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Sony HT-Z9F vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

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: OpticalAudio Latency: ARCAudio Latency: HDMI InAudio Latency: OpticalVideo Passthrough To TVWireless Playback
    Additional Features
      InterfaceBar ControlsRemoteVoice Assistants Support
    Comments

Products

Sony HT-Z9F
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jan 12, 2024 08:20 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Sep 04, 2025 03:58 PM

SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Sony HT-Z9F Picture
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Picture
Channels
Locked
Channels
Locked
  1. Recommended in 9 articles:
  2. Soundbars
  3. Budget
  4. All-In-One
  5. 6

Our Verdict

Sony HT-Z9F

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) and the Sony HT-Z9F are two very different soundbars. The Sonos is a smart 5.0 setup and is more compact and better built. It has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. There are also more sound enhancement features available, including room correction. However, the Sony is a 3.1 setup with a dedicated subwoofer included. It can get louder, and it offers more wireless playback options. There's also a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough, which the Sonos lacks.

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Variants

  • HT-Z9F (Black)
  • Beam (Gen 2) (Black)
  • Sonos Beam (Gen 2) (White)

Review

See Sony HT-Z9F Review
See Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Review
1 
17 

Check Price

Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
White
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HT-Z9F
SEARCH
B&H
 
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

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Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sony HT-Z9F Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sony HT-Z9F Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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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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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sony HT-Z9F Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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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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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sony HT-Z9F Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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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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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sony HT-Z9F Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Mountable Bar 
 

Locked
Locked

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked

Mountable Satellites 
 

Locked
Locked

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build quality photo  

Sony HT-Z9F Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sony HT-Z9F In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

Sony HT-Z9F Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Raw Frequency Response  

Sony HT-Z9F Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response Small  

Sony HT-Z9F Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Tested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

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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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
Lock

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

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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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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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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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

N/A

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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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) THD Sample

SAMPLE

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Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Show Text 

Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup  

Sony HT-Z9F Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Sony HT-Z9F Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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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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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Sony HT-Z9F Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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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

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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H Frequency Response  

Sony HT-Z9F H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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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 

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

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sony HT-Z9F Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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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 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

N/A
N/A

ARC Latency Video  

Sony HT-Z9F ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

Lock ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

HDMI Latency Video  

Sony HT-Z9F HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Latency Video  

Sony HT-Z9F Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A

ARC 
 

Lock ms

Optical 
 

Lock ms

Full HDMI In 
 

Lock ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Optical Latency Video  

Sony HT-Z9F Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

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

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sony HT-Z9F Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sony HT-Z9F Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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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
Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
White
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HT-Z9F
SEARCH
B&H
 
Back to Top

Sony HT-Z9F

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Sony HT-Z9F vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Main Discussion

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