Sony’s new Bravia Theatre System 6 (model HT-S60) is an ambitious all-in-one home theater setup featuring a soundbar, subwoofer, and surround speakers — all for a surprisingly accessible price. Despite relying on several cables, this system promises immersive Dolby Atmos sound and a solid 5.1-channel experience without breaking the bank. But how well does it really perform? Let’s find out.
Design and Build Quality
The Bravia Theatre System 6 keeps things clean and contemporary. With rounded edges, a matte finish, and metal grilles, the setup feels cohesive and understated — a perfect match for most living rooms.
Each component is well-built and feels premium for the price. The soundbar has small rubber feet to avoid vibrations when placed directly on a TV stand, and its dimensions make it easy to position between most modern TV legs.
A minor gripe: the subwoofer’s rear panel exposes some unfinished chipboard edges. It’s not a deal-breaker, but a touch of polish here would have elevated the overall impression.
The materials blend beautifully, and gaps are minimal. A minor complaint is the exposed chipboard edges on the subwoofer’s rear panel.
Setup and Connectivity
Setting up the Theatre System 6 requires a bit more patience than most modern “wireless” systems.
Unlike the fully integrated setups from brands like Samsung or Sonos, most of Sony’s components are wired together. The soundbar connects directly to the subwoofer, which acts as the central hub for power and all inputs. The rear speakers plug into a small wireless receiver, which itself needs power.
The good news? Once everything is connected, the process is straightforward. Using the Bravia Connect app on Android or iOS, setup takes just a few minutes — no microphone calibration or advanced tuning required.
With the right Sony TV, you can unlock the full potential of your soundbar. Simply connect both devices simultaneously via the app. This allows you to easily adjust picture and sound modes without having to delve into menus.
Sound Quality and Dolby Atmos Performance
Once up and running, the Bravia Theatre System 6 quickly proves its worth. Using a Dolby Atmos test disc, the system fills the room with an unexpectedly wide and immersive soundstage.
Even without upward-firing speakers, Sony’s virtual Atmos simulation works surprisingly well. Sound effects seem to move around and above you, creating an enveloping three-dimensional space. Watching “Dune” felt cinematic — bass-heavy, detailed, and powerful — yet dialogue remained clear and crisp.
Unlike all other soundbar systems I’ve seen before, the main component of the Sony HT-S60 system is not the soundbar itself, but the subwoofer. That’s why all the connections are located here. This also means you’ll need to run cables to connect the TV directly to the subwoofer.
In gaming, positional accuracy is impressive. You can easily track where gunfire or enemy footsteps come from, and the system’s balance between mids and highs keeps action sequences exciting without fatigue.
Only a few minor sound effects (like sharp mechanical noises or metallic echoes) feel slightly dull, but overall the audio performance far exceeds expectations at this price point.
Controls and App Experience
Sony includes a remote control that lets you tweak bass, switch between sound modes, or activate Night Mode and Voice Mode. However, there’s a quirk — the IR receiver is built into the subwoofer, not the soundbar. This means if your subwoofer is tucked away or blocked by furniture, the remote may not always respond.
Fortunately, the Bravia Connect app solves this problem. It offers wireless control, presets, and deeper customization, making it the best way to fine-tune your sound.
If your TV supports HDMI eARC, you can also adjust volume using your TV remote — seamless and simple.
The Sony Bravia HT-S60 home theater system delivers powerful bass throughout the entire system.
Integration with Sony TVs
Pairing the Bravia Theatre System 6 with a Sony Bravia TV unlocks several smart features. Through the app, you can synchronize picture and sound modes, and even use Voice Zoom 3 (on models like the Bravia 9) to enhance dialogue clarity using AI.
This feature intelligently boosts voices without affecting background effects — a nice touch that works extremely well in real-world use.
Music Performance
For music, the Bravia Theatre System 6 delivers rich, room-filling bass and vibrant detail. It’s especially impressive with cinematic scores or electronic tracks. The subwoofer, however, can be a bit dominant during regular TV viewing. Reducing bass by a few levels (-6 dB or lower) provides a better daily balance.
Music can be played through all channels in a multi-channel stereo mode or upmixed for a pseudo-3D experience. While purists may prefer a dedicated stereo setup, the Bravia Theatre System 6 still offers plenty of energy and warmth for casual listening.
Connectivity Options
Interestingly, the subwoofer houses all of the system’s connections, including:
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HDMI eARC (for 3D audio and Dolby Atmos passthrough)
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Optical digital audio input
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Analog input jack
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Bluetooth 5.3 (for wireless streaming)
There’s no HDMI input or Ethernet port, and no built-in Wi-Fi for direct streaming. Still, Bluetooth works flawlessly for music playback from smartphones or tablets.
Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand / Model | Sony Bravia Theatre System 6 (HT-S60) |
| Sound Configuration | 5.1 Channel (10 speakers) |
| Total Output Power | 1000 W |
| Audio Formats | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD |
| Features | Night Mode, Voice Mode |
| Connectivity | HDMI eARC, Optical, Analog, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Dimensions | Soundbar: 907×64×90 mm; Subwoofer: 275×388×388 mm |
| Weight | Soundbar: 2.6 kg; Subwoofer: 11.6 kg |
| Color | Black |
Price and Availability
The Sony Bravia Theatre System 6 retails for around €500, positioning it as a strong mid-range option for those wanting cinematic sound without the premium price tag of higher-end Atmos systems.
Conclusion
The Sony Bravia Theatre System 6 is a capable and surprisingly powerful home theater package. It delivers excellent surround performance, clear dialogue, and deep bass, all at a price well below comparable setups.
Its only real drawbacks are the wired connections and lack of Wi-Fi streaming, but if you can live with a few cables, this system rewards you with sound that truly transforms your living room into a private cinema.
