Sony HT-A9 (w/SA-SW5): FULL REVIEW

I get personal with the SONY HT-A9 and SA-SW5 and decide whether it completely disrupts what soundbars are trying to do. #HTA9 #SASW5

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:48 Components and Features
9:24 Setup
10:34 Sound Adjustments
11:40 Sound Check
14:19 Sound Quality
18:23 Wrap Up

Buy Sony

Buy Sound Bars - Support the Channel

[RonD]

It's a fantastic system and creates a unique cinematic experience, And anyone worried about the centre channel issues my thoughts would be don't, Vocals are crystal clear and seen dead centre to me, If you buy the SW5 you'll be in for something you've never heard before it's a living room home cinema and all you'll ever need, That's if you ain't interesting in buying a completely separates system

[GlennEdell]

This system is good. Best buy I've ever done. This is the future of home cinema. I don't even want to see a soundbar ever again. Expensive yes, but worth it. WORTH EVERY PENNY! When I was living in a house I built a home cinema with a 9.2.1 speaker setup driven by a Marantz amplifier. It sounded amazing. When we moved to an apartment I sold everything and bought a soundbar... a very expensive soundbar. The sound was good but it wasn't in any way near a true cinema experience.
Then the HT-A9 came along and changed everything. This is really something else. Sony has worked it's magic on this system and I'm in cinema heaven once again. I can't believe it's only four speakers (and a sub). It sounds like 12. Amazing! Don't think about it any more... just buy them.

[Psprogames]

I have a Sony g 700 sound bar and from last one year i was listening to Dolby Atmos without any wow factor. But recently i changed the sound settings from Dolby Atmos to pcm and good lord it became amazing. I was missing out on this for one whole year. The dialogue became crystal clear and the surround sound became much better.

[gabrielpitz]

Great review! Was looking forward to seeing your review for the A9. Having owned the system for a few months, I'm constantly blown away by the sound bubble it creates! I was pleasantly surprised when I got it how full the sound is. The surround & especially the height effects blow me away. There's a scene in The Batman where he opens the elevator doors & fires his grappling hook upwards in the elevator shaft. You can hear the sound going up vertically & it sounds like it's impaling in the right corner of my ceiling!! Awesome! I know it's a little expensive & I wish it came with the subwoofer, but for me it is worth it. I also think the phantom center sounds great, don't understand peoples issue with it. Cheers!

[strictlyk]

After one year with HT A9 SW 5 and A90J center channel i must say its better than imax theaters 😂

[rastAsia]

Theater or entertainment system at home should blend with the cosy environment.. not stick out like a dead log under an empty frame when not in use. Sony scored big time for this. From the get-go setup out of the box, this A9 + SW5 with our 100" laser UST - it is the closest emulation I've ever got outside of our Dolby mixing room. I'm waiting to hear about the improved Sennheiser Plus with satellite speakers with up to 4 subs. Their Max was a beast - but which I've decided to log out for this. Best cinema system available for home use - hands down.

[ank]

I have the HT-A9 for nearly a year now and got the SW5 half a year ago. I love the system very much. I had the HT-A7000 first (without extra sub or rear speakers) and was highly disappointed. Mostly because I had zero sound from the sides or the rear. In hindsight a soundbar wasn't a good choice because on its right side I have a curtain a feet away and on its left side I have 20 feet of open space. But I needed something wireless, so the HT-A9 was the perfect fit.
The HT-A7000 (without extra sub) has more bass than the HT-A9 (without extra sub) and you definitely notice a huge difference. But if you then get the HT-A9 the SW5 it's getting a bit scary. I have dialed it down to 5 (11 is max).

[peterludolf]

great review as always and absolutely humorously delivered, one of the very few channels i check on a daily basis for new uploads, also cant wait for part 2 of the new sonos line up, keep up the good work daniel!

[SeemaGaur-uw]

Thanks a ton, ur kind self did justice remarkably well.

[jboit]

Great review! I have to say one important point that almost every review of the HT-A9 missed. It is fantastic if your renting and want to avoid bearing the cost of repairing the wall which you had to mount your tv on. With most traditional sound bars and depending on your entertainment cabinet, there is usually not enough depth or hight between the sound bar placement and a tv factory stand, resulting in vision protrusion of your tv with a big chunky sound bar blocking the bottom. The HT-A9 resolves this issue while rivalling some of the best sound systems on the market. If your renting or living in an apartment, I highly recommend the A9!!!

[ElEustis]

You're definitely one of the funnier/most entertaining reviewers out there. I'm eyeing this system because my projector screen placement doesn't allow for proper Atmos sound bar placement. Seems like the best option for someone who can't place a soundbar below their screen.

[oldsnwbrdr]

Have one. Love it. Don’t miss the center channel. When I had an NHT system I was more bothered by colorations in the center speaker.

[jkerr]

Bought this with the bigger sub and paired it with the Sony A95k 65inch TV and was so disappointed. Asked many people what they thought and all said that for the price it was poor value. Kept the TV and sent the ht system back to Sony. Only positive was that I didn't have many sound dropouts.

[hvip]

I am seriously looking into A9 mostly because I don't want to rebuild the living room and I don't have the space for 1.2m soundbar. This video is pretty reassuring.

[frisbeeking]

you are the funniest person I have ever seen on youtube man. and you make it with a poker face.

[brealz]

Anyone who has the HT3/5/7 go into settings an change auto audio volume to on instead of factory off 👍🏿 huge difference in clarity and volume

[AF-rdvf]

I bought the A7000, SW5 sub and the upgraded surround speakers last week. Sent everything back with exception of the subwoofer. The system just didn’t wow me.

The A9 came yesterday and I’ll set it up Friday but I’m expecting better immersion. As far as the A9 playing music that wouldn’t be my focus because I have a dedicated sound room for my 2 channel system. My focus is using the A9 for movies via a 4K Blu-ray player and the 4K Apple TV.

We shall see.

[johnshepherd]

Thanks for this review …I considered the A9 a while ago….now I have to rethink about it…..the big problem is you need a room to place it….as I want to keep my Sonos & Bose pieces……

[michael-k]

Its really too bad using the TV as a center channel doesnt work that well (at least sound wise) as its such a smart idea... Really want to get these and try them out, but am thinking Sony may release a new product soon, probably Spring 2024. Thanks so much, your video's are excellent.

[Badvision]

great review! subscribed right away. also, i am very happy about all you said, since i bought the a9 on sale :) the selling point for me was that there just 4 speakers to set up in my living room (+sub)