My team and I test all the latest soundbars every year, and the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 5 stands out as one of the best budget soundbars on the market. It carries an affordable price tag, includes a dedicated wireless subwoofer, and benefits from Sony’s excellent audio processing to deliver crisp, clear, and enveloping sound.

The Bravia Theater Bar 5 typically retails for $350, which is already a solid value. But right now, the soundbar is on sale for $70 off ahead of Black Friday. That matches the lowest price it’s ever dropped to. This is an excellent deal for anyone looking for a soundbar-and-subwoofer combo, and it delivers a big upgrade over the typical speakers built into most TVs, which often sound tiny and shrill in comparison.

If you’re willing to spend a bit more and forgo a separate subwoofer, I also recommend this deal on the Bose Smart Soundbar, which includes upfiring audio drivers for more robust Dolby Atmos height effects. But for shoppers who care most about getting clear, cinematic audio and robust bass without overspending, the Bravia Theater Bar 5 is a standout value.

Looking for more discounts? Check out our full roundup of all the best early Black Friday deals on products across tech, home, kitchen, style, streaming, pets, and more.

Why we love the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 5

The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 5 proves that a soundbar doesn’t need a flashy design or a ton of premium extras to sound excellent. The simple 35.5-inch bar and matte-black wireless subwoofer are fairly understated, but together they deliver the kind of polished, full-bodied performance that’s hard to find at this price.

Dialogue comes through clearly thanks to a dedicated center channel, while the included subwoofer adds ample weight to movies and music. What impressed our reviewer most is how naturally the two components work together: Bass feels punchy without overwhelming the rest of the mix, and sounds move smoothly between low, mid, and high frequencies without feeling disconnected.

Sony’s Sound Field processing does a convincing job of making effects feel wider than the bar itself. This gives action scenes and games a more spacious presentation without crowding your living room with extra speakers. However, while the Bar 5 technically supports Dolby Atmos, it lacks dedicated up-firing drivers, so it can’t fully showcase that format’s benefits.

Getting started is refreshingly easy with simple setup. Sony’s app guides you through the process and offers controls for inputs and bass, while HDMI eARC/ARC and optical connections cover both newer TVs and older gear. You do miss out on some advanced features found on pricier soundbars — like room calibration, WiFi streaming, AirPlay, and Spotify Connect — but Bluetooth is available for wireless listening from your phone.

Looking for more soundbar recommendations? Check out our guides to the best soundbars and best Dolby Atmos soundbars.