Review: Sony Bravia Theater Bar 5

Dialog sounds clear and detailed. Provides an impressive bass response. The balance between the subwoofer and bar is seamless. Virtual surround sound is solid, and the setup and usability is simplified on this model.

Sony’s soundbar revamp over the last few years has brought a cleaner, more streamlined aesthetic to the lineup, but also an unfortunate loss of connection options and extras, even in premium models, like the flagship Bravia Theater Bar 9. There’s certainly nothing superfluous in the more affordable Bravia Theater 5, with a layout and feature set that make it feel more like a budget model than a mid-tier option.

In signature Sony fashion, the Theater Bar 5’s sound performance does a lot to make up for its shortcomings, pairing a surprisingly powerful subwoofer with a well-balanced three-foot bar for more cinematic thrills than its size suggests. A dedicated center speaker ...