Latest news with #A95L
Tom's Guide
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I test TVs for a living — this amazing 4.5-star Sony OLED is $800 off on Amazon right now
(Image credit: Sony) OLED TVs don't often come cheap. These premium displays tend to come with a hefty investment, and not all of them are worth it. But Sony's OLEDs make for some of our favorite displays, and its A95L is just too good to beat. Right now, you can get the 55-inch Sony Bravia XR A95L OLED TV for $1,998 on Amazon. That's $800 off one of our favorite OLED TVs and down to its lowest price yet. (For more sales, check out our guide to this week's best TV deals). Although launched in 2023, the Sony Bravia A95L OLED TV still remains one of the best OLED TVs you can buy. It's equipped with tons of features that make it stand out, and even won King of OLED in 2024 TV shootout. In our own review of the Bravia A95L, we gave it a 4.5 stars, calling into question its two HDMI 2.1 ports and lower brightness metrics. The latter is to be expected, given that OLED TVs tend to lack in brightness performance against their Mini-LED counterparts. Looking past these minor setbacks, the A95L shines with incredible detail. It sports some of the best picture performance you can find in an OLED TV and even has great sound quality. It's one of the few TVs to hit 89.41% of the Rec2020 gamut in our testing, which is absurd given that most TVs struggle to hit over a mere 80%. It also covers 99.95% of the UHDA-P3, which means you can expect vivid colors in all of your HDR entertainment. Despite a high input latency of 16.1ms, it still remains one of the best gaming TVs. It's made by Sony, after all, so you can expect some exclusive PS5 features, like Auto Genre Mode and Auto HDR tone mapping. While it might be one of the best TVs you can buy right now, it is still a hefty investment. If you're looking for an OLED TV that's even cheaper, you can check out this 65-inch Panasonic Z85A that's $799 right now.
Tom's Guide
28-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
I review OLED TVs for a living — and this 3-year-old Sony is still one of my favorites I'd buy
There has been no shortage of excellent TVs that've launched in 2025. Specifically when it comes to new OLEDs, the Samsung S95F and LG C5 are among the best TVs ever tested here at Tom's Guide. But newer doesn't always necessarily mean better. In fact, when it comes to recommending premium TV picks to friends, family and readers, it's a 3-year-old set that's often at the top of my list. I'm referring to the Sony A95L, a flagship QD-OLED TV originally released back in 2023 that you can still buy brand-new today. Yes, Sony technically replaced the A95L with the 2025 Bravia 8 II OLED TV. But the successor only comes in 55- and 65-inch configurations. To accommodate those looking for bigger screens, Sony decided to keep the 77-inch A95L in its QD-OLED lineup. And there are a few reasons I think that was a pretty smart move, especially considering I recently introduced it into my own living room. When it originally launched, the A95L set a new standard for premium OLED TVs. It combined Samsung's QD-OLED panel technology with Sony's best-in-class Cognitive Processor XR. The result was a TV with unmatched color volume, excellent peak brightness for HDR content, near-perfect motion handling, and Sony's signature cinematic image tuning. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I don't think anyone in the TV community was shocked when it won the Value Electronics annual TV Shootout event, being crowned the 'king of 4K TVs' by a panel of reviewers and display experts. At the time, it felt like this OLED was in league of its own. The Sony Bravia A95L is a QD-OLED TV that excels with every kind of content, every time. In our Sony Bravia XR A95L QD-OLED TV review we said the Editor's Choice TV offers superlative picture and top-notch sound. That clear distinction is why I think, a few years later, it remains a great choice. Our lab tests confirmed near-100% coverage of the P3 color gamut and outstanding Rec.2020 performance when it comes to HDR. Simply put, the A95L didn't leave much room for improvement. Sony A95L Sony Bravia 8 II HDR Brightness (10%, in nits) 1215 1584 UHDA-P3 Gamut Coverage 99.95 100 Rec. 2020 Gamut Coverage 89.41 90.55 Input Lag (ms) 16.1 16.3 The new Bravia II did rise to the occasion with a healthy degree of upgrades, but it's not nearly enough to render the A95L irrelevant as we've seen some other TV manufacturers do with the progression of their OLED lineups year over year. As the close test results above show, the A95L doesn't make customers sacrifice quality much for prioritizing a larger screen size. And if those customers happen to be gamers like me, the A95L offers 4K at 120 Hz, VRR and Auto Low Latency Mode over two HDMI 2.1 ports, plus PlayStation-specific features that optimize HDR and picture modes on the fly. Input lag measures a smooth 16 ms, and for me, the gaming experience has only increased my appreciation for the A95L as my console's monitor. It's rare to recommend a three-year-old TV, but the A95L is that kind of product. It's a no-compromises display with longevity built in, especially if you're serious about upgrading your home theater space and have an appetite for a big-screen gaming TV. Sony's TV division has always prioritized picture fidelity over flashy upgrades, and the A95L is a testament to that approach. Even in 2025, it remains one of the most visually stunning displays you can buy. It may not be new, but it's still among the best — as long as 77 inches fits your wall and your budget.
