Sony HT-Z9F vs VIZIO SB3821-C6 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

Sony HT-Z9F vs VIZIO SB3821-C6 comparison chart

Sony HT-Z9F vs VIZIO SB3821-C6 review

Sony HT-Z9F
vs
VIZIO SB3821-C6

l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – Sony HT-Z9F vs VIZIO SB3821-C6. The Sony HT-Z9F was rated 7.2, while the VIZIO SB3821-C6 has a rating 4.5. 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, input, Bluetooth, volume down, volume up for the SB3821-C6.

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 SB3821-C6 has 2.1. 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 SB3821-C6 received 5 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. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) is implemented only in the HT-Z9F. Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the HT-Z9F at 8 out of 10, while the SB3821-C6 was rated 6/10. None of these soundbars can be controlled using the app. Soundbars in this review are not 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 SB3821-C6 received a mark of 5/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages Sony HT-Z9F over VIZIO SB3821-C6

  • Spotify support
  • WI-FI enabled
  • Audio return channel (HDMI ARC) support
  • Multi-room support
  • Compatible with Dolby Atmos
  • Compatible with DTS:X
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Common

Product

Sony HT-Z9F
VIZIO SB3821-C6

Model

HT-Z9F
SB3821-C6

Brand

Sony
VIZIO

Reviews

349
6692

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
2.1

Amplification type

active
active

Output power, W

400 (overall)

Separate speaker (in package)

0
0

Separate speaker connections

has not
has not

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
has not

Connectivity

WI-FI

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

1
0

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)
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
DTS TruSurround

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
96.5 x 7.6 x 7.6/38 x 3 x 3

Weight, kg/pounds

3.1/6.6
2.6/5.8

Other

Release year

2018
2015
Sony HT-Z9F
VIZIO SB3821-C6
Sony HT-Z9F
VIZIO SB3821-C6

Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7.2
  • 4.5
  • 7.2Sony HT-Z9F
  • 4.5VIZIO SB3821-C6

Sony HT-Z9F competitors

VIZIO SB3821-C6 competitors