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Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX vs Sony HT-A9

Which Soundbar Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      Style - BarStyle - SubwooferStyle - SatellitesDimensions - BarDimensions - SubwooferDimensions - SatellitesMountingBuild QualityIn The Box
    Sound
      Stereo Frequency ResponseStereo Frequency Response With Preliminary CalibrationStereo SoundstageStereo DynamicsStereo Total Harmonic DistortionCenterSurround 5.1Height (Atmos)Sound Enhancement Features
    Connectivity
      Inputs/Outputs - BarAudio Format Support: ARC/eARCAudio Format Support: HDMI InAudio Format Support: OpticalLatencyVideo Passthrough To TVWireless Playback
    Additional Features
      InterfaceBar ControlsRemoteVoice Assistants Support
    Comments

Products

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX
Sony HT-A9

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Oct 24, 2025 06:15 PM

SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jan 30, 2025 09:10 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Picture
Sony HT-A9 Picture
Channels
Locked
Channels
Locked
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. All-In-One

Our Verdict

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX

Sony HT-A9

The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX and the Sony HT-A9 are two very different setups. The Sennheiser is a large standalone soundbar with a 5.1.4 setup. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass right out of the box, and it gets much louder. It also has a better center channel performance. That said, the Sony has a unique design with four speakers and a small control box. It has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. You can even add on a subwoofer to improve its bass reproduction.

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Variants

  • AMBEO Soundbar MAX (Black)
  • HT-A9 (Light Gray)

Review

See Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Review
See Sony HT-A9 Review
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0 

Check Price

Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Light Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Light Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Light Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
B&H
Light Gray
HT-A9
SEARCH
B&H

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

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Mixed Usage 

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Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

N/A
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

N/A
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

N/A
Lock" (Lock cm)
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Mountable Bar 
 

Locked
Locked

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked

Mountable Satellites 
 

Locked
Locked

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build quality photo  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Raw Frequency Response  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response Small  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Tested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
N/A

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Crosstalk  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

THD  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX THD Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 THD Sample

SAMPLE

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Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

N/A
N/A

Surround Setup  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock

7.1 Rears 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

N/A
N/A

Height Setup  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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H Frequency Response  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

N/A
N/A

Room Correction 
 

Locked
Locked

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Locked
Locked

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Bass Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Optical Audio In 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Out 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

Locked
Locked

Full HDMI In 
 

Locked
Locked

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA In 
 

Locked
Locked

USB for Files 
 

Locked
Locked

Ethernet 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Output 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Video  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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ARC 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Optical 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Full HDMI In 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

N/A
N/A

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Chromecast built-in 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple AirPlay 
 

Locked
Locked

Spotify Connect 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-A9 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Locked
Locked

Google Assistant 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple Siri 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone Mute 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Light Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Light Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Light Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
B&H
Light Gray
HT-A9
SEARCH
B&H
Back to Top

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX

Sony HT-A9

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX vs Sony HT-A9: Main Discussion

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