Our quick take
Sony HT-ZF9 soundbar - 4.0 / 5
Compact and discreet
- Available in black only Soundbar: 1000 x 99 x 64mm; 3.1kgs Included sub: 190 x 382 x 386mm; 8.1kgs
Sony HT-ZF9 features
- Decodes: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, LPCM, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD High Res, DTS Digital Surround, LPCM (2ch, 5.1 and 7.1), DTS-HD Master Audio Vertical Surround Engine uses 3.1 channels for 7.1.2 pseudo surround Works with Google Home Chromecast built-in
Connections and controls
- 2x HDMI input; HDMI output with ARC Ethernet (wired); Wi-Fi (wireless); Bluetooth 4.2 (wireless) with Sony LDAC enhancement Optical digital audio input; 3.5mm analogue audio input; USB type A Physical controls on soundbar Remote control included
Setup and operation
- App-based setup possible Menus display on TV screen Modes: Watch, Listen, Setup
Surround engine hits its vertical limit
Watching TV shows and movies
- Modes: Cinema, Game Studio, Sports, News, Standard, Auto Sound Vertical Surround Engine (VSE) to upmix conventional signals
Listening to music
- Supports: Hi-Res Audio, DSD (2ch and 5.1ch), WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIUFF, AAC, WMA, and MP3
To recap
The Sony HT-ZF9 is a compact and very well-made 3.1-channel soundbar that not only supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but creates 7.1.2 surround sound, thanks to some clever psychoacoustics. It isn’t as genuinely immersive as some of the competition, but a decent set of features and a great price help even things out.
