Our presentation of Sony's 2026 audio-video range begins with two new soundbars, the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 7 and Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 5. We'll start with the former before discussing the latter in a later article.
While the new Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 7 and Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 5 (also known as the HT-A7100 and HT-A5100, respectively) embody two distinct home cinema approaches, they share the same philosophy: to offer a wider, more precise, and easier-to-install immersive experience. The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 7, a compact yet remarkably powerful 5.1.2 model, boasts a relatively compact 95 cm length. Despite its size, the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 7 is a 5.1.2 system with a dense internal architecture. Nine speakers, including two X-Balanced woofers (ovoid shape), two tweeters, five full-range drivers (two of which are positioned at the ends), four passive radiators, and two up-firing drivers, combine to create a system designed to project a wide soundstage despite its small footprint.
The presence of the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping process densifies the sound field: the bar is thus able to generate five phantom speakers (see illustration above), and the association with the Rear 9 rear speakers increases this number up to eleven for a 7.1.2 configuration (see illustration below). The immersive effect then gains in verticality and depth, to the point of rivaling much bulkier systems. The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 7, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced for immersive sound. The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 7 ticks all the boxes for a modern home cinema setup: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, IMAX Enhanced certification, quick calibration via smartphone in ten seconds flat, and seamless integration with Bravia TVs thanks to the Voice Zoom 3 function and quick settings accessible from the TV screen. The design, too, has been conceived to integrate naturally under the 2026 models, with feet included to raise the bar if needed. The whole package creates a compact, premium solution for those who want serious immersion without multiple speakers. Daily management of the soundbar can also be done via the Bravia Connect app, which allows you to easily adjust the volume, sound profiles, and advanced settings from a smartphone.
Regarding HDMI, the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 7 features one HDMI output with eARC functionality and one HDMI input. The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 7 soundbar is available for pre-order starting today.
