The Three-Piece Soundbar Alternative

Key Points:

• Sony's Bravia Theater Trio is a three-piece soundbar system designed to complement ultra-large TVs, featuring a center speaker for dialogue and two larger vertical side speakers for directional audio, priced at $2,200.
• The system offers advanced audio technologies such as 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, Sound Field Optimization with room calibration, AI-enhanced Voice Zoom 3, and DSEE Ultimate upscaling, supporting 4K/120Hz passthrough, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Hi-Res Audio.
• Despite being a 3.0.2-channel setup, the Trio delivers impressive clarity and immersive effects with 5.1 and 7.1 content, though for full surround sound and deeper bass, additional rear speakers and a wireless subwoofer are recommended.
• The sound profile is warm and clear, excelling with acoustic and softer music genres, but it lacks sufficient bass for heavy bass-driven and electronic music, and occasional minor connectivity issues were reported during testing.
• Alternatives include Sony's Bravia Theater Quad system for more traditional surround sound at $2,700 and LG's customizable Sound Suite, which supports flexible speaker placement and Dolby Atmos FlexConnect but can cost up to $3,200 for a full setup.