Sony's HT-A9 & HT-A7000 for A80J, X95J, A90J & Z9J (1 Viewer)

[Robert_Zohn]

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.

 

[Robert_Zohn]

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

 

[Robert_Zohn]

Here's the .pdf spec sheet for Sony's HT-A9 audio system.

 

[Robert_Zohn]

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!

 

[rein]

I purchased HT-A9 Im also using the A80J. I have to say it is pretty amazing, especially the 360 spacial. Just one thing, I cannot get the TV to be the center channel for the life of me. The HT sounds so good I'm not sure if i even need it? If anyone has tips for setup, much appreciated. I've connected via HDMI eArc, also tried with and without the little wire that comes with the HT.

 

[Robert_Zohn]

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 just 2 posts above this one.

@rein, You must have the HDMI cable connected from the HT-A9 control box to the HDMI input 3 that has EARC and you also need the small mini-jack cable connected from the control box to the "Center Channel Mini jack input on the back of your Sony TV and run the set-up again. Email or call me if you need help getting your Sony TV to work as your center channel speaker.

On another matter, 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.

 

[Robert_Zohn]

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

 

[Tseg]

I purchased HT-A9 Im also using the A80J. I have to say it is pretty amazing, especially the 360 spacial. Just one thing, I cannot get the TV to be the center channel for the life of me. The HT sounds so good I'm not sure if i even need it? If anyone has tips for setup, much appreciated. I've connected via HDMI eArc, also tried with and without the little wire that comes with the HT.

2 things: you need to plug the center speaker cord from the control box to the yellow input labelled center speaker on the A80J. You need to go into settings and toggle the button to activate Use TV as center speaker.

 

[beanpole]

Recently purchased the Sony XR-85Z9J and want to eliminate the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. I want to be able to vertically stretch the picture or customize the aspect ratio. Do I need a video processor for that?
Sorry if this is the wrong place for my question. If it is, can you point me to a better forum for this question?