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Sony HT-Z9F vs Samsung HW-Q850A
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sony HT-Z9F
Samsung HW-Q850A
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Jan 12, 2024 08:20 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:48 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels3.1
Channels5.1.2
Variants
- HT-Z9F (Black)
- HW-Q850A (Black)
Our Verdict
Sony HT-Z9F
Samsung HW-Q850A
The Samsung HW-Q850A is better than the Sony HT-Z9F. The Samsung is a 5.1.2 setup with discrete satellites. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It even comes with more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ. That said, the 3.1 Sony is still a suitable choice for users who mostly listen to dialogue-centric content like TV shows.
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Black
HT-Z9F
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
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Amazon.comBlack
HT-Z9F
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
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HT-Z9F
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HW-Q850A
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HW-Q850A
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B&HMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.2
7.9
Surround 5.1
2.4
8.2
Stereo Frequency Response
7.3
8.0
Height (Atmos)
2.0
6.2
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
Partial, satellites wired together
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
39.4" (100.0 cm)
38.6" (98.0 cm)
Height
2.6" (6.5 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)
Depth
3.9" (10.0 cm)
4.5" (11.5 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
7.4" (18.9 cm)
8.0" (20.4 cm)
Height
15.0" (38.0 cm)
15.8" (40.1 cm)
Depth
15.2" (38.6 cm)
15.8" (40.1 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
3.5" (9.0 cm)
Height
N/A
5.8" (14.8 cm)
Depth
N/A
3.5" (9.0 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
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
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Digital Optical Cable Length
N/A
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on underside)
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
Universal (holes on back)
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.3
8.0
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard
Slope
-0.41
0.92
Std. Err.
2.53 dB
3.24 dB
Channels
3.1
5.1.2
Low-Frequency Extension
44.3 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
7.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.3
8.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
6
3
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
N/A
Slope
-0.41
0.46
Std. Err.
2.53 dB
2.33 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
44.3 Hz
29.5 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
7.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.5
Crosstalk Error
2.20 dB
2.26 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.1
7.4
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
93.6 dB SPL
94.4 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
1.08 dB
2.69 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.4
7.8
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.47
0.39
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.19
2.21
Center
8.0
7.7
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.40
1.32
Std. Err.
3.63 dB
4.43 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.6 dB SPL
90.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.57
0.52
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.34
4.70
Surround 5.1
2.4
8.2
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Discrete
Slope
-1.75
0.50
Std. Err.
8.29 dB
2.54 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.1 dB SPL
97.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.51
0.62
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.31
3.46
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
2.0
6.2
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
0.75
1.06
Std. Err.
8.11 dB
3.55 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
82.9 dB SPL
83.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
2.73
0.47
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.90
0.88
Sound Enhancement Features
5.6
7.5
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
No
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
Presets
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
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)
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
1 (shared)
Full HDMI In
2
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
No
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
Audio Format Support - ARC
10
10
eARC
Yes
Yes
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Yes
DTS
Yes
Yes
DTS:X (eARC only)
Yes
Yes
Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)
Yes
Yes
DTS-HD MA (eARC only)
Yes
Yes
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Yes
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Yes
DTS:X
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Yes
DTS
Yes
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Yes
Yes
5.1 PCM
Yes
Yes
Audio Format Support - Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
DTS
Yes
Yes
Latency
8.1
7.3
Latency Video
ARC
56 ms
67 ms
Optical
51 ms
48 ms
Full HDMI In
-47 ms
-86 ms
Wireless Playback
9.0
9.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
No
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Other Input Specifications
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
Partial, satellites wired together
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
App
App image
App Name
Samsung SmartThings
iOS
Yes
Android
Yes
Acts As A Remote
Yes
Controls Soundbar's Settings
Some
Casts Device Files
Yes
Other Features
Power Saving
Auto-off
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Check Price
Black
HT-Z9F
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
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Amazon.comBlack
HT-Z9F
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
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BestBuy.comBlack
HT-Z9F
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
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Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q850A
SEARCH
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Sony HT-Z9F
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Sony HT-Z9F vs Samsung HW-Q850A: Main Discussion
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