Quality audio experience minus the hassle

With the popularity of streaming services like Netflix and with the horrendous Metro Manila traffic, most of us would prefer to stay at home and binge watch our favorite shows instead of facing the horrors of car armageddon.

For the full home theater experience though, you’ll also need a great sound system to pair with your giant TV. But setting one up for the first time is a daunting task, one that Sony’s latest soundbar wants to eliminate. The HT-Z9F aims to offer quality home theater audio without being a chore to set up.

What is it?

It’s a particularly powerful soundbar that offers 3.1 surround sound via three speakers and a subwoofer that’s connected wirelessly. The soundbar has an S-Master HX amplifier that can handle up to 400 watts for good measure.

The active subwoofer is straightforward: aside from the power plug, you only have a power and link switch at the back. No need to fumble through cables, as the active subwoofer connects to the HT-Z9F wirelessly via Bluetooth. If you want the full 5.1 surround sound experience, you need to purchase the SA-Z9R wireless surround sound speakers separately.

The HT-Z9F supports a variety of sound formats such as DTS:X, Hi-Res Audio, and Dolby Atmos. It also has WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless connections with other audio sources.

Is it easy to set up?

It’s pretty close to being plug and play: simply connect the HT-Z9F to your TV via the HDMI cable (supplied), analog audio out, or optical audio out, then pair the active subwoofer (and surround speakers, if you purchased them) wirelessly via Bluetooth. Once all is done, simply power up the HT-Z9F and hit the source button on the HT-Z9F’s capacitive buttons to enjoy the surround sound experience instantly. From there, you can control the HT-Z9F via the capacitive buttons found on the top or via the supplied remote.

To access the on-screen menu, simply switch your TV’s input to where the HT-Z9F is connected.

The HT-Z9F also comes with two HDMI ports so that you can hook up any HDMI device like Chromecast and enjoy 3.1 surround sound. If you are using an older TV that does not have HDMI, you can use the analog or optical audio out to connect the HT-Z9F.

Can it accommodate any TV?

Yes, it can, as long as your TV has at least an analog audio out so that you can use the HT-Z9F as your external speakers. Ideally speaking, the HT-Z9F fits perfectly with Sony’s 40-inch Bravia TVs, though smaller TV sizes can be accommodated as well.

As for mounting options, the HT-Z9F comes with brackets should you decide to mount it on a wall. 

How is the sound quality?

It’s pretty immersive. The three speakers on the soundbar itself give a powerful sound that is clear even at high volume levels. The wireless subwoofer, on the other hand, gives depth to the overall sound of whatever you are consuming—be it a movie, a TV show, or music.

The 3.1 setup delivers quality sound out of the box, though you can opt to get the optional surround speakers for the full 5.1 experience.

Even without the optional surround sound speakers, the HT-Z9F delivers great sound quality. What makes it impressive is that the active subwoofer communicates with the soundbar wirelessly; throughout our time with the HT-Z9F, we did not experience any issues on the Bluetooth connection between the soundbar and active subwoofer.

Would you recommend it?

At Php 42,299, the HT-Z9F looks pricey at first. However, its premium price gives you a hassle-free experience of having your own surround sound setup. With the HT-Z9F’s interface, you deal with fewer cables since the active subwoofer and optional satellite speakers connect wirelessly via Bluetooth. In the wider scheme of things, the HT-Z9F is cheaper compared to buying speakers, the necessary cables, and an amplifier separately.

Ideally, you would buy the HT-Z9F if you have a TV that is 40 inches and above, though it’s not a strict requirement. Even older TVs are compatible with the HT-Z9F.

To sum it up, we would recommend the HT-Z9F if you want an easy, hassle-free setup and a decent audio upgrade for your TV set.