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Research · 11-channel soundbar

Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8: what the testing says

The Theater Bar 8 makes sense for one buyer: a Sony BRAVIA owner who wants Acoustic Center Sync and 4K 120Hz passthrough. On its own merits the testing is lukewarm. RTINGS calls it decent for mixed use, and What Hi-Fi? gave it three stars, so at $998 most people should look at the Samsung HW-Q800H instead.

By The WhichTVShouldIBuy editorsUpdated Released Spring 2024
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 soundbar, three-quarter view
Image: Sony (official product page, opens in a new tab)
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 soundbar, straight-on front view
Image: Sony (official product page, opens in a new tab)

Our take

The short version

Sony's BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 packs 11 speakers, including up-firing drivers and a center channel, into a 43-inch bar. It supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and its HDMI input passes 4K at 120Hz with VRR and ALLM, which is rare in a bar.

Its strongest reason to exist is Sony's own TVs. With a compatible BRAVIA, Acoustic Center Sync uses the TV's speakers as the center channel, Voice Zoom 3 lifts dialogue, and the bar shows up in the TV's Quick Settings menu. Sony lists BRAVIA models from 2021 to 2026, which covers the BRAVIA 8 II, 9 II, and 5 in our catalog.

The testing is less kind. RTINGS calls it 'decent for mixed usage' and 'alright for watching movies', saying the soundstage isn't very wide and the Atmos height isn't very tall. What Hi-Fi? gave it three stars for its compressed sound. There's no sub in the box and no optical input. For $998, from a marketplace seller on October 26, the Samsung HW-Q800H gets better verdicts in every use for $300 less.

Pros and cons

What we like

  • Acoustic Center Sync with 2021–2026 BRAVIA TVs
  • Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
  • HDMI input with 4K 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM passthrough
  • Clear dialogue, per RTINGS and TechRadar

Trade-offs

  • RTINGS: decent for mixed use, alright for movies
  • What Hi-Fi? gave it 3 of 5 for compressed sound
  • No sub in the box, and no optical input
  • Amazon.com wasn't selling it on October 26

Who it's for

Buy it if…

  • BRAVIA owners who want the TV to act as the center speaker
  • Gamers who want to run a console through the bar at 4K 120Hz
  • Anyone who needs DTS:X in a bar that fits a 55-inch TV

Skip it if…

  • Non-Sony TV owners: the Samsung HW-Q800H tests better for less
  • Bass fans: add a Sony sub or pick a bar that includes one
  • Music listeners: RTINGS rates it decent for music

Your TV

TVs it fits and syncs with

At 43.4 in (1,100 mm) wide, the Theater Bar 8 fits under a 55-inch screen, whose picture is 47.9 inches wide, and anything bigger. It's wider than the picture on a 48-inch screen or smaller. Our rule: a bar fits when it's no wider than the picture, since every TV is a little wider than its picture and the bar then won't overhang it. Check the gap under the screen too: the bar is 2.6 inches (64 mm) tall.

Sony names these features for Sony TVs. Any other TV still works with it over HDMI eARC.

  • Sony TVs: Acoustic Center Sync, Voice Zoom 3, BRAVIA Quick Settings

    Acoustic Center Sync uses a compatible BRAVIA's own speakers as the center channel, so voices come from the screen. Voice Zoom 3 lifts dialogue, and the bar's settings appear in the TV's Quick Settings menu. Sony's list covers BRAVIA models from 2021 to 2026, including the BRAVIA 8 II, 9 II, and 5. Sony names 2021 or later Sony TVs. Sony's page (opens in a new tab)

TVs we cover that it fits under

Sizes are the ones each TV is sold in. A sync feature is listed where Sony names one for that TV's brand and model year.

