Comparison Sony HT-Z9F vs Sony HT-X9000F

The audio format produced by a sound projector is actually the largest number of individual audio channels supported by the device. Note that in this case we are talking about the number of real channels, that is, channels for each of which at least one speaker is allocated; Models that support virtual surround sound can give the listener the impression of more channels than there actually are (see below for more details).

The sound format is indicated by two or three numbers separated by a dot. The first indicates the number of main channels, the second - the number of subwoofers, the third - the number of additional vertical radiators. For example, 2.1 format corresponds to stereo sound (2.0) supplemented by a subwoofer. And the conditional 3.1.2 format includes left, right and center channels, a subwoofer, left and right vertical speakers.

Sound projectors that support a more advanced sound format than 3.1 are designated in our catalog as multi-channel. The classic multichannel audio format is 5.1, but there are other options. In any case, a large number of real channels contributes to the fidelity of the reproduced sound and simplifies setup compared to virtual surround sound systems, but is also more expensive.

The most common sound formats are: 2.0, 2.1, 3.0, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 5.1.2, 7.1.

Regular way to install a sound projector.

— Shelf. The installation itself on the shelf is extremely simple and requires a minimum of effort. However, in the absence of a shelf in a suitable place, you will either have to hang it there (for which, most likely, you will need to drill the walls), or install the projector "where possible" and try to adjust the sound as needed (and the success of such a setup is not guaranteed).

— Wall mounted. Projectors equipped with wall mounts, usually in the form of brackets or notches in the chassis for nails, screws, or other wall-mounted mounts. This option is good because you can choose the installation location of the projector at your discretion, not limited to the presence of shelves — the main thing is that there is a free wall.

— Shelf / wall. Projectors that can be either shelf-mounted or wall-mounted. Both of these options are described above. Here we note that the installation method determines not only the design of the case, but also some features of the sound produced by the projector. In fact, this means that a “pure wall” projector, when installed on a shelf, will not be able to produce sound of proper quality, even if there are no problems with the installation itself. In other words, if you need a device suitable both for a shelf and for hanging on a wall, you should choose from models for which such a possibility is direc...tly stated.

— TV Stand. In fact, such models are a variation of the shelf projectors described above, which have a flat body, so that a TV can be installed on top of such a device. This will prevent the sound projector from obscuring the controls and remote control sensor located below the screen (whereas with conventional shelf models, such problems often occur when placed on the same shelf with a TV). The disadvantage of "stands" can be called a rather large size in depth.

The total power rating of the sound projector speakers (including subwoofer, if present).

This parameter is often used to estimate the overall sound volume of the device, but this is not entirely true. The fact is that the actual sound volume is determined mainly by the power of the main speakers of the sound projector, and the total power is the sum of this power and the power of the subwoofer. Therefore, models with the same power rating can vary markedly in actual volume: for example, a 150-watt soundbar with a 50-watt subwoofer will be louder than a 100-watt projector with a subwoofer of the same power, although in both cases the rated power will be equal to 200 watts.

Summing up, we can say that it is possible to evaluate the volume by rated power only if the sound projector is not equipped with a subwoofer — in such models, the rated power is equal to the power of the main speakers. In other cases, it is worth focus on the power of the soundbar and the power of the subwoofer directly stated in the characteristics (see below for both).

— Airplay. Wireless technology for connecting an external signal source to the projector. Developed by Apple, it is mainly used to connect with its devices (for example, iPad tablets or MacBook laptops), although it is also used by other manufacturers. AirPlay allows you to transfer not only sound, but also text and graphic information, and even video, which can be useful when connecting the projector to a TV. This technology, by definition, means support for Wi-Fi (see below), because. it is based on this interface.

— Airplay 2. The second generation of the AirPlay technology described above, introduced in 2018. Among the main innovations of this version is support for the "multi-room" format, that is, the simultaneous transmission of several audio signals to different compatible devices installed in different places. In this way, you can, for example, turn on an online broadcast of a news programme in the living room, relaxing music in the bedroom, etc. In addition, AirPlay 2 received a number of other improvements — improved buffering, the ability to stream to stereo speakers, as well as support for voice control via Siri.

