Adventures in AV: 2026 is the year of weird and wacky soundbar systems
Before I get into singing my latest sound bar, let me introduce myself. I’m Robyn, a staff writer here What is Hi-Fi?and I will be your guide for today’s adventure in AV.
I review soundbars for a living, which means I spend a lot of time in our test room listening to a huge variety of new models. That ranges from affordable bars to high end systems.
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This clever design gives users a flexibility uncommon in sound bar systems, and is a standout feature of the JBL model. Its audio performance didn’t impress us enough to earn a five-star rating, but it earned a solid four stars for its pleasant sound and clear vocals.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a JBL system with this feature – the OG Bar 1300 entered our test room a few years ago with a similar capability. But I’m surprised I haven’t seen more soundbars “borrow” this great (and effective) option since then.
That JBL is not the only model that can surprise us with its unusual construction. The Sony Bravia Theater System 6 also features a unique design. The system launched at £499/$798/AU$1199, putting it in the entry-level Dolby Atmos category.
While the main sound bar is connected directly to the subwoofer, the surround speakers are not. Instead, the sub wirelessly transmits surround sound information to a receiver box in the back of the room that is then wired to two surround speakers.
It’s a weird retro style. We don’t see many wired surround sound systems these days – full-fledged home theater surround speaker packages, of course.
The idea is that while all the speakers themselves are wired, there are no cables running from the front to the back of your room. These cables make the design feel like a throwback to the “home theater in a box” systems of the early 2010s, and the inclusion of a receiver box gives the Sony soundbar an unusual look overall.
In terms of its sound, however, the Bravia Theater System 6 really shines with its punchy bass and integrated surround sound. So much so, that it has earned a glowing five-star rating from us.
I have a sneaking suspicion that we’ll continue to see a lot of unusual soundbars pass through our test room over the next few months…
This week, for example, we’ve been testing the Majority Halo Bowfell Atmos sound bar system. The 5.1 channel model may not seem so strange at first, offering as it does two small surround speakers, a subwoofer and a large sound bar.
But when we opened the box, we were surprised by the size of the package. He is young. The main sound bar measures just 6.2 x 40.5 x 9 cm (hwd) – that’s not even the length of a full baguette.
That’s a pro for those short on space. And, considering it retails for a jaw-dropping £170 (around $225 / AU$320), it’s a wallet-friendly option too.
Our review of the Majority soundbar is forthcoming but – spoiler alert – it’s an exciting and dynamic cinema player.
With these oddball soundbar models joining the ranks with a high degree of success, I’m excited to see which oddball bar will hit the test room next. And who knows? It may outshine a regular model at the top of its class.
MORE:
Here we are The best soundbars for Dolby Atmos we checked
This is our review of the JBL 1000MK2 bar
Check it out best budget soundbars
