When a car crosses the screen and disappears behind the camera, a speaker behind the sofa can finish the movement. Sony includes that rear pair in the Theater System 6, along with a bar, a subwoofer and a rear amplifier. The practical question comes before setup. Can you put those pieces where they belong and run the wires between them?
In depth
Sony BRAVIA Theater System 6 review
Published · Updated
Best forPeople furnishing one TV room who want a complete surround system and can place speakers behind the seats.
At a glance
- Channel configuration
- 5.1 channels (advertised)
- Included system
- Soundbar + subwoofer + rear speakers + rear amplifier
- Immersive audio
- Dolby AtmosDTS:X
- TV connection
- HDMI eARC / ARC
Pros
- Physical rear speakers and a subwoofer come in the box.
- A separate center channel helps anchor dialogue to the screen.
Cons
- The rear speakers need cables to their powered rear amplifier.
- There’s no spare HDMI input on the system for a console or player.
Sound Quality & Surround
- 5.1 channels
- Separate rear speakers
- Dedicated subwoofer
WIRED heard effects move convincingly from front to rear on the complete system. Its reviewer also found speech easy to follow and turned the bass down when the subwoofer sounded boomy on certain material. That is a useful setup sequence. Get the voice level comfortable at your seat, then raise the sub enough to give effects weight without making the whole soundtrack thump. 1
Speaker Placement
- Rear amplifier
- Cabled rear speakers
- Bar connects to the subwoofer
The rear amplifier links wirelessly to the front system, but both rear satellites plug into it. You’ll need a power outlet for the amplifier and a route for the cables behind the seats. At the front, check the distance between the bar and the subwoofer rather than assuming the sub can go anywhere in the room. Plan around doorways before choosing stands or fastening anything to the wall.
TV Connections
- HDMI eARC/ARC
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding
Connect your source devices to the TV and send the soundtrack back over HDMI. The format you can receive depends on what the TV passes through. The System 6 has real speakers behind you but no dedicated upward-firing height speakers. Someone choosing it for the sensation of a sound overhead should keep that distinction in mind.
Controls & Quiet Listening
- BRAVIA Connect
- Voice mode
- Night mode resets on power-off
Sony’s Voice and Night controls solve different problems. Voice brings speech forward, while Night is useful when you have to turn the whole system down. Sony says Night mode switches off when the system powers down, so check it again the next evening. Use BRAVIA Connect to adjust the setup from your seat after placing the rear speakers.
Music & Other Inputs
- Optical & 3.5 mm inputs
- Bluetooth 5.3
- SBC & AAC
The input panel is on the subwoofer, which matters if you keep a source on the furniture beside the screen. Alongside HDMI audio return, the System 6 has optical and a 3.5 mm analog input. A phone can play music over Bluetooth using SBC or AAC. There is no built-in Wi-Fi music streaming, so a network music player would need a connection of its own.
Alternatives
Sony’s similarly named BRAVIA Theater Bar 6 is a different package. Compare the box contents before ordering either. A simpler front system makes more sense if your sofa sits against the only available wall and you can’t put the rear speakers in useful positions.
Verdict
Choose the System 6 if you can give its included speakers a home. The best upgrade here is the pair behind the listener, and a little planning lets you get what you paid for.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this sound system.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- WIREDSony Bravia Theater System 6 review (opens in a new tab)https://www.wired.com/review/sony-bravia-theater-system-6/
Surround movement, dialogue and adjustment of the included subwoofer.