Sony's HT-A9 & HT-A7000 for A80J, X95J, A90J & Z9J

Robert Zohn

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Because these two new external audio systems are specifically intended to be used with Sony's 2021 A80J, A90J, X95J and the Z9J series TVs I thought it best to post this thread in the display forums.

Launching Friday, September 24th Sony's two new Dolby Atmos audio systems that are perfectly and very specially designed and matched for Sony's A80J, A90J, X95J and Z9J 2021 TVs.

The HT-A9 costs $1,799 and is a 12 channel wireless audio system and the HT-A7000, $1,299 is 7.1.2 wireless audio system. One of the very special features of these two new audio systems is that it uses all of the above referenced TVs built-in actuators as your center channel speaker.

Because the A80J, A90J, X95J, and Z9J have built in dual sub woofers you get a very large dynamic tonal range and with the vocals coming directly from the person's mouth which also makes dialog image beautifully.

The HT-A9 is has 12 amplified channels with 4 up-firing Dolby Atmos Heights speakers.

Sony's HT-A7000 has 7.1.2 amplified channels and you can optionally add the SA-RS3S for two wireless surround back speakers that costs $349 for the pair.

With the HT-A7000 when connected to a A80J, A90J, X95J, or Z9J with Acoustic Center Sync using the supplied cable, both the soundbar and the TV become the center speaker in your home cinema system. This priority new feature enables sound to precisely match what's on the screen

Optionally and with the purchase of the HT-A9 or the HT-A7000 you can take advantage of a bundle discount when you add your choice of Sony's new SASW3 200 watt wireless sub woofer $399, bundle price $299 or the SASW5 300 watt wireless sub woofer $699, bundle price $499.

Here's the link to the HT-A9 .pdf spec sheet and here's the HT-A7000 .pdf spec sheet. Here's our dedicated webpage for the HT-A9 and this is the link to the HT-A7000 webpage.

We'll soon see reviews on these new audio systems on YouTube channels and professional a/v reviewers.
 

Todd Anderson

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Interesting concept. I like that they integrate with the TV's own audio capabilities.

I find myself weirdly averse to dumping money into soundbar systems. If the budget is there, I'd rather invest more into the home theater room. But, I also don't watch a lot of "TV"... mainly just sports.
 

Robert Zohn

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I understand and appreciate your thinking. For our TV use we mostly watch TV series, and some streaming, and Blu-ray, and sports.

I was very pleasantly surprised at the audio performance of the HT-A9 and HT-A7000 we had on loan. Even for sports it very nicely enhanced the dialog to be clear and very detailed.

With the addition of surround sound, Dolby Atmos overhead heights and the full dynamic tonal range that the AT-A9 and HT-A7000 ads to your system you will be encouraged to enjoy more TV and streaming content and get the full experience that is built into the content as it was intended to be seen and heard.
 
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Todd Anderson

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Dialog can be a bit of negative without a soundbar (or an advanced system like the A9/A7000). Our upstairs living room TV (a Value Electronics TV, I might add... :T:redgrin:... ignore the gate, that's keeping our 18 week old puppy from destroying the rest of the house ;-) is viewable from our kitchen island. Sometimes we'll watch the news if we're eating there. The LG B6 OLED only goes so loud. I wish there was a simple Bluetooth extension that allowed us to place a small speaker on our island (to hear the TV audio).

tempImagegDOM01.png
 

Todd Anderson

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Here's a fun demo that sounds great with headphones on...


 

Todd Anderson

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I’m sure there’s some sort of solution out there…
 

robkh1984v2

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It'd be pretty cool if the HT-A7000 soundbar could act like a center channel or LCR fronts working with the HT-A9 as surrounds and heights, including front heights. The two systems working together--with room correcting across both--could have a lot of potential. Sony, I hope you're listening.
 

Robert Zohn

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With the HT-A9 designed to integrate all of the Sony TV's built-in actuators it accomplishes much of what the A7000 sound bar would do if it was able to be added to the HT-A9.

All of Sony's A80J, A90J, X95J and the Z9J have tweeters, mid range and sub woofers built into the TV so when paired with the HT-A9 you get a great center channel speaker system with a full dynamic tonal range and it images vocals with great detail and clarity.
 

robkh1984v2

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With the HT-A9 designed to integrate all of the Sony TV's built-in actuators it accomplishes much of what the A7000 sound bar would do if it was able to be added to the HT-A9.

