Sony HT-A9M2 BRAVIA Theater Quad 504W 4.0.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Wireless Surround Speaker System

2025-09-13T20:00:00

Come on... You can't even find a decent dedicated center channel in this Quad/Soundbar to deliver accurate, crystal-clear dialogue/vocals - and like, 80% of movies and shows are all about dialogue, right? So shouldn't it be like, a basic requirement for any Soundbar or Quad to have a dedicated center channel/speaker? But nope ??, instead these things come with PHANTOM ("pseudo speakers"). Do we really need to "enjoy" this artificial, pseudo audio/sound/dialogue from PHANTOMS ?? - all illusion ??, hypnotic ????, black magic... ??????

Hyderabad

Originally posted at

2025-07-15T20:00:00

I never write reviews but this $3,100 plus sound system with a subwoofer required one. On June 30, 2025, I ordered the Bravia Theater Quad. The sound system was delivered on July 3, 2025. Upon delivery, I noticed the box for the Theater Quad looked extremely tattered and used. On top of that, components were protruding from the box, and the box was held together with packing tape wrapped vertically and horizontally around the box. I found this very odd because I purchased a new system directly from Sony, so I took pictures. Once I opened the box, I noticed several issues. ? The rear left speaker had damage to the fabric on the front bottom right of the speaker; ? The rear right speaker has damage to the fabric on the right top side; ? The rear right speaker has damage to the top grill in the form of bulging; ? One of the pins to the power cord for the receiver was bent, but I was able to bend it back.  Upon closer, inspection there were also several missing components ? One speaker stand was missing; ? One set of screws was missing for the speaker stands;  ? Three of the I shaped connectors for the speaker stands were missing; ? One power cord for the speaker was missing; lastly ? I did not try to assemble the wall mounts, but it looks like one set of screws for the wall mounts were also missing. I have a video of the delivery. That being said, this looks to be more than just shipping damage. It looks like I was shipped a used and returned system. After assessing the damage and number of missing parts, I requested a like a full replacement of the Theater Quads the same day. I calles customer service about 1 hour after the sound system was delivered. The customer service representative said it will take up to 6 weeks to to investigate before they will take any action. All while leaving me with a damaged system. This is unacceptable. I submitted photos of the sound system as well as video of it being delivered. I requested to return for a refund or a replacement, within 1 hour of opening it, two weeks ago. If I had purchased this at a retail store, or on amazon, I would have returned it the same day with no issues. Sony is borderline scamming customers. I will say if you really are dead set on getting the sound system, purchase it from a more reputable seller like Amazon or Walmart. Do not buy this directly from Sony. I would recommend if this happens to you, to just do a chargeback on your credit card and let your credit card company fight with Sony. Because of this experience, I will actively never buy anything from Sony and I would advise everyone else to also never buy anything directly from Sony.

Jay C.

Originally posted at

2025-06-20T20:00:00

Bought during Sony Days Promotion and got free subwoofer.

brentd0518

Originally posted at

2025-04-17T20:00:00

I completed installation on my bedroom Sony 65 Inch, A95A. My first attempts at the software upgrade were too slow to tolerate. However, several days later, I was able to get the upgrade to 001.356 to compete in fifteen minutes. However, I have still not been able to get "optimization" to complete. I assume the close proximity (about one foot) of my speakers to the ceiling and the configuration of my wall units may be impeding that. However, I am not willing to compromise my furniture layout to accommodate a sound system. AFTER ALL that is why I chose the Bravia Theater Quad in the first place. However, it would be nice if the Optimization software were a little more tolerant of furniture layout.

MarkInBoulder

Originally posted at

2025-04-10T20:00:00

I tried multiple times to do the software update. It is so slow (only up to 1% in half hour) that I canceled it. I am updating over the same WiFi Network that streams the video stream to my TV so, I don't think the network is the problem. I tried multiple times to run "Optimize". I always returns: could not determine distance to speakers. Since my rear speakers are wall mounted beside some cabinets, my furniture configuration could be the problem. However, I would expect a distance determining utility would be able to accomidate that.