WIRED
13-04-2025
- Business
- WIRED
Tariffs Will Make TVs Even More Expensive. Buy These 2024 Models Instead
There are some great deals on last year's top TVs and soundbars. Photograph: Ryan Waniata, Parker Hall; Getty Images If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Donald Trump's new tariffs have put a strange pall on the US economy. Uncertainty abounds, but prices seem likely to rise on all kinds of goods, from food to construction materials. Big-ticket electronics like TVs and soundbars may be at the front of the line. Pricing for Sony's new flagship Bravia 8 Mk II OLED TV, expected to launch at the same price or lower than 2023's A95L, instead came in at a significantly higher cost, and it appears other brands are following suit. With so many unknowns, it's no wonder I'm getting questions from friends considering a new TV or soundbar. My advice on getting ahead of the tariffs is the same advice I give about saving cash in nearly every review I write: Buy last year's models. Sure, you'll miss out on a new feature or two, but you're still getting great gear at a better price. With that in mind, here are some top suggestions on the best TVs and soundbars from last year or earlier that can save you big money right now. Power up with unlimited access to WIRED . Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today. WIRED's Featured Deals Photograph: Roku Roku's Plus Series is a great buy for those looking to spend very little on a shiny new screen that keeps things simple. Controlled by Roku's intuitive smart system, this TV is easy to use and easy on the eyes thanks to features like local dimming for solid black levels and contrast, and punchy quantum dot colors. Voice control makes it easy to find your favorite shows, and extras like simplified Bluetooth connection and a lost remote-finder (my personal favorite) keep daily frustrations at bay. Photograph: Parker Hall For videophiles who haven't jumped on OLED yet, you won't find a better mix of staggering picture quality and value than this. Considering I spent $500 more on an LG C1 at the smaller 55-inch size a few years back, this feels like a serious steal. The C4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) adds nearly double the brightness of my older model, advanced gaming features like a 120-Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 connection across all inputs, and LG's signature Magic remote that works like a Wii controller for point-and-click control. This is one of the best OLED TVs we've ever tested and would be a hot pick without tariffs. Considering the state of things, it's a no-brainer buy. Looking for a TV that will look great on even the brightest summer afternoons? Hisense's U8N (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a master blaster, getting nearly twice as bright as the same model last year, and its skills don't end there. You'll get great contrast and black levels with minimal light bloom, vivid colors, and advanced gaming features, along with an intuitive Google TV interface to run the show. Not every deal requires going back a year. TCL jumped ahead of the line with the early release of the value-packed QM6K (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which we named the best TV for most people, and it's on sale now. It's not the brightest TV in its price class, but this display wins on balance, providing excellent black levels with very little light bloom, rich and natural colors, and an impressively clear screen. It's got great gaming features, it's light and easy to set up, and TCL's version of Google TV makes streaming a breeze. I've got no idea how long this sale will last, but now's a great time to get it before it's gone. Another fantastic OLED TV, this time from Samsung, the S90 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) was easily one of my favorite TVs for the money in 2024. Now 'the money' is a lot less thanks to a sale price that, at time of writing, matches LG's excellent C4. This TV is stylish, provides fabulous contrast with OLED's perfect black levels, and its quantum dot colors make it bright and showy yet sophisticated. The only real downside to this TV is Samsung's lack of Dolby Vision support, but I didn't miss it much, as the TV lit up everything I watched with its beautiful OLED glow. Photograph: Sony This isn't exactly a bargain-basement deal, but considering the cost of Sony's latest OLED (if that stands), I figured I'd throw it in as a bonus. This may be your last chance for some time to get a Sony OLED that isn't shockingly expensive. Premiering in 2023, the A95L (9/10, WIRED Recommends) isn't as bright as the latest models, but there's a reason it won 'King of TV' at the prestigious Value Electronics TV Shoutout. Loaded with a Samsung