Sony HT-Z9F vs Vizio V21-H8 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

Sony HT-Z9F vs Vizio V21-H8 comparison chart

Sony HT-Z9F vs Vizio V21-H8 review

Sony HT-Z9F
vs
Vizio V21-H8

I had a chance to test and compare two models: Sony HT-Z9F vs Vizio V21-H8 and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The Sony HT-Z9F was rated 7.2, while the Vizio V21-H8 has a rating 5.5. 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, source, Bluetooth for the V21-H8.

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 V21-H8 has 2.1. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in any of these models. An external subwoofer connects to the HT-Z9F via wireless, but V21-H8 has wired and wireless connection type. Rate 7 out of 10 received the Sony HT-Z9F for audio features and specs, but the Vizio V21-H8 received 6 out of 10.

Streaming services

Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. The HT-Z9F can play audio from Spotify.

Connectivity

Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the HT-Z9F. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 2/0 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Sony HT-Z9F versus 0/1 HDMIs in the Vizio V21-H8. As in the HT-Z9F, so in the V21-H8 there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the HT-Z9F at 8 out of 10, while the V21-H8 was rated 6/10.

Features

The manufacturer of the V21-H8 provides a device control application. The Vizio V21-H8 equipped with a microphone. The Sony HT-Z9F may 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 V21-H8 received a mark of 5/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages Sony HT-Z9F over Vizio V21-H8

  • Spotify support
  • WI-FI enabled
  • Multi-room support
  • Compatible with Dolby Atmos
  • Compatible with DTS:X

Advantages Vizio V21-H8 over Sony HT-Z9F

  • App control
  • Microphone
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Common

Product

Sony HT-Z9F
Vizio V21-H8

Model

HT-Z9F
V21-H8

Brand

Sony
Vizio

Reviews

349
21

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
power, volume down, volume up, source, Bluetooth

Audio features

Built-in channels

3.1
2.1

Amplification type

active
active

Output power, W

400 (overall)

Separate speaker (in package)

0
0

Separate speaker connections

has not
wired, wireless

Subwoofer

Built-in subwoofer

Separate subwoofer (in package)

Separate subwoofer connections

wireless
wired, wireless

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

Chromecast
has not

Connectivity

WI-FI

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

1
0

NFC

HDMI input/output

2/0
0/1

HDMI ARC

HDMI eARC

HDMI CEC

Optical digital input/output

1/0
1/0

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
1 (USB 2.0)

Coaxial digital input/output

0/0
0/0

Analog audio input/output (RCA)

1/0
1/0

Headphone output

0
0

Subwoofer output

0
0

Features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri

App control

Microphone

Remote control

Multi-room

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital

DTS:X

DTS (other)

has not
DTS Virtual:X

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
100 x 27.4 x 37.6/39 x 11 x 15

Weight, kg/pounds

3.1/6.6
2/5

Other

Release year

2018
2020
Sony HT-Z9F
Vizio V21-H8
Sony HT-Z9F
Vizio V21-H8

Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7.2
  • 5.5
  • 7.2Sony HT-Z9F
  • 5.5Vizio V21-H8