Sony Bravia Theatre Quad

Super-convenient, sonically sound and really quite expensive

Home cinema speaker package | €2,39,990

While we firmly believe that a dedicated AV receiver and speaker package is the best way to achieve immersive home cinema sound, we also have to admit that there are some compromises to be had in opting for a set-up such as that. Let’s not beat around the bush – whether for practical or aesthetic reasons, no one wants cables trailing around their living room. Rogue wires usually repulse interior design aficionados, while cats and dogs often like to gnaw at them.

That’s why a product such as the Sony Bravia Theatre Quad makes total sense to us – it’s a full surround-sound speaker package that is wireless except for the power cable for each unit, with sound being sent through the air from a box hooked up to your TV’s HDMI eARC socket. Conceptually, this neat solution is already a winner. Sony has attempted this type of product before with incredibly successful results: the HT-A9 has been a beloved product within What Hi-Fi?’s Team AV, so news of a sequel has us rather giddy.

Unfortunately, the Bravia Theatre Quad system takes a bit of a stumble at the first hurdle, as it is significantly more expensive than the preceding HT-A9 package.

The HT-A9 launched in 2021, and while we acknowledge that inflation and the financial landscape have changed drastically within the past three years, this still feels like a rather excessive and gratuitous leap in price. While the Quad is set to succeed the HT-A9 in the long term, the older model remains available on Sony's website and through other retailers, although we are not sure how long for.

Furthermore, as was the case with the HT-A9 system, Sony doesn't include a subwoofer with the Quad, so you will have to shell out even more cash for either the SA-SW5 or SA-SW3 if you feel the low end is lacking. More on that later.