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Tom's Guide
12 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I tested this soundbar and subwoofer combo with Dolby Atmos — and I can't believe how affordable it is
It's so tricky to find a good soundbar under £500, let alone a soundbar and subwoofer combo. So the Sharp 5.1.2 Soundbar (HT-SBW55121) was like finding a diamond in the rough. It's just £449 and has a full Dolby Atmos setup, including support for DTS:X. Is this enough to make it one of the best soundbars? Well, just because something has a subwoofer doesn't guarantee that the subwoofer is particularly mind-blowing. In the Sharp 5.1.2 Soundbar's case, it's simply good enough. There were moments during testing when I'd amped up the bass to max and was still left a little disappointed. However, that doesn't negate the soundbar's areas of excellence. It performs phenomenally with dialogue and high-frequency sound effects, and the Dolby Atmos is truly immersive. I think, all things considered, this soundbar and subwoofer is a steal. I'll go through everything in this Sharp 5.1.2 HT-SBW55121 Soundbar review. This is a U.K. only soundbar. If you're in the U.S., I recommend the Polk Audio Signa S4 ($399). Price £449 (+£179 rear surround speakers) Connectivity eARC, HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth 5.3, aux in, USB playback Weight 12.3 kg Dimensions 126 x 7.6 x 12.4 cm Colors Black Subwoofer Yes Dolby Atmos Yes Channel 5.1.2 / 2.0.2 rear speakers The Sharp 5.1.2 Soundbar is only available in the U.K. and is purchasable from Amazon U.K. for £449. The soundbar is compatible with two rear surround speakers, which I used during testing. These speakers are £179 also from Amazon U.K.. I do not think these rear speakers are an essential addition, but they were nice for extra surround sound. All things considered, this is an incredibly affordable price for a soundbar of this quality. No, it doesn't have as many features as the Samsung or JBL similarly-priced offerings (the Samsung Q600C and JBL Bar 500), but it performs excellently for a £450 soundbar. The £499 Sonos Beam 2 has no subwoofer, so the Sharp setup has a one-up there. As with seemingly every other soundbar I've tested, the Sharp 5.1.2 Soundbar looks just like a soundbar. There's nothing unusual about it, which is both a good and bad thing depending on your personal preference. While the Samsung Q range seems to be quite plasticky in construction, the Sharp 5.1.2 has a fabric lining, which means it might be trickier to clean — but it does look and feel slightly more premium. On top of the soundbar are six buttons for volume, Bluetooth, input, and power. I found myself mostly using the remote, though, which is a bit weightier than the Bose and Samsung remotes I've used in the past. You can control everything from rear speaker volume to input source on the remote, so it's a handy piece of kit to have. The rear of the soundbar houses the source inputs: I used an 8K HDMI cable in the eARC port. There's also an optical port, USB port, a 3.5mm jack input, and two additional HDMI ports with 4K pass-through. Considering this is a £449 soundbar + subwoofer, I think it's pretty fair that it lacks a number of features. Of course there are EQ presets (Movie, music, game, night, voice, sport, including independent treble and bass controls) and a range of connectivity options, but in terms of proprietary features akin to Samsung's 'Adaptive Sound', you're out of luck. I didn't mind or notice this absence during testing. I'd much rather my soundbar excel at its one job (elevating my home theater experience) than be stuffed full with loads of arbitrary features that don't necessarily do much. I found 'Movie' was the best EQ for watching movies (shock horror), and TV aligned best with 'Voice'. 'Music' did little to improve music quality, as soundbars aren't generally designed to excel at music playback. If you've got an extra £179, the 5.1.2 soundbar can be upgraded to a 7.1.2 soundbar with two wireless rear speakers. These were easy to connect with a 'Pair' button, and you can individually alter volumes with the remote. All in all, the 'lack' of features didn't negatively affect my listening experience, and I genuinely enjoyed testing this soundbar. I test every soundbar by watching 'Top Gun: Maverick' on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, TV on Netflix, and by listening to music on Spotify and Qobuz. First, I watched 'Top Gun: Maverick' with the 'Music' EQ. In the opening scene, I could feel the jet engines rumble through the floorboards, but this bass performance didn't overpower the high-frequency sound effects of ropes whooshing and metal clinking. When the iconic 'Danger Zone' by Kenny Loggins started up, I was amazed by how clear the vocals sounded. Although I wanted a little more oomph in the bass, I couldn't get over the vocal clarity. I found myself rewinding just to hear that crystal-clear voice again. For the second run, I increased the bass volume to 5, which is the loudest it can go. I could still hear the high-frequency whirring and whooshing sound effects without losing that powerful bass. I actually found myself longing for the scene to be longer, as everything sounded so good. In the dogfighting scene, the radio dialogue felt immersive and close, but I didn't feel as submerged in the scene as I did with the JBL Bar 1300X — a soundbar nearly three times the price. The soundtrack was a little lacklustre, even with the bass turned up to the max. This didn't majorly impact the overall effect of the soundbar, as the treble and dialogue were so clear. I never struggled to understand speech, which I've found a little tricky with cheaper soundbars like the Samsung HW-S60D ($349, 5.0 channel). After 'Top Gun: Maverick', I watched 'No Time To Die'. This movie is renowned for its Dolby Atmos