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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Video Passthrough To TV
    7. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

JBL Bar 9.1 vs Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

JBL Bar 9.1
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Aug 02, 2024 09:04 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
JBL Bar 9.1 Picture
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Picture
Channels
5.1.4
Channels
4.1.4

Variants

  • Bar 9.1 (Black)
  • HT-A9 with SAS-SW5 (Light Gray - Black)

Review

See JBL Bar 9.1 review

See Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module review

0
2

Our Verdict

JBL Bar 9.1

Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module

The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with a discrete center channel. It gets louder than the Sony, and there's less compression when pushed to max volume. It can also reproduce a more extended low-bass. That said, the better-built Sony offers better soundstage and Atmos performances.

0

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Black
Bar 9.1
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Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Black
Bar 9.1
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HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our soundbars test methodology.

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.9
7.4

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
7.5

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.8
5.4

Center 
 

8.6
6.6

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
0.0

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
9.0

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - bar
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Style photo - bar

Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - sub
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Passive Radiator

Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 9.1 Style photo - satellites
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - bar
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

34.8" (88.4 cm)
6.3" (16.0 cm)

Height  

2.3" (5.8 cm)
12.2" (31.0 cm)

Depth  

4.7" (11.9 cm)
5.8" (14.8 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - sub
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

12.0" (30.5 cm)
10.6" (27.0 cm)

Height  

17.3" (44.0 cm)
15.9" (40.5 cm)

Depth  

12.0" (30.5 cm)
16.5" (42.0 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

JBL Bar 9.1 Dimensions photo - satellites
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

6.8" (17.3 cm)
6.3" (16.0 cm)

Height  

2.2" (5.6 cm)
12.2" (31.0 cm)

Depth  

4.7" (12.0 cm)
5.8" (14.8 cm)

Show text

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 9.1 Bar Mounting Holes
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

JBL Bar 9.1 Satellite Mounting Holes
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
No

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes
Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Yes
No

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.5

Build quality photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Build quality photo
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Build quality photo

Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

JBL Bar 9.1 In The Box photo
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module In The Box photo

Show text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
7.5

Stereo Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Stereo Setup
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Tested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard Surround

Slope 
 

-0.31
0.03

Std. Err. 
 

2.63 dB
2.79 dB

Channels 
 

5.1.4
4.1.4

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
46.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

18.8 kHz
19.6 kHz

Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.1
7.5

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard Surround

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

3
6

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
N/A

Slope 
 

-0.31
0.03

Std. Err. 
 

2.63 dB
2.79 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
46.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

18.8 kHz
19.6 kHz

Show text

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
9.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

3.22 dB
2.14 dB

Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.8
5.4

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

95.0 dB SPL
86.6 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

2.10 dB
4.75 dB

Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.2
7.6

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.22
0.47

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.73
1.88

Show text

Center 
 

8.6
6.6

Center Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Center Setup
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Phantom

Slope 
 

-0.03
-0.04

Std. Err. 
 

2.62 dB
2.95 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.3 dB SPL
88.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.29
0.42

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.60
1.66

Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

7.7
7.5

Surround Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Surround Setup
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.38
-0.90

Std. Err. 
 

4.10 dB
3.50 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

97.8 dB SPL
89.2 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.23
0.40

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.79
1.42

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No

Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.1
7.1

Height Setup  

JBL Bar 9.1 Height Setup
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Slope 
 

-1.44
0.36

Std. Err. 
 

5.40 dB
1.97 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

89.7 dB SPL
82.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.04
1.16

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.63
0.32

Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

6.2
8.3

Room Correction 
 

Yes
Yes

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

No
No

EQ 
 

Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

JBL Bar 9.1 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
No

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
1 (shared)

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

1
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

1
1

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No

Show text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

10
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS:X 
 

Supported
Yes

eARC 
 

Yes

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
Yes

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Yes

Show text

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

10
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS:X 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
Yes

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM 
 

Yes

Show text

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
0.0

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
No

DTS 
 

Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

2.0

Show text

Latency 
 

8.1
7.8

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

53 ms
74 ms

Optical 
 

47 ms
N/A

Full HDMI In 
 

-53 ms
54 ms

Show text

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

6.3
0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Yes

Show text

Wireless Playback 
 

10
10

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

Yes
Yes

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

No
Yes

Show text

Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Interface photo
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Controls photo
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Controls photo

Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

JBL Bar 9.1 Remote photo
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Remote photo

Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
No

Show text

Check Price

Black
Bar 9.1
Searching
Finding store
Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 9.1
Searching
Finding store
Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 9.1
Searching
Finding store
Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 9.1
Searching
Finding store
Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
Searching
Finding store
Black
Bar 9.1
Searching
Finding store
Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
Searching
Finding store
Back to Top

JBL Bar 9.1

Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

JBL Bar 9.1 vs Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module: Main Discussion

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