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Sony HT-Z9F vs JBL Bar 9.1
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sony HT-Z9F
JBL Bar 9.1
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Jan 12, 2024 08:20 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Sep 05, 2024 07:07 PM
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Channels3.1
Channels5.1.4
Variants
- HT-Z9F (Black)
- Bar 9.1 (Black)
Our Verdict
Sony HT-Z9F
JBL Bar 9.1
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-Z9F. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with discrete satellite speakers, which help offer a better surround performance. Its bass is more extended, and it offers better soundstage and Atmos performances. It also has more wireless playback options and a room correction feature, which the 3.1 Sony lacks.
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Black
HT-Z9F
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
HT-Z9F
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.2
7.9
Stereo Frequency Response
7.3
8.1
Surround 5.1
2.4
7.7
Height (Atmos)
2.0
6.1
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
No
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
8.0
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
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
39.4" (100.0 cm)
34.8" (88.4 cm)
Height
2.6" (6.5 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Depth
3.9" (10.0 cm)
4.7" (11.9 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
7.4" (18.9 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Height
15.0" (38.0 cm)
17.3" (44.0 cm)
Depth
15.2" (38.6 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
6.8" (17.3 cm)
Height
N/A
2.2" (5.6 cm)
Depth
N/A
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Yes
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.3
8.1
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard
Slope
-0.41
-0.31
Std. Err.
2.53 dB
2.63 dB
Channels
3.1
5.1.4
Low-Frequency Extension
44.3 Hz
33.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
7.9 kHz
18.8 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.3
8.1
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
6
3
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
N/A
Slope
-0.41
-0.31
Std. Err.
2.53 dB
2.63 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
44.3 Hz
33.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
7.9 kHz
18.8 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.20 dB
3.22 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.1
7.8
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
93.6 dB SPL
95.0 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
1.08 dB
2.10 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.4
8.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.47
0.22
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.19
1.73
Center
8.0
8.6
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.40
-0.03
Std. Err.
3.63 dB
2.62 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.6 dB SPL
94.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.57
0.29
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.34
1.60
Surround 5.1
2.4
7.7
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Discrete
Slope
-1.75
-0.38
Std. Err.
8.29 dB
4.10 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.1 dB SPL
97.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.51
0.23
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.31
1.79
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
2.0
6.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
0.75
-1.44
Std. Err.
8.11 dB
5.40 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
82.9 dB SPL
89.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
2.73
1.04
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.90
0.63
Sound Enhancement Features
5.6
6.2
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
No
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
No
No
Treble Adjustment
No
No
EQ
Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
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)
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
2
1
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
10
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
DTS:X
Yes
Supported
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
DTS:X
Yes
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
8.1
8.1
Latency Video
ARC
56 ms
53 ms
Optical
51 ms
47 ms
Full HDMI In
-47 ms
-53 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
6.3
1080p Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
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
10
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
Yes
Apple AirPlay
No
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
Check Price
Black
HT-Z9F
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
HT-Z9F
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 9.1
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Sony HT-Z9F
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Sony HT-Z9F vs JBL Bar 9.1: Main Discussion
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