performance, particularly in the opening scene and the first car chase scene through Matera. When the young girl is hammering on the locked door, I could feel the reverberations as if they were just next to me. The masked killer's breathing and dialogue were horrifyingly close, as if vibrating right in my eardrums. When Bond knocked out the attacker's glass eye, I felt it bounce off the road. During the car chase, when the church bells are ringing, I could hear the scene all around me. Then, when Bond and Madeline are being pummeled with bullets, I could feel the impact of the bullets in my chest. Finally, I watched 'Wicked' to test the musical performance. Again, the bass wasn't as powerful as I would've liked. It was still good, but just not mind-blowingly good. Even so, the vocal performance was excellent, and I never struggled with understanding dialogue. When Elphaba summons stones and throws them at other children, I heard the stones rising as if they came from behind me. For the most part, I was really impressed with this performance. I wish the subwoofer was just a touch louder — but I still had a great time. To test the TV performance, I watched a variety of shows on 'Netflix'. To reflect real-world usage, this is basic Netflix with 5.1 sound, not Dolby Atmos. I'll discuss 'Stranger Things' here, as it had the most challenging sound performance of the shows I watched. Unlike while watching 4K UHD Blu-rays, I found the dialogue a little muffled. As a result, I turned down the bass and changed the EQ to 'Voice'. This performance is likely due to Netflix's inferior audio resolution rather than the soundbar itself, but it's still worth noting. 'Voice' EQ did little to help this dialogue issue. However, as I mentioned earlier, when I say a little muffled, I literally mean a little. Overall, I could still hear every word said, but it wasn't as clear as while watching the movies. Of course it wouldn't be — it's like comparing apples to oranges. 4K Blu-ray and Netflix basic aren't really in the same ballpark. Yes, the Sharp 5.1.2 Soundbar is intended for movies, and that's where it excels. And of course that's the case — give an F1 racer a 1999 Toyota Corolla and see them come dead last. However, the soundbar still performs well for TV shows. I use the Bose Smart Soundbar at home, and while its 4K movie performance is lacklustre, it excels at TV. I'd get a cheaper and lower-spec soundbar if you're not going to watch movies. To test music in a real-world setting, I listened via Bluetooth on Qobuz, our best music streaming service for audiophiles. You can also use a 3.5mm aux connection or a music streaming app on your TV. It was easy to connect to Bluetooth: I simply changed the source input on the Sharp remote and selected the soundbar from my settings menu. I know soundbars will never sound great for music. If you want a decent speaker, you should just get one of the best Bluetooth speakers, like the JBL Xtreme 4 ($349). Therefore, it's unfair of me to massively criticise the lacklustre music performance, as soundbars simply aren't designed for it. I will, however, describe how it sounded. I upped the bass to the max and changed the EQ to 'Music', but the Sharp 5.1.2 Soundbar still sounded pretty tinny. I listened to 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' by Nirvana, and was excited for the bass to kick in after the intro. However, that bass never kicked in, and I was left disappointed. I tried a few different genres. First, something a little more acoustic, with 'Garden of Eden' by Billie Marten, which sounded great and really immersive. I could feel the guitar strings around me, and Marten's vocals were soft and clear. After, I switched it up dramatically to 'Hot In It' by Tiesto and Charli xcx. Like with the Nirvana track, the bass was pretty disappointing, even turned up to max. However, the vocals were clear. I just don't think the soundbar likes bass-heavy genres: I didn't like listening to bass-heavy genres on it anyway, so it's a mutual breakup. The Sharp 5.1.2 HT-SBW55121 Soundbar and subwoofer is really very good. No, it's not perfect, but it's most of the way there. The soundbar handles 4K UHD Blu-rays like a boss and excels with dialogue and immersive sound effects. If the subwoofer was a touch more powerful, this could be a soundbar worthy of battling with the big names like Bose, Sonos, and Samsung. This isn't a TV-oriented soundbar: it would be an injustice to watch anything but 4K Blu-rays and high-resolution movies on it. If you want to get the best performance out of it, you'll need something capable of playing Dolby Atmos, like Netflix's Premium tier or physical media. But if you want to transform your home cinema for less, then the Sharp 5.1.2 Soundbar is a fantastic way to achieve that. £449 is almost unbelievable for this quality. There's not much competition at this price point.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Vivo X200 FE India launch soon, to offer 50MP ZEISS cameras, 90W fast charging
Sony launches Bravia Theatre System 6 and Bar 6 soundbars in India, offering Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and immersive audio. Priced from Rs 39,990, they feature wireless speakers, enhanced dialogue clarity, and eco-friendly design, targeting modern home entertainment.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
₹4 crore! BGMI maker Krafton announces massive prize pool for BMPS 2025 finalists in India
Sony launches Bravia Theatre System 6 and Bar 6 soundbars in India, offering Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and immersive audio. Priced from Rs 39,990, they feature wireless speakers, enhanced dialogue clarity, and eco-friendly design, targeting modern home entertainment.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Sony Bravia Theatre System 6, Bar 6 launched in India, price starts at ₹39,990
