Best Sony Surround System Takes New Shape | Sony Bravia Theater Quad (HT-A9M2)
Sony’s most popular Dolby Atmos surround system just got a redesign. The HT-A9 made some pretty big waves as one of the most clever and innovative little Dolby Atmos surround systems - and folks have been eager to see what Sony might do with it. The HT-A9 now has a replacement and it's called the Bravia Theater Quad.
BUY SONY BRAVIA 2024 LINEUP
🛒 Bravia Theater Quad: www.amazon.com/Sony-BRAVIA-Th...
🛒 Bravia Theater Bar 9: www.tkqlhce.com/click-2942700...
🛒 Bravia Theater Bar 8: www.dpbolvw.net/click-2942700...
🛒 Bravia Theater U: www.tkqlhce.com/click-2942700...
🛒 Bravia 9 Mini LED: www.kqzyfj.com/click-2942700-...
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🛒 Bravia 7 Mini LED: www.amazon.com/Sony-Exclusive...
🛒 Bravia 3 LED: www.amazon.com/Sony-Exclusive...
PRICING
Bravia Theater Quad has a suggested retail price of $2,499.99
Bravia Theater Bar 9 has a suggested retail price of $1,399.99
Bravia Theater Bar 8 has a suggested retail price of $999.99
Bravia Theater U has a suggested retail price of $299.99
WATCH MORE
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READ MORE
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Sony debuts the Bravia 9, its brightest 4K TV ever, alongside new 2024 models: www.digitaltrends.com/home-th...
An inside look at Sony’s exciting new mini-LED backlight tech: www.digitaltrends.com/home-th...
VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:52 Bravia Theater Quad (HT-A9M2)
04:22 Voice Zoom 3
06:17 360 Spatial Sound Mapping
06:47 Bravia Theater Bar 8 & 9
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Hey all! Special note that Voice Zoom 3 requires a compatible Sony TV. The processor for it is in the TV, apparently. I’m asking Sony if any 2023 TVs will be upgraded with VZ3 and will report back, but so far I can confirm the Bravia 7 and 9 support it.
I doubt they'll make 2023 models compatible. They want as many reasons for people to buy the newest models as possible 💰💰💰
I read somewhere that the A95L will be getting it via a firmware update?
Sony confirmed a95L will get update. No word on prime calibrated or Netflix adaptive will get an update too for a95L
Caleb, I just bought the HT-A9 last week, it a good system. Should I consider returning and picking up the HT-A9M2? I am not sure I like how this new system looks. Can you help? Thank you Sir.
Flatpanels has confirmed it
this dude guided me thru every single tv purchase i ever made. ill listen to whatever he has to say
You're a phenomenal host. I can't afford three meals a day let alone anything tech related but I'll always watch these videos.
Here's hoping that the wireless connectivity is more stable and less finicky than the original HTA9's. People's issues with connection dropping due to interference, even after multiple software updates, is what scared me away from considering them.
I returned a set because of the same.
They have more antennas in the speakers and the control box is able to change in between the wireless channels on the fly due to the current channeling having lots of interference
I faced issues on and off during the initial days. It is working fine for last six months now. I still have a lot other wireless devices around it though. Sony must resolve the connectivity issue for this flagship which otherwise is a masterpiece.
As documented pretty heavily by Linus Tech Tips, when Linus put them in his living room. He ultimately gave up on the system and went with a wired setup.
I have this issue constantly still today. Occasionally a couch pillow will stick up too high and block the signal to one speaker, essentially ruining everything because it puts the notification on the screen and annoyingly takes a long time to fix itself.
I absolutely love this redesign. It's minimalistic and elegant, if it preforms as great as the last one Sony has a winner for minimalist people, and people that simply don't have a lot of space
How is that big chunk of an ugly form minimalistic? I guess we are different.
@@moo8698 Give another set of speakers that performs and are slim and slick like these!
@@moo8698How much more minimal can they get? Explain please
I also like the design, just not the cloth.
Not sure how I feel about the actual design, but I think they would look better in black
I was waiting for this one!
Looking forward to your review, and hope you can pair them with the new Bravia 9 to see how that tv performs as a center channel with these speakers.
Voice Zoom 3 is VERY exciting!
Quad + Soundbar + Sub could be the ultimate experience. The old surrounds were missing a center speaker
Is it possible to combine the Quads with a soundbar? Didnt see anything mentioning that :)
I'm sorry to be harsh, but if they are not offered "as a combo", specially when all the serious high end audio brands DO for many different formats that still keep evolving, then why even bother. If that "smart unit" that is the brain of the "Quad" doesn't work with the soundbar (which should be a central speaker) and the woofer, then thanks for nothing.
