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

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

2025-02-25T19:00:00

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

2025-02-21T19:00:00

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

2025-01-06T19:00:00

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

2024-11-19T19:00:00

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

2024-06-14T20:00:00

I bought Quad Theatre two weeks ago as an upgrade for my Sony HT-A7000. Unfortunately, it and my eight-month old Optoma CinemaX Pro 2 UST projector are not compatible at all, and the only way to have them properly connected and get a normal picture is to unplug the AC Power for both, wait a few minutes, then plug both in again. If I don't do that, I get a flashing message on the screen that says: "Updating Amp information" that refuses to go away. I consulted Sony's technical assistance but there was nothing they could do. I think the only thing I can do is to buy an HDMI switch with multiple inputs and connect it to Quad's HDMI IN, and run an HDMI output from the Quad to the projector, avoiding having to use ARC in order not to have to repeat the unplug/plugin ritual every time I want to watch something, knowing that would deteriorate the picture quality, but I am left with no choice. I even considered giving up my projector and its 100-inch screen in favour of a Bravia 9 85-inch TV, but sanity prevailed and I decided that I shouldn't spend $129,990 extra just because Sony and whoever came up with ARC could not come up with a simple solution to such a common problem (widely published on the internet)! Or, Sony should allow multiple HDMI inputs on the Quad's control box. I had such high hopes for Quad Theatre but ended up as a very frustrated customer.

David T.

Originally posted at