Sony is aiming at orchestrating a symphony of sound in India with the debut of its latest soundbars – the Theatre Bar 8 and the Theatre Bar 9. Priced at ₹89,990 and ₹1,29,990, the soundbars feature Sony's exclusive 360 Spatial Audio Mapping and Sound Field Optimisation.
360 Spatial Audio Mapping creates multiple phantom speakers in areas without physical speakers. This provides a 360-degree spatial sound experience offering an expansive sound field. With Sound Field Optimisation support, the soundbars automatically adjust and tune each speaker according to your room's layout.
Both soundbars support Dolby Atmos audio and DTS, along with an IMAX Enhanced certification. They also feature the Acoustic Center Sync, which integrates your sound system with the TV, ensuring that the audio matches the on-screen action. According to Sony, when you pair Bravia TVs with Bravia Theatre products, the Acoustic Center Sync function merges the sound from the TV’s speakers and the soundbar, “creating a cinema-like experience where the audio seems to emanate directly from the TV screen.”
The soundbars also come equipped with Voice Zoom 3 technology, powered by AI. This feature uses an AI algorithm to recognise human dialogue and adjust its volume, ensuring even the subtlest conversations are heard loud and clear. When the Bravia Theatre Bar 8 and Bar 9 are connected to Bravia TVs, settings for Voice Zoom 3 can be managed through the new Bravia Connect App. The Bravia Connect App also lets users tweak settings, manage audio preferences, and access additional features seamlessly.
For gaming enthusiasts, the soundbars provide support for 8K/4K at 120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). They also feature HDMI ARC and Optical Input, ensuring connectivity with a wide range of devices.