Sony HT-Z9F vs VIZIO SB36512-F6 review

Votes 3 3
Rating 4 4

Sony HT-Z9F vs VIZIO SB36512-F6 comparison chart

Sony HT-Z9F vs VIZIO SB36512-F6 review

Sony HT-Z9F
vs
VIZIO SB36512-F6

I had a chance to test and compare two models: Sony HT-Z9F vs VIZIO SB36512-F6 and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The Sony HT-Z9F was rated 7.2, while the VIZIO SB36512-F6 has a rating 7.4. 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, input, Bluetooth, volume down, volume up for the SB36512-F6.

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 SB36512-F6 has 5.1.2. 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. Rate 7 out of 10 received the Sony HT-Z9F for audio features and specs, but the VIZIO SB36512-F6 received 8 out of 10.

Streaming services

Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. 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 1/0 HDMIs in the VIZIO SB36512-F6. As in the HT-Z9F, so in the SB36512-F6 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. The manufacturer of the SB36512-F6 provides a device control application. Soundbars in this review are not equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration can become part of a multiroom system.

Multichannel surround

Manufacturers equipped both units with Dolby Atmos audio decoder. The HT-Z9F can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The HT-Z9F was rated 8/10, while the SB36512-F6 received a mark of 7/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages Sony HT-Z9F over VIZIO SB36512-F6

  • Compatible with DTS:X

Advantages VIZIO SB36512-F6 over Sony HT-Z9F

  • App control
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Common

Product

Sony HT-Z9F
VIZIO SB36512-F6

Model

HT-Z9F
SB36512-F6

Brand

Sony
VIZIO

Reviews

349
165

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, input, Bluetooth, volume down, volume up

Audio features

Built-in channels

3.1
5.1.2

Amplification type

active
active

Output power, W

400 (overall)

Separate speaker (in package)

0
2

Separate speaker connections

has not
wireless

Subwoofer

Built-in subwoofer

Separate subwoofer (in package)

Separate subwoofer connections

wireless
wireless

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

Chromecast
Pandora, TIDAL, VIZIO SmartCast, 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)
1 (USB 2.0)

Coaxial digital input/output

0/0
1/0

Analog audio input/output (RCA)

1/0
1/0

Headphone output

0
0

Subwoofer output

0
0

Features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

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
91.4 x 6.3 x 8.1/36 x 2.5 x 3.1

Weight, kg/pounds

3.1/6.6
2.5/5.6

Other

Release year

2018
2018
Sony HT-Z9F
VIZIO SB36512-F6
Sony HT-Z9F
VIZIO SB36512-F6

Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7.2
  • 7.4
  • 7.2Sony HT-Z9F
  • 7.4VIZIO SB36512-F6