Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
For most living rooms, What Hi-Fi?’s comparison favors the Sonos Beam Ultra for its more cohesive sound, convincing Dolby Atmos presentation and slightly better spatial positioning. Choose the Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 7 + S instead if you want stronger bass impact from a separate subwoofer or need DTS:X. Both delivered clear dialogue in the review.
Which soundbar should you buy?
The choice comes down to whether you prefer an integrated single-bar presentation or the stronger low-end impact of a separate subwoofer. What Hi-Fi? named the Beam Ultra its winner, judging it more engaging and cohesive overall, with a more convincing near-dome Atmos effect. Those are listening impressions from that publication’s test, not independent measurements.
- Choose Sonos Beam Ultra for a single soundbar with the review’s preferred spatial placement and Atmos presentation.
- Choose Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 7 + S for meatier, more forceful bass and support for DTS:X.
How they compare
| What matters | Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 7 + S | Sonos Beam Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Compared configuration | 5.1.2-channel soundbar package with a separate subwoofer, as described by What Hi-Fi? | 7.1.2-channel single soundbar, as described by What Hi-Fi? and Sonos. |
| Bass | More forceful and meatier in What Hi-Fi?’s listening test; the review also noted some buzzing from the bar on the very lowest notes. | More integrated, even and nuanced in the review, but less floor-shaking than the Sony package. |
| Atmos and spatial sound | Expansive soundfield; supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. | What Hi-Fi? preferred its spatial positioning and near-dome Atmos effect; supports Dolby Atmos, not DTS:X according to the comparison. |
| Dialogue | Crisp and expressive in the review. | Crisp and expressive in the review. |
| UK price cited | £699 for the compared Bar 7 + S package in What Hi-Fi?’s article published 28 September 2026. Sony later listed the standalone Bar 7 at £599; that is a different configuration. | £699 in What Hi-Fi?’s article published 28 September 2026; a current price was not established. |
What the listening comparison found
Bass: Sony has the bigger impact
What Hi-Fi? compared bass using the start of Chapter 2 of Blade Runner 2049. The Sony package sounded meatier, which fits its separate-subwoofer configuration. The Sonos bass came across as more evenly integrated and nuanced. The review also reported a little buzzing from the Sony bar on the lowest notes, a caveat to consider if you listen at high volume or prioritize deep bass detail.
Atmos and placement: Sonos is more convincing
For spatial placement, the review used the interrogation scene between Officer K and the interviewer in Blade Runner 2049. It found the Beam Ultra slightly ahead at positioning sounds and judged its Atmos presentation more convincing, holding together more effectively as a near-dome effect. Both soundfields extended beyond the television’s height and width; a larger channel count alone does not establish which will sound more immersive.
#1 Best Overall
- ULTIMATE SURROUND SOUND WITH 360 SPATIAL SOUND MAPPING: Experience the ultimate in home surround sound with technology that creates 5 phantom speakers in front of you and reflects sound off the ceiling and walls.
- MAKE EVERYWHERE THE BEST SEAT: Enjoy a cinematic surround experience calibrated specifically for your room with Sound Field Optimization that ensures every seat is the best seat.
- SOUND STRAIGHT FROM CINEMA: Get premium streaming experience with support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and an IMAX Enhanced certification for a truly premium experience
- IMMERSIVE SOUND FROM 9 SPEAKER UNITS: Experience cinematic surround sound from a single soundbar featuring 9 speaker units including dedicated woofers and tweeters for precise imaging, up-firing speakers enhanced by 360 Spatial Sound Mapping,1 side-firing speakers that fill your room with expansive sound, and a full-range center speaker for clear, natural dialogue.
- DEEPEN YOUR SOUND: Expand your setup with dual subwoofers and rear speakers for an even more immersive experience. (sold separately)
Dialogue: no clear tie-breaker
What Hi-Fi? found dialogue crisp and expressive on both systems. If speech clarity is your main concern, the comparison does not establish a clear winner between them.
Formats and connections
The format difference is straightforward: Sony supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, while the What Hi-Fi? comparison says Beam Ultra does not support DTS:X. Sony’s UK product information also lists both formats for the standalone Bar 7. If you regularly watch DTS:X content, that support may outweigh the Sonos review’s advantage in Atmos presentation.
Rank #2
- WIRELESS SUBWOOFER INCLUDED: BRAVIA Bar 7 + Sub 7 pairs 9 speaker units and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping with the slim Sub 7 to create cinematic surround sound and deeper, more precise bass in a space-saving design. (BRAVIA Connect App setup is required to connect the Soundbar and Subwoofer.)
- ULTIMATE SURROUND SOUND WITH 360 SPATIAL SOUND MAPPING: 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology creates 5 phantom speakers in front of you and reflects sound off the ceiling and walls, enabling cinema-style surround sound from a single soundbar.
