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Sony Bravia Theater Trio (HT-A8) evaluate
The Sony Bravia Theater Trio is difficult to outline, however straightforward to like. Exhausting to outline as a result of its three-speaker (Trio, geddit?) bundle doesn’t really feel fairly like both a soundbar or a house theatre separates system; straightforward to like as a result of it sounds superb.
Sony’s personal story of how the Trio got here to be states that it was borne from frustration in its audio division in regards to the incapacity of normal soundbar options — even high-end ones — to ship sound with sufficient energy and scale to convincingly companion with actually huge TVs. It was deemed that reasonably than making a mammoth uber-long single soundbar to resolve this downside, a way more sensible answer could be to create a three-piece centre, left, proper speaker bundle as a substitute.
Whereas the left and proper audio system of the Trio system are bigger and heavier than the form of satellite tv for pc audio system normally bought with or as choices for normal soundbar programs, the bundle total nonetheless appears startlingly compact total for a system designed for king-sized TVs. The middle speaker solely measures in at 23.19 x 2.52 x 6.5 inches / 589 x 64 x 165mm, in reality. However you’ll be able to, after all, place the wi-fi left and proper audio system just about as far aside as your room permits, to assist create a soundstage commensurate in scale with a monster TV.
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I’d rapidly add at this level, although, that I personally don’t see the Trio as solely value getting in case you have an enormous TV. It’s truly so good and, as I’ll clarify, so versatile with its sound that it’s value contemplating by actually any dwelling theater fan who’s in a position to afford it.
Simply throwing a trio of audio system on the huge TV audio downside received’t in itself assure a satisfying dwelling theater audio answer, after all. Particularly when these three audio system solely ship devoted left, proper, centre and up-firing channels, reasonably than the numerous extra channels that even some single bar soundbars can handle today. The factor is, although, the Bravia Theater Trio’s channel depend isn’t truly restricted to the the handful we’ve simply talked about. The model’s revolutionary 360 Spatial Sound Mapping system is able to including as much as 24 ‘digital’ (created by psychoacoustic processing) further channels of sound to the system’s ‘bodily’ ones.
The 360 Spatial Sound Mapping system’s calculation course of for determining the place to put the sound from these further digital audio system makes use of a provided, high-quality mic dongle that plugs into your telephone to tailor the sound to your room format. This works so nicely that you simply’ll be capable to nonetheless take pleasure in a completely coherent, balanced, symmetrical soundstage out of your Trio system irrespective of how awkward your room format is perhaps.
This room adaptation a part of the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping system turns into much more helpful when you add a pair of Sony’s new Rear 9 non-compulsory encompass sound audio system. Even once I intentionally set the the 2 entrance and Rear 9 audio system in probably the most unhelpful positions I might handle, the processing nonetheless someway manages to place me on the coronary heart of a colossal 360-degree soundstage.
I’ve let the Trio’s cleverest trick, although, lead me into discussing the system’s efficiency earlier than I’ve completed going by way of each function it has to supply. So let’s rapidly get again to that.
Whereas the Trio’s centre speaker’s lengthy, slim design fits easy placement on a desktop underneath your TV, the left and proper audio system sneak a slim straight bit into their in any other case cylindrical form to permit them to be wall mounted if that fits your arrange.
Connectivity is satisfactory. The spotlight is an HDMI loop by way of that helps 4K/120Hz gaming feeds — as you’d hope with a sound system from the model liable for the PlayStation 5 — in addition to the HDR10, HLG and Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR codecs, however not HDR10+. And the HDMI output additionally helps the eARC system for taking in sound out of your TV.
Sadly, the one different port is a USB slot that’s apparently just for software program updates. A second HDMI enter and an optical digital audio enter would have been good on a £1,999 dwelling cinema system today maybe, however the Trio’s help for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (6.0) alongside the HDMIs will probably ship the whole lot most trendy households will want.
These wi-fi choices help direct streaming from Spotify Join and Apple Airplay 2. On prime of this, the system can even make the most of Hello-Res Audio information and carries Sony’s redoubtable DSEE Final AI upscaling system for making compressed audio sound higher.
