impossible: trick your ears into thinking you own more physical speakers than you do. Each year the technology gets closer to achieving this. Sony’s attempt at this trick with the Bravia Theater Bar 8 (Bar 8 from here on out) packs 11 speakers into the sound bar: 7 forward facing, 2 side facing, and 2 upward firing to create what Sony describes as 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, but without the optional subwoofer the audio feels lifeless and flat, yet still capable of being loud. Sony makes it a breeze to unbox and setup this 10-pound 3.5 feet long soundbar offering clear visual setup guides that like all things digital today recommends physically connecting and powering on the device then installing an app on your smartphone to complete the setup. I think Sony needs to re-think how wide they make the HDMI port section of the soundbar. I use thick in-wall HDMI cables and they were barely able to fit into the tiny space available to plug them into the soundbar. The phone app pairing process was fast and stress free. Because I’m using a projector that does not support eARC the first thing I had to do to get any sound from the sound bar was to disable the Bar 8 eARC functionality using the app. I was pleased there were no zero-day firmware updates required and after tapping my way through all the menu items in the app it was time to bask in some audio glory. I should mention another useful item that ships with the Bar 8 is a set of risers that are designed to be used when your TV sits on a TV stand that has legs that protrude out making it impossible to position the sound bar flat in front of the TV. The risers offer just enough height to overcome this problem. I do not own a Sony Bravia TV and I do not have the Sony SA-SW3 or SA-SW5 subwoofer that pair with this soundbar so I can not experience the acoustic center sync feature or the Bravia Voice Zoom 3. I do not own the Sony recommended SA-RS5 rear speakers which means I DTS-X audio support is excluded as is the IMAX Enhanced support as both these modes require a sub and the rear speakers with the IMAX Enhanced feature still in development and coming in a future firmware update. I do own a PlayStation 5 (PS5) so I figured that would give me the best optimized audio experience. After a few hours of playing Spiderman 2, Fortnite, and Kena: Bridge of Spirit I was disappointed at how flat the audio felt which sent me down the technical troubleshooting rabbit hole of “what am I doing wrong here?” In the Bravia App there’s a number of tweaks that can be made to the audio experience. It quickly became clear to me that the 360 spatial sound mapping expects the end user to own a sub and the two rear speakers for an optimal audio experience. Without these three additional components, the 360 spatial sound mapping feels flat. Under Sound Settings > Sound Field Setting I found that turning off the 360 Spatial Sound mapping and setting the sound bar to use Dolby Speaker Virtualizer offered the next best audio experience. Moving off of the PS5, I began experimenting with audio coming from my primary viewing source: the Nvidia Shield TV Pro. With the YouTube app, the Disney+ app, and the Plex app being my 3 primary methods of “watching TV” I spent a few hours rolling through a mix of PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos and even some older stereo content. I could not shake the audio sensation of hearing a hollowness from the content making me question if I had something configured incorrectly. The sound bar only includes a couple of LED lights that respond when using the remote to press the volume buttons or to acknowledge buttons pressed on the remote, but if you keep the Bravia connect app open, the HDMI connection bar at the top of the app displays the audio formats being used to play the content. This is useful when you need to validate that Plex is not transcoding your audio. As a last ditch troubleshooting effort I began cranking up the volume and discovered that when the sound bar reached a volume number between 44 - 49, about double the level that I consider to be a comfortable volume, a few more acoustic details of the content began to express themselves. For example in the Dolby Atmos Amaze demo the rain began to feel more authentic and in the Dolby Leaf demo the leaf seemed to travel a bit further above the room than before. As a sanity check I grabbed a different sound bar and repeated the same tests with and without the other sound bar’s subwoofer and came to the same conclusion: without a dedicated sub, the Bar 8 does not produce the audio experience you are expecting, but I’m willing to bet that if you do pair this soundbar with the Bravia sub you would not be disappointed.
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi vortex0007, we appreciate your detailed review of our product. BRAVIA Theatre Bar 8 combines physical and phantom speakers, creating a wider surround sound field that covers more of the room. Now more people can enjoy the same immersive surround experience. By using phantom speakers, 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology achieves wider coverage than conventional virtual surround systems. Bring authentic cinema surround sound quality to your living room. BRAVIA Theatre Bar 8 not only supports industry-standard formats including Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X®, but also has IMAX® Enhanced certification. Thanks for choosing Sony. ~Earl
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Great for Smaller Spaces
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I decided to place this soundbar in my bedroom which is smaller at 120 sf. Set up was simple and I immediately connected through HDMI Arc with my TV. The first movie I watched after set up was Dune since it was suggested for experiencing Dolby Atmos sound and the feeling of immersion and being surrounded by a different world. Although the elements of movie theater quality sound are there, they aren't completely captivating as full surround sound would be. This soundbar can be paired with a subwoofer and rear speakers so although there is 360 spatial sound mapping technology, I never felt as though I was completely immersed. Despite that, I still enjoyed the quality of sound with stunning clarity in every scene. The quality was just as impressive while enjoying some music. As the music filled the room, I can hear every intricate detail of the drums, the vocals, the string instruments, and the flowing rhythm which created an enjoyable listening experience. Overall, I like the soundbar for my smaller bedroom but I would not move to my living room without the combination of the subwoofer and rear speakers.
