Sony's Dolby Atmos soundbar is available at its lowest price on Amazon, offering a room-encompassing audio experience.
In the world of home entertainment, soundbars have become an essential component, offering immersive audio experiences for movies, music, and more. Two popular options on the market are the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 and the Sonos Beam Gen 2. Here's a comparison of these two soundbars to help you decide which one suits your needs best.
Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6
The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 is a powerful soundbar with a 3.1.2-channel setup, featuring physical upward-firing speakers for immersive Dolby Atmos height effects. It comes with a separate powerful wireless subwoofer, enhancing the "theater-like" bass experience. The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 is currently available at Amazon for £400, a savings of £77 from its usual price of £477.
The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 uses X-Balanced drivers, designed to reproduce fuller frequency ranges while reducing distortion. It provides various processing options for users and delivers convincing height effects and low-frequency authority. However, it has some downsides, including a narrower soundstage than ideal and occasional delayed response with Sony’s control app.
Sonos Beam Gen 2
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is another soundbar option that is worth considering, especially for those who value a compact design, smart features, and multi-room flexibility. It delivers convincing Dolby Atmos sound through psychoacoustic processing (HRTF technology) rather than dedicated upward-firing drivers, resulting in an enveloping but slightly less immersive height effect compared to soundbars with physical up-firing speakers.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 supports wireless streaming technologies (AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, etc.) and high-res audio, making it a versatile choice beyond movie sound. If the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 does not meet a user's preferences, they can peruse our list of the best soundbars at their leisure.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 | Sonos Beam Gen 2 | |-------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Channels | 3.1.2 with physical upward-firing drivers | Uses 5 front-facing drivers with HRTF for Atmos height effects | | Subwoofer | Separate powerful wireless subwoofer | Built-in subwoofer | | Soundstage | Good but somewhat narrow | Rich, three-dimensional, but less immersive height effect | | Design | Larger, traditional soundbar + subwoofer | Compact, sleek, minimalist | | Smart features | Sony’s Bravia Connect app (some lag issues) | Extensive app, multi-room, AirPlay 2, high-res audio support | | Price | Mid to high price range, slightly pricey | Typically mid-range, affordable | | Ideal use case | Users wanting robust theater-like bass and physical Atmos speakers | Users valuing a compact design, smart features, and multi-room flexibility |
Pros and Cons
Pros of Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6
- Physical upward-firing speakers for genuine Dolby Atmos height effects.
- Powerful wireless subwoofer delivers deep bass.
- Strong overall sound quality suitable for a theatrical experience.
Cons of Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6
- App control has delayed responses.
- Soundstage narrower than some competitors.
- Larger footprint may not suit minimalistic setups.
Pros of Sonos Beam Gen 2
- Compact and stylish design fits well in small spaces.
- Sophisticated Atmos virtualization using HRTF technology delivering rich 3D audio.
- Robust smart features including multi-room audio and support for high-res streaming.
- Easier integration into wider Sonos ecosystems.
Cons of Sonos Beam Gen 2
- Lacks physical upward-firing speakers, resulting in slightly less immersive Atmos heights.
- Subwoofer is built-in and less powerful than separate subwoofer setups like Sony’s.
In summary, the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 is better suited for users prioritizing physical Dolby Atmos with strong subwoofer bass and a true theater sound experience, while the Sonos Beam Gen 2 excels in compactness, smart connectivity, and multi-room integration with good but virtualized Atmos effects. If a user prioritizes room-shaking explosions and immersive Dolby Atmos effects over delicate detail retrieval, the price reduction of the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 makes its distinctive approach compelling. On the other hand, the Sonos Beam Gen 2, with its sleek design and smart features, is an excellent choice for those who value a more versatile, compact soundbar.
- If you're in the market for a high-fi audio gadget that delivers immersive sound, both the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 and the Sonos Beam Gen 2 are worth considering at the audio show.
- The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6, with its physical upward-firing speakers and separate wireless subwoofer, is a great option if you're looking to buy a soundbar for a hi-fi deal that offers a theater-like bass experience.
- In contrast, the Sonos Beam Gen 2, with its compact design, smart features, and multi-room flexibility, is a good choice if you value versatility in your gadgets and prefer psychoacoustic processing for Atmos height effects.
- After reviewing the comparison table, it's clear that the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 is ideal for users who prioritize physical Dolby Atmos and strong subwoofer bass, while the Sonos Beam Gen 2 excels in compactness, smart connectivity, and multi-room integration, offering virtualized Atmos effects.