QD-OLED display and Sony's fantastic processing, this TV is a crystal clear marvel, with some of the best picture quality I've experienced. This TV could fall back to its MSRP by the time you see this, but if you've been hoping for a premium Sony OLED and it's still on sale, now is your moment. Vizio has cracked the code on affordable audio performance, and this nearly free soundbar is the latest proof. The AIO bar (8/10, WIRED Recommends) won't get you much in the way of extras—there's no Wi-Fi support, no analog inputs, or even a remote—but what you will get is clear and dynamic sound that blows away your TV speakers in a singular tube that looks good on your console. The bar is easy to set up and simple to control with your TV remote or the Vizio app, and you can even wake it from your phone for Bluetooth streaming. Photograph: Ryan Waniata If you're looking for a serious sonic upgrade in a system that lets you grow as you go, Klipsch's Flexus Core 200 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a smooth criminal. Made with real MDF rather than just the thin plastic of most bars, the Flexus is built around performance, including up-firing speakers for immersive Dolby Atmos 3D audio. The bar alone offers plenty of punch, but you can upgrade it with Klipsch's Flexus surround speakers and subwoofer, or even add your own sub, thanks to its rare inclusion of a traditional subwoofer output. It doesn't include Wi-Fi but does provide Bluetooth streaming and an app for settings adjustments. We've been going back in time with Samsung's flagship soundbar since long before the tariff worries arose. The Q990 series is the pinnacle of Dolby Atmos soundbars, comprising multiple speakers, 11.1.4 channels, and an intuitive interface for clear, full, and powerful immersion. Even in a booming economy, it rarely makes sense to buy the latest iteration of the Q990 when you can usually get similar performance for several hundred dollars less. One thing you won't get with the Q990C (now two models back) is pass-through for VRR or ALLM when you connect a game console to its spare HDMI inputs, which the new models include. Otherwise, this is the bargain buy for those after knock-out surround in an all-in-one package.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
We compare the excellent Sony Bravia 8 OLED TV with the new Bravia 8 II QD-OLED – stick or twist?
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The competition for the best OLED TV is more fierce than ever, with Sony's 2025 TV lineup entering the fray. The headline model, the Bravia 8 II, promises to deliver significant improvements over the awesome A95L, particularly in the brightness department. But how will it fare against last year's five-star-rated Bravia 8, which it will sit alongside in the 2026 range? Before we dive into the detailed comparison, it's important to note that while we've fully reviewed the Bravia 8, we've only had a comparatively brief hands-on session with the Bravia 8 II. Until we put the new model through its paces in our test rooms, this comparison will be based on our experiences to date and the respective specs of the two TVs. Naturally, we'll update this piece once we've conducted our full review of the Bravia 8 II. Despite the Sony Bravia 8 II being positioned at the more premium end of Sony's 2025 lineup, it surprisingly comes in at a more competitive price point than we initially expected. In the UK (we don't yet have US or Australian pricing), the 55-inch model is priced at £2499, while the 65-inch version costs £2999. Both versions are set to start shipping on 6th June 2025. This pricing is particularly noteworthy when compared with that of the A95L that it replaces, which launched at £2999 for the 55-inch model, and £3699 for the 65-inch version – making the Bravia 8 II around £500-700 cheaper than its predecessor at launch. The Bravia 8, which is the subject of today's comparison, officially sits below the Bravia 8 II in Sony's range. It launched at £2199 / $2000 / AU$2995 for the 55-inch model, £2699 / $2800 / AU$3995 for the 65-inch version, and £3999 / $3900 / AU$6495 for the 77 incher. Having now been on sale for around a year, the Bravia 8 has also been on the receiving end of a fair few discounts so is now available for significantly less than it was at launch. Here's a table with the launch prices of the Bravia 8 and Bravia 8 II, and below that you will see the latest and lowest prices for the Bravia 8. The Bravia 8 II appears to share much of its design with the A95L. It features a slim profile with a premium metal edge, and the same two-way stand that can be positioned to either sit the TV directly on your furniture, or raise it slightly to accommodate a soundbar underneath. At 34mm in thickness, the Bravia 