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  1. Home
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Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8

Which Soundbar Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      Style - BarStyle - SubwooferStyle - SatellitesDimensions - BarDimensions - SubwooferDimensions - SatellitesMountingBuild QualityIn The Box
    Sound
      Stereo Frequency ResponseStereo Frequency Response With Preliminary CalibrationStereo SoundstageStereo DynamicsCenterSurround 5.1Height (Atmos)Sound Enhancement Features
    Connectivity
      Inputs/Outputs - BarAudio Format Support: ARC/eARCAudio Format Support: HDMI InAudio Format Support: OpticalAudio Latency: ARCAudio Latency: HDMI InAudio Latency: OpticalVideo Passthrough To TVWireless Playback
    Additional Features
      InterfaceBar ControlsRemoteVoice Assistants Support
    Comments

Products

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM

SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Aug 20, 2025 01:34 PM

SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Picture
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Picture
Channels
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  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Bose

Our Verdict

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar

Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8

The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is a bit more immersive than the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8, with a wider soundstage and a slightly higher Dolby Atmos height. Both are fairly bright soundbars with limited sound enhancements besides room calibration and a handful of listening modes. They both reproduce clear dialogue, too. If you're looking for smart home integration, only the Bose offers voice assistance. The Sony offers a bit more audio format support, such as DTS:X, and includes an HDMI In port in addition to eARC. Plus, you can achieve 4k @ 120Hz via passthrough only with the Sony. If you have older devices, the Bose includes Optical, alongside eARC.

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Variants

  • Smart Ultra Soundbar (Arctic White)
  • Smart Ultra Soundbar (Black)
  • BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 (Black)

Review

See Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Review
See Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Review
18 
13 

Check Price

Black
Smart Ultra Soundbar
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Arctic White
Smart Ultra Soundbar
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
SEE PRICE
B&H

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

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Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Satellite Mounting Holes  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Mountable Bar 
 

Locked
Locked

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked

Mountable Satellites 
 

Locked
Locked

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build quality photo  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Raw Frequency Response  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response Small  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Tested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

Lock
N/A

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Crosstalk  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

N/A
N/A

Surround Setup  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock

7.1 Rears 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

N/A
N/A

Height Setup  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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H Frequency Response  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

N/A
N/A

Room Correction 
 

Locked
Locked

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Locked
Locked

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Bass Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Optical Audio In 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Out 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

Locked
Locked

Full HDMI In 
 

Locked
Locked

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA In 
 

Locked
Locked

USB for Files 
 

Locked
Locked

Ethernet 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Output 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

N/A
N/A

ARC Latency Video  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

HDMI Latency Video  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A
Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A
Lock ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Optical Latency Video  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms
N/A
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

N/A
N/A

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Chromecast built-in 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple AirPlay 
 

Locked
Locked

Spotify Connect 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Locked
Locked

Google Assistant 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple Siri 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone Mute 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Smart Ultra Soundbar
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Arctic White
Smart Ultra Soundbar
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 8
SEE PRICE
B&H
Back to Top

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar

Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8: Main Discussion

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