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Sony HT-Z9F vs Sonos Arc
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sony HT-Z9F
Sonos Arc
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Jan 12, 2024 08:20 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels3.1
Channels5.0.2
Variants
- HT-Z9F (Black)
- Arc (Black)
- Arc SL (Shadow Edition)
- Arc (White)
Our Verdict
Sony HT-Z9F
Sonos Arc
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-Z9F. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It comes with a room correction feature, and its out-of-the-box sound profile is more neutral. You can also upgrade it to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the 3.1 Sony has EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port that supports 4k passthrough.
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Black
HT-Z9F
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Amazon.comBlack
Arc
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Amazon.comBlack
HT-Z9F
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BestBuy.comShadow Edition
Arc SL
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Amazon.comBlack
HT-Z9F
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Walmart.comWhite
Arc
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Amazon.comBlack
HT-Z9F
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B&HMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.2
7.4
Height (Atmos)
2.0
6.1
Surround 5.1
2.4
5.7
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
10
0.0
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
8.0
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
39.4" (100.0 cm)
44.9" (114.1 cm)
Height
2.6" (6.5 cm)
3.4" (8.7 cm)
Depth
3.9" (10.0 cm)
4.7" (12.0 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
No
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
5.0.2
Tested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Slope
-0.41
0.37
Standard Error
2.53 dB
3.33 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
44.3 Hz
51.1 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
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
6
0
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
-3
Slope
-0.41
-0.09
Standard Error
2.53 dB
3.08 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
44.3 Hz
51.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
7.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.20 dB
2.28 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.1
8.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
93.6 dB SPL
91.6 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.28 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
1.08 dB
0.75 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.4
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.47
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.19
Center
8.0
7.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.40
-0.40
Std. Err.
3.63 dB
2.94 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.6 dB SPL
76.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.57
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.34
1.56
Surround 5.1
2.4
5.7
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
-1.75
0.01
Std. Err.
8.29 dB
3.27 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.1 dB SPL
75.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.51
0.39
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.31
0.98
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
2.0
6.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
0.75
0.55
Std. Err.
8.11 dB
2.91 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
82.9 dB SPL
62.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
2.73
1.07
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.90
0.18
Sound Enhancement Features
5.6
5.7
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Bass Adjustment
No
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
Adapter into HDMI ARC
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
2
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
No
Ethernet
1
1
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
9.6
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
DTS:X
Yes
Not Supported
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Yes
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Not Supported
DTS
Yes
Not Supported
DTS:X
Yes
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Yes
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Not Supported
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.5
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
42 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
41 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
59 ms
Dolby Digital
92 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
101 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
101 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
8.1
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
ARC
56 ms
Optical
51 ms
Full HDMI In
-47 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
9.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
99 ms
Dolby Digital
129 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
Wireless Playback
9.0
3.0
Bluetooth
Yes
No
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
No
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
Yes (Built-in)
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
Yes
Check Price
Black
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Arc
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comShadow Edition
Arc SL
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HT-Z9F
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comWhite
Arc
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Amazon.comBlack
HT-Z9F
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Sony HT-Z9F
Sonos Arc
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Sony HT-Z9F vs Sonos Arc: Main Discussion
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