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

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Jan 10, 2025 02:44 PM

See Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module Review

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Picture

Channels4.1.4

Channels5.1.2

Variants

HT-A9 with SAS-SW5 (Light Gray - Black)

Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module (Arctic White)
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module (Black)

Review

See Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Review

Our Verdict

Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module

The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module. The Bose is a 5.1.2 setup with better center and surround performances. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it gets louder with less compression at max volume. That said, the Sony has better Atmos and soundstage performances. Unlike the Bose, it also supports DTS content.

Check Price

Light Gray - Black

HT-A9 with SAS-SW5

Arctic White

Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module

Light Gray - Black

HT-A9 with SAS-SW5

Black

Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module

Light Gray - Black

HT-A9 with SAS-SW5

Light Gray - Black

HT-A9 with SAS-SW5

Notice: 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.

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

7.4

8.2

Stereo Frequency Response

7.5

8.6

Stereo Dynamics

5.4

8.4

Center

6.6

8.1

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In

0.0

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Yes

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

7.4

8.2

Dialogue/TV Shows

7.5

8.1

Music

7.4

8.7

Movies

7.4

7.9

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

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Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless

Yes

Enclosure

Passive Radiator

Ported

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Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless

Yes

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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)

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Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Width

10.6" (27.0 cm)

11.6" (29.5 cm)

Height

15.9" (40.5 cm)

12.7" (32.3 cm)

Depth

16.5" (42.0 cm)

11.6" (29.5 cm)

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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)

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Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar

Yes

Bar Brackets Included

Mountable Satellites

Yes

Satellite Brackets Included

Build Quality

8.5

Build quality photo

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In The Box

In The Box photo

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Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

7.5

8.6

Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response

Frequency Response Small

Channels

4.1.4

5.1.2

Tested Preset

Standard Surround

No Preset

Slope

0.03

-0.15

Standard Error

2.79 dB

2.08 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

46.9 Hz

25.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.6 kHz

19.9 kHz

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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

7.5

8.6

Frequency Response Calibrated

Suggested Preset

Standard Surround

No Preset

Suggested Bass Setting

Suggested Treble Setting

N/A

Slope

0.03

-0.15

Standard Error

2.79 dB

2.08 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

46.9 Hz

25.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.6 kHz

19.9 kHz

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Stereo Soundstage

9.0

8.5

Crosstalk

Crosstalk Error

2.14 dB

2.36 dB

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Stereo Dynamics

5.4

8.4

Dynamic Range Compression

SPL @ Max Volume

86.6 dB SPL

95.3 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB

0.47 dB

DRC @ Max Volume

4.75 dB

1.39 dB

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Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion

7.6

THD

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.47

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.88

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Center

6.6

8.1

Center Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom

Discrete

Slope

-0.04

0.03

Std. Err.

2.95 dB

2.00 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

88.1 dB SPL

76.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.42

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.66

3.16

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Surround 5.1

7.5

7.3

Surround Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

-0.90

-0.60

Std. Err.

3.50 dB

2.86 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

89.2 dB SPL

72.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.40

0.35

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.42

0.83

7.1 Rears

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Height (Atmos)

7.1

5.8

Height Setup

H Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Phantom (Side Firing and Up Firing, Bar)

Slope

0.36

-0.89

Std. Err.

1.97 dB

3.68 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

82.3 dB SPL

65.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

1.16

0.61

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

0.32

1.72

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Sound Enhancement Features

8.3

6.3

Room Correction

Yes

Dialogue Enhancement

Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment

Yes

Bass Adjustment

Yes

Treble Adjustment

Yes

EQ

Presets

Surround Level Adjustment

Yes

Rear Level Adjustment

Yes

Height Level Adjustment

Yes

Virtual Surround

Yes

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Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In

HDMI ARC

1 (shared)

HDMI Out

1 (shared)

eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth

Full HDMI In

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)

RCA In

USB for Files

Ethernet

Subwoofer Output

Yes

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Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC

8.1

Dolby Atmos

Yes

Supported

Dolby Digital

Yes

Supported

Dolby Digital Plus

Yes

Supported

Dolby TrueHD

Yes

Supported

DTS

Yes

Not Supported

DTS:X

Yes

Not Supported

eARC

Yes

DTS-HD MA

Yes

Not Supported

PCM Channels

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only)

Yes

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Audio Format Support: HDMI In

0.0

Dolby Atmos

Yes

Not Supported

Dolby Digital

Yes

Not Supported

Dolby Digital Plus

Yes

Not Supported

Dolby TrueHD

Yes

Not Supported

DTS

Yes

Not Supported

DTS:X

Yes

Not Supported

DTS-HD MA

Yes

Not Supported

PCM Channels

Not Supported

5.1 PCM

Yes

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Audio Format Support: Optical

0.0

6.5

Dolby Digital

Supported

DTS

Not Supported

PCM Channels

2.0

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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

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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

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Audio Latency: Optical

6.6

Optical Latency Video

PCM-2.0 ch

159 ms

Dolby Digital

220 ms

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Video Passthrough To TV

0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate

Not Supported

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

Not Supported

4k Max Refresh Rate

Not Supported

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

Not Supported

8k Max Refresh Rate

Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough

Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough

Dolby Vision Passthrough

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough

G-SYNC Passthrough

ALLM Passthrough

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough

Yes

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Wireless Playback

Bluetooth

Yes

Wi-Fi Playback

Yes

Chromecast built-in

Yes

Apple AirPlay

Yes

Spotify Connect

Yes

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Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Display

Yes

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Bar Controls

Controls photo

Show Text

Remote

Remote photo

Show Text

Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant

Yes (Built-in)

Apple Siri

Microphone Mute

Yes

Show Text

Check Price

Light Gray - Black

HT-A9 with SAS-SW5

Arctic White

Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module

Light Gray - Black

HT-A9 with SAS-SW5

Black

Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module

Light Gray - Black

HT-A9 with SAS-SW5

Light Gray - Black

HT-A9 with SAS-SW5