Sony
Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9
$1399
Released 2024-10
Best Soundbars · head-to-head
Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 vs Denon DHT-S517
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Denon DHT-S517 is cheaper at $499. Every spec and price links to its source.
Denon
Denon DHT-S517
$499Cheaper
Released 2022
Which is better: the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 or Denon DHT-S517?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Denon DHT-S517 is the cheaper at $499.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 | Denon DHT-S517 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $1399 | $499 |
| Brand | Sony | Denon |
| Released | 2024-10 | 2022 |
| Channels | 5.0.2 | 3.1.2 |
| Total watts | 585 | — |
| Dolby atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Dts x | Yes | No |
| Wireless sub | No | Yes |
| Rear speakers | No | No |
| HDMI earc | Yes | Yes |
| Voice assistant | none | none |
| Release | 2024-10 | 2022 |
Sources — Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9: dolby.com (verified 2026-06-15). Denon DHT-S517: denon.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 and Denon DHT-S517?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Channels: Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 5.0.2 vs Denon DHT-S517 3.1.2
- Dts x: Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 true vs Denon DHT-S517 false
- Wireless sub: Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 false vs Denon DHT-S517 true
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9
Only one whitelisted tester (What Hi-Fi) yielded a verifiable review body for this exact model (Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 / HT-A9000). What Hi-Fi rates it a five-star Award winner: a clear upgrade on the three-time Award-winning HT-A7000, with superb clarity, detail and dynamics, and the most convincing Atmos it has heard from a standalone soundbar. Trade-offs are a slightly clinical voicing with less warmth than the predecessor, occasionally over-pronounced deep bass at high volume, no display, and only one HDMI input. No lab measurements were published. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: Superb clarity, detail and dynamic punch; Most convincing Atmos/3D spatial imaging from a standalone soundbar; Classy, subtle, more discreet design than the HT-A7000.
Flagged: Delivery can sound slightly clinical, with reduced warmth vs the HT-A7000; Deep bass notes occasionally over-pronounced and distracting at high volume; No display and only one HDMI input (down from two).
Denon DHT-S517
No sourced tester review yet.