The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 provides an immersive and theatrical sound experience using only a soundbar, thanks mostly to Dolby Atmos sound as well as the 13 speakers arranged throughout the Theater Bar 9.

The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 (HTA9000) proves to be a well-crafted, visually modern, and acoustically convincing sound solution for the home theater. It is also technically up to date with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Hi-Res audio, and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, making it ideal for music lovers who prefer the best sound. Additional features include Bluetooth 5.2, built-in Wi-Fi, AirPlay, and an app that allows for sound space optimization.

With its crisp (but never shrill) detailing and impressive sound staging in both width and height planes, the BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9 is an impressive single soundbar solution that would suit if you don't have the space or patience to set-up additional subwoofers and surround speakers.

The Sony Bar 9 delivers impressive sound performance that makes it a solid addition to any home entertainment setup, especially if you're pairing it with one of the newer Sony TVs. Its 360 Spatial Sound Mapping does a great job creating the effect of phantom speakers, making the audio feel more immersive for both movies and music. At an MSRP of $1,499, it's not the most affordable option, but the combination of features makes it a strong performer. If you're looking for an easy way to significantly upgrade your TV’s sound without a full surround system, the Bar 9 is a great choice, earning it an AVS Top Choice for 2024.

The Bravia Theatre Bar 9 is a fantastic ‘traditional’, single-component soundbar that performs more than well enough to justify its initially high-looking price. It’s sensitive enough to bring out sound-mix subtleties that pass most, if not all, of its rivals by; it’s powerful enough to fill your room with sound and transport you fully into whatever movie world you’re watching; it’s musical enough to make your favourite tunes sound positively blissful.

Now the Bar 9 works with any TV out there, however if you use it with a compatible sony tv with acoustic center sync, then your TV’s built in speakers will work in conjunction with the Soundbar and its going to give you a stronger center channel and you’re going to be able to easily adjust the sound settings directly from the tv it self. And the Bar 9 sound great all on its own, but if you want you can always build it out with rear satellite speakers and an external subwoofer so that you can get the movie theater experience while at home.

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 is a game-changer in home entertainment, offering an excellent blend of audio technology and sleek design.

Ultimately, the choice between these soundbars will come down to personal preference and specific needs. If you’re looking for a soundbar that offers a balanced mix of features, performance, and design, the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 is definitely worth considering.

The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 is decent for mixed use. This bar offers a versatile overall performance but, on its own, doesn't outshine its competitors. Since it lacks a subwoofer and satellites, Dolby Atmos-mixed content, like movies, feels a bit less dimensional, while the audio itself lacks low bass. Its soundstage doesn't feel very focused either, so sound effects seem generalized in mixes rather than coming from pinpoint areas. Dialogue sounds clear and easy to follow, though. The bar also supports 4k passthrough at 120 Hz, which is handy if you want to use the bar as a hub between your TV and the latest-gen console, but latency is high via HDMI.

The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 has entered a market brimming with talented multi-speaker models to deliver true surround-sound. And, while it can also support additional physical channels, they come at an extra expense. As a standalone unit, the Bar 8 does a wonderful job of boosting your TV’s sound, delivering genuine height and object placement, but its lack of included wireless subwoofer is noticeable when watching high-octane, explosive movies. It’s also right in the firing line of the Sonos Arc and, given that model is better with music and has multiroom support, it's hard to build a strong case for Sony’s mid-ranger.

You still get that great Sony sound, but the Bravia Theater Bar 9 feels like a downgrade.

Sony’s new flagship soundbar is a surprisingly big upgrade on its Award-winning predecessor