Mark40

Originally posted at

2025-03-13T20:00:00

Exceptional! Having this in my home theatre room elevates everything in it :)

a09s

Originally posted at

2025-02-25T19:00:00

I bought this system a few months ago and have been very happy with the sound immersion I get from it. The setup was really easy, especially if you have a Sony TV. The HDMI input has been very useful if you have an old TV without eARC. I do feel that dialogue clarity can be improved when not using voice mode. Dialogues were much more clear in my previous Sonos soundbar. I am not using center sync. One feature request I have is to add Tidal Connect support to the device for spatial audio (Dolby Atmos) music streaming. While Apple Airplay is great, not everyone has an iPhone. At least this system supports the LDAC protocol for Bluetooth, so Bluetooth is not that bad, but it won't support Dolby Atmos. For high quality and spatial music, Tidal Connect would be ideal. Another enhancement could be to output more information on the audio received. For example, "Dolby Atmos" does not currently say whether it is TrueHD or EAC-3. DTS does however say whether it is HD or not. Likewise, Bluetooth, Airplay, etc. also don't say much on the bitrate, etc. of the signal being received.

starsid

Originally posted at

2025-02-25T19:00:00

Purchased my Sony BTQ earlier this month after having been the previous owner of a Samsung Q990C surround system. Although advertised as being similar in sound features (Atmos, DTS etc.) my prior system is no match for the sound quality & truly surrounding audio of the BTQ, especially with 360 Spatial Sound. I purchased mine along with a SW5 sub, so don't feel much lack of bass in my medium sized apartment after optimizing the sound (although not the best). Even the quality of music for stereo is outstanding not to mention the added bonus of being able to play Atmos tracks. The phantom centre channel more than makes up for any "missing" physical centre speaker. Apart from some sign-in/setup issues the Bravia app functions well also.

Azzazzo

Originally posted at

2025-02-21T19:00:00

I'm coming from an older Pioneer Elite 9.1 receiver sc-67 and some good la acoustic speakers. I can say without a doubt this SONY quad is comparable and in some ways even sounds better. That I was not expecting at all. I wanted to keep my system but my spouse wanted a cleaner set up without so many speakers and wires. After kicking and screaming I gave in. I can truly say this SONY Bravia theatre Quad is the real deal and very comparable even to my old $4000 system. The only two gripes I have are I wish I had more controls in the app like the pioneer receiver had. I also with it had more hdmi ports, and an option to put a second subwoofer, or open it up to be able to use other subwoofers with it. The magic of the phantom speaker is pretty amazing and does what the Pioneer did with their version called virtual height ands sides speakers. It is only a matter of time before this type of system surpasses even an audiophiles expensive sound system. This was a had pill for me to swallow, but this system is amazing! My spouse was always asking me to use the emphasis and dialogue enhancement on the pioneer control app, but with the quad we have very rarely had to use the voice mode. I highly recommend getting one of the compatible subwoofers as you will be missing out on the full potential this system has to offer if you don't have one. I have this paired with the Sony SW-5 subwoofer and it definitely takes it to that next level theater quality. People often wonder what the difference between the Sony Quad and the model that this replaced which was called the Sony HT-A9. These new quad speakers are flat and while the old ones looked more like canisters. The new Quad speakers also have 4 speakers in them vs the old one which had three. This means you get a total of 4 speakers in each of the 4 speakers giving you a total of 16 total speakers. The Quad also has a better wireless antennas which are 2.5 more range and have channel hopping features to prevent dropouts. The previous HT-A9 model featured a function that analyzed the relative positions of its four speakers and adjusted the sound field accordingly. This ensured an immersive spatial audio experience, even when the speakers were not placed in ideal locations. With the new BRAVIA Theatre Quad model, two additional measurement functions have been introduced. The first function evaluates the acoustic environment of the speaker placement and adjusts the audio accordingly. It detects and compensates for changes caused by room elements such as furniture, curtains, and wall materials, each of which affects sound differently. For instance, in a concrete room where sound tends to reverberate, the system can reduce excessive echoes for a more balanced audio experience. The second function adjusts the sound based on the listener's position. By having the user hold their smartphone at their usual viewing spot, the system can optimize the audio specifically for that location, ensuring a tailored listening experience. Psychoacoustic technology creates the illusion of spatial sound for the listener, but its effectiveness varies from person to person and is limited to certain areas. In contrast, 360 SSM technology generates a true sound field, providing a more consistent and immersive experience for a wider audience. This makes it ideal for those who were never fully satisfied with virtual surround sound or those looking to enjoy a rich spatial audio experience with family and friends. Virtual surround sound relies on psychoacoustic technology to create the illusion of spatial audio for the listener. However, its effectiveness varies from person to person and is limited to specific areas. In contrast, 360 SSM technology generates an actual sound field, providing a more immersive and consistent experience across a wider area. Those who have been unsatisfied with virtual surround sound or who want to enjoy a true spatial audio experience with family and friends should definitely try 360 SSM. Sony's 360 Sound Spatial Mapping (360 SSM) is an innovative technology that integrates distance measurement, which detects the relative positions of speakers and their distance from the ceiling, with a physical sound field reproduction method known as "monopole synthesis." By combining sound waves from multiple real speakers positioned around the listener, it creates realistic audio from phantom speakers-virtual sound sources placed in optimal positions based on the content format. The changes go beyond just the design. To create an even more immersive spatial sound experience. Sony completely reengineered the internal structure of the speakers. They asked: How should the speakers be positioned to maximize the potential of 360 SSM and enhance the sense of space? How can we make dialogue clearer and more distinct? These questions sparked deep discussions among the development team, encouraging collaboration across disciplines to push the boundaries of innovation. Believe the hype because this little system is amazing with movies, and it also brings your music to life as well. I am rediscovering the joy of movies and the immersion that this system brings to them. From an audiophile like myself I can say I'm pretty happy and beyond amazed at what Sony has created with there amazing 360 audio sound and engineering.

