Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Sonos - Move (1st gen) | Sony - HT-A9 |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 60 W | 504 W |
| Dolby Atmos | false | true |
Between the Move (1st gen) and HT-A9, the Move (1st gen) comes out ahead in several specs, while the HT-A9 wins on output / dolby atmos. Overall, the Move (1st gen) scores 51.1 and the HT-A9 scores 71.1 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The HT-A9 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 20.0 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
The Move (1st gen) does not pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec-table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the HT-A9 if you care most about output / dolby atmos. Its strongest claims are output, dolby atmos. The single most decisive one: Output — 740.00% more. 504 W vs 60 W.
Both ship with comparable matter / thread, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the HT-A9 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Sonos - Move (1st gen) or Sony - HT-A9?
Sony - HT-A9 leads the current Mars Score by 20.0 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare output, dolby atmos against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Sonos - Move (1st gen) if…
Sonos - Move (1st gen) does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
Choose Sony - HT-A9 if…
Sony - HT-A9 has the measurable edge on output w, has dolby atmos.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Sonos - Move (1st gen) wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why Sony - HT-A9 wins
- ▲Output — 740.00% more. 504 W vs 60 W.
- ▲Has Dolby Atmos.
Spec comparison
Audio
| Spec | Sonos - Move (1st gen) | Sony - HT-A9 |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 60 W | 504 Wlead |
| Stereo pairingⓘ | true | true |
| Dolby Atmosⓘ | false | truelead |
| Built-in display | false | false |
Assistant & Smart Home
| Spec | Sonos - Move (1st gen) | Sony - HT-A9 |
|---|---|---|
| Voice assistant | Alexa | Google Assistant |
| Matter / Thread | false | false |
| Zigbee hub | false | false |