Products
Sony HT-Z9F
Sony HT-A5000
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Jan 12, 2024 08:20 PM
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Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jul 24, 2024 01:45 PM
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Channels
3.1
Channels
5.1.2
Our Verdict
Sony HT-Z9F
Sony HT-A5000
The Sony HT-A5000 is a bit better than the Sony HT-Z9F overall. The HT-A5000 is a premium 5.1.2 standalone soundbar. It offers better surround and Atmos performances, and it comes with more sound enhancement features, like room correction. That said, the HT-Z9F is still a decent bar for mixed usage. It comes with a subwoofer, and it can get louder.
Variants
- HT-Z9F (Black)
- HT-A5000 (Black)
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Black
HT-Z9F
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Black
HT-A5000
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Black
HT-Z9F
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Black
HT-A5000
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Black
HT-Z9F
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Black
HT-A5000
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Black
HT-Z9F
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Black
HT-A5000
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.2
7.4
Surround 5.1
2.4
5.4
Height (Atmos)
2.0
4.8
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
Integrated
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
39.4" (100.0 cm)
47.6" (121.0 cm)
Height
2.6" (6.5 cm)
2.6" (6.6 cm)
Depth
3.9" (10.0 cm)
5.5" (14.0 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
7.4" (18.9 cm)
N/A
Height
15.0" (38.0 cm)
N/A
Depth
15.2" (38.6 cm)
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.3
7.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
3.1
5.1.2
Tested Preset
Standard
Sound Field On
Slope
-0.41
-0.57
Standard Error
2.53 dB
3.28 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
44.3 Hz
49.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
7.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.3
7.2
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Sound Field On
Suggested Bass Setting
6
0
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
N/A
Slope
-0.41
-0.57
Standard Error
2.53 dB
3.28 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
44.3 Hz
49.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
7.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Dynamics
8.1
8.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
93.6 dB SPL
92.7 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.35 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
1.08 dB
1.16 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.4
THD
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.47
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.19
Center
8.0
8.1
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.40
0.23
Std. Err.
3.63 dB
3.52 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.6 dB SPL
90.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.57
0.38
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.34
3.33
Surround 5.1
2.4
5.4
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Slope
-1.75
0.02
Std. Err.
8.29 dB
4.60 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.1 dB SPL
91.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.51
1.26
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.31
2.19
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
2.0
4.8
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
0.75
0.31
Std. Err.
8.11 dB
6.58 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
82.9 dB SPL
77.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
2.73
2.88
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.90
0.39
Sound Enhancement Features
5.6
7.7
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
No
No
Treble Adjustment
No
No
EQ
Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
Yes
Full HDMI In
2
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
1
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
DTS:X
Yes
Supported
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
DTS:X
Yes
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
9.5
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
76 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
86 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
82 ms
Dolby Digital
65 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
71 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
72 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
8.1
9.5
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
75 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
86 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
86 ms
Dolby Digital
80 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
77 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
79 ms
ARC
56 ms
Optical
51 ms
Full HDMI In
-47 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
7.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
130 ms
Dolby Digital
276 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
9.5
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
Wireless Playback
9.0
10
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
Yes
Apple AirPlay
No
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
Check Price
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HT-A5000
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HT-A5000
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HT-A5000
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEARCH
B&H
Black
HT-A5000
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B&H
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Sony HT-Z9F
Sony HT-A5000
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Sony HT-Z9F vs Sony HT-A5000: Main Discussion
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