Porfie

Originally posted at

2025-02-09T19:00:00

Bought together with subwoofer as a sale. If you are wondering without the subwoofer there's a really a void in the frequency response. Performance without subwoofer is truly 2 out of 5 stars. Mediocre even with the sound mapping. Will review again when I attain the subwoofer. Waiting for the code.

SG A.

Originally posted at

2025-02-07T19:00:00

Lousy product!! Instruction to use Bravia Connect to setup the sound system but the apps can't even login the webpage kept prompting "The connection to the sever timed out".

QYT123

Originally posted at

2025-01-29T19:00:00

I bought the Quad in Nov 2024. I used it for 2 months already. Everything is first class except that I wish the Quad have the Chromecast for me to casty Tidal music from my Android handphone. It would have been my sole stopper to buy the Quad if I know there is no Chromecast feature from the Quad.

Petty C.

Originally posted at

2025-01-25T19:00:00

No subwoofer till now! This Quad needs a sub badly and Sales mentioned to send email by end of Feb for collection and this is way too long. Missing power cable in the rear right speaker and luckily Harvey Norman Sales gave me one. The 360 Spatial Audio trial is honestly speaking not worth subscribing to. The dunno-what apps has limited songs and artistes and really a C grade Spotify version.

JoeK7

Originally posted at

2025-01-20T19:00:00

I bought the Bravia Theatre Quad to go along with my A95L TV and I have no regrets, as they work perfectly together. I have been using it for gaming on PS5 and watching movies. It really immerses me into whichever content I'm enjoying. It was easy to set up and install using the Bravia connect app and the instructions provided with the product.

Lil C.

Originally posted at

2025-01-17T19:00:00

Bought around a month ago and definitely worth the investment. Cinematic experience, sound clarity and great design which act like a deco in my living room area.

