I orignally purchased the A7000 along with sw3 sub and rs5 rear speakers. My living room is a open layout connected to the dining area. While I enjoyed this setup with great center cannel dialogue and rear atmos speakers, it wasn’t as immersive as i expected which I belive is due to my open room layout(understand sound bars will never provide true front separation) Missing a side wall to reflect acoustics doesn’t fully utilize the A7000’s abilities. Those with smaller rooms and side walls could have a better experience. After much research, HTA9 seems to fit the part, better front separation. While, these systems can never replace a true HT Setup, it really serves its purpose and provide more flexibility to without wires. Sound quality is fantastic and with the right content, you really feel the full immersion. It’s as if you are wearing a headset. The phantom center does a great job at simulating the center channel but this would be the only negative. Ive paired this with my A80J as the center channel which is certainly helps with center dialogue. This will be personal preference based on how it sounds. Between the sw3 and sw5 sub, the latter provides deeper bass and wider range to suit your needs. SW3 at level 10-12 is equivalent to a 3-4 on the SW5. If you live in a small apartment, recommend the SW3, other wise go for the Sw5.

I am upgrading from the old Sony Htz9f with added rear speakers which was advertised as dolby atmos but they lacked the upward fring speakers and relied on thier vertical sound machine to trick you but its was a failure those of you who own this system know what i mean. It was just a basic 5.1 surround. Now this new Sony HT A9 system with combine Sub HW 5 is truly an immersing feeling. All speakers of thr A9 are same size same power with each have its own upward firing speaker. Sounds you missed in traditional sound bars wont me missed with this system. Really feel like your at the movies which Sony is trying to achieve and they sure did deliver with the A9. You will need to select in the Sony settings, advance setting, audio sound then dolby speaker virtualizer to get the best dolby atmos effect. Also on your TV setting under advance setting under audio make sure you select the digital sound out to PASS THROUGH dont not leave it on auto or PCM. Make sure to enable Earc as well many dont know this and when they hook it up they feel like its a basic system but if set up correctly you will be amazed. Also under HDMI setting in the TV and Sony system select enhanced 4k not standard. Once you get it all dialed in you will experience movies whole new level this is the sound system to beat. Was considering the Sennheiser Ambeo Max but they lack rear speakers and from many audio files review this system beats out the Sennheiser and Samsung Q90B which i hear is great as well. But for me im sticking to the Sony HT A9. You can see my old HTZ9F in the photo. oh the Sub for the SW 5 is a beast. Hope this review helps yall.

The sound and immersion are great - huge step up from any soundbar. Be prepared for frequent trips into the setup menu to re-calibrate the wireless connection between the speakers. It seems like I need to do this every time I use it, but once done it typically gets me 3-4 hours of uninterrupted movie watching/music listening before it needs to be done again. Seems that Sony is aware of these issues, since they included an insert that is the first thing you see when you unbox (see attached photo).

I purchased this system over the back Friday. This system is amazing. It is super easy to set up and It beats any sound bar. That being said, you have to get the Sony SW5 sub to get the best sound.If your living room has a high ceiling then the Sony sound bar HT 7000 sound bar with the same sub and rear wireless speakers would be the best choice.

Like a lot of people here, I am having the same issue with sound drop out through this system. When it does work it's very impressive but having to reset the system half way through a movie is, the opposite, of immersive. It's a shame because this is very difficult to recommend based on the current experience and I hope Sony does something to make these expensive, high-end item, more reliable.