The remote does have all important controls like bass level, sound field, night, voice, input, mute and of course, volume control. If only it had hot keys for rear speaker levels too since, depending on the different content we switched between, it’s the rear speakers that needed boost or cut more than the subwoofer. The app digs deeper with height control for the sound field, a Dolby or DTS virtualiser for 2-channel content and acoustic centre sync. One area though where the Bar 9 takes a step back from the A7000 is HDMI I/O. There’s a single input and a single eARC-enabled output. The A7000 did have two inputs which made it a snap to connect an Apple TV and PS5. AirPlay2, Spotify Connect and Bluetooth 5.2 handle all the wireless streaming you want to shoot at it.
Our review system came with the RS5 surround speakers which are battery powered and can last up to 10 hours on a single charge, depending on various parameters. Since you don’t have to depend on a power outlet close to their location, it frees up a lot of placement options. Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping even allows you to place them asymmetrically and compensates for the height, distance and angle inconsistencies via the built-in optimiser. It’s a simple press of a button on top of each surround speaker. Couldn’t be easier.
Handling bass duties is the same old, but still very capable SW5 powered subwoofer with 300W on tap. It connects wirelessly to the Bar 9 but does require to be plugged in at all times. Placing it anywhere on the same side of the room as the Bar 9 delivers the most seamless results and finer adjustments can be made on the fly always.