Now for the details.
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Appearance and operation
The BDV-N9200W comes in a massive, elongated cardboard (weight total of approximately 34 Kg - with some force can carry him quite well alone, because at the end sides there are grip openings). All ingredients are included individually wrapped in anti-static film and placed in styrofoam elements.
The structure is no mystery, because boxes and terminals are clean labeled and marked the cable color. On the amplifier side Sony uses a proprietary connector format, the speakers themselves you will find the usual spring clips. (When By counting the supplied cable, please do not scare - on the subwoofer cable is already clamped.) One needs to mount only a large Phillips screwdriver and the best patient. After reducing the wireless connection of the amplifier box for the rear speakers, the required Strippenzieherei. I unpacked in peace and built up and used with wiring and calibration a total of about two hours. The course also depends on the room acoustics.
The cable of the supplied microphone for automatic calibration at the listening position is a bit short with about 4 meters in length - to me has an extension cord helped (3.5mm jack, Stereo). The calibration itself is very fast. The distances determined voted almost exactly in my case, however, the poet standing at the listening position rear speakers were first to set loud. Ultimately this is a matter of taste.
The remote is slim, robust and fits comfortably in your hand. Compared to previous versions, there are now no more numeric keypad, for separate keys for all sound modes. In the Sony-typical crossbar menus you find your way quickly.
Alternatively, you can control the system in the home network via smartphone with Sony's app SongPal. That works quite well and is useful for navigating a music library, when the connected screen is not always on. In addition, you can control the main unit playback and volume without visual contact.
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Sound
The system provides a clean, balanced sound with clear highs and rich bass. This applies to a very wide range of volume. Typically, subwoofer satellite systems by the frequency gap between large subwoofer and small satellite weaknesses in the centers. This "hole" covered the BDV-N9200W of encouraging small so that not only language in movies, but music will play properly. Small deficits we hear most in the upper frequency range.
It is important to know that there is in this system except the volume (per channel) few opportunities for sound adjustment. In particular, fine-tune the frequency transitions to the subwoofer is neither possible nor is there a multi-band equalizer, let alone per channel. There is only a number more or less useful presets. The system is clearly tailored to users who do not want to deal with long settings up. Yet I hardly hurts, because the neutral setting fits well for my taste. To use the system comes with me except for home theater and music for PC video games. The sound of my PC is transmitted via HDMI (6-channel LPCM, 24 bit, 96 KHz), the picture ends up in about 2 m height on a canvas. This also comes at absolutely games on cinema atmosphere.
Unfortunately, there is to note one more thing: The fans of the main unit produced from just switching an audible noise, and - significantly disturbing - a faint, high-frequency whirring, the distance is in the quiet location in four, five meters still perceptible. Since I like the quiet location with totally hear soft music, bothers me a bit.
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Model versions and comparison with the predecessor
The BDV-N9200W Sony renews released last year model BDV-N9100W. There is also a new version with four small standing speakers (new: 7200, old: 7100). Within the same model generation main unit, subwoofer, center and rear amplifier box are the same. The old version with large front and small rear speakers (8100), Sony replaced by a 2.1 version with small satellite (F7220).
The outer dimensions of the main unit Rear-amp box and satellite have remained virtually unchanged. The satellites act now slightly less edgy. The fronts shine more, what looks elegant, but makes them more prone to fingerprints. The large floor standing speakers, the Ultra tweeter now sit a bit deeper - an audible difference does not.
The new subwoofer is slightly smaller than the old and outwardly easier constructed (the back was covered before, now it is a "naked" chipboard). There are not two lateral bass reflex ports only a forward. Sonically the new subwoofer does not quite so far in the bass, but it closes the gap in the upper bass range better.
A very significant improvement there at center. The sharp, thin sound of the center was my main gripe with the previous version. Although weight and dimensions have hardly changed, now particularly dialogue with cinema material come across much better. The new center fits much better into a sound image of the great tower speaker.
The main unit of the old series (calm, soft music) runs virtually silently as opposed to the current model at low load. The fan rotates only here at persistently high burden on audible.
The mechanics of the drive cover has been improved in the new series, they open and close more quickly now.
Other new features on the main unit:
+ Mirroring of smartphone / tablet (send screen images via WLAN)
+ Dimmer for the display brightness to the unit
+ Center can be switched off (medium channel is distributed to lateral front speakers)
+ Visualizer (simple graphical background for the current music playback, not very useful)
Changes to the Rear amplifier:
o permanently installed housing minimally smaller radio module
- Connection cable with 110cm again 20cm shorter
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Media playback and other features
In operation as a Blu-ray or DVD player, there is no cause for complaint. Upscale DVD works well, the Blu-ray playback is expected to be impeccable. If one an audio CD, the system will automatically download track information and cover art from Gracenote and displays them on the connected monitor. The drive produces only a faint noise that I do not find disturbing. It works very quickly when accessing.
Now includes support DLNA Compliant Media Server, as they bring a lot of the better NAS devices for home users as standard. With my QNAP NAS the interaction goes smoothly.
Per DLNA or USB flash drive (NTFS-formatted) can pretty much play all file formats: Video, including MPEG2, H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC), VC-1 or Xvid with audio as LPCM, MP3, AAC Dolby Digital (AC3) or DTS in various containers such as WAV, AVI, MOV, TS, M (2) TS, MP4 or MKV. In MKVs also works the selection of audio tracks, the starting of chapter marks and the display of SRT subtitles (text only).
Even HD videos with high data rate can be wireless interference play (here a Fritz box 7490, which is in the same room though).
The automatic wireless connection of the main unit to the rear amplifier works as easily and stable as the connection of smart phones or PCs via Bluetooth.
When switched off (standby) main unit and Rear amp draw per about 0.5 watts from the wall outlet, if the power is 24.5 or 6.5 watts. Very good, I find that the system automatically switches to standby if no reproduction is carried out for a while.
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Conclusion
Who is sensitive to noise and would like to operate the set, even in very low volumes, must know that the main unit is not completely silent (without rotating disc). In addition, the system provides little opportunity for sonic fine tuning.
Apart from that, the BDV-N9200WB is a successful, versatile all-round solution that makes me, with its comprehensive control options have fun. Overall I give a recommendation and a perfect score *****.