8 II is 3mm thinner than the Bravia 8 (not that you'd notice), despite housing the Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology that uses actuators to vibrate the screen itself to produce sound. More on that later. Both TVs use blade-style feet, but the Bravia 8 II's can only be positioned at the furthest extremes of the TV's bottom edge. This means that it can't be placed on furniture narrower than the set's width (122cm for the 55-inch model and 145cm for the 65-inch version). While the feet can't be positioned closer to the centre of the chassis, they can be extended to lift the TV a few centimetres to accommodate a soundbar. Both models are powered by Google TV, which offers a slick and user-friendly experience, with access to all the major streaming services you'd expect. As for connectivity, both sets include four HDMI ports – two of those are HDMI 2.1 spec with support for 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM for next-gen gaming, while the other two are 2.0 affairs. Unfortunately, one of those HDMI 2.1 ports also doubles as the eARC connection for external audio systems. This means that if you have an eARC speaker connected along with multiple gaming devices (such as a Sony PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X), you'll need to choose which one gets the full-fat HDMI 2.1 connection – or resort to cable swapping. That's a limitation compared with competitors such as LG, which offers four HDMI 2.1 ports on its OLED models, including the new LG G5 and LG C5. Both TVs feature Sony's 'Perfect for PlayStation 5' features, which allow the TV to automatically adjust settings when connected to a PS5 console. This is handy for getting a pretty accurate HDR game performance with zero effort, but we generally find that these automatic settings are just shy of spot-on. HDR format support on both TVs includes HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision, but as with all Sony TVs, neither supports HDR10+. Elsewhere, the Bravia 8 II benefits from an updated version of Sony's XR Processor, which includes what Sony calls "AI Scene Recognition" – a feature that analyses scene data in real-time for optimised picture performance. This is where things get interesting, and where the two models are really set apart. Despite the similar naming convention, the Bravia 8 II uses a latest-generation QD-OLED panel, while the Bravia 8 employs a standard WOLED panel. The Bravia 8 II's QD-OLED panel, combined with Sony's XR Triluminos Max technology, promises significant improvements in brightness and colour volume over both the Bravia 8. In fact, according to Sony, the Bravia 8 II is 50% brighter than the Bravia 8. This increased brightness should allow the Bravia 8 II to push highlights higher without compromising colour purity – a traditional limitation of WOLED technology. The result should be punchier highlights and more vibrant detail while maintaining the perfect black levels OLED is known for. While we've yet to properly put the Bravia 8 II through its paces in our testing rooms, our hands-on session at Sony's Tokyo HQ revealed better brightness handling than the A95L and competing models, with bright highlights maintaining better detail and more natural warmth. In dark scenes, the Bravia 8 II also showed improved shadow detail and better low-light colour volume. The Bravia 8, which we've fully tested, delivers excellent picture quality in its price bracket, with the typically perfect blacks and infinite contrast that OLED technology is known for. In our review, we praised its natural, authentic picture quality and excellent motion handling, though we did note it's not the brightest OLED on the market – something the Bravia 8 II specifically aims to address. Both TVs benefit from Sony's excellent motion processing and colour accuracy, but the QD-OLED technology in the Bravia 8 II should provide a punchier, more vibrant picture, particularly with HDR content. Watch this space. Both Sony models feature the company's Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, which uses actuators attached to the screen itself that vibrate the panel to produce sound, effectively turning the entire display into a speaker. This creates a more immersive audio experience where sound appears to come directly from the relevant part of the image, unlike conventional TV speakers that fire downward or from the rear. There are, however, differences between the two sets. The Bravia 8 II inherits the audio system from the A95L, with two actuators and two subwoofers, while the Bravia 8 uses a similar, but slightly less advanced version of this tech, featuring two smaller actuators and only one subwoofer. If the Bravia 8 II does indeed sound the same as the A95L, it will be weightier, more