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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. Audio Latency: ARC
    6. Audio Latency: HDMI In
    7. Audio Latency: Optical
    8. Video Passthrough To TV
    9. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

Sony HT-A9 vs Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Sony HT-A9
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jan 30, 2025 09:10 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Jan 10, 2025 02:44 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sony HT-A9 Picture
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Picture
Channels
4.0.4
Channels
5.1.2

Variants

  • HT-A9 (Light Gray)
  • Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module (Arctic White)
  • Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module (Black)

Review

See Sony HT-A9 Review
See Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Review
0 
3 

Our Verdict

Sony HT-A9

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module

The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better for most uses than the standalone Sony HT-A9. The Bose comes with a dedicated sub, and it can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It's also better built with better surrounds and center performances. That said, the Sony has better soundstage and Atmos performances. Unlike the Bose, it even has DTS support and a Full HDMI In for high quality passthrough. You can also upgrade it with a sub if you prefer.

0 

Check Price

Light Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Arctic White
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
SEARCH
Amazon.com
Light Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Light Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Light Gray
HT-A9
SEARCH
B&H
 
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.4
8.2

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.0
8.6

Center 
 

6.6
8.1

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

10
0.0

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.1
8.4

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
No

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sony HT-A9 Style photo - bar
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Style photo - bar
Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sony HT-A9 Style photo - sub
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

No
Yes

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
Ported
Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sony HT-A9 Style photo - satellites
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sony HT-A9 Dimensions photo - bar
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

6.3" (16.0 cm)
41.1" (104.5 cm)

Height  

12.2" (31.0 cm)
2.2" (5.7 cm)

Depth  

5.8" (14.8 cm)
4.3" (11.0 cm)
Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sony HT-A9 Dimensions photo - sub
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

N/A
11.6" (29.5 cm)

Height  

N/A
12.7" (32.3 cm)

Depth  

N/A
11.6" (29.5 cm)
Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sony HT-A9 Dimensions photo - satellites
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

6.3" (16.0 cm)
1.9" (4.8 cm)

Height  

12.2" (31.0 cm)
5.6" (14.3 cm)

Depth  

5.8" (14.8 cm)
1.9" (4.8 cm)
Show text

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Sony HT-A9 Bar Mounting Holes
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sony HT-A9 Satellite Mounting Holes
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes
Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.5

Build quality photo  

Sony HT-A9 Build quality photo
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Build quality photo
Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sony HT-A9 In The Box photo
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module In The Box photo
Show text
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.0
8.6

Stereo Setup  

Sony HT-A9 Stereo Setup
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + 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

Channels 
 

4.0.4
5.1.2

Tested Preset 
 

Standard Surround
No Preset

Slope 
 

0.33
-0.15

Standard Error 
 

3.21 dB
2.08 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

60.8 Hz
25.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

6.9
8.6

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard Surround
No Preset

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

1
0

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
0

Slope 
 

0.10
-0.15

Standard Error 
 

2.98 dB
2.08 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

61.7 Hz
25.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show text

Stereo Soundstage 
 

9.0
8.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.23 dB
2.36 dB
Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.1
8.4

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

86.4 dB SPL
95.3 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.47 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.39 dB
1.39 dB
Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.7

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.41

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.28
Show text

Center 
 

6.6
8.1

Center Setup  

Sony HT-A9 Center Setup
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.44
0.03

Std. Err. 
 

3.07 dB
2.00 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

88.8 dB SPL
76.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.47
0.42

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.99
3.16
Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

7.1
7.3

Surround Setup  

Sony HT-A9 Surround Setup
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-1.87
-0.60

Std. Err. 
 

4.67 dB
2.86 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

89.7 dB SPL
72.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.66
0.35

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.48
0.83

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.8
5.8

Height Setup  

Sony HT-A9 Height Setup
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

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

Slope 
 

0.75
-0.89

Std. Err. 
 

3.00 dB
3.68 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

84.3 dB SPL
65.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.99
0.61

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.39
1.72
Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

8.3
6.3

Room Correction 
 

Yes
Yes

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
No

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

EQ 
 

Presets
No

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
No
Show text
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Sony HT-A9 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sony HT-A9 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

No
1

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

Yes
No

Full HDMI In 
 

1
No

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

1
1

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
Yes
Show text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

10
8.1

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Not Supported

DTS:X 
 

Supported
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Show text

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

10
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Not Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Not Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Not Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Not Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Not Supported

DTS:X 
 

Supported
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1
Not Supported
Show text

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

0.0
6.5

Dolby Digital 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Not Supported
2.0
Show text

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

7.0

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

86 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

85 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

91 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

111 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

115 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

125 ms
Show text

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

7.8
0.0

HDMI Latency Video  

Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A

ARC 
 

74 ms

Optical 
 

N/A

Full HDMI In 
 

54 ms
Show text

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

6.6

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

159 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

220 ms
Show text

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

9.5
0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
Not Supported

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
Not Supported

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
Not Supported

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Supported
Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
Not Supported

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz
Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No
No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No
No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No
No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Yes
No
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  

Sony HT-A9 Interface photo
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
No
Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sony HT-A9 Controls photo
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Controls photo
Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sony HT-A9 Remote photo
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Remote photo
Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant 
 

No
Yes (Built-in)

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
Yes
Show text

Check Price

Light Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Arctic White
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
SEARCH
Amazon.com
Light Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Light Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Light Gray
HT-A9
SEARCH
B&H
 
Back to Top

Sony HT-A9

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Sony HT-A9 vs Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module: Main Discussion

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