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JBL Bar 9.1 vs Sony HT-A9
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
JBL Bar 9.1
Sony HT-A9
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 30, 2025 09:10 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1.4
Channels4.0.4
Variants
- Bar 9.1 (Black)
- HT-A9 (Light Gray)
Our Verdict
JBL Bar 9.1
Sony HT-A9
The JBL Bar 9.1 is better than the Sony HT-A9. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with a discrete subwoofer included. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, so you feel more thump and rumble in your audio. It also has better center and surround performances. However, the 4.0.4 Sony has a much better soundstage, and its Atmos performance is better. You can also upgrade it with a sub, sold separately.
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comLight Gray
HT-A9
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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B&HLight Gray
HT-A9
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BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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BestBuy.comLight Gray
HT-A9
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Walmart.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Walmart.comLight Gray
HT-A9
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B&HMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.9
7.4
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
7.0
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
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
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)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
N/A
Height
17.3" (44.0 cm)
N/A
Depth
12.0" (30.5 cm)
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
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)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
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
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
7.0
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard Surround
Slope
-0.31
0.33
Std. Err.
2.63 dB
3.21 dB
Channels
5.1.4
4.0.4
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
60.8 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.8 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.1
6.9
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard Surround
Suggested Bass Setting
3
1
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
N/A
Slope
-0.31
0.10
Std. Err.
2.63 dB
2.98 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
61.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.8 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
9.0
Crosstalk Error
3.22 dB
2.23 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.8
7.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.0 dB SPL
86.4 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.10 dB
1.39 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2
7.7
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.22
0.41
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.73
2.28
Center
8.6
6.6
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom
Slope
-0.03
-0.44
Std. Err.
2.62 dB
3.07 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.3 dB SPL
88.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.29
0.47
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.60
0.99
Surround 5.1
7.7
7.1
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.38
-1.87
Std. Err.
4.10 dB
4.67 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
97.8 dB SPL
89.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.23
0.66
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.79
1.48
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.1
6.8
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
-1.44
0.75
Std. Err.
5.40 dB
3.00 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.7 dB SPL
84.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.04
0.99
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.63
0.39
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
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
No
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Yes
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
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
0.0
Dolby Digital
Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Not Supported
Latency
8.1
7.8
Latency Video
ARC
53 ms
74 ms
Optical
47 ms
N/A
Full HDMI In
-53 ms
54 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
6.3
9.5
1080p Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
60Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
Yes
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
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
Check Price
Black
Bar 9.1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comLight Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
B&HLight Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
BestBuy.comLight Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
Walmart.comLight Gray
HT-A9
SEARCH
B&H
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JBL Bar 9.1
Sony HT-A9
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JBL Bar 9.1 vs Sony HT-A9: Main Discussion
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