Sony's BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 Simulates Height Effects Without Upward Speakers

Sony's HT-B500 soundbar creates the illusion of overhead sound—a key feature of Dolby Atmos—using software algorithms on standard front-facing drivers, rather than physical ceiling or up-firing speakers. The tradeoff is sound quality for ease of installation and lower cost, a practical compromise increasingly common as manufacturers weigh consumer demand for immersive audio against price and setup complexity.