All of Sony's A80J, A90J, X95J and the Z9J have tweeters, mid range and sub woofers built into the TV so when paired with the HT-A9 you get a great center channel speaker system with a full dynamic tonal range and it images vocals with great detail and clarity.
+1 for Sony TV owners. Is there a similar option for folks who own other TV brands, either leveraging the TV's sound option to play internal and external speakers or working making the HT-A9 Wisa-compliant? Just throwing out some ideas to make this system even more appealing.
 

Robert Zohn

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Good point, ^ Sony specifically designed the HT-A9 and HT-A7000 to be paired with any size A80J, Aj90J, X95J and Z9J.
 

Robert Zohn

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Here's an excellent Youtube review of Sony's new HT-A9 by Andrew Robinson.

One thing Andrew brought out that I did not mention before is when you pair Sony's HT-A9 with any other brand of TV the system set-up and calibrated the phantom center channel and it performs very well without a physical center channel speaker.

Andrew's review matches all of my findings with just one exception. He did not like the timber matching when paired with Sony's X95J TV as the center channel. He also did not like the mini jack center channel output from the HT-A9's center channel output.

My opinion is much different. Although I did not try the HT-A9 with the X95J, but when paired with Sony's A80J, A90J and Z9F the TVs center channel feature performs beautifully with the HT-A9 audio system. Regarding Andrew's comment of the center channel not timber matching the rest of the HT-A9 speakers, that may be technically correct, but it's only because when paired with the A80J, A90J and Z9J you get a center channel with the fully dynamic tonal range due to the TV's built in sub woofers. So for me the use of the TV's built-in speaker as your dedicated center channel with it's full dynamic tonal range was a very nice upgrade to the overall audio experience and having a dedicated center channel also made the center channel imaging an excellent enhancement to the audio experience.

Finally please know that if Sony deigned this feature with Bluetooth you would be compressing the center channel audio. Also if you want to upgrade the center channel output cable that is included with the HT-A9 you have that option.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHcj...ature=youtu.be
 
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Robert Zohn

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Robert Zohn

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Just a reminder that the following bundle promotional offers ends Sunday, October 3rd and it's best to buy before the last day to ensure your order gets processed with this limited time sale:

- Extra $200 discount when you bundle the SA-SW5 sub woofer, normally $699, just $499 w/HT-A9 or AT-A7000

- Extra $100 discount when you bundle the SA-SW3 sub woofer, normally $399, just $299 w/HT-A9 or AT-A7000

- Extra $100 discount when you bundle the HT-A9 or AT-A7000 w/any 55", 65", 77" A80J, or the 55", 65", 83" A90J, or the 65", 75", 85" X95J, or the 75" 85" Z9J

Also know supply is very constrained so if you are interested in this new very special HT-A9 or HT-A7000 audio system NOW is the time to place your order!
 

Robert Zohn

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Sony just reinstated the launch promotion where you get an additional $200 when you bundle the HT-A9 w/SA-SW5 sub woofer. The additional promotional offers are listed in the post above this one.

One of our clients told me about a lot of problems being reported on another forum of audio drop outs, skipping, excessive white noise, and some that have one speaker that does not sync with the system. I only have two HT-A9 customers with one of these reported issues and here's the best practices to fix any one of the items listed above.

I don't post on the other forum, but anyone who wants to learn more about the HT-A9 is welcome to come here.

1) Move the speaker system away from the wireless LAN router or other devices.
Set-up the control box and speakers at a distance of 5 feet or more from the wireless LAN router. It also may be improved by changing the direction or the antenna's angle of the wireless LAN router.

2.) Set "Wireless Playback Quality" to "Connection".
"Setup" then select "Advanced Settings" then "Speaker Settings" then "Wireless Speaker Settings" then set the "Wireless Playback Quality" to "Connection".

3.) Reset "RF Channel".
"Setup" then select "Advanced Settings" then "Speaker Settings" then "Wireless Speaker Settings" then set "RF Channel to "Off", then set to "On".

Also every-time you move any of the speakers or the control box you need to go through the basic set-up again.
 

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Check out Whisper Status 74's HT-A9 review. Starts at 1PM ET today.

 
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