Sony Z9F 3.1ch Sound bar with Dolby Atmos and Wireless Subwoofer (HT-Z9F), Home Theater Surround Sound Speaker System for TV Visit the Sony Store 4.4 out of 5 stars 266 ratings | 192 answered questions put them under the same test bench, The Best Sony soundbar for dialogue that we've tested is the Sony HT-Z9F. This tool will clearly show you the differences, Use our data and table to find the best soundbar for your needs, Want to see us review a specific soundbar? Although it lacks a bit of low-bass, it has a balanced sound profile that should be suitable for most audio genres. All rights reserved. Menu options are intuitively broken down into Watch (for all your connected components), Listen (with icons for Bluetooth, Chromecast, or Spotify Connect), and Settings. 00 Wireless and network-capable, the Z9F can also connect to select rear speakers for a full-room solution that provides a cinematic experience. This simple entry-level model performs well for its price point and it feels decently well-built. The best cheap Sony soundbar that we've tested is the Sony HT-S100F. Gain early access to all tests results for new products, Prices will now be listed directly in reviews and tables, Have 5 votes per product category to choose which product we’ll review next, Gain unlimited access to detailed test results in tools and results (no blurred results), Video: The 4 Best Samsung Soundbars to Buy in 2020, Having trouble deciding between two soundbars? It can also get loud enough for most uses and it performs well at max volume. While it can get loud, there are also some compression artifacts present at max volume. The company’s new Dolby Atmos soundbar, the HT-Z9F, is another fine showcase for Sony’s considerable talents in this arena. If your TV has ARC and CEC turned on you can control the Z9F’s volume and power with your TV remote. Applicable Products and Categories of This Article. Be the first to start a discussion about Best Sony Soundbars. That said, there are plenty of other options to consider. Sony produces sturdy, well-built soundbars. Without a dedicated subwoofer, it lacks bass. That said, it comes with EQ presets so that you can adjust its sound profile to better suit your preferences. There's also no room correction feature, which is a little disappointing. The system appears to be well-built and Sony is a reliable brand, while its feature set make it primed for the foreseeable future. Most Sony soundbars lack bass or treble adjustment, which can be less than ideal as some of these soundbars have a less than neutral sound profile. It can also produce a thumpy, rumbly bass that's well-suited for action flicks or EDM tracks. This 3.1 setup reproduces dialogue clearly and accurately, which is great for your favorite podcasts, and you can further improve it with its dialogue enhancement feature. Copyright ©2021 Designtechnica Corporation. Spotify and Google Chrome… No cherry-picked units sent by brands. so that you can compare the results easily. The rest of the bar is made of good quality plastic. Your sound bar and TV connections may vary. This includes Sony’s “Vertical Surround” system which is toggled on and off via a prominent button on the remote. If you prefer a different sound, there's a few EQ presets which may better enhance your experience. Before You Start. There’s also an IR repeater at the back in case your TV’s sensor gets blocked by the bar. Sony Z9F HT-Z9F 4K HDR Wireless Soundbar 3.1ch Dolby Atmos Cinematic Surround Sound 500W Bundle With Wireless Subwoofer, SA-Z9R Wireless Rear Speakers, Deco Gear 2x HDMI + 2x Optical Toslink Cable Kit 4 out of 5 stars 2 $1,196.00 $ 1,196. When compared to a proper 7.1.2 system like Sony’s HT-ST5000 which is $1500 you’re getting pretty close in terms of sounds to an almost twice the price sounds bar. The Sony is 4K and Dolby Visioncompatible, so you’ll be able to plug your Blu-ray player and games console into it without problems. Our system also came with a pair of adorable little surround satellites which connect wirelessly and require a power source. The satellites are also easy to adjust on the fly via the remote. 5.0 out of 5 stars. little package. Five different sound modes optimize audio to what you’re hearing. 8.6. II to Skyfall, we were consistently impressed with the Z9F’s ability to balance powerful, distortion-free sound with clear and full dialogue, even when things get extremely raucous on-screen. Sony is coy about its driver specs, but we do know the Z9F offers just the three visible drivers up front, alongside one forward facing driver in the subwoofer, with a total power plant of 400 watts. The Soundcore from Anker is a 2.1 channel soundbar that prides itself on … Sony once again flexes its processing might with its latest soundbar, the HT-Z9F. HT-Z9F 3.1ch 400W Dolby Atmos Sound Bar. The Sony HT-ST5000 is the best Sony soundbar that we've tested. The soundbar competes in a price class where you typically get a lot of performance for your money but Sony is one-upping most of its competitors by adding support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Experience cinematic surround sound with dedicated wireless rear speakers for ht-z9f. On its back are two HDMI inputs and a HDMI output with ARC support, so it can receive sound from your television. Free shipping. It has a good stereo frequency response that can reproduce voices and lead instruments well. If you’re willing and able to string some wires around the house, you can also get a discreet Dolby Atmos package from Focal in its Sib Evo speakers for not that much more cash, even after you add a Dolby Atmos-capable receiver. "Sony's latest Dolby Atmos soundbar, the Sony HT-Z9F, brings 4K compatibility to a 3.1 channel system with surround sound through either Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. That said, the speakers sound surprisingly clear and full considering their size, and if you want to fill in the surround gaps, they do a fine job of it. Sony’s Z9F doesn’t come cheap, but it offers an impressive array of options and powerful virtual surround performance in an incredibly small and nimble profile. One odd omission: We couldn’t seem to find anywhere to control EQ — not even basic treble or bass control. While we were pleasantly surprised with the Z9F’s virtual surround sound muscle, one thing we didn’t expect — but should have, considering this is Sony — is how well the Z9F does with music, especially for its tiny size. