Overview

The Sony BRAVIA Theatre Rear 8 adds a true rear surround channel to a compatible Sony soundbar or AV receiver, filling in the sound-from-behind-you piece that a soundbar alone can't provide. Each speaker uses a two-way design with its own woofer and tweeter, powered by a Digital S-Master amplifier for a combined 100W of output across the pair.

They connect wirelessly to your Sony soundbar or receiver, so there's no cable to run to the back of the room, and setup is handled through the BRAVIA Connect app rather than manual channel configuration.

Paired with a compatible Sony soundbar, the Rear 8 works with 360 Spatial Sound Mapping to build out phantom speaker positions around the room, rather than leaving surround effects to come from the front of the room alone.

Simcoe Audio Video Insight

For clients who already own a compatible BRAVIA Theatre soundbar and want to move from virtual surround to something closer to a real rear channel, this is the most straightforward add-on we recommend. It's not a substitute for a full discrete surround package, but for a media room or living room setup where running speaker wire to the back wall isn't practical, it closes that gap wirelessly and keeps the whole system controllable from one app.

More Info

Why the Sony BRAVIA Theatre Rear 8 Stands Out

Two-Way Speaker Design

Each speaker pairs a woofer with a tweeter rather than a single full-range driver, for clearer separation between midrange and high-frequency detail.

100W Digital Amplification

A built-in Digital S-Master amplifier delivers a combined 100W (50W per speaker), so the pair doesn't need a separate external amp.

360 Spatial Sound Mapping Compatible

Works with compatible Sony soundbars to create phantom speaker positions throughout the room for a more enveloping surround field.

Wireless Connection

Connects wirelessly to a compatible Sony soundbar or AV receiver, so there's no speaker wire to run across the room.

BRAVIA Connect App Setup

Setup, volume, and sound field adjustments are handled through the BRAVIA Connect app, with surround controls also available from a compatible BRAVIA TV remote.

Broad Sony System Compatibility

Works with the BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9 and Bar 8 soundbars, the HT-A7000, HT-A5000, and HT-A3000, and the STR-AN1000 and STR-AZ series AV receivers.

Buyer's Guide

Who It's For

• The Soundbar Owner Ready to Upgrade: Anyone with a compatible BRAVIA Theatre soundbar who wants real rear-channel sound instead of a soundbar's virtual surround processing.
• The Wireless-First Household: Clients who want a fuller surround setup without running speaker wire across or behind a living room.
• The Sony Ecosystem Owner: Anyone already invested in Sony's BRAVIA Theatre soundbars or STR AV receivers who wants everything to control from one app.

How It Compares

Against relying on your soundbar's built-in virtual surround processing alone, adding the Rear 8 gives you sound that actually originates from behind the listening position rather than being simulated from the front of the room, which is the biggest single upgrade most soundbar owners can make to their surround experience.