Sony HT-Z9F VS Samsung HW-N950
Sony HT-Z9F
  • Brand - Sony
  • APP CONTROL - false
  • REMOTE CONTROL - true
Samsung HW-N950
  • Brand - Samsung
  • APP CONTROL - true
  • REMOTE CONTROL - true

Samsung HW-N950 vs Sony HT-Z9F – A Look Under The Microscope

Sony HT-Z9F vs Samsung HW-N950

Features

Sony HT-Z9F vs Samsung HW-N950 might look extremely alike. It takes a few glances to tell them apart so the comparison review has been really thought after. I tried and tested them both so I do have something to say.

Sony HT-Z9F premiered in 2018, just like Samsung HW-N950 btw. Both models were created to meet all consumer needs of that time. A major reason why the features are so similar. So I wanted to concentrate on the discrepancies. For example, Samsung has 2 wireless stereo speakers in a package. It also has 7.1.4 built-in channels versus 3.1 channels for Sony. Both models have a wireless woofer in a package though. Still, Samsung definitely cares about a proper sound experience though.

HT-Z9F doesn’t have any streaming services but Chromecast While HW-N950 has all the popular services from Spotify to Amazon, Deezer, Pandora, and Chromecast Apple and Google Play streaming subscriptions. Both of these two music bars are Alexa-compatible.

Some other connectivity options are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB and HDMI common for both of these sound units. Unfortunately, neither of them had a headphones input, quite disappointing. The surround sound systems are identical, both have Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Design

Both of these soundbar unit systems look very similar. The minimalistic black design with front silver lettering looks cool in any type of living room. These are the means to complete your domestic Flat TV and are meant to fit the design of a regular black or grey TV set.

Samsung HW-N950 vs Sony HT-Z9F is much longer 48 vs. 39 inches. Since HT-Z9F only has a sub but no wireless speakers the package weighs about 6.6 pounds. Compare it to HW-N950 weighs 19 pounds with a bar, a sub and a set of two stereo wireless speakers. Both of the units can be mounted on the wall or placed on top of the TV stand.

Both bars have a set of major buttons lined on top in the center. The rest of the control buttons can be found on the separate remote.

Pros & Cons

Sony HT-Z9F

VS

Pros

    • The bar has a clear frequency range, which reproduces different sounds (rain, explosions, wind) in a very realistic way.
    • The Vertical Sound option provides broader spectrum audio that envelopes the listener.

Cons

    • The backlight on the remote control is too dim even for a dark room.

Samsung HW-N950

VS

Pros

    • It comes with Amazon Alexa.
    • The unit passes through 4K 60hz, HDR, and Dolby Vision.

Cons

    • It lacks a dedicated microphone or an app that makes the room EQ rather basic.

Specifications

Specification Sony HT-Z9F Samsung HW-N950
General
Connection To Source wired, wireless wired, wireless
Placement Type table-top, wall-mountable table-top, wall-mountable
Soundbar Buttons power, input, Bluetooth, music service, volume down, volume up power, input, volume down, volume up
Subwoofer
Separate Subwoofer (in Package) 1 1
Built-in Subwoofer
Separate Subwoofer Connections wireless wireless
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Headphone Output
Wi-fi
Analog Audio Input/output (rca) 1/0
Coaxial Digital Input/output
Usb 1 1
Optical Digital Input/output 1 1
Hdmi Arc 1 1
Hdmi Input/output 2/0 2/0
Ethernet (rj45)
User Manual
Manual ht-z9f.pdf hw-n950.pdf
Multichannel Surround
Dts:x
Dolby Atmos
Audio Features
Separate Speaker Connections wireless
Separate Speaker (in Package) 2
Supported Channel Quantity 3.1 7.1.4
Built-in Channels 3.1 7.1.4
Amplification Type active active
Streaming Services
Other Streaming Services Chromecast Chromecast, Pandora, Tuneln, Deezer
Spotify
Amazon Music
Google Play Music
Apple Music (airplay)
Features
Multi-room
Remote Control
Microphone
App Control
Voice Control Alexa
Dimensions
Weight, Kg/pounds 3.1/6.6 8.8/19.4
Size (h X W X D), Cm/in 6.4 x 100 x 10/2.5 x 39.4 x 3.4 8.1 x 122.4 x 13.4/3.2 x 48.2 x 5.3

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