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  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

Sony HT-Z9F vs Samsung HW-Q950T

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Sony HT-Z9F
Samsung HW-Q950T

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jan 12, 2024 08:20 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:47 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sony HT-Z9F Picture
Samsung HW-Q950T Picture

Variants

  • HT-Z9F (Black)
  • HW-Q950T (Black)

Our Verdict

Sony HT-Z9F

Samsung HW-Q950T

The Samsung HW-Q950T is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-Z9F. The Samsung is a 9.1.4 setup with dedicated satellite speakers and reproduces a more extended low-bass. It offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances, and it gets louder. It even comes with a graphic EQ for sound customization and built-in support for Alexa voice assistant. However, the 3.1 Sony is better built, and it supports Chromecast built-in.

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Check Price

Black
HT-Z9F
B&H
Black
HW-Q950T
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q950T
Samsung.com
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.2
8.2

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.3
8.4

Surround 5.1 
 

2.4
8.0

Height (Atmos) 
 

2.0
6.0

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
No

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sony HT-Z9F Style photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q950T Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sony HT-Z9F Style photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q950T Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sony HT-Z9F Style photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q950T Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sony HT-Z9F Dimensions photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q950T Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

39.4" (100.0 cm)
48.4" (123.0 cm)

Height  

2.6" (6.5 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)

Depth  

3.9" (10.0 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sony HT-Z9F Dimensions photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q950T Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

7.4" (18.9 cm)
8.2" (20.9 cm)

Height  

15.0" (38.0 cm)
15.8" (40.2 cm)

Depth  

15.2" (38.6 cm)
15.9" (40.3 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sony HT-Z9F Dimensions photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q950T Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
4.8" (12.2 cm)

Height  

N/A
8.2" (20.9 cm)

Depth  

N/A
5.6" (14.3 cm)
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
7.5

Build quality photo  

Sony HT-Z9F Build quality photo
Samsung HW-Q950T Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sony HT-Z9F In The Box photo
Samsung HW-Q950T 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  

Samsung HW-Q950T Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on underside)
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q950T Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q950T Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on back)
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.3
8.4

Stereo Setup  

Sony HT-Z9F Stereo Setup
Samsung HW-Q950T 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 
 

Standard
Standard

Slope 
 

-0.41
-0.14

Std. Err. 
 

2.53 dB
2.62 dB

Channels 
 

3.1
9.1.4

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

44.3 Hz
28.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

7.9 kHz
18.5 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.3
8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

6
0

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
0

Slope 
 

-0.41
-0.14

Std. Err. 
 

2.53 dB
2.62 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

44.3 Hz
28.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

7.9 kHz
18.5 kHz

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
7.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.20 dB
2.35 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.1
9.0

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

93.6 dB SPL
101.1 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.08 dB
1.00 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.4
8.3

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.47
0.18

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

3.19
1.55
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.0
8.6

Center Setup  

Sony HT-Z9F Center Setup
Samsung HW-Q950T Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.40
0.05

Std. Err. 
 

3.63 dB
2.92 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

90.6 dB SPL
96.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.57
0.21

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.34
1.05
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

2.4
8.0

Surround Setup  

Sony HT-Z9F Surround Setup
Samsung HW-Q950T Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Discrete

Slope 
 

-1.75
-0.02

Std. Err. 
 

8.29 dB
5.01 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

93.1 dB SPL
103.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.51
0.32

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

3.31
3.97

7.1 Rears 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

2.0
6.0

Height Setup  

Sony HT-Z9F Height Setup
Samsung HW-Q950T Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Slope 
 

0.75
1.02

Std. Err. 
 

8.11 dB
5.71 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

82.9 dB SPL
88.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

2.73
1.09

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.90
0.74
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

5.6
6.3

Room Correction 
 

No
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
No

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

EQ 
 

Presets
Graphic + Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Sony HT-Z9F Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Samsung HW-Q950T Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sony HT-Z9F Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Samsung HW-Q950T 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
2

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

1
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
No

Ethernet 
 

1
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Latency 
 

8.1
8.1

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

56 ms
46 ms

Optical 
 

51 ms
45 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-47 ms
93 ms
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

9.0
8.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

Yes
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
No

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q950T Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q950T Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q950T Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q950T Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Sony HT-Z9F Interface photo
Samsung HW-Q950T Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sony HT-Z9F Controls photo
Samsung HW-Q950T Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sony HT-Z9F Remote photo
Samsung HW-Q950T Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
Show Text 

App 
 

App image  

Samsung HW-Q950T App image

App Name  

Samsung SmartThings

iOS  

Yes

Android  

Yes

Acts As A Remote 
 

Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

Some

Casts Device Files 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
HT-Z9F
B&H
Black
HW-Q950T
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q950T
Samsung.com

Sony HT-Z9F

Samsung HW-Q950T

Comments

  1. Comparison

Sony HT-Z9F vs Samsung HW-Q950T: Main Discussion

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