Lets say you want to listen to high-quality surround sound without a sound bar or headphones.
Or maybe you want to annoy someone trying to enjoy a book on the couch next to you?
Then you should consider wrapping theSony Bravia Theater U neck speakeraround your throat.
The Theater U is comfortable enough, and I found it kept relatively steady even when walking around.Photo: Artem Golub / Gizmodo
Just try not to get tangled in the cables running from your collarbone to controller.
To be fair, the $300 Theater U is comfortable with some great audio capabilities.
There are legitimate reasons why sound hounds might prefer this speaker over a pair of headphones.
Ergonomically, its a win for Sony.
With that all set, I was granted some truly impressive 3D audio.
The generated effect is pretty compelling.
The sound quality was excellent, with practically high-end headphone levels with full-range speakers.
And then you tilt your head a bare five degrees, and the effect is ruined.
I only encountered this issue using the Bravia TV set with Sonys spatial sound app.
On other devices and TVs, theres much less of a problem.
The sound does distort slightly when you divert your ears, but its not too noticeable.
I used it in single-player and multiplayer games like Resident Evil 4 and Helldivers 2.
The bass was hefty enough that the explosions and gunshots sounded punchy.
Does the cable connection to the PS5 even matter?
Im confused about why Sonys television people werent thinking of Sony Interactives PlayStation Link.
This is the same tech that allows low-latency connection with thePlayStation Pulse Eliteheadset andearbuds.
In my experience, that connection standard was just as acceptable for 3D audio on PS5.
Update 11/25/24 at 1:24 p.m. News from the future, delivered to your present.
PS5 and Xbox gamers are out of luck… for now.
