Photo: Ryan Waniata
Bravia Projector 7 (VLP-XW5100ES)
Sony’s Topline Bravia Projector 8 and Projector 9 are $16K and $32,000, respectively, and most of us can’t get close to grabbing one. While these models are targeted at luxury or professional installations, the new Bravia 7 should be more affordable, making it a more down-to-earth installation contender. Offering resolution in 4K HDR and getting 2,200 brightness from its laser light source (Bravia Projector 8 hits 2,700 and 9 claims 3,400), these 7 packages are impressive. It shares many technologies with siblings, including XR dynamic tone mapping, optimal brightness with color gradients, XR Deep Black to control laser scheduling in dark scenes and increase gains for highlights, and XR Triluminios Pro for enhanced color. It is also compatible with IMAX enhanced video, with up to 4K/120 Hz for low-latency gaming.
In a small room deep inside the Sony demo hall, we have to see how the Projector 7 matches Sony’s first two projectors, its predecessor and some JVC models. These 7 do pop up the most outstanding HDR demos compared to previous Sony models (the hardest-to-be called XW5000ES), with much less white clips and higher clarity. It’s similar to JVC’s competition DLA-NZ7, with less editing in tougher HDR scenes, although we have to see it outside Sony’s demo space to better understand its skills. One downside of the cheaper model is that unlike the projectors 8 and 9, it requires the focus of the manual lens. Otherwise, it’s an interesting new option for those who build high-end home theaters.
Photo: Ryan Waniata
The new Bravia sounds
Bravia Theater System 6
We didn’t spend a lot of time on Sony’s new audio system, but the brand’s new 1,000-watt 5.1 surround system made the biggest impression. The system includes a front soundbar, including a rear surround, and a considerable subwoofer. It sells like an old HTB (home theater in the box), and it uses an amplifier that connects wirelessly to the bar and feeds the proprietary rear speakers through speaker wires. It’s a pretty weird setup, but the sound in our brief demo is solid, with warm and relatively detailed mid-range, solid surrounding expansion and thumbs of submarines. If it comes out at an approachable price, it could be a great new mid-range surround sound option.
Photo: Ryan Waniata
Bravia Theatre Bar 6
Don’t talk with theatre 6, theatre 6 bar The 6 is a 3.2.1 system that includes only a bar and subwoofer, although it is compatible with Sony’s new Bravia rear 8 speakers for an extra fee. Another big difference between the two systems is that BAR 6 provides Dolby Atmos and DTS with a buzzing driver: X video, and a Sony vertical surround engine with virtual 3D audio with traditional resources. Sony compared the system to Samsung’s Q600C in several movie scenes. Gran Turismo Sony’s models make up its stuff nicely, especially for mid-range options. The submarine is larger, heavier than Samsung’s model, and the dialogue sounds clear and detailed.
Photo: Ryan Waniata
