Sony HT-Z9F vs Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 review

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l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – Sony HT-Z9F vs Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400. The Sony HT-Z9F was rated 7.2, while the Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 has a rating 8.2. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, input, Bluetooth, music service, volume down, volume up for the HT-Z9F and power, volume down, volume up, input, mute for the MusicCast BAR 400.

Audio features

Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that HT-Z9F has 3.1 and MusicCast BAR 400 has 5.1. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 400 (overall) versus 200 (overall) according to devices. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in any of these models. An external subwoofer can be connected to any of the units in this comparison. Audio features and specs of considered models we rated 7 out of 10 in our ranking. Each of the competitors can play content from Spotify.

Connectivity

Both models have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 2/0 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Sony HT-Z9F versus 1/1 HDMIs in the Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400. As in the HT-Z9F, so in the MusicCast BAR 400 there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. The connectivity of each of the models was estimated at 8/10.

Features

Both devices have integrated voice control via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. None of these soundbars can be controlled using the app. The Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration can become part of a multiroom system.

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos audio decoder is onboard the HT-Z9F. The HT-Z9F can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The HT-Z9F was rated 8/10, while the MusicCast BAR 400 received a mark of 6/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages Sony HT-Z9F over Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400

Advantages Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 over Sony HT-Z9F