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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
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Aug 02, 2024 09:04 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1.4
Channels4.1.4
Variants
- Bar 9.1 (Black)
- HT-A9 with SAS-SW5 (Light Gray - Black)
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.
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Black
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comLight Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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B&HLight Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Walmart.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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BestBuy.comLight Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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B&HBlack
Bar 9.1
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Walmart.comLight Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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BestBuy.comNotice:
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
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Main Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
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
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Passive Radiator
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)
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)
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
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
7.5
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
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
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.1
7.5
Frequency Response Calibrated
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
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
9.0
Crosstalk Error
3.22 dB
2.14 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.8
5.4
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.0 dB SPL
86.6 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.10 dB
4.75 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2
7.6
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.22
0.47
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.73
1.88
Center
8.6
6.6
Center Setup
Frequency Response
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
Surround 5.1
7.7
7.5
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
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
Height (Atmos)
6.1
7.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
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
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 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
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
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
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
0.0
Dolby Digital
Supported
No
DTS
Supported
No
PCM Channels
2.0
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
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
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 - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
B&HLight Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
BestBuy.comLight Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
SEARCH
B&HBlack
Bar 9.1
SEARCH
Walmart.comLight Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
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JBL Bar 9.1
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module
Comments
JBL Bar 9.1 vs Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module: Main Discussion
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