Sony India has announced two new additions to its Bravia Theatre audio portfolio: the Bravia Theatre System 6, a 5.1 channel wireless surround system, and the Bravia Theatre Bar 6, a 3.1.2 channel soundbar. Both are designed to offer cinematic audio quality, featuring Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Sony's advanced immersive sound technology tailored for the modern Indian living room. Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 (3.1.2 channel) will be available across India starting 1st July 2025, priced at ₹ 39,990.(Sony) The Bravia Theatre System 6 offers 1000W of rich, immersive sound through a true 5.1 channel configuration, complete with wireless rear speakers and a dedicated subwoofer. For those looking for a sleek, minimalist setup, the Bravia Theatre Bar 6 delivers vertical surround through two upfiring speakers and a wireless subwoofer, making it ideal for immersive movie-watching or gaming sessions. Both systems utilise Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Sony's proprietary Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force PRO Front Surround to simulate a 360 audio experience, even without ceiling or rear speakers. Mobile Finder: iPhone 17 Air expected to debut in the coming months Designed for India Catering to Indian content consumption habits, the new systems offer Voice Zoom 3 for enhanced dialogue clarity and include special modes such as Night Mode for quieter viewing and Voice Mode for speech-focused content. The System 6 also includes Multi Stereo Mode, which distributes sound evenly across all speakers — ideal for group watching or larger spaces. Smarter Connectivity with Bravia Both models seamlessly integrate with Sony Bravia TVs via the Bravia Connect app, which consolidates control of TV and sound system into a single mobile interface. Volume, sound modes, and other settings can also be adjusted directly through the TV's Quick Settings menu using the TV remote. Eco-Friendly and Accessible Sony continues its sustainability efforts with the use of recycled PET fabric, minimal plastic packaging, and reduced ink usage. Accessibility features include tactile markers and screen reader support via the Bravia Connect app, making the systems more inclusive for users with visual impairments. Pricing and Availability The Bravia Theatre Bar 6 (3.1.2 channel) will be available across India starting 1st July 2025, priced at ₹ 39,990. The Bravia Theatre System 6 (5.1 channel) will follow, going on sale from 3rd July 2025 at a price of ₹ 49,990. Both products will be available through Sony Centres, major electronics retailers, and popular e-commerce platforms.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Sony launches Bravia Theatre System 6 and Bar 6 in India: Know price, specs
The Sony Bravia Theatre System 6 and Bar 6 soundbars support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technology. The former is priced at Rs 49,990 and the latter at Rs 39,990 Aashish Kumar Shrivastava New Delhi Sony has expanded its Bravia Theatre portfolio in India with the launch of two new soundbar audio systems, namely, the Bravia Theatre System 6 and Bravia Theatre Bar 6. The soundbar systems feature support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and Bravia TV integration. Recently, Sony also launched the Sony Bravia 5 mini LED TV, powered by AI Processor XR, in India. Sony Bravia Theatre soundbar system: Price and availability Bravia Theatre System 6 (5.1-channel): Rs 49,990 Bravia Theatre Bar 6 (3.1.2-channel): Rs 39,990 The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 6 will be available in India across Sony retail stores, select retail stores, and ecommerce platforms, starting July 1, whereas the Bravia Theatre System 6 will be available in India starting July 3. Bravia Theatre System 6: Details According to Sony, the Bravia Theatre System 6 is a 5.1-channel home audio setup designed to deliver surround sound through a combination of front, centre, and surround speakers, supported by a dedicated subwoofer. It outputs a total of 1000W and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The system is equipped with Sony's Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force PRO Front Surround to simulate overhead and surround effects without the need for ceiling or rear speakers. The included subwoofer is wired and has been claimed to feature a driver paired with a passive radiator to deliver deeper bass output. Voice Zoom 3, an AI-based voice enhancement feature, is built-in to amplify or reduce human voices in real-time depending on the content. The system also supports Multi Stereo Mode, which mirrors stereo output across all speakers for broader sound dispersion, and offers both Night Mode and Voice Mode. Users can control the Bravia Theatre System 6 through the Bravia Connect app or directly via the TV remote. The system integrates with Bravia TV's quick settings menu for access to volume and sound field adjustments. Bravia Theatre Bar 6: Details The Bravia Theatre Bar 6 is a 3.1.2-channel soundbar system featuring a three-channel soundbar, two-channel up-firing speakers, and a dedicated wireless subwoofer. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X and is claimed to simulate spatial audio using Sony's Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force PRO Front Surround. The wireless subwoofer complements the main bar by adding bass response, while Voice Zoom 3 uses AI to enhance human voice clarity during playback. The system also features Night Mode, which softens loud sound effects for late-night listening, and Voice Mode to elevate vocal frequencies, especially useful in dialogue-heavy content. Control and configuration are managed through the Bravia Connect app or a compatible Bravia TV's remote. Like the System 6, the Bar 6 also supports integration into the TV's quick settings menu.