The sound bar doesn't work as a center for the Quad. It's a good idea for people wanting a dedicated center channel. But the A9 sounds great with the virtual center channel.
@@michael-4k4000Can second that about the center channel, its great.
i really like the speakers on the shoulders stuff
Hi, Caleb. Great information and as always, great content. Do we know if the new Voice Zoom3 tech will be implemented for previous gens of TVs and soundboard? I have the A80k and a HT5000 for reference.
Hi Caleb. Any chance of the B- roll videos/ picture showing the back of these quads. That mess of wires visible under each speaker needs explaining..😢
Will there be a comparison about Nakamichi Dragon VS Quad ? Please !!!
I hope the original HT-A9 gets a firmware update with the latest sound optimization.
They want u to upgrade.. so u don't get an update.
Great indepth video, thank you.
Do they need overhead clearance or can they be placed on shelves? How do they compare to Sonos Arc + Era 300?
Do you know if the previous generation sound bars (HT-A7000) will receive the 360 Spatial Audio update?
Is this also a multi-room speaker system? Can you use voice control on these? (Sonos competitor or only home theater?)
As I had mentioned on another video, I would liked to have seen the A9 in black with a dedicated center channel for 2024. Great video as always mate!
That's what I was thinking. That color is just such an odd choice for me and the lack of center channel at that price is doubly odd. I love Sony's tech and sound but not at that much.
I agree on the color. But the center speaker is not needed. Even using the Sony tv as a center doesn’t work well.
I love the Sony U concept! Audio on the shoulders is wayyy more appealing to me than headphones or earbuds.
This replaces the NS7 which is a great product and available open-box on Amazon for about $100.
Looking forward to more info on the Quad!
I am getting the Bravia 9. I am also definitely getting the Bravia Theater U. I have lots of high end headphones. Right now wearing Sony MDR-MV1. But the Bravia U has dolby atmos and 5.1 surround recreation and that Sony 360 Spatial sound. I like headphones. But having a mini soundbar just below the ears creates a bigger soundstage than headphones can do. So even though I can get surround sound in my headphones and really well. There is something about even more separation of sound from the ears. It creates that open air bubble but still personal and more speaker like. I can't really use a proper soundbar because I am a night worker so when I am home I am often up late and can't blast sound. Hence I always wear headphones. So a little mini soundbar like that would be a cool addition.
I have an older sony str-dn1080 with the sony Core speakers. I really want to upgrade to the Ht-a9 (the new speakers looks great). But i look forward to when the sound processing unit is within the tv. That way you don't have to bother with the hdmi earc part and you only have the choice to plug you device directly to the tv. I use my ag9 as centerspeaker and I like that the sound is coming from the screen. And I don't feel that the sound is that different from the ss-cs8.
That new boxy square look to the speakers seems strange. I think it'd look good if you had available walls to mount them on. But if you have to put them on stands, they look too strange. I picked up a used HT-A9 and SW5 earlier this year, and it is mindblowingly good. I never had a sound system previously, so experiencing Dolby Atmos content in this way is stunning. I hope to see other vendors try to make similar systems too (that are capable of doing the sound mapping, and "place the speakers anywhere" type of features)
The main benefit of the U is outdoor wearing during the summer. To me, earbuds and headphones are uncomfortable during summer months when you can get hot and sweaty. Smartglasses like the Meta Ray-bans don’t get the job done because the audio quality is just not there. The NS7 was great, and the U should be better (at least it is more adjustable!).
@digitaltrends Donyoy know if Sony plans on updating the wireless subwoofer line up?possible SW4 or SW6?
Any word on if they’ll apply the same design to the SA-RS5 wireless surround speakers?
Yes! Review the U. I get tired of wearing headphones at home and all day at work.
I have the HT-A9 and I love it. My only issue is the poor wireless connection with the speakers. Every couple weeks I need to re-calibrate the RF channels. I hope they solve that issue with the HT-A9M2
The U is gonna be a hit with that special type of person that has phone conversations on speaker while in public.
looks great
Soooo, can you use a soundbar as a centre channel with the quad if you dont have sony t.v. that was my main problem with the h9s.
Will these updates also become available for the HT-A9 set?
I actually like the idea of the "U" because I could watch TV while my baby sleeps and I'd still be able to hear the monitor, but she couldn't hear the TV in the other room
Can you buy two of the quad speakers as the rears with the new theatre bar 9?
How do these sound for music? I have a turntable hooked up to my A/V receiver because my 5.1 system sounds great.
