Key Features & Breakdown

1. 3.1.2 Channel Configuration (The "What Does It Mean?")

• 3: Three main channels - Left, Center, and Right. The dedicated center channel is crucial for clear dialogue in movies and TV shows.

• 1: One active subwoofer (the SADW3) for deep, powerful bass.

• .2: Two "Up-firing" speakers. These are built into the soundbar and bounce sound off your ceiling to create the illusion of height, essential for the Dolby Atmos experience.

2. Immersive Audio Support: Dolby Atmos & DTS:X

• Dolby Atmos: This is the star of the show. It creates a "3D" soundscape with object-based audio, making it feel like sounds are coming from all around you, including overhead.

• DTS:X: A competing, but also highly effective, object-based audio format for immersive sound.

3. 360 Spatial Sound Mapping (Sony's Special Sauce)

This is a proprietary Sony technology. It uses the multiple speakers inside the soundbar to create phantom (virtual) speakers from the sides and behind you. You don't need rear satellite speakers to get a sense of surround sound. This works best in a room with a flat ceiling.

4. Connectivity

• HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel): This is the best connection to use. A single HDMI cable from your TV's eARC port to the soundbar allows for the highest quality audio formats (like Dolby Atmos) and lets you control the soundbar volume with your TV remote.

• Optical Input: A digital audio fallback option.

• Bluetooth: For streaming music wirelessly from your phone, tablet, or computer.

• USB: For playing music files directly from a USB drive (supports MP3, WMA, FLAC, etc.).

• Wi-Fi & Chromecast Built-in: This allows for high-quality multi-room audio with other Sony speakers, streaming via Spotify Connect, and using voice control through Google Assistant.

5. Voice Amplifier & Night Mode

• Voice Mode: Enhances dialogue frequencies, making speech clearer and easier to understand, even at low volumes or during loud action scenes.

• Night Mode: Compresses the dynamic range (loud sounds are quieter, quiet sounds are louder), so you don't disturb others while watching at night.