The newest Bravia Join app for iOS and Android helps you set the system up, in addition to offering a sexy and helpful visible interface as a again as much as the pretty fundamental distant management the system ships with. And it is notably helpful, given the Trio doesn’t carry an LED show.
Lastly within the function division, the Trio can play each the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X encompass sound codecs. The truth is, it doesn’t simply play them; it eats them for breakfast.
Any doubts in regards to the Trio’s $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$2,999 worth evaporate in an irresistible bombardment of virtually impossibly large sound staging, ranges of energy, element and affect that appear to go far past the system’s claimed 405W of confirmed energy. It additionally serves up mesmerizing detailing and precision, and an immaculate tone that has extra in frequent with a premium full separates system than a minimalistic three-speaker bundle.
The system’s exceptional drivers and much more exceptional 360 Spatial Sound Mapping processing create a soundstage that fills not less than the entrance half of even very massive rooms, with the bodily existence of the Trio’s three audio system primarily utterly disappearing. In addition to being able to creating an epic sense of house for giant film areas, the scale of sound the Trio can produce means it is effortlessly in a position to ‘fill’ the display screen space and match the cinematic scale of even the very largest TVs.
Regardless of its immense and immersive measurement, although, the Trio’s sound doesn’t neglect the small issues in dwelling cinema and music life. It may possibly pull within the boundaries of its sound fantastically when a soundtrack desires to painting a good house, for starters. Additionally, each element in a film sound combine is superbly rendered, irrespective of how small, and produced with precisely the proper weight relative to different combine components.
There’s no trace of harshness or brittleness to any sound the Trio makes, irrespective of how excessive pitched or deep it is perhaps. The truth is, regardless of the middle speaker’s small measurement, the system gives the look of getting no ceiling for treble sounds to butt up in opposition to and switch harsh, and no low-frequency ground for bass sounds to flatten off in opposition to.
The comparatively hefty left and proper audio system do a lot of the heavy low-frequency lifting with out making deep sounds really feel trapped in, onerous edged or distorted. They’re reactive sufficient to serve sudden bass hits with impeccable timing, too, and have sufficient vary within the low frequencies they’ll produce to cease rumbles changing into overwhelming or coarse.
This glorious bass efficiency is especially welcome, provided that bass has been a weak spot of a few of Sony’s present soundbars, and that the system is kind of compact. Maybe a good greater fear is that Sony sells Sub 8 and Sub 9 exterior wi-fi subwoofer upgrades for the bundle, which at all times makes me marvel if there’s a weak spot within the core system that such an add-on is required to repair.
The Trio can ship onerous, sudden affect sounds with correct venom and propulsion, whereas the soundstage stays balanced and authoritative even at excessive volumes, irrespective of how dense the content material is perhaps.
Sound programs that go as huge and dynamic with movie soundtracks because the Trio can aren’t at all times in a position to flip their fingers successfully to music. The Trio, although, is not less than as partaking with music as it’s motion pictures.
Even in native stereo mode, with none of Sony’s exceptional digital encompass processing in play, the trio of audio system ship glorious stereo separation and vocal placement. Nothing sounds in any respect strained, it doesn’t matter what kind of music you’re taking part in or how dense a monitor will get. It retains its genuinely hi-fi really feel, too, at increased volumes than you’ve most likely ever heard your favourite albums earlier than. And but, on the identical time, individuals with neighbors might be happy to listen to that its audio system are delicate sufficient to ship music compellingly even at low volumes, one thing many soundbars wrestle with.
Dolby Atmos music sounds equally refined. It is detailed with out being forensic, but in addition enjoys a extra three-dimensional presentation that features top components. And when you’re comfortable to take off your purist music hat, I’d additionally suggest you strive stereo tracks — or, not less than, comparatively poppy or ambient stereo tracks — by way of its 360 Spatial Sound Mapping processing, which supplies it a extra spacious and encompass sound really feel. Actually Sony’s ‘upmixing’ with this impact is way superior to related modes tried by most different dwelling audio packages.