They are Beautiful so minimalistic very clean.. although I’d prefer black
Hey Caleb! i have the Ht-7000 and SA3 and i realised that the spatial 360 isnt sound quite as loud in the speakers as compared to DTS nerual. As a result, i find that the DTS neural sounds way more immensive for dolby atomos enabled movies. question: Why a sony equipment and a sony created's spatial 360 logic be less superior in terms of sound immersion to an external logic, like dolby and DTS neural X?
love the look and theory. please demo for the sound. thank you
This brings me back to the days when I loved Sony. The Dream home theater dvd systems designs, their old theater in a box packages, Muteki stereo systems and the ultra small DAV-IS10 was so cool back in the days. Happy to see Sony doing something not so boring. They just need to make affordable units. I will say i dont like the "Subwoofer sold separately" trend.
I’m glad you said something when I asked! I will be waiting for awhile till you review the new sound systems. Thanks again
As a Sony fan, I have the NS7 (last season’s “U”) as well as HT9 with the SW5 sub. They are both great for different viewing. If the children are in bed and you want to blast a movie, I use the “U” style personal speaker. It’s immersive and I can still hear the kids if they need something, or wake up. It’s self contained base if very good. Headphones close you off from the rest of the world, including the kids (not good.) So the “U” has its place in the speaker Ecosystem, and safety for enjoyment. The HT-A9 with the SA-SW9 Sub is just fun for movie night or a big game. It can rattle the walls and I do not use the Sony A95K as a center speaker, the system doesn’t need it and works well without. Would it be nice if the HT9 had flatter speakers? Sure. Would I want to give up performance? Heck No!
I like the U because I'm now really into the open ear sound. I have open earbud and the Ray-ban Metas which I both love listening music on, but it doesn't cause me to feel disconnected from my surroundings. Plus, my ears always get hot when wearing earphones and my ear canals get irritated with stuff going into my ears. So the open air, open ear trend is really for me.
Bose has a solution for you. Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. It’s a crazy design actually, you like hang them on the side of your ear and people say you barely feel that they are there. They don’t even touch your ear canal.
@@NikoStark1 yep, I saw those. I really like these new options. The less they touch or enclosed my ears, the better.
They forgot the makeover for the sub. If that same weak sub is to come with this new theatre quad, I know it's not for me to upgrade from my HT-A9 which btw, is packed and shelved for a year now.
Bavia theatre quad with the sa-sw5 but how dose it compare to Sonos arc with two Sonos eras 300 and a sub gen 3. And with the price tag of the Bravia theatre quad with the sub Is it worth spending addition $1000 and just buy the Nakamichi dragon?
Hey Caleb, i'm really interested in getting the new Sony QUAD but i'm kind of worried that i'm not gonna have any overhead effects because of my living room ceiling. Indeed, my building progressively settling in place causes cracks in the ceiling. I had this ceiling re-plastered twice and still i got an imperfect ceiling. So i decided to have a stretch ceiling installed (pvc fabric) And due to the nature of the product and the fact there's a air pocket between the concrete ceiling and the canvas itself, i fear that the ceiling will absorb most of the sound shot by the up-firing speakers for atmos effect. This ceiling is flat and pretty low. I intend to wall mount the speakers and they would be about 55" away from the ceiling so i hope this short distance will compensate the inevitable absorption and some effect could be heard. What do you think ?
With a relatively small room I think a sound bar would be the best option for us. Interesting the voice zoom 3 as must vocal boosters I have heard make little difference,
Can I connect svs subwoofers? Omit Sony woofers all together?
Please let us know after your review how this compare to the Sonos Arc System with the Era 300 as surround. Thank you.
If they sound the way they look I think they would be great I love the way they look
Caleb please review the Hisense U8N 🙏🏽
Will Voice Zoom 3 be available on Sony’s receivers?
Any word if the voice zoom 3 will make it to there avr's?
I have Sony HTZ9F and had to stop using it. Constant cutouts in the sound. I swore to stop using their wireless soundbars. No issues with the Sonos. I have trouble with my LG soundbar subwoofer also cutting out.
How will this compares to hta 9 or nakamichi dragon.. 🤔
What I would like to know is if they fixed the issue with the way the center channel connected to the TV with this new model you should be able to attach a individual center channel speaker
Thanks Caleb!! You seemed to have Sony' s ear, can you please ask them to build an AVR or Proessor with balanced XLR outputs? The Bravia 9 looks awesome, however I wish they would have made a 100" version, as that would have made me sell my front projection system.
