I listened to Sony's new modular Bravia theater system, and 'Dune' never sounded so real

Sony has once again pushed the boundaries of home theater technology with the unveiling of its latest flagship product, the Bravia Theater Trio. This cutting-edge system is designed to complement ultra-large at-home screens, catering to audiophiles and film enthusiasts who crave an authentic cinematic experience in the comfort of their own homes. The Bravia Theater Trio is a three-speaker system comprising dedicated left, right, and center channels, eschewing the conventional soundbar design in favor of three separate units for optimized sound allocation.

During a recent demo at Sony's New York City facility, I had the opportunity to experience the Trio firsthand, paired with some of the brand's other Bravia TV companions. The demo featured a scene from 'Dune: Part Two,' where Paul Atreides assumes his role as the Fremen's messiah. The Trio's audio reproduction was nothing short of breathtaking, with the system's ability to expertly layer the score's ominous, deep musical tones.

The sinister sounds of the cello were reproduced with crystal clarity, and I could almost feel the tingling sensation as the rear speakers emulated the rustling of cloth, sand, and metals in the background. The development of the Bravia Trio was a collaborative effort with Andrew DeCristofaro, sound engineer at Sony Pictures Entertainment. In our conversation, DeCristofaro emphasized the importance of the center channel, citing it as his favorite component of the Trio system.

The Trio's center channel delivered exceptionally clear dialogue, even in the most challenging scenes, such as when Atreides's voice is distorted and menacing. The demo also paired the Trio with Sony's flagship Bravia Sub 9, which added a vital layer of depth to the overall audio experience. This combination created an immersive soundscape that transported me to the theater, making me feel like I was an integral part of the movie rather than just a passive viewer.

The Bravia Trio boasts several advanced features, including Sony's 360 Sound Mapping technology, which utilizes microphones to map the room and simulate additional speakers. This feature effectively eliminates the need for extra rear speakers, making the Trio a self-contained solution for an immersive audio experience. The system also supports various spatial audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and IMAX Enhanced, and is compatible with several other Sony Bravia home theater products.

With a price tag of $2,199, the Bravia Trio is undoubtedly a premium product aimed at film and home theater enthusiasts willing to invest in a top-tier audio experience. ZDNET will have a review unit of the Sony Bravia Trio in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for a more in-depth evaluation.