Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 Sound Bar and SA-SW5 Wireless Subwoofer

Paired the Theater Bar 9 and SA-SW5 subwoofer to our brand new Sony 85” Bravia 5 mini LED, and I’m satisfied. I elected to buy the Sony Bar 9 and SA-SW-5 in the hopes of seamless integration with the new TV. The Bar 9 has the capability to bring the TV’s integrated 4 speakers into the mix and augment the center channels of the Bar 9. The initial set up of both sound bar and subwoofer was seamless after downloading the Sony app to my iPhone. It wants to default to Google, however, it’s not compatible with Direct TV streaming, so we have to stream using Apple TV. I struggled getting the relatively heavy soundbar mounted under the TV using the supplied brackets. No screws provided to mount to the wall. The template confusing, so instead I installed the brackets on the bar using stick on felt chair leg pads, and drove the screws into the brackets and felt pads as backing, then lifted the bar in place under the TV and pressed hard enough to mark the wall. Unfortunately the brackets’ mounting points on the bar are fixed and consequently, would not allow two studs to center the bar beneath the TV. I found a stud nearest to center (1” to the right) and used it, the other bracket is hopefully going to hold in the drywall. The space behind the bar for the power cord, HDMI’s and connection cord for the TV speakers is very tight when wall mounted and the thin connection cord from the bar to the TV speakers pulled out as I was taking up the slack and I had to remove the bar from the brackets and reconnect (a bother). I’m no audiophile, and should you research this Sony system, you’re likely going to find “experts” who give this setup lukewarm reviews. Keep in mind I’ve paired this system to a new 2025 Bravia TV, when I say I’d give the audio 5 stars on movies and music. It’s sublime. It’s possible the system is at its best when paired with the newer TVs. It’s not at its best on network TV programming so 4 stars for that. As for the ease of wall mounting 3 stars, due to having no adjustments to center the bar and to find studs (there are aftermarket mounting options you might wish to consider), and for the extremely tight quarters for the cables and need to dismount the bar if there is an issue.