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Today, Sony unveiled two new Dolby Atmos compatible home theater audio systems. And while they’re both designed to give people highly immersive sound and easy setup, the way they approach this challenge couldn’t be more different. The $ 1,300 HT-A7000 looks like a traditional sound bar, right down to the optional wireless subwoofer and surround speakers. But the $ 1,800 HT-A9 uses a set of four independent, bookshelf-sized wireless speakers that can be placed anywhere in a room and use their built-in microphones to sense and respond to furniture, walls and other acoustic features. Both will be available in September / October at major retailers. Here’s a closer look at each system.
Sony HT-A9: $ 1,800
The HT-A9 is a whole new concept in home theater sound, although it’s clear that Sony has taken inspiration from both Sonos and WiSA. It is made up of four identical wireless speakers equipped with a tweeter, a midrange speaker, a bass duct and an up-trigger speaker. They communicate with a control box that is no larger than the size of an Apple TV. The control box acts as a streamlined A / V receiver, with one HDMI input, one HDMI ARC / eARC output, one Ethernet jack, and one center channel output (more on this in a moment). The control box connects the system to Wi-Fi, and it is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, plus Chromecast and AirPlay 2 are integrated.
Once installed, the system uses Sony’s sound field optimization to detect room characteristics such as ceiling height and adjusts its settings accordingly. The HT-A9 also uses Spatial Sound Mapping technology, which Sony claims can create up to 12 “phantom” speakers, expanding the soundstage and creating a 360-degree sound dome. Apparently, you will have the impression that the sound is “coming from beyond your walls”.
Having four speakers you place anywhere frees people from the traditional “big bar in front of the TV” look of typical sound bars, but it comes with a few caveats. Despite the price tag of nearly $ 2,000, the HT-A9 does not come with a wireless subwoofer, so the super low rumble, which has become a hallmark of immersive home theater sound, can make fault. As you may have noticed, there is also no discreet center speaker.
Sony designed the HT-A9 to work with its 2021 TVs, some of which have the ability to act as a huge center channel speaker – this center channel output on the back of the control box provides that connection. For those who don’t have a compatible Sony TV, the HT-A9 creates a virtual center channel.
We’re also a little surprised that Sony hasn’t included more connectivity options, like additional HDMI inputs and optical input or wired subwoofer output. Sony did not say whether the HT-A9 will support Bluetooth when it goes on sale.
If you want more low-end power, you can equip the HT-A9 with an optional wireless subwoofer. Sony offers two options: the $ 700 SA-SW5 and the $ 400 SA-SW3.
The system supports Dolby Atmos, DTS: X, Sony’s 360 Reality Audio (360 RA) format, and high-resolution audio.
Sony HT-A7000: $ 1,300
Sony’s HT-A7000 is much more conventional. This is a 7.1.2-channel soundbar that uses built-in subwoofers and side tweeters to create an immersive sound field from a single speaker. Like the HT-A9, you can complement the A7000 with the $ 700 SA-SW5 or $ 400 SA-SW3 wireless subs, and it’s also possible to add the $ 350 SA-RS3S wireless surround speakers. to bring even greater immersion, but it should be noted that these surrounds do not have their up-fire drivers to improve Dolby Atmos or DTS: X performance.
Sony uses sound field optimization to re-detect room characteristics such as ceiling height and adjust its settings accordingly. The A7000 comes with two HDMI inputs and one HDMI ARC / eARC output, as well as an optical input, a USB port for accessing music and an analog input. While it has its own center channel drivers, you can also connect the A7000 to a compatible Sony Bravia TV to take advantage of the TV’s center channel output capabilities.
The HT-A7000 includes Chromecast and AirPlay 2, it is compatible with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and it supports Dolby Atmos, DTS: X, Sony 360 Reality Audio, Spotify Connect and high resolution audio.
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