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi EXWOLF, awesome! We're glad you are enjoying your new soundbar! Thanks for choosing Sony! ~Earl
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Sound in your face and all around
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Eleven speakers in a single bar that fire in every direction that you could want! The sound is incredible and, if your room is small and reflective enough, you won't need surrounds. The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 is the best speakerbar I've ever owned, the older Bravia used to be my favorite. The sound literally surrounds you and emulates surround sound. In a smaller room the sound seems like it's coming from everywhere and you'd swear that you have rear speakers already installed. But that trickery gets a bit weaker in a larger room. It still gives a sense of rear speakers, but just not as well. I bought a set of rear speakers and a sub fill those slight holes in the sound. The bass, while not booming, isn't lacking without a sub. The sound is full, voices clear, and the volume gets pretty loud to fill the house. But I like the deep sub bass so I had to get the subwoofer. I have the SW5 from my old set, but settled with an SW3 and paired it to the old bar and put the Theater Bar 8 in the main TV spot. Everything paired without issue. The only thing I do wish is that there were more HDMI ports. The TV I have only has 3 ports and 1 ARC port. So that leaves only 3 inputs for the 5 devices I have hooked up - 2 consoles, 1 PC, 2 streaming devices (until Rifftrax adds an Android TV app I need 2 streamers). It's not a big deal after getting an HDMI switch, but it would be nice to not need it. With the quality sound it puts out and the ease of setup, Sony has another with the Bravia Theater Bar 8.
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi MadSquabbles, we're glad you are enjoying our product! We appreciate your feedback regarding the number of the HDMI ports on your Sony unit. Thanks for choosing Sony! ~Earl
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Amazing Sony Sound Bar
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Incredible Experience This is definitely a super advanced sound bar with all the latest features that provide high resolution audio with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX. The First thing I noticed especially when playing music to the bar, Sounded like I was hearing the artist's intended sound. I was hearing more instruments in the mix. The 11 Speakers for forward, sides and upward especially with 360 spatial sound mapping creating a cinema style sound The Bravia app The app does a great job of sound mapping. Setting up the app and syncing devices was very seamless. The sound field optimization feature calibrated flawlessly with my room. It was very quick. There are so many choices for settings in the app. Sound field, voice mode, night mode. Bass level. Volume control. Wireless speaker set up. 360 reality audio. lets just say theres alot to tweak from the app and more than I just mentioned. You can also switch between TV-HDMI-BLUETOOTH for your audio input signals. Other Great Features This bar supports 4K HDR, 8K HDR, Dolby Vision, HDMI 2.1 Gaming for a great gaming experience with friends. Connectivity So far I connected my phone, bluetooth turntable for streaming audio. I also have a set of headphones connected. Summary So far this has been a great experience. I have always relied on Sony for my video/audio needs. Quality of their products. My sony component collection continues to grow.
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi LayPhrog, we appreciate your detailed review of our product. We hope you are enjoying your new soundbar! Thanks for choosing Sony. ~Earl
- Pros mentioned:Ease of use, Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Sony bar 9,with sub
Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Awesome sound very easy to hook up, having trouble pairing sub
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi TEoldone, Thanks for the 5-star rating! Enjoy and thanks for choosing Sony. -Craig
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
You can feel the sound!
Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Wow - I love this sound bar! It's so good I am adding the rears speakers to my system!
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hello TomL!
Thank you for your enthusiastic feedback! It is fantastic to know that you’re loving the HT-A8000 soundbar.
Adding the rear speakers will take your audio experience to the next level with immersive surround sound that truly fills the room.
Thank you for becoming a Sony customer!
Warm regards,
Estefany
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Owner
Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Very good sound is so clean we love it my son he using too much
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hello BhaminiP,
Thank you for choosing Sony!
We're excited to hear that you and your son are enjoying the clear, high-quality sound of the HTA8000. It’s wonderful to know our product is enhancing your listening experience and bringing joy to your family. Thank you for sharing your positive feedback!
Best regards,
-Fred
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Pair with a Sony TV Good otherwise it's a pass
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.So let's jump right into what I liked about this soundbar – if you pair it with a Sony TV it seems to work pretty well via wireless and HDMI. I had no problem hooking up via HDMI all the TVs (LG, Sony, and Samsung). The app is absolutely needed for use – more on that to follow – and is a game changer in the use of the soundbar. The aesthetics and look are very nice just as I would expect from a Sony product. The surround-sound capabilities are very good – given the optimal room design. Now, what I didn’t like – there is no display on the unit, just a few LEDs that I could never really figure out what they meant – this is a real negative if you don’t have a Sony TV. The sound – out of the box particularly the low end leaves a lot to be desired. If you are going to purchase this the addon sub is an absolute necessity. That said at this price point there are others on the market that include a sub. As far as setup – the app is a necessity - The first thing you need to do is use the sound mapping function it takes about 5 min or so to complete but makes a significant change in the sound platform – move it from horrible to actual not bad, cleans up a lot of the sound issues however does tune the sound profile to a location in the room and if you move around the room it does not sound as good (still better than out of the box) Overall this is a decent soundbar, maybe even good if you own a Sony Bravia TV, however for the price there are better options out there
This review is from Sony - BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos/DTS: X - Black
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi BigA, thanks for choosing and purchasing our product. We're glad you are enjoying your new soundbar. We appreciate your feedback regarding the light indicator and the pricing. BRAVIA Theatre Bar 8 combines physical and phantom speakers, creating a wider surround sound field that covers more of the room. Now more people can enjoy the same immersive surround experience. By using phantom speakers, 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology achieves wider coverage than conventional virtual surround systems. Bring authentic cinema surround sound quality to your living room. BRAVIA Theatre Bar 8 not only supports industry-standard formats including Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X®, but also has IMAX® Enhanced certification. Thanks for choosing Sony. ~Earl





















