Sony HT-Z9F Review and Specs

The latest Vertical Surround Engine surround sound technology allows you to enjoy realistic audio in the latest formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS: X, which are used in movie theaters. And all this with just one compact device from our Sony Z9F review. Regardless of the features of the room, the three front speakers reproduce a vertical audio signal, creating a virtual surround sound that seems to be heard from everywhere. See other Sony Z9F specs.

Sony HT-Z9F review

Features

It can drop to 31.5 Hz and slightly sticks out at a frequency of 50 Hz. The most melodic bass is heard in the region of 100 Hz. The soundbar cuts off the sound at a frequency of 200 Hz. When it comes to placement, it is best not to place both devices too far apart. The ZF9 soundbar is High Res Audio certified, as evidenced by the logo on the front panel. Tracks can be played from USB or via the network. You can play DSD and FLAC 192 kHz 24-bit, and if you have low-resolution audio sources, Sony offers DSEE HX scaling.

Design and build

The Sony HT-Z9F soundbar has a length of 1 meter, which is slightly shorter than the typical length of a 49-inch TV. It has a built-in front left, central and front right channels. The subwoofer is a large unit that is ideally located on the side of the TV and connects to the speaker, without wires. The panel and subwoofer look pretty simple, but in the restrained design, there is a sense of elegance that I appreciated.

Connectivity

On the back of the speaker are the ports: two HDMI In ports, one HDMI Out port (which supports HDMI ARC / eARC), one USB port, one analog input (3.5 mm), Toslink optical input, for digital audio and an Ethernet port, to connect to the internet. The soundbar also supports HDMI CEC, which allows you to use one remote control to control all settings.

Setup

The soundbar setup is excellent and ideal for its purposes, with a strong emphasis on low and mid frequencies. This was done for spectacular and exciting sequences of actions, as well as keen dialogue and involving background results. Separate channels are designed for superior sound reproduction, where different parts of the sound can be effectively heard without suppressing each other.

Pros and Cons