The Sony Bravia Theatre Quad, also known as the HT-A9M2, is a standalone home theater speaker system that occupies a space between a traditional soundbar and a compact speaker setup. Unlike soundbars, it does not feature any speakers positioned beneath the television.
The HT-A9M2 is engineered to provide robust surround sound while minimizing disruption within the room. This is accomplished by substituting the cylindrical speakers of the previous model, the HT-A9, with flat, nearly square speakers that are slim enough for wall mounting. Additionally, they are equipped with small feet for placement on tables or bookshelves.
This system comprises a 4.0.4-channel configuration of actual physical speakers. Its effectiveness will largely depend on the implementation of Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping and Sound Field Optimization technologies. In this review of the Sony HT-A9M2 Bravia Theatre Quad, we will explore the strengths and weaknesses of this audio system.
Design and Configuration
The Sony Bravia Theatre Quad stands out with its distinctive design. Each of the four speakers boasts nearly square dimensions, measuring 289 mm in width, 279 mm in height, and 73 mm in depth, all finished in a sophisticated grey felt material.
A convenient mounting point located at the center of the back of each speaker simplifies the process of attaching them to the provided wall brackets. For those who prefer not to drill into their walls or if the room’s layout doesn’t permit wall mounting, the speakers can alternatively be placed on small tabletop stands.
Aside from seeking a high-end designer wall-mount solution from a specialized brand, it is difficult to find another home cinema system that matches the offerings of the Sony Bravia Theatre Quad. This is particularly true when considering the inclusion of Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping and Sound Optimisation technology.
Each of the four elegantly slim speakers features a driver angled slightly upward at the top edge, complemented by an innovative three-way driver configuration. This design differs significantly from that of the HT-A9 system. Overall, the system comprises 16 drivers, delivering an impressive 504 watts of audio across a 4.0.4 channel setup.
The central zero indicates that although each speaker incorporates its own unique bass-oriented features, the Quad package does not include a dedicated bass channel by default. Nevertheless, if enhanced low-frequency response is desired, one of Sony’s two optional wireless subwoofers can be integrated.
Additionally, the Bravia Theater Quad does not include a physical center channel speaker, which is typically part of a 5.0.4 channel configuration. However, it is important to highlight Sony’s 360 spatial sound mapping technology. This processor employs psychoacoustic methods to simulate a network of virtual speakers throughout the room.
These virtual speakers are engineered to produce a comprehensive three-dimensional sound environment around the listener, effectively creating top, side, and center speakers that appear to materialize from thin air, complementing the physical front left, front right, rear left, and rear right speakers.
The Quad system is designed to operate independently on its four feet. Beyond the option of adding a subwoofer, the S-Centre output on the Quad’s compact control and connection box enables compatible Sony Bravia TV speakers to function as a genuine physical center channel. This capability is also found in Sony’s traditional Bravia 8 and Bravia 9 soundbars, but it seems particularly well-suited for the Quad configuration.
Peculiarities
The Sony Bravia Theatre Quad is designed to deliver an exceptional audio experience, supporting both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats for movies and music, including the DTS:X IMAX Enhanced variant. It is also compatible with Hi-Res Audio for both wired and wireless playback, as well as music formatted in Sony’s 360 Reality Audio. Additionally, the Quad system incorporates Sony’s acclaimed DSEE processing technology, which enhances the frequency range.
In terms of connectivity, the HDMI pass-through is notably refined for a soundbar, accommodating 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz signals from the latest gaming consoles and PC graphics cards. It also supports variable refresh rates and automatic low-latency mode switching. Furthermore, it includes pass-through capabilities for features like Sony’s PS5 Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode, along with HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision HDR formats.
However, it does not support the HDR10+ format. Other noteworthy features include the ability to enhance vocal clarity without affecting other audio elements, and Bravia Sync, which allows control of the Quad using a Sony Bravia TV remote.
Additionally, the system offers a Night Mode that compresses audio dynamics to minimize disturbances for sleeping family members, along with support for Spotify Connect and AirPlay streaming. It also features HDMI eARC for receiving lossless audio from eARC-compatible televisions.
Sound quality
The Bravia Theatre Quad requires both the speakers and the sound processing to be running at full capacity. If you follow all the instructions that appear during the initial setup process in the Bravia Connect app, the Quad’s production is a marvel. For starters, the soundstage it creates fills even large rooms right up to the walls.
This remarkable combination of roominess and scale owes much to the Quad cinema, which is sensitive enough to isolate and render even the smallest sound effects in a film’s complex mix. It doesn’t just render every detail. It also places the detail in what feels, in the vast majority of cases, exactly the right place in the 360-degree soundstage.
