Sony HT-Z9F vs Sonos Playbar review

Votes 3 3
Rating 4.7 4.7

Sony HT-Z9F vs Sonos Playbar comparison chart

Sony HT-Z9F vs Sonos Playbar review

Sony HT-Z9F
vs
Sonos Playbar

It makes sense comparing Sony HT-Z9F vs Sonos Playbar because they both are able to give some premium features. Based on our rating, HT-Z9F has a total rating of 7.2 out of 10 versus 5.5 for Playbar. The competitors' control buttons are different: power, input, Bluetooth, music service, volume down, volume up and play/pause, volume up, volume down, 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 Playbar. Competitors do not have a built-in subwoofer. Rivals have wireless connection to separate subwoofer. Both models received our 7 rating of 10 for their audio features and specs. Spotify is available on each of the soundbars.

Connectivity

These models have the ability to connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Only the HT-Z9F has Bluetooth support. Only the HT-Z9F supports HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). For connectivity, the HT-Z9F received a rating of 8/10 versus 3/10, respectively. App control is available for the Playbar. None of the models under consideration have a built-in microphone. 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 Playbar 4 out of 10.

Advantages Sony HT-Z9F over Sonos Playbar

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

Advantages Sonos Playbar over Sony HT-Z9F

  • App control
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Common

Product

Sony HT-Z9F
Sonos Playbar

Model

HT-Z9F
Playbar

Brand

Sony
Sonos

Reviews

349
1800

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
play/pause, volume up, volume down

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, SoundCloud

Connectivity

WI-FI

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

1
2

NFC

HDMI input/output

2/0
0/0

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

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
90 x 14 x 8.5/35.4 x 5.5 x 3.3

Weight, kg/pounds

3.1/6.6
5.4/11.9

Other

Release year

2018
2013
Sony HT-Z9F
Sonos Playbar
Sony HT-Z9F
Sonos Playbar

Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7.2
  • 5.5
  • 7.2Sony HT-Z9F
  • 5.5Sonos Playbar