enveloping and more dynamic. Both TVs support Dolby Atmos, and both feature Sony's Voice Zoom technology for enhancing dialogue clarity, with the Bravia 8 II specifically sporting Voice Zoom 3. If paired with compatible Sony sound systems such as the Bravia Theatre Bar 9, both TVs can also use Acoustic Centre Sync, which allows the TV and soundbar to work together for a more unified soundstage (at least in theory). While we'll need to wait until we have the Bravia 8 II in our test rooms for a definitive assessment, the early signs are promising. With a significantly brighter QD-OLED panel, enhanced processing, and a surprisingly competitive price point, the Bravia 8 II appears to build meaningfully on the excellent A95L. As for the Bravia 8, it remains an excellent OLED TV in its own right, offering Sony's typically accurate picture processing and natural colours at a lower price point. It remains a solid choice if you're looking for a premium OLED experience without stretching to the higher price of the Bravia 8 II. We look forward to putting the Bravia 8 II through our rigorous testing process to see exactly how it stacks up against not only the Bravia 8, but also 2025's other flagship OLED contenders from the likes of LG, Samsung and Panasonic. Stay tuned. MORE: Here are all the new Sony 2025 TVs And these are the best TVs we recommend Check out the best OLED TVs available right now
WIRED
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- WIRED
Sony's Latest Bravia Home Theater Gear Gets Bolder, Brighter
Apr 2, 2025 12:00 PM We went hands-on with Sony's latest home theater gear, including its fiery new OLED TV. Photograph: Ryan Waniata; Getty Images Sony's glittering new RGB LED display made a big splash last month, and as one of the few to see it in the flesh, I can attest that it's a very exciting new advancement. It's also still deep in the prototype stage, so it'll be a while before we get our hands on one. Today, Sony unveiled the latest additions to its home theater lineup for the here and ( almost ) now. While pricing has yet to be announced, the 2025 lineup includes two new LED TVs, new home audio gear, and a blazing new OLED TV primed to compete with LG, Samsung, and others for the coveted title of best TV of the year. I traveled to Sony HQ in Tokyo to get a hands-on preview of all the new gear ahead of the official release. Here's everything I saw, heard, and learned about Sony's latest home theater gadgets. Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today. New Bravia Sights There's a new king of Sony's TV lineup with an oddly underwhelming title. Despite sharing the naming convention of Sony's second-tier OLED from 2024, the Bravia 8 Mark II is positioned as Sony's 2025 flagship TV, with performance to match. In design, the TV looks a lot like 2023's A95L QD-OLED (9/10, WIRED Recommends), but Sony claims the new Bravia 8 is 25 percent brighter than that model and 50 percent brighter than its namesake. Built to compete with 2025's LG G5 and Samsung S95F OLEDs, the TV uses a version of Samsung's latest QD-OLED panel rather than LG's new 'Quad Stack' panel, along with Sony processing tech like XR Tiluminous Max for enhanced colors and Sony's XR Processor with AI for analyzing and optimizing content scene-by-scene. Sony claims one reason for sticking with a QD-OLED panel this year is that it allows for better off-axis color accuracy. It's also notable that this TV will purportedly undercut Sony's previous flagship in pricing, which should make it more competitive in a very tough market. In person, the TV showed fabulous color accuracy and saturation, alongside sizzly brightness at every turn. It was especially showy with high-caliber Blu-ray content mastered at the top of the brightness scale. In Sony's carefully curated demos, the TV showed less image clipping than last year's LG G4 and Samsung S95D (8/10, WIRED Recommends) viewed side by side. A blacksmith demo using the next-gen BT.2020 color gamut dazzled, revealing gleaming-bright molten metal that looked ready to pop off the screen and singe your eyebrows. It appeared to easily outpace the older models, including Sony's own 2023 A95L (9/10, WIRED Recommends), instantly drawing my eye each time it was fired up. I can't wait to compare it to the latest rivals in what looks to be another transformative OLED class for 2025. For those less inclined to splash out big, Sony's latest mini-LED TV should have some real street appeal. This TV slots in nicely below the Bravia 7 as part of the company's evolving three-year release strategy (we're apparently still waiting on the Bravia 6). The screen's rich colors and solid brightness are impressive, as is its availability in multiple (and massive) model sizes. The 98-inch version we saw