Short answer: the KEF XIO. It ranks #2 of 27 all-in-one soundbars by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $1,999.99. The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9 ranks #7, rated 3.8/5, at $1,498, $501.99 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the KEF XIO: The XIO sounds detailed and refined, with music that plays like a hi-fi system rather than a TV speaker. The tradeoff: At least one detailed review heard a boxy midrange and some compression when pushed loud.
What the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9 does well: This bar spreads sound wide and high enough to feel like a much bigger system, so movies wrap around the room without rear speakers. The tradeoff: Bass is controlled but limited, so action films lack weight until you add one of Sony’s optional subs.
Buy the KEF XIO. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $501.99 with the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
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The XIO sounds detailed and refined, with music that plays like a hi-fi system rather than a TV speaker.
This bar spreads sound wide and high enough to feel like a much bigger system, so movies wrap around the room without rear speakers.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF XIO | Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,999.99 | $1,498.00 |
| Ranked | #2 of 27 in All-in-One Soundbars | #7 of 27 in All-in-One Soundbars |
| Amplifier Power | 820W total (12 Class D) | 585W total |
| App | Yes (KEF Connect) | Yes (Sony BRAVIA Connect) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Channels | 5.1.2 | 7.0.2 |
| DTS:X | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 2.8”H x 47.6”W x 6.5”D (70 x 1210 x 165 mm) | 2.5”H x 51.2”W x 4.4”D (64 x 1300 x 113 mm) |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes (up-firing drivers) | Yes (up-firing drivers) |
| Drivers | Bar: 12 drivers (6 Uni-Q MX incl. up-firing, 2 full range, 4 P185 force-cancelling bass drivers) | Bar: 13 drivers (4 woofers, 3 tweeters, 2 beam tweeters, 2 side, 2 up-firing) plus passive radiators |
| HDMI Input | No | 1 |
| HDMI eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Included Subwoofer | Built-in | None (optional SA-SW3 or SA-SW5 sub) |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Rear Speakers | No | Optional (SA-RS3S or SA-RS5) |
| Room Correction | Yes (Intelligent Placement Technology) | Yes (Sound Field Optimization) |
| Weight | 23.1 lbs (10.5 kg) | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect) | Yes (AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect) |
| Voice Assistants | - | No |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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