The Sony Bravia Theater U might look a little goofy, but its utility far outweighs its design. A shoulder-mounted speaker system could have easily been seen as a gimmick that doesn’t offer anything more than some garbled audio emanating from an uncomfortable piece of tech. However, theSonyBravia Theater U really impressed and surprised me.
Sony Bravia Theater U Setup and Sound Quality
Sony’s Bravia Theater U works exactly as you might expect. You put the device on your shoulders, connect it via a few options, and then the audio envelops you. There isn’t a lot more to it, but what’s so impressive is its audio quality and precision. For a $300 price tag, one would hope that the Bravia Theater U would sound good but that isn’t always a given with pricier audio devices.
The good news is that video games, movies, TV, and music all come through with superb clarity and the Theater U does an excellent job of delivering the precise surround sound experience that speakers offer. I don’t have a Sony Bravia TV to be able to test the 360 Spatial Surround Sound that the device supports, but just connected to Bluetooth everything sounded great. Movies were more immersive, I could pinpoint the direction of sound effects in games, and it was great to just lay back and enjoy some music at the end of a long day.
For gamers, connectivity still works over Bluetooth and with any device but there is also the option to use a wired connection through theDualSense PS5 controlleras well. This will allow the Bravia Theater U to tap into the console’s Tempest 3D Audio profile (where supported) and deliver a much more nuanced soundscape. It’s disappointing that the Theater U doesn’t use PlayStation Link like the Pulse Explore orPulse Elite headsets, but it’s not too much of a hindrance to have a wired connection when it’s through the controller.
The Bravia Theater U is Impressive Wearable Tech
It’s not just the quality of the sound that impressed me about the Bravia Theater U; to be honest, you can get solid audio reproduction with any number ofgaming audio devices. It’s how the tech makes it sound as if you are wearing headphones without the potential strain on your ears or head. The Sony Bravia Theater U really does feel like you are being immersed in your media. They are comfortable to wear with a slight flexibility to fit any person. The device itself is also rigid enough that the speakers are positioned correctly, with soft, cushioned material on the bottom so that there is no strain on your shoulders.
Obviously, the benefit of privacy with headphones can’t be replicated with the Bravia Theater U, but it does focus the audio enough that someone nearby won’t be as distracted as if a true speaker system were going. I could sit roughly six feet away from someone and the audio would be muffled enough that they could focus on another task. And for those who might want to share the Bravia Theater U experience with someone else, the tech does have a “Speaker Add” function that lets two of the devices share the same audio. The Theater U also has multi-point connection over Bluetooth so you can cycle between listening to two different devices.
The Sony Bravia Theater U includes a microphone for voice chat or voice calls. The quality is decent but it’s not at the same level of most higher end headsets.
Sony’s Bravia Theater U may not be the most stylish but it is still a great piece of tech. Excellent audio quality that is clear and precise allows you to wear the device and be immersed in your media without disturbing family members in the other room. It’s comfortable to wear while mimicking the feeling of wearing a headset. $299 is a steep price to pay for such a personalized audio device, but the tech works very well and this should catch audio enthusiasts’ attention. The best thing I can say about the Theater U is that it’s much cooler than it looks.
