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Sony HT-A8000 BRAVIA Theater Bar vs Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9

The Bravia Theatre Bar 9 is the stronger bar. It has 13 speaker units, 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, room calibration, 8K passthrough and HDMI 2.1 gaming features, and owners rate it 4.4 out of 5. The HT-A8000 is a slimmer 11-channel Atmos bar with the same Sony ecosystem and app control, but fewer drivers and no 8K passthrough. Buy the Bar 9 for a serious movie and gaming setup; buy the A8000 if you want a lower-profile Sony bar and don't need 8K or the extra spatial processing.

  • Choose the Sony HT-A8000 if you want a slim, wall-mountable Sony Atmos bar with BRAVIA Sync and app control and you don't need 8K passthrough or 13 drivers.
  • Choose the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 if you want the most immersive single-bar sound, room calibration and full HDMI 2.1 gaming support.

Prices

  • Sony HT-A8000 BRAVIA Theater Bar: $762.42 at Luna-Time (checked today)
  • Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9: $1,423.10 at Greentoe (checked today)
  • Difference: the Sony HT-A8000 BRAVIA Theater Bar is $660.68 cheaper than the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 today
Sony
Sony HT-A8000 BRAVIA Theater Bar Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and 2 Year Amber Protection Plan (2024)

Sony HT-A8000 BRAVIA Theater Bar

Sony HT-A8000 BRAVIA Theater Bar Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and 2 Year Amber Protection Plan (2024)

4(1 rating)
$762.42at Luna-TimeChecked 1 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Luna-Time
Pros
  • Slim 2.51 in height fits under most TVs
  • 11-channel Atmos with Dolby Vision and HLG passthrough
  • BRAVIA Sync and Voice Mode for clearer dialogue
  • Works with Sony's wireless subwoofer and rear speaker add-ons
Cons
  • No 8K passthrough
  • No automatic room calibration
  • Fewer drivers than the Bar 9
  • No VRR or ALLM for gaming
Sony
Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9

4.4(74 ratings)
$1,423.10at GreentoeChecked 15 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Greentoe
Pros
  • 13 drivers with 360 Spatial Sound Mapping
  • Sound Field Optimization tunes to your room
  • 8K passthrough and HDMI 2.1 gaming features
  • AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and LDAC Bluetooth
  • Rated 4.4 out of 5 by owners
Cons
  • Taller body may block a low TV
  • Subwoofer and rear speakers sold separately
  • Room calibration needs a quiet setup run

What separates them

Sony HT-A8000 BRAVIA Theater BarSony Bravia Theatre Bar 9
Speaker count11 channels13 speaker units with front, center, up-firing, side-firing and beam tweeters
Spatial processingDolby Speaker Virtual and Dolby Surround upmixing360 Spatial Sound Mapping creates phantom speakers from one bar
Room calibrationNo automatic room calibration listedSound Field Optimization auto-calibrates to room size, acoustics and position
Video passthrough4K/60p with Dolby Vision and HLG4K and 8K HDR passthrough with Dolby Vision
Gaming featuresStandard HDMI, no VRR or ALLM listedHDMI 2.1 with 4K120, VRR and ALLM
StreamingBluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay via appBluetooth 5.2 with LDAC, AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect
Power495 W max585 W max
Height2.51 in tall, easy to fit under most TVsTaller profile with up-firing drivers

Price history

$1,498.00$737.49
Oct 31Nov 11
  • Sony HT-A8000 BRAVIA Theater Bar: lowest $737.49 on Nov 11 at Techinn.com.
  • Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9: lowest $1,423.10 on Nov 9 at Greentoe; $1,498.00 on Nov 10.

Prices at every store

Sony HT-A8000 BRAVIA Theater Bar

  • Luna-TimeNew

    In stockShips from Germany · duties may apply

    $762.42Checked 1 h ago
    Visit Luna-Time
  • Techinn.comNew

    In stockShips from abroad · duties may apply · made for another market

    $737.49+ $96.99 shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Techinn.com
  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by Walts TVReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $998.00Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • NeweggNew

    In stock

    $998.00Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Newegg

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 7 stores and price history →

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9

  • GreentoeNew

    In stockSold by TV's & Home Theater

    $1,423.10Free shippingChecked 15 h ago
    Visit Greentoe
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $1,498.00Free shippingChecked 15 h ago
    Visit Amazon
  • WalmartNew

