Sony HT-Z9F vs Sonos Beam review

Votes 2 2
Rating 4.5 4.5

Sony HT-Z9F vs Sonos Beam comparison chart

Sony HT-Z9F vs Sonos Beam review

Sony HT-Z9F
vs
Sonos Beam

An affordable soundbar is always a good option to consider, so Sony HT-Z9F vs Sonos Beam comparison definitely makes sense. Based on our rating, HT-Z9F has a total rating of 7.2 out of 10 versus 6 for Beam. The competitors' control buttons are different: power, input, Bluetooth, music service, volume down, volume up and volume down, volume up, microphone, play/pause, respectively.

Audio features

Both soundbars have active amplification type. A significant difference between the units in the number of channels, the Sony HT-Z9F has 3.1 versus 3.0 for the Sonos Beam. Competitors do not have a built-in subwoofer. Rivals have wireless connection to separate subwoofer. The Sony HT-Z9F got our rating of 7 out of 10, and the Sonos Beam 6 for its audio features and specs. Spotify support is available on the HT-Z9F.

Connectivity

These models have the ability to connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Sony HT-Z9F has 2/0 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 1/0 of the Sonos Beam. Only the HT-Z9F supports HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). For connectivity, the HT-Z9F received a rating of 8/10 versus 6/10, respectively.

Features

Both models support voice control using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. App control is available for the Beam. A built-in microphone is present only on the Beam. Multi-room is only available for the Sony HT-Z9F.

Multichannel surround

Only the HT-Z9F has a Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format support. A surround technology DTS:X is supported only by the HT-Z9F. For multichannel surround Sony HT-Z9F got a rating of 8, and Sonos Beam 4 out of 10.

Advantages Sony HT-Z9F over Sonos Beam

  • Separate subwoofer in package
  • Spotify support
  • Audio return channel (HDMI ARC) support
  • Multi-room support
  • Compatible with Dolby Atmos
  • Compatible with DTS:X

Advantages Sonos Beam over Sony HT-Z9F

  • App control
  • Microphone
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Common

Product

Sony HT-Z9F
Sonos Beam

Model

HT-Z9F
Beam

Brand

Sony
Sonos

Reviews

349
3280

General

Placement type

table-top, wall-mountable
table-top, wall-mountable

Connection to source

wired, wireless
wired, wireless

Soundbar buttons

power, input, Bluetooth, music service, volume down, volume up
volume down, volume up, microphone, play/pause

Audio features

Built-in channels

3.1
3.0

Amplification type

active
active

Output power, W

400 (overall)

Separate speaker (in package)

0
0

Separate speaker connections

has not
wireless

Subwoofer

Built-in subwoofer

Separate subwoofer (in package)

Separate subwoofer connections

wireless
wireless

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay 2

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

Chromecast
Pandora, Tuneln, Chromecast

Connectivity

WI-FI

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

1
1

NFC

HDMI input/output

2/0
1/0

HDMI ARC

HDMI eARC

HDMI CEC

Optical digital input/output

1/0
1/0

USB

1 (USB 2.0)

Coaxial digital input/output

0/0
0/0

Analog audio input/output (RCA)

1/0
0/0

Headphone output

0
0

Subwoofer output

0
0

Features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

App control

Microphone

Remote control

Multi-room

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital

DTS:X

DTS (other)

has not
has not

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size (Wx H x D), cm/in

100 x 6.4 x 10/39.4 x 2.5 x 3.4
65 x 6.8x 10/25.6 x 2.7 x 3.9

Weight, kg/pounds

3.1/6.6
2.8/6.2

Other

Release year

2018
2018
Sony HT-Z9F
Sonos Beam
Sony HT-Z9F
Sonos Beam

Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7.2
  • 6
  • 7.2Sony HT-Z9F
  • 6Sonos Beam