Saddiq

Originally posted at

2025-01-06T19:00:00

Full disclosure: I'm a professional Atmos mixer who regularly spends time mixing on Atmos systems in the $12k-$70k range, so I'm familiar with reference-quality sound. Over Black Friday weekend, I went to Best Buy and made an impulsive purchase. I walked out of there with this consumer Sony Quad system and the SA-SW5 subwoofer and set it up in my living room. These aren't professional-quality Genelec Ones or PMCs, but this system completely filled my average living room with an elegant and dynamic sound. The difference between a conservative and an adventurous Atmos music mix was immediately laid bare. This experience was very reassuring. No wires, no drilling in the ceiling... about twenty minutes of setup. Big win for Sony with this product. After a couple of weeks of listening to movies, television shows and albums, there's more to report: front-heavy Atmos mixes sound flat compared to ones that spread energy more evenly around the listener. Stereo is a little boring on this system. Good 5.1 television mixes sound very good, and don't exhibit the feeling of empty-sides that I often hear in professional 5.1 rooms. There is admittedly a soft-focus quality to the object placement, and part of that is maybe DD+JOC encoding, but most of that is probably the system's inherent physical limitations. Moments in television shows that I mixed that took advantage of movement through the height channels were sometimes startlingly well reproduced, especially considering that this is a system that uses virtual height channels. Choices that I made on Genelecs in the spectral balance of dialog or vocals translated well to the Sony Quad. Pop music mixes that rely on very dry, close-sounding objects are a little mushy. Relatedly, classical music mixes that have some distance in the original sound are very well-represented. There is a built-in large room, theatrical quality to the sound. Bottom-line: this is an excellent system for reproducing what the pros hear in real studios. It sounds better than any soundbar I've heard, it can get very loud and big sounding, and the price relative to the quality is excellent. This will completely change your TV-watching experience to something far more theatrical. Highly recommended.

NYReichman

Originally posted at

2024-12-22T19:00:00

very good sound a1 sounding system excellent wire less design

rzsupra

Originally posted at

2024-12-18T19:00:00

Upgrading from the previous HT-A9 to the HT-A9M2 Sony Bravia Theatre Quad has been a highly satisfying experience. What I immediately noticed is that the vocals are much better, thanks to the 3-way speaker system, and the bass from the same SW5 subwoofer is louder and stronger. Music listening has also significantly improved, especially for instrumental and vocal-centric songs. In the previous model, I experienced RF signal dropouts, but after moving from a landed house to a condo, I haven't encountered that issue anymore. Therefore, my reason for upgrading wasn't due to RF signal dropouts, even though Sony advertises zero dropout issues in this new model. Overall, this upgrade has been worth it for me.

Absar81

Originally posted at

2024-12-14T19:00:00

Over a week I'm testing it with some films that I've had watched on original HT-A9, now I can hear the voice is more fuller and clearer, no, I should say it's too clear even some muddle voice in the background or whispering dialog are so easy to understand. The added mid-range drivers are the game changer, sound from the each satellite speakers are bolder and fuller, the mid-low end frequency is way more accurate and balanced than original A9, and the sub SW5 produces more deeper frequency and powerful than when it's pairing with original A9. And connected Quad to the Acoustic Surface Audio+ on BRAVIA OLED is now finally sound like a proper center channel, the coherency of sound distribution is finally sound like it's supposed to be, the Voice Zoom 3 update should be featured in the older BRAVIA XR high end models like A80K, A90J etc, we need Voice Zoom 3 abilities to adjust the center volume manually from the screen, I can feel most of the time center volume from TV speakers are too loud to affect overall experience, hope Sony read my feedback and update the tv firmware soon. The phantom center on Theatre Quad is impressive as well, literally feel like it's come from the central (even placing 16ft in distance) Testing on the Dolby Atmos test tone Blu-ray Disc at 7.1.4, each channel is work correctly, unlike the original A9, some channel sound distribution can be quite confusing. Wireless speakers connection on A9M2 are very stable, 16ft distance between left to right, 8ft between front to rear, even if I standing and try to block the satellite speakers, no intermittent interference occurred. The A9M2 control box temperature also very low, alot less warmer than original A9. That's my thoughts after a week of use, as a long term of original HT-A9 user, the A9M2 definitely a massive improvement over the original A9.

djkenjilaw

Originally posted at

2024-11-19T19:00:00

These speakers are just phenomenal, the surround sound performance is out of this world. It immerses you into your media and the app allows to extract more audio from any source, even Netflix, HBO, etc. I was able to easily connect the system together and manage it all on the app. The Bluetooth connection and Spotify works well. The clarity in the sound is amazing.

mudaserb_512914

Originally posted at

2024-10-28T20:00:00

has been using almost 1 month and very satisfy with the sound quality

Felix N.

Originally posted at

2024-10-21T20:00:00

Best sound bar evee purchased. Excellent surrounding sound with subwooder SA SW9 Excellent for movies and songs

Andrew a.