    Availability unknownSold by Video & Audio Center

    $1,498.00Checked Nov 9
    Visit Walmart
  • B&H Photo-Video-AudioNew

    Availability unknown

    $1,498.00Checked Nov 9
    Visit B&H Photo-Video-Audio
All 18 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecSony HT-A8000 BRAVIA Theater BarSony Bravia Theatre Bar 9
colorBlackBlack
WirelessYesYes
Configuration2 Channel2 Channel
StyleWall MountWall Mount
Dolby Atmos EnabledYesYes
ConnectivityBluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI, EthernetBluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI, Ethernet
Max Wattage495 W585 W
size43.30" W x 4.44" D x 2.51" H—
ConnectionsHDMI—
Remote ControlYes—
Surround Sound FormatsDolby Atmos—
Special PurposeSoundbar—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecSony HT-A8000 BRAVIA Theater BarSony Bravia Theatre Bar 9
Battery Life—10 hr battery life
Bluetooth—true
Bluetooth Version—5.2
Bluetooth Codecs—AAC, SBC, LDAC
Wi-Fi—true
NFC—false
Water Resistant—false
Number of Speakers In Set—1
AirPlay—true
App Controlled—

What reviewers say

Sony HT-A8000 BRAVIA Theater Bar

Owners generally rate the HT-A8000 highly for wide, enveloping sound and clean dialogue, especially paired with a Sony TV. The most common complaints are weak bass without the optional subwoofer and a bulky cabinet.

What people mention
  • SoundstagePraisedOwners say the bar throws sound well beyond its width and fills a large room.
  • BassCriticisedReviewers note that low-end punch is modest without the add-on subwoofer.
  • DialoguePraisedVoice Mode and the center channel keep speech clear in movies.
  • SizeMixedThe 43-inch cabinet suits big TVs but is awkward on narrow furniture.

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9

  • 4.4 / 574 ratings

Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 74 ratings. Owners praise the wide, immersive sound and the phantom surround effect from a single bar. The main complaints are the cost of adding a subwoofer and the bar's size.

What people mention
  • SoundstagePraisedOwners say the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping throws sound well beyond the bar's width.
  • DialoguePraisedReviewers report clear center dialogue, especially with a Bravia TV's acoustic center sync.
  • BassMixedThe bar alone has modest low end; deeper bass needs the optional SW3 or SW5 subwoofer.
Reviews
  • We tested four premium Dolby Atmos soundbars: can JBL, LG or Sony defeat Sonos?

Questions and answers

Which is better for movies?
The Bravia Theatre Bar 9. Its 13 drivers and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping create a wider, taller soundstage from a single bar, and room calibration keeps it consistent in awkward rooms.
Which is better for gaming?
The Bar 9. It passes 8K and supports 4K120, VRR and ALLM, so a PS5 or PC keeps its full feature set through the bar. The A8000 tops out at 4K/60p.
Do I need a subwoofer with either?
Neither includes one. Both accept Sony's wireless subwoofers and rear speakers, and the Bar 9 benefits most because its low end is the weakest part of a single-bar setup.
Which is easier to fit under a TV?
The A8000. At 2.51 in tall it clears most TV stands; the Bar 9 is taller because of its up-firing drivers, so check clearance first.
Is the Bar 9 worth stepping up to?
Yes if you want the best single-bar surround, room calibration and 8K/HDMI 2.1. If you mainly watch at moderate volume and don't game, the A8000 covers the basics.
Which lasts longer?
Both are passive bars with no battery, so lifespan depends on build and firmware support. The Bar 9 has more drivers and processing, but neither has a known reliability edge.

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Buying guides that pick them

  • Best sound bars for smart TVs
true
Rechargeable—false
Control Button(s)—true
Channel Configuration—13
HDMI Input—true
HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC)—true
4K Video Passthrough—true
8K Video Passthrough—true
Remote Control Included—true
HDR Support—true
Tweeter Size—0.4
Tweeter(s)—2 x 0.4" Soft domeTweeter
Woofer(s)—2 x 1 13/16 x 3 5/8" X-Balanced Speaker Unit
Side-Firing Speaker—true
Up-Firing Speaker—true
Passive Radiators—2
Amplifier Output—585 W
Enclosure Type—Sealed
Input Power—120 VAC, 60 Hz
  • SetupPraisedRoom calibration and app setup are described as quick and straightforward.