I should have done this in the first place - Home Audio Upgrade
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Get Exclusive NordSecurity deals here ➼ nordsecurity.com All products are risk-free with Nord's 30-day money-back guarantee! Start your PC builds off on the right foot with the MAG Z790 Tomahawk Max WiFi motherboard! Check it out at lmg.gg Despite it's excellent performance, Linus has had nonstop problems with the Sony HT-A9 wireless surround system we installed in his family room. Luckily, Sony came out with a new receiver that claims to offer the same magical spatial surround sound technology that you can use with normal wired speakers. If only it was that easy. Raw Audio Clips: drive.google.com Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Buy a Sony STR-AZ5000ES AV Receiver: lmg.gg Buy SVS Prime Satellite Speakers: lmg.gg Buy SVS Prime Elevation Speakers: geni.us Buy a SVS 3000 Micro Sealed Subwoofer: geni.us Buy a Sony 65" BRAVIA XR A95K QD-OLED TV: lmg.gg Buy a Sony HT-A9 Home Theater Speaker System: geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON FLOATPLANE: lmg.gg ► SPONSORS, AFFILIATES, AND PARTNERS: lmg.gg ► EQUIPMENT WE USE TO FILM LTT: lmg.gg ► OUR WAN PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg FOLLOW US --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Intro: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High Video Link: youtube.com Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi Artist Link: youtube.com Intro animation by MBarek Abdelwassaa @mbarek_abdel Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 1:24 The good & the bad 1:58 Headphones on - HT-A9 demo 5:16 Pure agony 5:28 Install time 12:05 Calibrating the new setup 16:49 Headphones on - new system demo 18:11 Headphones on - Top Gun Maverick demo (new system) 18:38 Linus blind picks the better system & conclusion
I should have done this in the first place - Home Audio Upgrade walks through a high stakes home theater upgrade that centers around moving from a wireless surround system to a wired, ground-up audio solution in a living room with challenging acoustics. The video begins by laying out the frustration with the Sony HT-A9 wireless system that repeatedly experiences audio dropouts on movie nights, and the decision to finally run actual wires to achieve reliable performance. The hosts explain the tradeoffs between the flexible, wireless HT-A9 format and the benefits of a traditional wired setup, including root causes like room reflections, placement challenges, and the limitations of wireless calibration. They also discuss the new Sony receiver option that promises similar spatial mapping for wired and wireless configurations, while highlighting uncertainties about how true room correction translates when using non-native speakers. The install segment covers practical wiring strategies, mounting decisions, and the inevitable impact on aesthetics, including wall damage and cable management. As calibration begins, they compare the two configurations side by side, with Sam performing measurements, hooding the room correction process, and Linus evaluating how closely the new system matches or surpasses the old one. The later demos emphasize the improved bass, more convincing surround cues, and the overall movie-watching experience, while acknowledging that the original plan to keep height channels and a different center channel approach evolved into a different layout. The video ends with a verdict that the wired approach delivers more reliable performance, better bass, and convincing surround cues, albeit at higher cost and more work, while also praising the practical value of the in-house calibration and the ongoing pursuit of a balanced, immersive home theater experience.
Topics · home theater · audio upgrade · DIY installation · consumer electronics · wire management · calibration · sound quality · surround sound
Questions answered
- Why did Linus decide to switch from the HT-A9 wireless system to a wired setup?
- The decision was driven by recurring wireless audio dropouts and cracking during movie nights, despite firmware updates, making a reliable wired solution more appealing for consistent performance.
- What is the role of the TV center channel in the new setup and why is it used?
- The TV can act as a center channel in some configurations, and using it alongside wired connections provides a flexible path to maintain clear dialog, especially when a dedicated center speaker is undesirable or impractical.
- What is the key benefit of calibrating with a wired system versus relying on wireless spatial mapping?
- Wired calibration reduces room-based anomalies, improves bass management and surround accuracy, and offers more predictable, stable performance across the listening position, particularly in challenging rooms.