Sony HT-Z9F vs Samsung HW-T550

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

HT-Z9F vs HW-T550 comparison chart

Overall
Sony HT-Z9F
7.2
Samsung HW-T550
4.5
7
4
Multichannel surround
8
5

Sony HT-Z9F vs Samsung HW-T550 review

Sony HT-Z9F
vs
Samsung HW-T550

Choosing a soundbar is not an easy task and the Sony HT-Z9F vs Samsung HW-T550 comparison is meant to help you with that. As a result, it is clear that HT-Z9F is much better designed and has a better sound performance than HW-T550. According to the results of our comparison, HT-Z9F received 7.2 points out of 10 possible, and HW-T550 was rated 4.5 points.

Advantages Sony HT-Z9F over Samsung HW-T550

  • Stream music with Spotify
  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology
  • Surround sound with DTS:X support
  • Possible to create a multi-room system
  • Wireless connection via Wi-Fi
  • Voice control supports

Advantages Samsung HW-T550 over Sony HT-Z9F

  • We do not know advantages

Audio features

The HT-Z9F is rated 7 of 10 against 6 for the HW-T550 according to the audio features rating.

HT-Z9F
7
HW-T550
6

It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the HT-Z9F and the HW-T550.

There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. It is worth noting one of the main differences, the HT-Z9F has 3.1 channels, while the HW-T550 has 2.1 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, Sony HT-Z9F has 400 (overall) W, and 320 (overall) W has the competitor.

HT-Z9F HW-T550
Built-in channels3.12.1
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W400 (overall)320 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)00
Separate speaker connectionshas notwireless

Subwoofers

Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. Both reviewed devices are equipped with an external subwoofer. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.

HT-Z9F HW-T550
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswirelesswireless

Multichannel surround

Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The HT-Z9F received rating 8 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the HW-T550, in the same category, earned 5 out of 10 points.

HT-Z9F
8
HW-T550
5

The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. Dolby Atmos surround sound support is implemented only in Sony HT-Z9F.

DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. The manufacturer has implemented DTS:X technology only in HT-Z9F.

HT-Z9F HW-T550
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby DigitalDolby Digital
DTS:X
DTS (other)has notDTS Virtual:X

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services.

HT-Z9F
6
HW-T550
0

None of the two models is not implemented AirPlay function. The popular Spotify service is available on the HT-Z9F.

HT-Z9F HW-T550
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesChromecasthas not

Connectivity

The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: Sony HT-Z9F was rated 8 out of 10, and Samsung HW-T550 was rated 6 out of 10.

HT-Z9F
8
HW-T550
6

The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the HT-Z9F.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The HT-Z9F has 2/0 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the HW-T550 got 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs from the manufacturer.

HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.

HT-Z9F HW-T550
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)10
NFC
HDMI input/output2/01/1
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output1/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)1/00/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output00

Features

Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.

Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. In our case, the ability to control the soundbar using the app is not implemented in any of the competitors. None of these soundbars have a built-in microphone.

Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. The HT-Z9F has the ability to use a multiroom system.

HT-Z9F HW-T550
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

HT-Z9F HW-T550
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in100 x 6.4 x 10/39.4 x 2.5 x 3.483.8 x 5 x 7.6/33.9 x 2.2 x 3.3
Weight, kg/pounds3.1/6.61.8/4.6
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