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  1. Home
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Sony HT-Z9F vs JBL Bar 5.1 Surround

Which Soundbar Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      Style - BarStyle - SubwooferStyle - SatellitesDimensions - BarDimensions - SubwooferDimensions - SatellitesMountingBuild QualityIn The Box
    Sound
      Stereo Frequency ResponseStereo Frequency Response With Preliminary CalibrationStereo SoundstageStereo DynamicsStereo Total Harmonic DistortionCenterSurround 5.1Height (Atmos)Sound Enhancement Features
    Connectivity
      Inputs/Outputs - BarAudio Format Support: ARC/eARCAudio Format Support: HDMI InAudio Format Support: OpticalLatencyVideo Passthrough To TVWireless Playback
    Additional Features
      InterfaceBar ControlsRemoteVoice Assistants Support
    Comments

Products

Sony HT-Z9F
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Aug 01, 2025 01:06 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Sep 24, 2024 01:26 PM

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Amazon.com
Sony HT-Z9F Picture
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Picture
Channels
Locked
Channels
Locked

Our Verdict

Sony HT-Z9F

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround

The Sony HT-Z9F is a better overall soundbar than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The Sony is a 3.1 setup that supports Atmos and offers a full array of physical inputs that support common audio formats. However, the JBL is a 5.1 setup with room correction. You can also stream audio to it using Apple AirPlay.

0 

Variants

  • HT-Z9F (Black)
  • Bar 5.1 Surround (Black)

Review

See Sony HT-Z9F Review
See JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Review
1 
0 

Check Price

Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEARCH
Amazon.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEARCH
B&H
Black
HT-Z9F
SEARCH
Sony
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEARCH
JBL
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 
 

0.0
0.0
GET INSIDER ACCESS  to see main differences

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Satellite Mounting Holes 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Mountable Bar 
 

Locked
Locked

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked

Mountable Satellites 
 

Locked
Locked

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build quality photo 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo  
 

Sony HT-Z9F In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Raw Frequency Response  

Sony HT-Z9F Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Frequency Response Small  

Sony HT-Z9F Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Tested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated  

Sony HT-Z9F Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
N/A

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Crosstalk  

Sony HT-Z9F Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

Sony HT-Z9F Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

THD  

Sony HT-Z9F THD Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround THD Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Frequency Response  

Sony HT-Z9F Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

N/A
N/A

Surround Setup 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Frequency Response  

Sony HT-Z9F Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock

7.1 Rears 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

N/A
N/A

Height Setup 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

H Frequency Response  

Sony HT-Z9F H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
N/A

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
N/A

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
N/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
N/A

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
N/A
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

N/A
N/A

Room Correction 
 

Locked
Locked

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Locked
Locked

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Bass Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Optical Audio In 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI ARC 
 

Locked

HDMI Out 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

Locked

Full HDMI In 
 

Locked
Locked

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA In 
 

Locked
Locked

USB for Files 
 

Locked
Locked

Ethernet 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Output 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

eARC 
 

Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked

5.1 PCM 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Video  

Sony HT-Z9F Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see product videos

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see product videos

ARC 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Optical 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Full HDMI In 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

N/A
N/A

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Locked

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

Locked

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Locked

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Locked

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Locked

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

Locked

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

Locked

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Chromecast built-in 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple AirPlay 
 

Locked
Locked

Spotify Connect 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo 
 

Sony HT-Z9F Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Locked
Locked

Google Assistant 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple Siri 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone Mute 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEARCH
Amazon.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEARCH
B&H
Black
HT-Z9F
SEARCH
Sony
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEARCH
JBL
Back to Top

Sony HT-Z9F

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Sony HT-Z9F vs JBL Bar 5.1 Surround: Main Discussion

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