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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
    10. Back - Bar
    11. Back - Subwoofer
    12. Back - Satellites
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support - ARC
    3. Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support - Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Wireless Playback
    7. Other Input Specifications
    8. Connectivity - Subwoofer
    9. Connectivity - Satellites
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
    5. App
    6. Other Features
  8. Comments

Bose Soundbar 500 vs Sony HT-Z9F

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Bose Soundbar 500
Sony HT-Z9F

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:12 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jan 12, 2024 08:20 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Bose Soundbar 500 Picture
Sony HT-Z9F Picture
Channels
3.0
Channels
3.1

Variants

  • Soundbar 500
  • HT-Z9F (Black)

Review

See Bose Soundbar 500 Review
See Sony HT-Z9F Review
0 
1 

Our Verdict

Bose Soundbar 500

Sony HT-Z9F

The Sony HT-Z9F is better than the Bose Soundbar 500. Thanks to its dedicated sub, the Sony can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It gets louder, and it has a Full HDMI In port that supports high-quality passthrough. Unlike the Bose, it supports Atmos content, and it has a better surrounds performance. Only the Bose has room correction and built-in voice assistant support.

0 

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Standard
Soundbar 500
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Black
HT-Z9F
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Soundbar 500
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HT-Z9F
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Soundbar 500
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HT-Z9F
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Soundbar 500
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HT-Z9F
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Soundbar 500
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HT-Z9F
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.7
7.2

Stereo Dynamics 
 

6.6
8.1

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

0.0
10

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

6.6
10

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
2.0

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Bose Soundbar 500 Style photo - bar
Sony HT-Z9F Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Bose Soundbar 500 Style photo - sub
Sony HT-Z9F Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

No
Yes

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Bose Soundbar 500 Style photo - satellites
Sony HT-Z9F Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Bose Soundbar 500 Dimensions photo - bar
Sony HT-Z9F Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

31.5" (80.0 cm)
39.4" (100.0 cm)

Height  

1.7" (4.3 cm)
2.6" (6.5 cm)

Depth  

4.0" (10.2 cm)
3.9" (10.0 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Bose Soundbar 500 Dimensions photo - sub
Sony HT-Z9F Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

N/A
7.4" (18.9 cm)

Height  

N/A
15.0" (38.0 cm)

Depth  

N/A
15.2" (38.6 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Bose Soundbar 500 Dimensions photo - satellites
Sony HT-Z9F Dimensions photo - satellites

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

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sony HT-Z9F Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Build quality photo  

Bose Soundbar 500 Build quality photo
Sony HT-Z9F Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Bose Soundbar 500 In The Box photo
Sony HT-Z9F In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Bose Soundbar 500 Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on underside)
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Bose Soundbar 500 Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
Ported
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Bose Soundbar 500 Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.1
7.3

Stereo Setup  

Bose Soundbar 500 Stereo Setup
Sony HT-Z9F Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Tested Preset 
 

No Preset
Standard

Slope 
 

0.53
-0.41

Std. Err. 
 

2.53 dB
2.53 dB

Channels 
 

3.0
3.1

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

55.8 Hz
44.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

14.7 kHz
7.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.2
7.3

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

No Preset
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

20
6

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

-30
N/A

Slope 
 

0.15
-0.41

Std. Err. 
 

2.14 dB
2.53 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

55.8 Hz
44.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

14.7 kHz
7.9 kHz

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

1.89 dB
2.20 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

6.6
8.1

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

90.3 dB SPL
93.6 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

3.29 dB
1.08 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.0
7.4

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.40
0.47

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.98
3.19
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.3
8.0

Center Setup  

Bose Soundbar 500 Center Setup
Sony HT-Z9F Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.59
0.40

Std. Err. 
 

2.88 dB
3.63 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

89.6 dB SPL
90.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.37
0.57

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.97
2.34
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

3.6
2.4

Surround Setup  

Bose Soundbar 500 Surround Setup
Sony HT-Z9F Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-0.10
-1.75

Std. Err. 
 

4.17 dB
8.29 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

87.7 dB SPL
93.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.09
0.51

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.31
3.31

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
2.0

Height Setup  

Bose Soundbar 500 Height Setup
Sony HT-Z9F Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

Bose Soundbar 500 H Frequency Response
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Not Supported
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

N/A
0.75

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
8.11 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
82.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
2.73

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
0.90
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

4.6
5.6

Room Correction 
 

Yes
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

EQ 
 

No
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Bose Soundbar 500 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Sony HT-Z9F Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Bose Soundbar 500 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Sony HT-Z9F Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1
1 (shared)

HDMI Out 
 

No
1 (shared)

Full HDMI In 
 

No
2

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
1

Ethernet 
 

1
1

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

6.6
10

eARC 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
Yes

DTS 
 

No
Yes

DTS:X (eARC only) 
 

No
Yes

Dolby TrueHD (eARC only) 
 

No
Yes

DTS-HD MA (eARC only) 
 

No
Yes

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Undetermined
Yes
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

0.0
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
Yes

DTS:X 
 

No
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

No
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
Yes

DTS 
 

No
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

No
Yes

DTS-HD MA 
 

No
Yes

5.1 PCM 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Optical 
 

6.0
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Latency 
 

8.4
8.1

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

50 ms
56 ms

Optical 
 

46 ms
51 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
-47 ms
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

10
9.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

Yes
Yes

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
No

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Other Input Specifications 
 

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Bose Soundbar 500 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Bose Soundbar 500 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Bose Soundbar 500 Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Bose Soundbar 500 Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Bose Soundbar 500 Interface photo
Sony HT-Z9F Interface photo

Display 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Bose Soundbar 500 Controls photo
Sony HT-Z9F Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Bose Soundbar 500 Remote photo
Sony HT-Z9F Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Yes (Built-in)
No

Google Assistant 
 

Yes (Built-in)
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
Show Text 

App 
 

App image  

Bose Soundbar 500 App image

App Name  

Bose Music

iOS  

Yes

Android  

Yes

Acts As A Remote 
 

Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

All

Casts Device Files 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Standby

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Standard
Soundbar 500
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Black
HT-Z9F
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Standard
Soundbar 500
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Black
HT-Z9F
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Standard
Soundbar 500
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Black
HT-Z9F
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Standard
Soundbar 500
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Black
HT-Z9F
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Soundbar 500
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HT-Z9F
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Bose Soundbar 500

Sony HT-Z9F

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Bose Soundbar 500 vs Sony HT-Z9F: Main Discussion

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