Originally posted at

2024-10-07T20:00:00

This product have a nice design and with good quality of sound. The one to improve is the alignment of the speaker place. It seen now only can make a good align by placing the speaker for front side 2 speaker and back side 2 speaker. If the alignment can be accurate when the speaker is placing anyway then this will be a very big and good improvement.

Jimmy22222

Originally posted at

2024-09-05T20:00:00

The Bravia Theatre Quad is a superb home theatre system. This was my first time setting up a system such as this and it really was very easy with my Bravia TV. The speakers all have their designated positions marked on them for you, for example 'Front R', (see photo), so you can place them in their correct positions straight away. Please note Front and Back speakers means from the perspective of looking at your TV. Each speaker comes with quite a generous length power cable too which helps when positioning them in your room. I currently have the back ones set up on tables behind the couch and the front ones are either side of the TV on its stand. Due to the dimensions of the room though I will be wall mounting them very soon, which also seems to be a simple process. The system controller box that comes with the speakers is quite small and unobtrusive. It connects to your TV's eArc / ARC HDMI input and you can also make your TV the centre speaker by using the S-Center connection on the back of the controller box and connecting it to your TV with the supplied cable. The great thing about connecting the speakers to the box is that it is all done wirelessly via Bluetooth. In order to set the Theatre Quad system up you have to use the Bravia Connect app on your mobile phone. Again, this really is a very simple process. The app guides you through each step for sound optimization by identifying your speaker positions. It also uses your mobile phone to identify your viewing position and optimises the sound field to that position. On completion of setup you are then given a demonstration of the 360 spatial sound mapping in a jungle setting which was genuinely amazing! (360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology creates up to 12 phantom speakers around the room, enabling cinema-style surround sound with just four physical speakers.) The Theatre Quad system does come with a small remote control, however you can alter the sound settings and levels etc. using the app or your TV remote too. The sound quality is excellent, although some may want to upgrade the system by purchasing a separate subwoofer such as the wireless SA-SW3 or SA-SW5 as the Theatre Quad package doesn't include one. Regarding music, the system has built in support for Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay and can be used as a music system on its own. For any gamers out there, the immersive sound you feel when you connect your PS5 to it is superb. I'm really impressed by the Bravia Theatre Quad system. The build quality is great as are the aesthetics of the system and the sound quality is fantastic.

jumpsuit2

Originally posted at

2024-08-30T20:00:00

This is an amazing top of the range product. You can instantly tell by the build quality of each speaker, the thought that's gone into it. The main unit is small but packed and it didn't take long to connect it all up so it was ready to go. I also used the Bravia connect app that sped up connecting to my other Sony products. What I liked most about this quad theatre was that although the speakers were heavy it was relatively easy to set up. From out of the box to setting it up to test it. For such a high end unit it was very easy. And configuring for the various rooms you may use it in was easy too. The only two things I raised my eyebrows about was the portability of the speakers. They are not truly wi-fi as you have to have them plugged in. I thought you could charge them and you could then set them anywhere. Unfortunately this means this product is plug socket hungry! The other thing is I would've hoped it would come with a subwoofer as standard but you have to purchase this as an additional unit. I love you can add to it but I need my deep bass. I played some sci-fi movies that included my favourite 5th Element and you could hear just how crystal clear and sharp the sound is and how the speakers handled the random noises was nothing short of perfection. If you love your sounds and enjoy turning the volume up, you will absolutely be in for a treat with the Sony Quad Theatre. I would absolutely recommend this product for movie theatre buffs!

