Sony HT-Z9F vs Bose Smart Soundbar 300

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

HT-Z9F vs Smart Soundbar 300 comparison chart

Overall
Sony HT-Z9F
7.2
Bose Smart Soundbar 300
7.6
7
10
Multichannel surround
8
4

Sony HT-Z9F vs Bose Smart Soundbar 300 review

Sony HT-Z9F
vs
Bose Smart Soundbar 300

Comparing Sony HT-Z9F and Bose Smart Soundbar 300 makes sense because it shows what devices in their segment can offer. Smart Soundbar 300 offers better sound and bass than its opponent - HT-Z9F. According to the results of our comparison, HT-Z9F received 7.2 points out of 10 possible, and Smart Soundbar 300 was rated 7.6 points.

Advantages Sony HT-Z9F over Bose Smart Soundbar 300

  • Separate subwoofer provided
  • Available the Apple Music service
  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology
  • Surround sound with DTS:X support
  • Supports external media connection via USB

Advantages Bose Smart Soundbar 300 over Sony HT-Z9F

  • Available the Amazon Music service
  • App for remote control
  • Built-in microphone

Audio features

The HT-Z9F is rated 7 of 10 against 5 for the Smart Soundbar 300 according to the audio features rating.

HT-Z9F
7
Smart Soundbar 300
5

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 Smart Soundbar 300.

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 Smart Soundbar 300 has 3.0 channels.

HT-Z9F Smart Soundbar 300
Built-in channels3.13.0
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W400 (overall)N/A
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. The HT-Z9F comes with an external subwoofer. Sony HT-Z9F has the ability to handle wireless connections from an external subwoofer, while Bose Smart Soundbar 300 only has wired and wireless connections.

HT-Z9F Smart Soundbar 300
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswirelesswired, wireless

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 Smart Soundbar 300, in the same category, earned 4 out of 10 points.

HT-Z9F
8
Smart Soundbar 300
4

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 Smart Soundbar 300
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby DigitalDolby Digital
DTS:X
DTS (other)has nothas not

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services. For the ability to work with streaming services, the HT-Z9F received 6 points, and the Smart Soundbar 300 - 10 on a 10-point scale.

HT-Z9F
6
Smart Soundbar 300
10

The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars.

HT-Z9F Smart Soundbar 300
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesChromecastPandora,Tuneln, Deezer, iHeart, SiriusXM

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. Connectivity of competitors was rated 8 out of 10.

HT-Z9F
8
Smart Soundbar 300
8

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 both devices.

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 Smart Soundbar 300 got 1/0 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.

HT-Z9F Smart Soundbar 300
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)10
NFC
HDMI input/output2/01/0
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output1/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)1/00/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output01

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. The voice control feature is implemented in each of the compared soundbars.

Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Smart Soundbar 300 has its own remote control application. Only Bose Smart Soundbar 300 has 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. It is possible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.

HT-Z9F Smart Soundbar 300
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google AssistantAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

HT-Z9F Smart Soundbar 300
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in100 x 6.4 x 10/39.4 x 2.5 x 3.466 x 5 x 10.1/26.5 x 2.2 x 4
Weight, kg/pounds3.1/6.63.6/8
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