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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

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX vs Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Sep 24, 2024 01:23 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Aug 02, 2024 09:04 PM

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Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Picture
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Picture
Channels
5.1.4
Channels
4.1.4
  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. Subwoofer
  3. All-In-One

Variants

  • AMBEO Soundbar MAX (Black)
  • HT-A9 with SAS-SW5 (Light Gray - Black)

Review

See Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Review
See Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Review
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Our Verdict

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX

Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module

The Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module and the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX are two very different setups. The Sennheiser is a large standalone soundbar. It gets louder than the Sony with less compression at max volume and has a better center channel performance. The Sony has a unique design with four speakers, a small control box, and its subwoofer. It's better-built, with better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances.

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Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

8.0
7.4

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.7
5.4

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
9.0

Center 
 

8.8
6.6

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.9
7.5

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
0.0

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

101.6 dB SPL
86.6 dB SPL

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Style photo - bar
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Style photo - sub
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

No
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Integrated
Passive Radiator
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Style photo - satellites
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Dimensions photo - bar
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

49.3" (125.2 cm)
6.3" (16.0 cm)

Height  

5.2" (13.3 cm)
12.2" (31.0 cm)

Depth  

6.8" (17.2 cm)
5.8" (14.8 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Dimensions photo - sub
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

N/A
10.6" (27.0 cm)

Height  

N/A
15.9" (40.5 cm)

Depth  

N/A
16.5" (42.0 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Dimensions photo - satellites
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
6.3" (16.0 cm)

Height  

N/A
12.2" (31.0 cm)

Depth  

N/A
5.8" (14.8 cm)
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Bar Mounting Holes
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Satellite Mounting Holes
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Build Quality 
 

7.5
8.5

Build quality photo  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Build quality photo
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX In The Box photo
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.9
7.5

Stereo Setup  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX 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 
 

Neutral
Standard Surround

Slope 
 

1.02
0.03

Std. Err. 
 

4.39 dB
2.79 dB

Channels 
 

5.1.4
4.1.4

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

29.5 Hz
46.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.6 kHz
19.6 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.3
7.5

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Neutral
Standard Surround

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

6
6

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
N/A

Slope 
 

0.32
0.03

Std. Err. 
 

2.88 dB
2.79 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

29.1 Hz
46.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.3 kHz
19.6 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
9.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

1.84 dB
2.14 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.7
5.4

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

101.6 dB SPL
86.6 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.72 dB
4.75 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.5
7.6

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.16
0.47

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.07
1.88
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.8
6.6

Center Setup  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX 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 
 

0.36
-0.04

Std. Err. 
 

2.60 dB
2.95 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

98.9 dB SPL
88.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.15
0.42

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.73
1.66
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

6.4
7.5

Surround Setup  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Surround Setup
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Discrete

Slope 
 

1.56
-0.90

Std. Err. 
 

3.99 dB
3.50 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

102.2 dB SPL
89.2 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.26
0.40

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.66
1.42

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.3
7.1

Height Setup  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX 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)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Slope 
 

1.00
0.36

Std. Err. 
 

4.26 dB
1.97 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

95.1 dB SPL
82.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.41
1.16

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.60
0.32
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

5.9
8.3

Room Correction 
 

Yes
Yes

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

No
No

EQ 
 

Graphic + Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX 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 
 

3
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

Yes
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

1
1

Subwoofer Output 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

9.9
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 5.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

9.9
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 5.1

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 
 

7.5
7.8

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

72 ms
74 ms

Optical 
 

71 ms
N/A

Full HDMI In 
 

88 ms
54 ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

8.5
0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

30Hz

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

Yes

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Yes

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 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Interface photo
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Controls photo
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX 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
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Light Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX

Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX vs Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module: Main Discussion

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