This sense of placement and space includes clear “virtual” elements of height and sides, despite only four physical speakers in the system. It seems that no other soundbar or speaker set has been able to generate such a full and convincing full-surround sound stage from such a physically unobtrusive speaker set.
This impeccably constructed soundstage is made even more remarkable by the fact that it can withstand even the most awkward room layout or speaker placement. Speaker placement can be varied throughout the room, yet the Bravia Theater Quad manages to paint a soundstage of outstanding balance, coherence and precision.
The dialogue is remarkably immersive, creating the impression that it emanates directly from the screen. Additionally, there is the capability to position various sounds at precise locations within the “virtual” center channel stage. This feature is particularly noteworthy for a virtual center channel, especially considering that the virtual Quad channels, including the center, produce an impressive amount of bass.
Explosive sounds, gunfire, and other impactful percussive effects are directed towards the audience with significant force and presence. The transitions across the soundstage are entirely convincing, and there is a genuine sense of height that enhances effects and transitions, with the upward-firing speakers exceeding expectations in both power and tonal balance despite their compact size.
The design of the speakers enables them to reproduce even the brightest, highest frequencies in a film mix without becoming overly harsh or thin. However, the true standout feature of the Quad system is its ability to deliver deeper, rounder, and more diffuse bass than one might anticipate from such slender speakers. The use of phantom speakers for virtual staging is particularly impressive.
There is a remarkable consistency in the bass performance that defies conventional expectations. The Quad system’s ability to reproduce a wide range of bass frequencies, combined with exceptional control and tuning of the bass-related speaker components, ensures that even the deepest bass integrates seamlessly into the Bravia Theater Quad system’s expansive and powerful midrange.
The robust bass of the Quad system does not overpower or obscure other elements of the sound, even with the limited internal space available to the speakers. While the Bravia Theatre Quad system generally provides a highly enjoyable experience, there are a couple of design considerations to keep in mind.
Primarily, the virtual center channel maintains its intended position only when you are seated within a relatively small sweet spot. If you move more than a meter away from this optimal position, dialogue may start to seem as if it is emanating solely from the left or right front speaker.
Additionally, deep male voices can occasionally sound somewhat guttural and heavy after being processed through the virtual center channel. However, these limitations can be mitigated by using the Quads in conjunction with a compatible Sony TV. Furthermore, the most intense bass rumbles from Hollywood can occasionally lead to slight crackling in the Quad speakers.
It is important to note that these bass-related issues are infrequent and minor. For the vast majority of films, you are unlikely to encounter any audio artifacts. The clarity, dynamic range, and exceptional balance of the Quad system in cinematic experiences are generally effective at delivering native surround sound formats such as Dolby Atmos and Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, as well as music.
Channel separation is impressive, and vocals are consistently anchored in the center of the audio mix, positioned between the two front speakers. When playing a stereo track on the Quad system with the Sound Field option activated, the track is effectively “remixed” to utilize all available speakers and virtual channels.
This feature outperforms similar options found in many competing soundbars, particularly with well-produced pop music, stadium rock, and large orchestral works. However, this may not appeal to purists who oppose the concept of remixing audio tracks.
Disabling the Sound Field setting addresses these concerns. The Quad system subsequently delivers a straightforward native stereo experience utilizing the two front speakers. This “native” mode also offers an impressive level of stereo detail and separation. Interestingly, in direct stereo mode, the positioning of vocals between the speakers becomes less defined.
Connections
The Quad system includes a compact, square black plastic Wi-Fi connection and streaming box alongside the speakers. It features a large, clear LED display, one HDMI pass-through, an Ethernet port, a 12V output, and an S-Centre output.
This setup allows for the potential integration of a Sony TV equipped with S-Centre, enabling the addition of a “physical” center channel that complements the speaker set. This capability is a distinctive feature of Sony TVs.
In addition to its wired connections, the Quad supports wireless file sharing through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (v5.2). As is typical for a system with such varied components, neither the speakers nor the compact “control unit” includes any control buttons. However, a small yet surprisingly functional remote control is included in the package.
Furthermore, the system can be managed through an app, specifically the Bravia Connect app, which can be installed on iOS or Android devices. This app has significantly improved from its earlier versions and is now a well-designed and practical tool, often preferred over the remote control for system management.
Conclusion
The Quad system boasts an appealing design that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally versatile for various spaces. It is surprising to discover that such slender speakers can produce exceptional sound quality. The integration of the company’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping and Sound Field Optimization technology is impressive, resulting in a vast, well-balanced, and immersive 360-degree soundstage, complemented by remarkable bass performance.
This impressive audio experience remains consistent, regardless of speaker placement or room configuration, once the initial setup is completed. The musical delivery is also commendable. For those seeking an alternative to conventional black box speakers scattered throughout their environment, Sony’s innovative Quad system comes highly recommended.