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  1. Home
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Sony HT-Z9F vs HT-ST5000

Which Soundbar Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      Style - BarStyle - SubwooferStyle - SatellitesDimensions - BarDimensions - SubwooferDimensions - SatellitesMountingBuild QualityIn The BoxBack - BarBack - SubwooferBack - Satellites
    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 - ARCAudio Format Support - Full HDMI InAudio Format Support - OpticalLatencyWireless PlaybackOther Input SpecificationsConnectivity - SubwooferConnectivity - Satellites
    Additional Features
      InterfaceBar ControlsRemoteVoice Assistants SupportAppOther Features
    Comments

Products

Sony HT-Z9F
Sony HT-ST5000

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Aug 01, 2025 01:06 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Sep 24, 2024 01:23 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sony HT-Z9F Picture

Track

Sony HT-ST5000 Picture

Track

Channels
3.1
Channels
7.1.2

Our Verdict

Sony HT-Z9F

Sony HT-ST5000

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sony HT-Z9F or the Sony HT-ST5000. The HT-ST5000 can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it scores better overall. While the Z9F has fewer channels and doesn't get as much bass, it compresses much less at max volume and has fewer issues with distortion. It also has a bit more detail and clarity in the treble range. If bass is what you're after, the ST5000 is the way to go, but the Z9F provides better value otherwise.

0 

Variants

  • HT-Z9F (Black)
  • HT-ST5000 (Black)

Review

See Sony HT-Z9F Review
See Sony HT-ST5000 Review
1 
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Check Price

Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HT-ST5000
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
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Black
HT-ST5000
SEE PRICE
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Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
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HT-ST5000
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
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HT-Z9F
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HT-ST5000
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HT-Z9F
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HT-ST5000
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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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for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sony HT-Z9F Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & 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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for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & 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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for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & 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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for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & 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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for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & 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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Sony HT-ST5000 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sony HT-Z9F Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-ST5000 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Mountable Bar 
 

Locked

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Locked

Mountable Satellites 
 

Locked

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Locked

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build quality photo  

Sony HT-Z9F Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 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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Sony HT-ST5000 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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HDMI Cable Length 
 

Lock m (Lock ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Sony HT-Z9F Back photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-ST5000 Back photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Bar Mounting 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Sony HT-Z9F Back photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sony HT-ST5000 Back photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Sony HT-Z9F Back photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Back photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Mounting 
 

Locked
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

Sony HT-Z9F Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Raw Frequency Response  

Sony HT-Z9F Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Frequency Response Small  

Sony HT-Z9F Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & 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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for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & 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

Stereo Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Crosstalk  

Sony HT-Z9F Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & 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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for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & 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

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 THD Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & 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

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Frequency Response  

Sony HT-Z9F Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & 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

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response  

Sony HT-Z9F Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & 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

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

H Frequency Response  

Sony HT-Z9F H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & 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 

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

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sony HT-Z9F Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Optical Audio In 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI ARC 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Out 
 

Locked
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
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

N/A
N/A

eARC 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

5.1 PCM 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Video  

Sony HT-Z9F Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

ARC 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Optical 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Full HDMI In 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms
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
Show Text 

Other Input Specifications 
 

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Sony HT-Z9F Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Sony HT-Z9F Physical controls subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Sony HT-Z9F Physical inputs satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Physical inputs satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Sony HT-Z9F Physical controls satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Physical controls satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sat Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Sony HT-Z9F Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sony HT-Z9F Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sony HT-Z9F Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Universal Remote 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Locked
Locked

Google Assistant 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple Siri 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone Mute 
 

Locked
Show Text 

App 
 

App image  

Sony HT-Z9F App image Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sony HT-ST5000 App image Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

App Name  

Locked

iOS  

Locked

Android  

Locked

Acts As A Remote 
 

Locked

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

Locked

Casts Device Files 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Locked

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HT-ST5000
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HT-ST5000
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HT-ST5000
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HT-Z9F
SEARCH
B&H
Black
HT-ST5000
SEARCH
B&H
Black
HT-Z9F
SEARCH
Sony
Black
HT-ST5000
SEARCH
Sony
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Sony HT-Z9F

Sony HT-ST5000

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 years ago

Sony HT-Z9F vs Sony HT-ST5000: Main Discussion

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