in Sony's living room demo looked remarkably good for its size based on its presumptive price class, though we'll have to wait for the final numbers. In keeping with the Bravia 7's biggest flaw, the TV struggles to keep color accuracy and brightness off-axis. Otherwise, it showed off good color accuracy and contrast at first blush, including solid black levels with minimal blooming. Part of its special sauce is Sony's XR Backlight Master Drive algorithm that helps its mini-LED backlight reduce light bloom through image recognition. The Bravia 5 will likely be the cheapest model to incorporate the system yet. Sony said the TV's Cinema mode includes technology to both dim the backlight and adjust the color for multiple lighting scenarios. It's a lot of tech for a Sony TV at this tier, so it'll be interesting to see how it stacks up against midrange models from brands like Hisense and TCL this year. Sony's Bravia 2 isn't technically new, at least not outside the US. This year, Sony brings its cheapest Bravia model stateside with some minor tuning updates, offered as an even more affordable option than last year's Bravia 3. Without official pricing, it's difficult to know how good a deal you're getting, but considering the Bravia 3 currently goes for around $700 to $800 for a 65-inch model, the Bravia 2 should be pretty competitively priced. Its performance is basic, but it does offer local dimming for solid black levels and overall contrast. The colors looked relatively natural in the short demos I saw, though they came off paler than the Bravia 5 (naturally), and off-axis viewing is pretty rough. That said, if the TV can come in at significantly lower pricing than its siblings, the Bravia 2 could be worth considering for those after a budget model under the Sony umbrella. With Sony's topline Bravia Projector 8 and Projector 9 clocking in at around $16K and $32K respectively, most of us can't come close to grabbing one. While those models are aimed at luxury or professional installs, the new Bravia 7 should be much more affordable, making it a contender for more down-to-earth installs. Offering 4K HDR resolution and a claimed 2,200 lumens of brightness from its laser light source (the Bravia Projector 8 hits 2,700 and the 9 claims 3,400), the 7 packs an impressive punch. It shares a lot of tech with its siblings, including XR Dynamic Tone Mapping for optimal brightness with color gradients, XR Deep Black to control laser dimming in dark scenes and increase gain in bright ones, and XR Triluminos Pro for enhanced colors. It's also compatible with Imax Enhanced video, and low-latency gaming at up to 4K/120 Hz. Huddled in a small room in the depths of Sony's demo halls, we got to see how the Projector 7 matched up against Sony's top two projectors, its precursor, and a few JVC models. The 7 really popped in the showiest HDR demos with much less white clipping and better clarity in high-nit scenes than the previous Sony model, the arduously named XW5000ES. It stood up similarly well to JVC's competing DLA-NZ7, again showing less clipping in tougher HDR scenes, though we'll have to see it in action outside Sony's demo room for a better idea of its skills. One drawback to the cheaper model is that, unlike the Projector 8 and 9, it requires manual lens focus. Otherwise, it's an intriguing new option for those building out a high-end home theater. New Bravia Sounds We didn't spend a lot of time with Sony's new audio systems, but the brand's new 1,000-watt 5.1 surround system made the biggest impression. The system comprises a soundbar up front, included rear surrounds, and a sizable subwoofer. Marketed like an old-school HTB (Home Theater in a Box), it uses an amp that connects to the bar wirelessly and feeds the proprietary rear speakers over speaker wires. It's a rather odd setup, but the sound was solid in our short demo, with a warm and relatively detailed midrange, solid surround expansion, and a thumpy sub. If it comes in at approachable pricing, it could be a great new midrange surround sound option. Not to be confused with the Theater System 6, the Theater Bar 6 is a 3.2.1 system comprising just a bar and subwoofer, though it's compatible with Sony's new Bravia Rear 8 speakers for an additional fee. The other big difference between the two systems is that the Bar 6 offers upfiring drivers for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X video, and Sony's Vertical Surround Engine for virtual 3D audio with traditional sources. Sony pitted the system against to Samsung's Q600C in a few film scenes Sony Pictures' Gran Turismo and Sony'd model strutted its stuff pretty well, especially for a midrange option. The sub is a fair bit bigger and thumpier than Samsung's model, and dialog sounded clear and detailed.