Spec sheet

Theater Bar 8 specs

Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 specifications
Channels11ch (Sony doesn't give an x.x.x figure; RTINGS tested it as 5.0.2)
Drivers11 units: 4 woofers, 3 tweeters, 2 up-firing, 2 side full-range
Audio formatsDolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS-HD Master Audio, 360 Reality Audio, IMAX Enhanced (with Sony's sub and rears)
HDMI1 HDMI input, 1 HDMI output (eARC/ARC)
HDMI passthrough4K at 120Hz, 8K at 60Hz, HDR, Dolby Vision, VRR, ALLM
OpticalNot listed
WirelessWi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2 (SBC, AAC, LDAC), AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect
Voice / micsNot specified
SubwooferNone in the box; optional Sony subs (see below)
Rear speakersNone in the box; optional Sony rears (see below)
Bar dimensions1100 x 64 x 113 mm (43 3/8 x 2 5/8 x 4 1/2 in)
Bar weight4.7 kg (10 lb 6 oz)
Room calibrationSound Field Optimization, with a built-in mic
Dialogue / night modesVoice Mode; Night Mode; Voice Zoom 3 with compatible BRAVIA TVs
Also notable360 Spatial Sound Mapping; Ethernet; BRAVIA Connect app

From the manufacturer sources listed below. “Not specified” means those sources don't state it. Model number: HT-A8000.

Published testing

What the testing says

Other outlets tested the Theater Bar 8; we didn't. Each finding is theirs, with the page and its date.

Cross-shop

Alternatives to consider

  • Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 soundbar with its wireless subwoofer, three-quarter view
    Image: Sony (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5

    Channels
    3.1 Atmos
    Approx. price
    ~$348
    In the box
    Bar and sub
    Fits under
    42" and up
    TV sync
    Sony
    Width
    35.5 in

    Sony's cheapest bar and sub, which RTINGS rates great for dialogue; Atmos and music are its weak spots.

    Pros

    • Pro: RTINGS: great for dialogue and TV
    • Pro: Wireless sub in the box
    • Pro: Fits under a 42-inch screen

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: No up-firing drivers: Atmos height is simulated
    • Trade-off: Bass is boomy and imprecise, per RTINGS

    Top fit scores

    Dialogue
    4 out of 5
    Bass
    3 out of 5
    Value
    3 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5
  • Samsung HW-Q800H soundbar with its wireless subwoofer, three-quarter view
    Image: Samsung (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Samsung HW-Q800H

    Channels
    5.1.2 Atmos
    Approx. price
    ~$697.99
    In the box
    Bar and sub
    Fits under
    55" and up
    TV sync
    Samsung
    Width
    43.7 in

    Bar plus wireless sub for under $700, with RTINGS' top word for dialogue and rears you can add later.

    Pros

    • Pro: RTINGS: great for mixed use, excellent for dialogue
    • Pro: Wireless sub in the box with deep bass, per RTINGS
    • Pro: HDMI input with 4K passthrough, plus Wi-Fi, AirPlay, and Chromecast

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: No DTS of any kind
    • Trade-off: No rears in the box; Atmos height is modest, per RTINGS

    Top fit scores

    Dialogue
    5 out of 5
    Bass
    5 out of 5
    Music
    4 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Samsung HW-Q800H
  • Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar in black, three-quarter view
    Image: Sonos (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Sonos Arc Ultra

    Channels
    9.1.4 Atmos
    Approx. price
    ~$1,099
    In the box
    Bar only
    Fits under
    55" and up
    TV sync
    None stated
    Width
    46.4 in

    The best standalone bar for dialogue and music in RTINGS' testing; movies want the sub Sonos sells separately.

    Pros

    • Pro: RTINGS: impressive for dialogue, great for music
    • Pro: RTINGS' best standalone bar for dialogue
    • Pro: Strong bass for a bar with no sub

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: Only decent for movies without a sub, per RTINGS
    • Trade-off: No HDMI input and no DTS:X

    Top fit scores

    Dialogue
    5 out of 5
    Music
    4 out of 5
    Bass
    3 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Sonos Arc Ultra

Sources

Manufacturer specs

Manufacturer specs and published testing, researched October 26, 2026. The Amazon price is the buy-box price for a new unit that day ($998, sold by Walts TV). We didn't test this soundbar ourselves; findings credited to an outlet are that outlet's.