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Sony HT-A9 Review

Kenn Muguna Avatar
Updated Dec 20, 2023 11:31 AM

True Score

79
82
5

Experts

84
505

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

Given its premium pricing, the lack of a subwoofer on the Sony HT-A9 might inconvenience bass lovers, but the surround sound experience delivered is stellar, culminating in a very immersive listening experience.

$1,498.00

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

First launched in late 2021, the Sony HT-A9 is a top-end speaker system with a 4.0.4 channel setup and four satellite speakers.

It doesn’t have a rumbling bass depth because of its lack of a subwoofer, but its soundstage is good since the system can accurately project sound from specific locations, and this can also be improved by adjusting where the speakers have been placed according to the room size.

The sound system can render Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus content, and like most top-tier speakers, its wireless playback options are impressive since owners will be able to stream audio content through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay, and Chromecast.

As far as physical inputs go, the sound system offers three HDMI inputs, and while this is not up to par with what the best soundbars have to offer, it is good enough for everyday home use.

Best For

  • Without Subwoofer

Consensus

our Verdict

With a superior soundstage that gives sounds the impression of coming from a specific direction, the Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module produces clear, accurate, and room-filling audio.

The vocals and instrumentals are well-detailed, but its bass is unsatisfying. Connectivity is top-notch, with dependable WiFi and Bluetooth.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t get loud, and there’s no center channel for more realistic vocals and instruments or a graphic equalizer for sound modification.

Nevertheless, its port selection includes an Ethernet connector, a Full HDMI In, and an Optical Audio In.

Also excellent is the latency, tested at 74 ms over ARC and 54 ms over HDMI. In conclusion, the HT-A9 is an easy choice for those that desire a more immersive experience, but the lack of a subwoofer might have bass lovers look elsewhere.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Good sound quality
    • The HT-A9’s sound is well-balanced, clear, and loud enough to fill a room

  • Impressive surround sound
    • The HT-A9 is great for immersive music listening at home, courtesy of its class-leading surround sound features. However, bass heads won’t be impressed with its bass levels.

  • Good vocal clarity
    • The HT-A9’s vocals are clear and easily discernable, and this, plus its dialogue-enhancement setting, makes it suitable for listening to dialogue-focused content.

  • Great surround sound performance
    • The HT-A9 ships as a set of four speakers, creating an all-around surround sound experience. The four satellite speakers adjust automatically with respect to their placement for the perfect surround sound experience.

  • Smart Features/Connectivity
    • Owners will be able to stream to the HT-A9 through either Bluetooth or WiFi easily, but the soundbar also has physical inputs such as a Full HDMI port and an Ethernet port. Smart homeowners will also be able to integrate it into their setup, as it is compatible with both Google Home and Amazon Alexa.

Reason to Avoid

  • Low bass levels
    • The low bass levels and the lack of a subwoofer may disincentivize bass heads from purchasing the HT-A9.

  • Average max volume levels
    • With its max volume rated at 86.4dB, the HT-A9 is below average compared to how loud other alternatives can get.

Sony HT-A9 Specs

Bluetooth EnabledBluetooth EnabledYes
DepthDepth5.78"
Dialogue Enhancement FeatureDialogue Enhancement FeatureYes
Energy Star CertifiedEnergy Star CertifiedNo
HDMI ARCHDMI ARCYes
HeightHeight12.3"
Number of Audio ChannelsNumber of Audio Channels12
SubwooferSubwooferOptional (sold separately)
Surround Sound SupportedSurround Sound SupportedDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus
Voice AssistantVoice AssistantAmazon Alexa
Wall MountableWall MountableYes
WeightWeight30.86 lbs
WidthWidth6.29"
Wireless ConnectivityWireless ConnectivityBluetooth, Wi-Fi
Wireless Subwoofer ConnectivityWireless Subwoofer ConnectivityYes
Works WithWorks WithAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant

All Specs

Test Results

Low End Roll Off (Hz)92.428
High End Roll Off (Hz)13,279.637
Max Volume Test (db)86.4
Latency (ms)74
THD @ 80dB0.41

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Product Comparison

Sony HT-A9 Review

True Score

79
86
87
NR

Ranking

#

63

/

149

#

3

/

149

#

1

/

149

#

/

Market Context

First launched in late 2021, the Sony HT-A9 is a top-end speaker system with a 4.0.4 channel setup and four satellite speakers. It doesn’t have a…

First launched in late 2021, the Sony HT-A9 is a top-end speaker system with a 4.0.4 channel setup and four satellite speakers.

It doesn’t have a rumbling bass depth because of its lack of a subwoofer, but its soundstage is good since the system can accurately project sound from specific locations, and this can also be improved by adjusting where the speakers have been placed according to the room size.

The sound system can render Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus content, and like most top-tier speakers, its wireless playback options are impressive since owners will be able to stream audio content through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay, and Chromecast.

As far as physical inputs go, the sound system offers three HDMI inputs, and while this is not up to par with what the best soundbars have to offer, it is good enough for everyday home use.

While the Sony HT-A9 is a 4.1.4 sound system, the Samsung HW-Q990B is an 11.1.4 channel setup, so the Samsung speaker system can produce a…

While the Sony HT-A9 is a 4.1.4 sound system, the Samsung HW-Q990B is an 11.1.4 channel setup, so the Samsung speaker system can produce a much more immersive surround sound experience. Still, the HT-A9 ships with a total of four satellites, while the HW-Q990B only has two.

The Sony HT-A9 also has two more satellites than the Samsung HW-Q950A, so its surround sound performance is slightly better. However, the HW-Q950A ships with…

The Sony HT-A9 also has two more satellites than the Samsung HW-Q950A, so its surround sound performance is slightly better. However, the HW-Q950A ships with a subwoofer, while the HT-A9 does not. This means that the Samsung sound setup has a lower bass depth than the Sony sound system.

The Sony HT-A9 doesn’t match up to the bass depth that the Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module can put out, and this is because it…

The Sony HT-A9 doesn’t match up to the bass depth that the Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module can put out, and this is because it does not ship with a subwoofer. Otherwise, the two are similar in that they have four satellite speakers and a box-shaped center control.

Bluetooth Enabled

Yes

Yes

Yes

Depth

5.78"

5.4"

5.4"

Dialogue Enhancement Feature

Yes

Yes

Yes

Energy Star Certified

No

Yes

No

HDMI ARC

Yes

Yes

Yes

Height

12.3"

2.7"

2.7"

Number of Audio Channels

12

11.1.4

11.1.4

Subwoofer

Optional (sold separately)

Yes

Included

Dig Deeper

Samsung Q990B Review →

Samsung HW-Q950A Review →

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

82

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

84

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

79

Any product with a True Score above 80 is a Absolutely Fresh

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    101.4

    Category Trust Rating

    74
    The Sony HT-A9 is satisfactory for mixed usage. This setup comes with a Sound Field… Read More

    By:

    Adam Scartozzi
  • Techradar
    39

    Category Trust Rating

    90
    The Sony HT-A9 is perfectly placed for someone looking for a better sound solution than… Read More

    By:

    Abbas Jaffar Ali
  • Expert Reviews UK
    43.7

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    You only get one chance to make a first impression, and the HT-A9 certainly made… Read More

    By:

    Andy White
  • Techhive
    27.5

    Category Trust Rating

    90
    “No bottom line found for this product” Read More

    By:

    James Barber
  • What Hifi
    36.05

    Category Trust Rating

    100
    Sony’s HT-A9 speaker system offers immersive home cinema sound without pretension, successfully combining the ease… Read More

    By:

    What Hi-Fi?