Products
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
Klipsch Flexus Core 300
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Sep 18, 2025 05:02 PM
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BestBuy.com
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Oct 24, 2025 06:15 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels
5.0.2
Channels
5.1.2
Our Verdict
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
Klipsch Flexus Core 300
The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 is a better soundbar than the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 by most metrics. The Klipsch reaches deeper lows and has a more even tuning, and it offers far more sound enhancements like three-band EQ and presets than the Sony's more limited array of features. Still, both soundbars have HDMI In ports with comprehensive audio format support and premium builds. The Sony also doesn't gatekeep features like a full room correction tool behind an added cost, like the Klipsch.
Variants
- BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 (Black)
- Flexus Core 300 (Black)
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Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
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Black
Flexus Core 300
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Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
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Black
Flexus Core 300
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Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
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Black
Flexus Core 300
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Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
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Black
Flexus Core 300
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.0
7.9
Stereo Frequency Response
6.9
7.8
Audio Format Support: Optical
0.0
10
Stereo Dynamics
6.6
7.8
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
7.5
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
No
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Integrated
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
51.2" (130.1 cm)
54.0" (137.2 cm)
Height
2.5" (6.4 cm)
2.9" (7.4 cm)
Depth
4.4" (11.3 cm)
4.9" (12.5 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
No
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
7.5
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
6.9
7.8
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.0.2
5.1.2
Tested Preset
Standard Surround
Movie
Slope
0.46
-0.48
Standard Error
4.06 dB
2.95 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
52.6 Hz
38.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
6.6
7.9
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard Surround
Movie
Suggested Bass Setting
0
-2
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
1
Slope
-0.49
0.06
Standard Error
5.36 dB
2.42 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
48.3 Hz
40.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Dynamics
6.6
7.8
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
88.4 dB SPL
91.8 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
N/A
1.28 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
2.94 dB
1.29 dB
Center
8.5
8.5
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.35
0.08
Std. Err.
2.45 dB
2.63 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.4 dB SPL
92.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.83
0.45
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.42
1.42
Surround 5.1
5.1
6.2
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
1.14
-1.32
Std. Err.
6.77 dB
3.45 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.9 dB SPL
91.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.50
0.84
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.88
2.34
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
5.4
6.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
0.23
-1.28
Std. Err.
5.25 dB
3.53 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
78.0 dB SPL
77.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.75
1.09
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.33
0.28
Sound Enhancement Features
5.3
9.5
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
No
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
No
1
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
Yes
Yes
Full HDMI In
1
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
1
Ethernet
No
1
Subwoofer Output
No
Yes
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
0.0
10
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Not Supported
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
6.2
7.3
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
100 ms
112 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
96 ms
112 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
105 ms
89 ms
Dolby Digital
130 ms
102 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
134 ms
109 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
137 ms
110 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
5.8
7.1
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
104 ms
118 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
98 ms
115 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
109 ms
94 ms
Dolby Digital
148 ms
123 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
139 ms
118 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
142 ms
113 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
0.0
6.2
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
183 ms
Dolby Digital
N/A
225 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
9.6
10
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Supported
Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
60Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
Yes
G-SYNC Passthrough
Yes
Yes
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
Yes
Wireless Playback
9.0
10
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
Yes
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
Check Price
Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Flexus Core 300
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Flexus Core 300
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Flexus Core 300
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
Flexus Core 300
SEARCH
Walmart.com
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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
Klipsch Flexus Core 300
Comments
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 vs Klipsch Flexus Core 300: Main Discussion
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