Movies like Jurassic Park, Dunkirk, Whiplash and Ready Player One have one thing in common — they deserve to be watched on a television paired with an audio system that delivers true surround sound. Soundbars are good, especially those with up-firing speakers that bounce sound off the ceiling. The other option is a theatre-style system with speakers placed around the room. That is exactly what Sony’s BRAVIA Theatre System 6 offers. It remains one of the best home-theatre setups for your television without costing a fortune.
Years ago, Sony introduced the HT-RT3, featuring a bar, subwoofer and rear satellite speakers, all wired to the subwoofer. This was followed by the HT-S20R, and then by the more significant HT-S40R, which added a small wireless box for the rear speakers. Instead of running long wires to the subwoofer at the front, the box connected the satellites and communicated wirelessly. The BRAVIA Theatre System 6 carries this idea forward, making setup cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing.
Sound from above or around?
There are two models — the BRAVIA Theatre Bar 6 and the BRAVIA Theatre System 6. The Bar 6 suits smaller rooms, with a compact design that fits beneath most televisions. It includes five speakers — left, centre and right — plus two up-firing drivers for height effects. A subwoofer with a six-inch, front-ported driver rounds out the system.
The Theatre System 6 builds on this with two compact rear speakers and a more powerful subwoofer. The satellite units can sit discreetly on bookshelves or be wall-mounted. They connect to an included hub and are designed for slightly larger rooms.
Front and rear speakers connect wirelessly for fewer wires and easy setup. This box unifies the satellite speakers
Another difference lies in the ports. With the System 6, all connections sit at the back of the subwoofer. The subwoofer then communicates with the soundbar. This works perfectly if the subwoofer is positioned near the television.
The System 6 drops the up-firing speakers, instead using a left-centre-right arrangement with dedicated tweeters to widen the soundstage. Immersion comes from the rear speakers, which play audio from behind.
Setting it up
All connectivity options — optical, audio, HDMI eARC/ARC and a bar-connection port — sit on the subwoofer. This means it must be kept reasonably close to the television, which may not suit all room layouts.
Satellite speakers should ideally be placed at ear height, either on shelves or mounted on the wall behind the listener.
Setup is handled through the BRAVIA Connect app. Bring your phone close to the subwoofer to start. The app will ask how far you sit from the bar — under five feet, five to 8.25 feet, or further back. For most homes, the middle option applies. You can control volume, bass level and rear-speaker levels through the app.
The remote includes a Sound Field button, mirrored in the app. This virtualises 2.1 audio, and the system can decode Dolby Atmos. For music, Sound Field is best kept off for a natural 2.1 presentation. When Sound Field is enabled, you can choose between Sony’s Vertical Surround Engine, Dolby Speaker Virtualiser or DTS Virtual:X. Sony’s own setting remains the most reliable option.
Another important setting is Stereo Content Playback Type, with two choices — Multi Stereo and Upmix. Upmix is the better option, taking 2.1 audio and turning it into convincing surround sound. Multi Stereo duplicates front audio into the rear channels, which feels unnecessary.
With the rear speakers, channel separation is excellent. Classical and pop tracks in 2.1 mode sound detailed, with the subwoofer providing the extra low-end punch many users enjoy. Games also benefit, with directional cues arriving from behind — something missed on standard TV speakers.
The remote is straightforward. The useful Night mode reduces dynamic range so others in the house are not disturbed, preventing constant volume adjustments.
Make the call
The biggest strength here is that the system includes rear speakers, plus a connection hub that avoids long cable runs to the front of the room. Dolby Atmos decoding is handled well. When paired with a Sony BRAVIA TV, AI processing isolates dialogue from background noise — helpful for soft conversations. Without a BRAVIA TV, a simpler voice mode is available.
The larger subwoofer delivers more impactful bass, and the rear speakers enhance immersion significantly. If you are deciding between this and a traditional receiver-based system, the choice depends on your priorities. For absolute audio fidelity, separate components still win. The Theatre System 6 offers impressive performance at a far more accessible price.
Build quality is solid, with a metal grille and a clean design. The subwoofer is particularly robust, weighing over 11kg. The warm audio signature will appeal to most users. Even in a medium-sized room, the setup creates a cinematic atmosphere. Whether or not you own a Sony BRAVIA TV, the performance will not disappoint. It is a worthy investment if you are assembling a capable home-theatre setup. Put simply, it delivers expansive, room-filling sound at a reasonable price.
Mathures Paul
At a glance
Device: Sony BRAVIA Theatre System 6
Price: ₹49,990
High notes
Strong surround sound experience
Dedicated rear speakers included
Powerful subwoofer
Easy app-based setup
Warm, pleasing audio signature
Solid build quality
Effective dialogue enhancement with Sony TVs
Compact satellite speaker design
Useful ‘Night’ mode
Muffled note
Subwoofer needs to be placed near the TV