Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 9 HT-A9000 soundbar, Dolby Atmos, 495 W, black

Dolby Atmos places sound effects in three-dimensional space, including above the listener. When a film or series carries an Atmos soundtrack, the soundstage feels wider than ordinary stereo, with sounds moving around and above the screen. The channel count and driver arrangement inside the bar are not given in the manufacturer data.

Sony states a power figure of 495 W. The soundbar can therefore produce far more sound pressure than the TV itself, which you notice in the explosions of an action film as much as in the stadium atmosphere of a live match. Whether the figure is RMS or peak power is not specified.

Bluetooth lets you play music and podcasts through the soundbar from a phone, tablet or laptop without a cable. The TV can stay switched off meanwhile, so the soundbar takes the place of a separate music speaker in the living room. The Bluetooth version and codecs are not listed.

Within the BRAVIA Theatre line the HT-A9000 is called Bar 9; the other model of the same line is Bar 8 (HT-A8000). TV connections such as HDMI eARC or an optical input, and the dimensions, are not given in the manufacturer data. Before installation, check which audio connection your TV has and how much space there is in front of it.

The Sony HT-A9000 suits viewers who want to replace their TV's sound with a Dolby Atmos soundbar and watch a lot of films, series or sport. Bluetooth adds everyday music listening from a phone. Since the TV connection ports are not listed, compare the soundbar and TV manuals before installation.