Had the HT-A9 and SW5 sub, was OK but the more than frustrating WiFi dropouts just made it more trouble than its worth, also the lack of equalisation turned me off, I sold it for the Samsung Q990B and it was night and day different, have now sold that as well and gone back to an AV receiver and speakers (Marantz cinema and 5.1.2 Polk speakers)
I had a total case of FOMO, having just bought the HT-A9 last month (as it happened, like new for relatively cheap.) I was worried that I lost out on Voice Zoom 3 and the sleek design. Good news (and maybe this is just me consoling myself), is that the Theater (Theatre) Quad is too wide for my wall. The narrower HT-9 fits perfectly wall mounted on the side of the 77A95L, and the A95L will be getting a firmware update later this year to support Voice Zoom 3! Whew!
That (non-cross) fade at 2:10 made me feel like I was having a seizure at first. Had to rewatch a few times to make sure I saw what it like I thought I saw it.
There a problem with connecting the Sony TV as the central speaker you can’t adjust the volume. So if you turn down the volume on the HT-A9 speakers the central speaker was loud, apparently by design. Plus wifi dropouts are so common it is annoying. Although it is still good experience. Hope the version improves.
Can you connect the a7000 with ht9 and sw5?
My HT-A9 works perfectly fine, no drop outs. If the Sound of the new System is not better (and i doubt it will be better with this Design) i dont see a reason to Upgrade
My HT-A9 is a disaster with a month of perfection then dropouts daily. I hate the HT-A9 and I want my money back. It is defective and this redesign proves it. I love Sony but in this one case, I feel like they screwed me over and took my money. If it wasn't for owning that subwoofer, I would run to Sonos.
@@captchacaptcha How does your home network look like? Have my ht a9 since 2.5 years and absolutely 0 dropouts, everything works perfectly fine
I now have my ht-a9 above the tv with no other WiFi devices like my Apple TV within 3 feet of it and that fixed my drop out issues. Tv WiFi is turned off. 😊
Its going to cost £2,499.00 here in the UK, available 13th May 2024.Bravia Theater Quad
Why the heck is the 25% more expensive in Great Brittan?
@@tclement Everything is more expensive in the UK. I guess import tax maybe
Don't forget you need to add the sub..well...you really have to if you want true surround sound. $$$$$$$$
This is the issue with this and just as it was with the HT A9, you are already deep paying more than 3K since for me the sub is basically a necessity so you are in the price territory that you could just get a Home theater with the money and have more freedom with what you want and it would be easier to upgrade down the line than this.
@@tclement🇪🇺❌
I like the idea of having surround speakers "flush " mounted to the walls but I would have to get the power cables routed in the walls.
I own the HT-A9, and I am jealous of the Quad's svelte looks. I am not jealous of the $2500 MSRP, however - without subwoofer! That's more than twice what I paid for the A9.
Can they be wired vs wireless?
I wish I still had a house, but since we are living in between 2 countries we changed to a apartment life. And for that we went for a soundbar instead ;)
Would like to see a review of the U. Thanks.
Will the Voice 3 be able to work with the HT-A9 also? I know that the Sony OLED 95L is to get a firmware update for that. Thanks
Only if they update it which I doubt they will. A95L is getting it as it's still seen as a latest model.
In fact a lesser cost to boost sound quality is to use Logitech Z906 5.1 with optic cable connection. I am doing it for my LG C3 48" with superb sound quality.
Good idea for a/v intregration with small systems but what advantages exist between Sony 2022 - pending tv's and newest a/v receivers is a question an avphile wants answered
Would be sold on the Quad system if they had the ability to use quad subwoofers like the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus system. Not sure the Quad system would have that solid room shaking performance with a single sub. Very nice 2024 products from Sony though, and great reviews!
All Sony in my living room right now. Wife just won't let me get components. She likes how easy Sony makes using it's products.
The replacement for the a9 looks really nice but I can't imagine it sounding better based of speaker sizes alone. But hey maybe it sounds just as good.
There's is one thing I really want/wanted Sony to introduce and that is a one connect box with 4 hdmi 2.1 and one wire to the TV exactly like Samsung has had for years. This would make things so much easier and also they could also apply wireless for when connecting the HT-A9 so there is no need for that wire for the centre speaker feature. Sony normally copy Samsung so I'm hoping they go down this route in the future.
Another HDMI 2.1 input port would have made HT-A9M2 perfect, but it is what it is.
Why not make a dual wire/wireless system? Why not build in a private power line networking so plugging the speakers in acts as a power source and wired connection?
I listened to last year's version of the personal neckband speaker at Best Buy. I was severely underwhelmed. Excited for a deep dive about the Bravia Theater Quad! I wonder if they'll ever let it work in concert with one of their soundbars.
When do you think you will be reviewing the sound bars?