- MAKE EVERYWHERE THE BEST SEAT: Sound Field Optimization ensures optimal performance based on your room’s acoustics.
- SOUND STRAIGHT FROM CINEMA: Supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for a truly premium experience.
- IMMERSIVE SOUND FROM 9 SPEAKER UNITS: Up-firing, side-firing, and center speakers create expansive surround sound.
What Hi-Fi? says the Sony Bar 7 has two HDMI sockets, including an eARC connection for the TV and a separate input. Sony’s UK product page describes the standalone bar as having nine speaker units, HDMI 2.1 capability, and expansion options with compatible wireless subwoofers and rear speakers. Those expansion options concern the standalone bar; check the exact contents of any bundle before buying.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Check the price and package, not just the model name
What Hi-Fi? reported UK prices of £699 for each comparison entry in its article published 28 September 2026. Sony’s UK store later displayed £599 for the standalone BRAVIA Theatre Bar 7, not the Bar 7 + S package tested against the Sonos. Retail prices and bundle contents can change, and the Beam Ultra’s current price was not confirmed in the cited material. Compare the products with the same country, date and included components in mind.
Rank #3
- ULTIMATE SURROUND SOUND WITH 360 SPATIAL SOUND MAPPING: Experience the ultimate in home surround sound with technology that creates 5 phantom speakers in front of you and reflects sound off the ceiling and walls.
- MAKE EVERYWHERE THE BEST SEAT: Enjoy a cinematic surround experience calibrated specifically for your room with Sound Field Optimization that ensures every seat is the best seat.
- COMPATIBLE SONY SOUNDBARS, HOME THEATER SYSTEMS & RECEIVERS: BRAVIA Theater QUAD, BRAVIA Theater Bar 9, BRAVIA Theater Bar 8, BRAVIA Theater Bar 7, HT-A7000, HT-A5000, HT-A3000, and STR-AN1000.
- BOLD, BOOMING BASS: With deep bass from a powerful 130mm driver, this subwoofer amplifies every moment. Experience booming explosions and deep, distortion-free beats. Clearer voices and enhanced fidelity ensure soundtracks come through with authenticity.
- COMPATIBLE SONY SOUNDBARS: BRAVIA Theater Bar 9, BRAVIA Theater Bar 8, BRAVIA Theater Bar 7, HT-A7000, HT-A5000, HT-A3000
Before ordering, confirm whether a Sony listing includes the separate subwoofer: the review’s bass comparison is against the Bar 7 + S package, not the standalone bar. Also check local pricing for the Beam Ultra rather than treating the dated £699 figure as a live quote.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- UNLEASH THE FULL POTENTIAL OF SURROUND SOUND: Hear cinema-style surround sound all around you with 360 Spatial Sound Mapping.
- ROOM OPTIMIZED SOUND: Sound is auto calibrated to your room’s characteristics with Sound Field Optimization.
- SOUND STRAIGHT FROM CINEMA: Supports industry-standard formats including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and IMAX Enhanced.
- INNOVATIVE ACOUSTIC DESIGN: With 11 speaker units, hear exceptional acoustic performance and precise room filling spatial audio.
- EXPAND YOUR SURROUND SOUND: Expand the cinematic experience with optional wireless subwoofer (SW3/SA-SW5) and rear speakers (RS3R/RS5).
Rank #4
- ULTIMATE SURROUND SOUND WITH 360 SPATIAL SOUND MAPPING: Experience the ultimate in home surround sound with technology that creates 5 phantom speakers in front of you and reflects sound off the ceiling and walls.
- MAKE EVERYWHERE THE BEST SEAT: Enjoy a cinematic surround experience calibrated specifically for your room with Sound Field Optimization that ensures every seat is the best seat.
- SOUND STRAIGHT FROM CINEMA: Get premium streaming experience with support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and an IMAX Enhanced certification for a truly premium experience
- IMMERSIVE SOUND FROM 9 SPEAKER UNITS: Experience cinematic surround sound from a single soundbar featuring 9 speaker units including dedicated woofers and tweeters for precise imaging, up-firing speakers enhanced by 360 Spatial Sound Mapping,1 side-firing speakers that fill your room with expansive sound, and a full-range center speaker for clear, natural dialogue.
- COMPATIBLE SONY SOUNDBARS: BRAVIA Theater Bar 9, BRAVIA Theater Bar 8, BRAVIA Theater Bar 7, HT-A7000, HT-A5000, HT-A3000
Sources
- What Hi-Fi?, Robyn Quick, comparison published 28 September 2026 — listening impressions, configurations and article-date prices.
- Sony UK BRAVIA Theatre Bar 7 product information and store listing — standalone-bar specifications and the observed listing price.
- Sonos UK Beam product page — Beam Ultra channel configuration and Dolby Atmos identification.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
