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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
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jan 10, 2025 02:44 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels4.0.4
Channels5.1.2
Variants
- HT-A9 (Light Gray)
- Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module (Arctic White)
- Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module (Black)
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.
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Light Gray
HT-A9
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Amazon.comArctic White
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
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Amazon.comLight Gray
HT-A9
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BestBuy.comBlack
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
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Amazon.comLight Gray
HT-A9
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Walmart.comLight Gray
HT-A9
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B&HNotice: 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
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
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
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)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
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)
Dimensions - Satellites
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)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
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
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.0
8.6
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
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
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
6.9
8.6
Frequency Response Calibrated
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
Stereo Soundstage
9.0
8.5
Crosstalk Error
2.23 dB
2.36 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.1
8.4
Dynamic Range Compression
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
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.7
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.41
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.28
Center
6.6
8.1
Center Setup
Frequency Response
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
Surround 5.1
7.1
7.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
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
Height (Atmos)
6.8
5.8
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
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
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
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
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
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
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
Audio Format Support: Optical
0.0
6.5
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Not Supported
2.0
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
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
Audio Latency: Optical
6.6
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
159 ms
Dolby Digital
220 ms
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
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
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
Yes (Built-in)
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
Yes
Check Price
Light Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comArctic White
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
SEARCH
Amazon.comLight Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comLight Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comLight Gray
HT-A9
SEARCH
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Sony HT-A9
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Sony HT-A9 vs Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module: Main Discussion
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