Saludos desde México. Seria bueno tener una reseña del sistema U.
Please i beg you, review this sony quad against the full sonos inmersive set. Opinions?
Can you pair any Bluetooth subwoofer with the HT-A9? They are usually pretty much a "dumb" box excelling with low frequencies and I would think do not require any communication protocol with the HT-A9 system.
Has to be their SW3 or SW5.
The U looks like an update to the Sony SRS-NS7 which my wife got me as a gift a few years ago. It is a pretty interesting little device for listening to movies when you don’t want to wake up the whole house. Test out the U and see what you think.
Does the setup box for these speakers support VRR? I bought the HT-A9 before hoping to use them on my computer and because they didn’t support VRR I ended up not using them and they are collecting dust. Do these new ones support VRR?
This product also supports VRR, ALLM and SBTM for more realistic gaming.
Did they fix the speakers so their wireless connections work properly now, so the sound doesn't cut out constantly when the speakers and controller all regularly try to change their 5ghz wi-fi channels mid-movie?
can you link 2 subs to the same setup?
Theater U is for someone who can't stand clamping force of a headhone for long, and can't use IEMs. And don't have space for a speaker on their desk. Yes very niche crowd, but if it has decent audio, i would buy it 100%
Please review the Bravia Theater U!! I have the NS7 Wearable speaker and it's AMZING... especially as I have young kids at home!!
Yes. Review the theater U
Omg, I was.just sittning here thinking will there a be a new at9!!!
Voice Zoom 3 LOL...meanwhile I have my Denon pushing my Martin Logan 4" center channel at +12, Dynamic volume on Heavy, and Cinema EQ on just so I can make out half the vocals in Ozark.
SONY WE LOVE YOU ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I would love it if you can review the U
sitting for a long time in headphones might not be as comfortable, interesting how will it work with gaming
Love the new Bravia 9 TV & HT-A9 the only issue again is there is only 1 hdmi 2.1 even though LG and Samsung use a different platform to get 4 * would have thought Sony would introduce it in 2024. The HT-A9 only has 1 hdmi in on the black box which all the reviewers say the old model could have done with 1 more connection. I guess this is saving money not developing this but I've experienced this with Sony over the years as the next generation they will introduce it and using marketing to sell the features. I get it as a business decision to make more money but other brands listen to their customers and apply these to newer generations. I am a Sony fan and will commit like others and this is probably why they do what they do but it would be great to see this pattern change in the future.
Something I learned selling TVs for a couple of years, Sony is biased towards the TV/Movie experience. Yes, Sony TVs can game competently, but it is a bit of an afterthought. HDMI 2.1 in many ways is a buzzword. Oh this LG or Samsung TV has four ports cable of HDMI 2.1 bandwidth! That's great! Let me hook my AppleTV/Roku/Chromecast up. Most people only have one high performance gaming system (Xbox Series X, PS5, Gaming PC). Those are what you need HDMI 2.1 for. The AppleTV may eventually take advantage of the extra bandwidth, but at present the only use for that bandwidth on a TV is gaming. Sony wants to be the best "TV/Movie" platform. Samsung, LG, et al want to be Jacks-of-all-trades.
It's so frustrating man. Paying all this money just for Sony to have one HDMI 2.1 on their sound systems.
The Bravia Theatre U is probably better than headphones because it provides more spacial audio and maybe more bass. You can also still hear other things going on around you if necessary.
HT-A9 supports Sonys LDAC codec (Theatre U most likely will too) so Sonys XM series headphones sound great on it.
The price looks like a barrier for the a9 mk2 but in my situation where i already have the A9 and sw5, the upgrade is just the speakers themselves at least.
I had to move my wifi router to fix my HT-A9 issues. I wonder if they are changing the wireless standard used.
"Sony says its wireless speaker package has a new dual antenna frequency hopping system that provides a more stable wireless link between the control box and speakers than its previous system."
The quad speakers are better than their soundbar in every way, they just need to get the price down so people will actually give them a try most people will just buy a soundbar cause its simpler and they're not familiar with this kind of system. They should go all in and drop the soundbar from the lineup entirely and make this their flagship sound system because its that good
Not according to Stop the Fomo
It's half the Quad, like literally, half in footprint and price. You're saying that just so they'd drop the price of the 4 actual speaker setup to the same price of "flagship soundbar" price of 1k usd, that ain't gonna happen.
@@MuhammadKharismawan PRICES ARE JUST RIGICULOUS, BRING BACK RETRO
@@MuhammadKharismawan what are you even saying? did they announce pricing for quad?
@@shivamarya5225 it's more expensive than Ht-A9.