Sony’s Bravia Theatre Trio already did something unusual: it split the soundbar into three separate wireless speakers. A review published by What Hi-Fi? on October 9, 2026 asked what happens when you add Sony’s flagship extras, the Rear 9 surround speakers and the Sub 9 subwoofer. The answer is a full 5.1.4-channel Dolby Atmos system that the reviewers rated the best alternative they have tested to a traditional AVR and speaker package.
The test was a follow-up. When the Trio was first reviewed with the Rear 9s and the smaller Sub 8, the team noted occasional buzzing from the subwoofer and guessed that the Sub 9 would cure it. They were right: in chapter two of Blade Runner 2049 the buzz is gone, replaced by an almost subsonic thump that is very deep and tightly controlled.
What you get
- Bravia Theatre Trio: a 3.0.2-channel system with a claimed 405W, made up of a slim centre speaker and two cylindrical left and right speakers with up-firing drivers
- Rear 9: a further 180W claimed; woofer, tweeter and up-firing driver, with the same up-firing drivers as the front pair
- Sub 9: 600W claimed, for a claimed system total of 1185W
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X; with the rears and sub added, the system is fully IMAX Enhanced certified
- HDMI eARC plus an HDMI input that supports 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM; Bluetooth, wi-fi, Apple AirPlay and Spotify Connect
Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping uses the physical speakers as anchors for up to 24 phantom speakers around the room. Set-up runs through the Bravia Connect app. Alongside the microphones built into the speakers, Sony supplies a dedicated USB-C calibration microphone that plugs into your phone, so the measurement does not depend on whatever mic your handset happens to have.
The Sub 9 is the physical heavyweight. It is a huge, almost cube-shaped box that looks like two Sub 8s fused together and weighs nearly twice as much, so plan its spot carefully. All five speakers are wireless, but each one still needs a mains socket.
How it sounds
In Arrival, What Hi-Fi? found the dialogue clean and locked to the screen, while jets sweep across the ceiling with no audible gaps. The Rear 9s create a real bubble of sound instead of a front-heavy picture with the odd effect from behind. For music, switching Sound Field off plays stereo through the front pair and the Sub 9. The reviewers’ main complaints were that you cannot leave the sub out of that stereo mode and that there is no display, so checking for an Atmos signal means opening the app. Scores: 5 for sound, 4 for design and 4 for features.
Pricing
The Trio costs $2000 / £1999. Bought separately, the Rear 9 costs $750 / £699 and the Sub 9 $900 / £899. In the UK, both extras are half price when bought with the Trio, which brings the whole system to £2798. In the US, What Hi-Fi? found the full bundle for $3250. Rivals include the Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra ($2446 / £2516) and Sony’s own Bravia Theatre Quad with the Sub 9 ($2496 / £2949).
Earlier on GismoLand: Sony BRAVIA Theater Trio. A surround system that ditches the rear speakers.