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Those looking for cinematic fun first will get a nice bonus in the Z9F’s musical prowess. Sony Support HT-Z9F. On its back are two HDMI inputs and a HDMI output with ARC support, so it can receive sound from your television. Those looking for cinematic fun first will get a nice bonus in the Z9F’s musical prowess. Sony Support HT-Z9F. 160 St-Viateur Est, Suite 408, Montreal, Canada, H2T 1A8. Wireless and network- capable, the Z9F can also connect to select rear speakers for a full-room solution that provides a cinematic experience. That said, it can reproduce clear and accurate speech, and it's even one of the best soundbars for dialogue that we've tested. With eARC, the Z9F Soundbar can relay full-resolution sound, including the latest immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, directly to and from your TV without routing through an alternate media source². Touch controls on the top of the bar for power, source, and volume keep the minimalist black aesthetic clean, while a slim silver line protruding from the front adds a bit of style. Check your manual for model-specific information. Take movies, shows, sports, and music to the next level with these wall-mountable rear speakers by pairing them with your Sony ht-z9f soundbar. Sony only provides preset EQs, so you won't be able to customize or fine-tune your audio experience the way you like. Sony offers a limited one-year warranty for the HT-Z9F. Dolby’s Leaf demo scene was exposed with surprisingly deep dimension as sizzling jungle sounds seemed to tickle our ears with clear detail, blooming from the front of the room like a sonic bubble to pull us into the scene. Unfortunately, if you don't like their default sound profile, Sony only provides EQ presets, which makes it challenging to fine-tune your audio experience. Be part of the most informed community and take advantage of our advanced tools to find the best product for your needs. Also inside is a magnetically affixed grill, a button-laden remote and batteries, a startup guide, and an HDMI cable. When it comes to surround processing, the Z9F is stocked with pretty much everything under the sun. 7.6. It has a metal grille and a faux-leather texture that are nice touches, lending it a more premium look and feel. Sony describes the HT-Z9F as a 3.1-channel Dolby Atmos/DTS:X soundbar that features 7.1.2-channel surround sound. The Sony HT-Z9F soundbar is a well-made soundbar system that feels a bit more premium than the Sony HT-X9000F or Vizio SB36312-G6. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. It also supports a lot of audio formats like eARC and you can passthrough 4k content. We occasionally wished the sound was just a little cleaner in the upper bass and lower midrange here, and it’s no substitute for a good pair of bookshelf speakers, but there’s a thickness to the sound you just don’t expect from such a thin bar. The bar sits three inches tall, four inches deep, and 40 inches across, easily fitting most TV stands. European Union and other To reduce the risk of fire, do not cover the countries with ventilation opening of the appliance with newspapers, tablecloths, curtains, etc. Still, if you're looking for a soundbar that offers a lot of connectivity and audio format support, it's a suitable choice with a versatile overall performance. Watch; Sony 400W 3.1 Channel Network Soundbar System w/ Alexa (Black) HT-Z9F *NEW* Brand New. None of the Sony soundbars offer a room correction feature. Sony makes a wide range of soundbars at several price ranges, so it's easy to find one that works for your budget. It has a neutral and well-balanced sound profile suitable for a … The setting does enhance select content, but as we’ll get to in the performance section, you’ll want to keep the remote handy when playing two-channel audio and music. Sony soundbars have a generally sturdy build, thanks to their plastic and metal design. Article ID : 00225637 / Last Modified : 09/23/2020. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a lot of sound enhancement features, and you won't be able to adjust bass or treble. It also has a disappointing surround performance, especially as it doesn't come with discrete surround speakers. You can also stream to a pair of Bluetooth headphones if you’re trying not to wake the family (we told you this thing was loaded), while select Sony TVs can also connect via Bluetooth. Unfortunately, its sound enhancement features are a bit limited and you won't be able to fine-tune its bass or treble. 00 $899.99 $899.99 Page 1 Sound Bar Operating Instructions HT-Z9F...; Page 2 Disposal of old WARNING electrical & electronic Do not install the appliance in a equipment confined space, such as a bookcase or (applicable in the built-in cabinet. It supports Dolby Atmos as well as DTS-X all by using only 3 drivers and DSP. 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Five different sound modes optimize audio to what you’re hearing. The design of the subwoofer is nothing out of the normal. When compared to Samsung soundbars, Sony isn't as well-rounded in performance. This 7.1.2 setup offers a well-rounded performance using only a soundbar and subwoofer. The Best Sony soundbar for dialogue that we've tested to date is the Sony HT-Z9F. It’s ability to create an expanded soundstage from just three drivers and a subwoofer is sonic magic. 7.2. The subwoofer, a nondescript black hunk with a glossy bass port up front, is a larger affair, standing just over 15 inches high and deep, and just under 8 inches wide. It can also support all common audio formats through its HDMI ARC and Full HDMI In ports. They tend to excel in dialogue reproduction but their lack of sound enhancement features can be a drawback if you want a touch more bass or treble in your mix. Sony HT-Z9F (open-box, $370 + wireless surrounds - new, $299). Voices and speech sound clear and accurate, which is great for your favorite TV show or podcast, and you can use its dialogue enhancement feature to further improve vocal clarity. What I liked most about this bar was similar to the HT-G700. 400W total output power Provides quality sound for … Most Sony soundbars are well-suited for dialogue content, especially when combined with their Dialogue Enhancement feature, and audio produced is clear and accurate. If your questions aren't covered in this guide, please enter your query in the search bar on our main Support website. i hadn't done any research on soundbars and … $495.95. The Sony HT-X9000F is a 2.1 channel soundbar from Sony's 2018 lineup. Like other virtual surround soundbars, this is not a substitute for a fully discrete Dolby Atmos system. 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