Blackbagz

Originally posted at

2024-08-24T20:00:00

After living with the Bravia Theatre Quad System for a little over 2 weeks now and I must say I am simply blown away. I have connected the speaker system via my own Bravia OLED TV and a Satellite TV Box as its primary input source. Inside the box you get 4 speakers, various cables, a system controller and a handy remote. Setting up the system doesn't take long as the speakers themselves only require a power outlet nearby. You get a generous cable length too which is extremely helpful. The speakers connect to the system controller via Bluetooth, so no additional speaker cables are needed. Upon downloading the BRAVIA Connect app on my smartphone it takes you through the sound optimization process to get the best sound based on the speaker position and your viewing position to your TV. Once this is complete it gives you an example of the 360 spatial sound which is incredible! The system only has one HDMI input which on first glance you may feel this isn't enough. However, when you connect via the HDMI ARC port on your TV then the system will detect any other device connected to your TV and switch the audio automatically, Turn on your TV and the system turns on, turn it off and it turns itself off. Let's talk about the sound quality, which is amazing! This system is LOUD and delivers the experience I wanted when viewing not only today's new film releases with their Dolby Atmos and DTS sound tracks superbly but enhances older films and distributes the sound brilliantly through the 4 main speakers. Viewing sports is now a whole new experience, football matches you get the sound of the crowd all around you but still get a clear vocal sound of the match commentary from the two front speakers which somehow make the sound feel like its coming in the middle of the TV. Formula one again is incredible now with the sound of the cars all around you. Its sounds incredible and the sound is distributed perfectly. Another bonus is the Bravia Quad has in build Airplay so connecting your smartphone to it is effortless. The quad not only is a brilliant home theatre system but also an excellent standalone music system in its own right. I have been simply blown away by the sound quality and the difference it makes playing over four speakers. The different music platforms Spotify and Apple music both supply libraries with spatial audio to get the absolute best sound experience. I love the design of the speakers; each one internally contains four speakers with one facing vertically upwards to really fill the room. Included with each speaker is a mount for placing the speaker on a flat surface and also comes with a wall mount kit too which is very easy to fit. I have now mounted all 4 speakers on to wall of my lounge area. If you have a small amount of DIY skills, you will do this easily. To sum the Sony Bravia Quad, I would say it's a simply outstanding product. This is a seriously impressive home theatre system which ticks all the boxes.

Jamie293

Originally posted at

2024-08-21T20:00:00

On opening the box, you can see your four speakers and the Control Unit. The whole system is well packaged with the important parts in protective bags. Everything is recyclable and there is no sign of any polystyrene. The speakers are easily identifiable, 'right front' etc are clearly embossed on the four of them. In fact, as you look in the box front left is top left and front right is top right. Sony have made it easy for you. The stands and the fixtures are beneath each speaker. If you wish to wall mount your speakers brackets are also provided. I am going to have to purchase some speaker stands for my rear speakers as I do not want them fixed to the wall. The system is easy to set up, but you will require the free app to get the best out of it. The control box connects via the ARC HDMI socket. It is a 12-volt system that comes with a small transformer. If you have a compatible Sony Bravia TV then there is a cable provided to turn your TV speakers into the centre speaker marked 'S' just above HDMI one socket. The speakers come with a ten-foot power lead. Just plug them in. Turn on the centre box and speakers, open the app and follow the step-by-step instructions. It is all very simple. The speaker stands are easy to fit and all look rather good. Once set up you can go into the app and set your bass, treble etc. The sound quality is excellent. I had a high-end sound bar from another manufacturer before this system. So, is the Sony Bravia Quad an upgrade? Yes, it certainly is. You are completely immersed in a movie. The sounds are just great putting you right in the middle of the action. Currently I do not have a Sub-Woofer, this maybe a future purchase. It is a shame that one is not provided considering the cost of this unit! The sound recreation is superb. You can use the system as Bluetooth Speakers. I used Amazon Music (Sony recommended) as it is only one of two music providers that provide 360 degrees audio and is compatible with this system. The sound was unbelievable, crisp, clear and surrounding. Undoubtedly the sound reproduction will be significantly improved with the purchase and use of speaker stands. The speakers are aesthetically pleasing and are not too intrusive. Do not put them in a cabinet or on shelves with shelving above. The speakers need to be in the open or the sound reproduction will be compromised. Now the big question, is the system worth the not insubstantial price tag? At present I think it is excellent, but disappointed at the lack of a sub-woofer. As I become more familiar with the system, and I have watched more movies and shows I will update my review.

McCrackers

Originally posted at

2024-08-21T20:00:00

Sony Bravia Theatre Quad is the best in-house speakers to enjoy cinema hall experience of watching films and playing games. The sound that comes out of the speakers are incredibly great. The set-up is easy.

Ade06

Originally posted at

2024-08-14T20:00:00

I bought this two weeks ago. The sound is amazing, and it looks very pleasing.

Mucky23

Originally posted at

2024-08-09T20:00:00

Perfect for watching movies and listening music. Add a sub woofer for perfection.

Rhaj

Originally posted at