It’s a tricky ask to seek out issues I don’t love about Sony’s Trio system. However I’m paid to strive, so right here goes. First, for all its digital speaker creating skills, it solely creates a fairly restricted sense of sound coming from behind your seating place. This may be solved extraordinarily nicely by including Sony’s new Rear 9 further wi-fi encompass audio system — although, at $749.99 / £699 / $ 1,299 a pair, this improve isn’t low cost.
The left/proper unfold of stereo music unusually narrows barely when taking part in music by way of the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping regardless of increasing in each different method. And at last — and presumably most frustratingly relying on how huge your family is — the realm it’s essential sit in after calibrating the Trio for the optimum 360 Spatial Sound Mapping impact is kind of small. Although even exterior of this candy spot, it’s nonetheless gloriously straightforward to understand simply how good the Trio’s total sound is.
Sony Bravia Theater Trio (HT-A8) evaluate: Worth and launch date
- Launched: July 2026 (UK and Australia), Might 2026 (US)
- $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$2,999
At first look the Trio’s $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$2,999 worth appears substantial for a three-piece speaker bundle. Samsung offers you a full encompass soundbar bundle, the HW-Q990H, for simply $1,499 / £1,499 / AU$1,499, in spite of everything. When you’ve positioned the Trio’s audio system wherever you need them to go, although, and run the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping system setup, the system reveals itself to be a just about separates-grade performer able to partnering with an enormous display screen and even filling an enormous room.
Hitting virtually $2,750 / £2,700 / AU$4,300 when you add the admittedly spectacular Rear 9 audio system begins to look a little bit of a stretch, however you might at all times add the rears later as funds permit. The out-of-the-box Trio received’t allow you to down in the meanwhile.
Sony Bravia Theater Trio (HT-A8): Specs
|
Dimensions |
Most important bar: 23.19 x 2.52 x 6.50 inches / 589 x 64 x 165mm; left/proper audio system: 6.3 x 13.27 x 6.5 inches / 160 x 337 x 165mm |
|
Speaker channels |
3.0.2 |
|
Connections |
One HDMI enter (with eARC), one HDMI output (4K/120Hz), USB service port |
|
Dolby Atmos / DTS:X |
Sure/Sure |
|
Sub included |
Elective further |
|
Rear audio system included |
No |
Ought to I purchase the Sony Bravia Theater Trio (HT-A8)?
|
Attribute |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Options |
The system’s three-front-speaker method permits it to ship a sound acceptable to essentially any display screen measurement, even actually large ones. Its processing and audio format help is great too. |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Efficiency |
Regardless of the pretty compact measurement of its three audio system, the Trio bundle typically manages to sound like a premium separates system |
5 / 5 |
|
Design |
From the surprisingly compact form of the middle speaker to the gorgeously well-built cylindrical stance of the left and rights, the Theater Trio is an elegantly understated addition to your room. |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Setup & usability |
The audio system all related with one another routinely throughout my assessments, and supplied you plug the supplied mic into your telephone and run the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping arrange process, its audio system are extraordinarily versatile in the case of the place you set them. |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Worth |
The Theater Trio bundle’s worth places it above the overwhelming majority of normal soundbars — however its sound is a lower above any common soundbar, too |
4 / 5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Sony Bravia Theatre Trio (HT-A8) evaluate: Additionally take into account
How I examined the Sony Bravia Theatre Trio (HT-A8)
- I used the Sony Trio as my principal front room audio system for 11 days.
- Additionally examined in a second room with a distinct measurement and format, and with a pair of non-compulsory Rear 9 encompass audio system.
- Examined with 4K Blu-rays, CDs, streamed audio, and video games, utilizing all direct HDMI connection, eARC and wi-fi connection choices
I examined the Trio as my principal front room audio system for 11 days total, in addition to utilizing it in a second room with a distinct format for 2 additional days. I additionally moved the left and proper audio system (and the non-compulsory rears) to all kinds of awkward locations to check the flexibleness of the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping processing.
Throughout the testing interval, I fed the Trio system audio content material from a variety of sources, together with film soundtracks from streaming packing containers and 4K Blu-ray gamers over HDMI; music from a CD participant and the varied music streaming companies the system helps; and sport soundtracks from an Xbox Sequence X. Key motion pictures used have been Blade Runner 2049, It Chapter One, Civil Warfare, and Sinners.