— Chromecast. The original name is Google Cast. A technology for broadcasting content to external devices developed by Google. Allows you to transmit an audio signal from a PC or mobile device to the soundbar, the broadcast is standar...dly carried out via Wi-Fi, while the receiver and signal source must be in the same Wi-Fi network (Chromecast media players are an exception). Note that in signal sources (smartphones, tablets, PCs, etc.), Chromecast is implemented at the level of individual applications. For example, at the time of its creation, this feature was available, among others, in the YouTube and Netflix apps for Android and iOS, as well as in the web versions of these apps for Chrome. Thanks to this format, this technology is extremely widespread nowadays, and the ability to connect a particular gadget to an audio system with a Chromecast is usually limited to the ability to install appropriate applications on this gadget.

— Wi-Fi. Wireless technology with multiple applications. One of them is connecting to a computer network; in sound projectors, it is primarily used for local resources (see DLNA below) or AirPlay technology (see above), as well as for controlling the projector over a network. Another option is to connect directly to other devices. The possibilities of such a connection in different models may also be different; one of the most popular options is remote control of the projector from a smartphone, tablet, etc.

— Bluetooth. Wireless technology designed to directly connect different electronic devices to each other. In sound projectors, it is primarily used to broadcast audio wirelessly from another Bluetooth device, such as a smartphone or laptop. However, there may be other options — for example, connecting wireless headphones to the projector itself or remote control from the same smartphone. It is worth noting here that the sound quality when transmitting via Bluetooth is somewhat lower than with a wired connection; on the other hand, this is offset by convenience, and some models of sound projectors may even have a "sound restoration" system.

— NFC. NFC is a wireless communication technology over short distances, up to 10 cm. In sound projectors, it is used mainly as an auxiliary, to facilitate connection via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It looks like this: instead of manually digging into the settings, just bring an NFC-compatible device to the projector chip and confirm the connection.

— FM radio. The projector has a built-in FM tuner. This function actually turns the device into a full-fledged radio receiver, allowing you to receive broadcasts on the FM band (which broadcasts most music radio stations). Note that some models with a tuner may support other bands, such as AM or digital DAB.

— LAN. A standard wired connection to a computer network, also known as Ethernet or RJ-45. Like Wi-Fi (see above), in sound projectors it is used primarily for working on a local network; however, LAN capabilities can include both playback of network content via DLNA (see below) and control of projector settings via a network from a computer. A wired connection is not as convenient as Wi-Fi due to the need to run a cable, but it is more reliable and can come in handy when the air is “loaded” (an abundance of Wi-Fi devices nearby).

— DLNA. A technology used to connect various electronic devices into a single digital network with the ability to directly exchange content. Devices for which support for this standard is claimed are able to effectively interact regardless of the manufacturer. And the network itself works on the basis of a conventional computer "local area", connection to it is carried out via LAN or Wi-Fi (see above). In sound projectors, DLNA can be used, for example, to play music from a computer hard drive.

— RS-232. A service interface used to connect the sound projector to a computer and control the sound settings from the PC through a special programme. On some models, it can also be used to update the firmware.

— Connecting an iPod. Special interface for connecting Apple iPod players. Most often it is based on a regular USB connector, to which the player is connected via an adapter cable; however, it may look like a dock — a stand with a proprietary connector, where the gadget is directly placed. Anyway, connecting in this way provides not only playing music from the player, but also other possibilities — for example, switching tracks from the projector's remote control, charging the battery, etc.

— Wireless connection to TV. Ability to connect the sound projector to the TV wirelessly. The advantage of this option is obvious: it eliminates the hassle of additional cables. On the other hand, a wireless connection is usually based on a certain proprietary technology (LG Sound Sync, TV SoundConnect, etc.) and requires a TV that supports the corresponding technology to work. This limits the use of this feature. In addition, such a connection is more susceptible to interference than a wired one, and “wireless” projectors are more expensive than wired ones. Therefore, it is worth specifically looking for a model with such a function if you have a TV with wireless technology support and at the same time the absence of extra wires is fundamental.

The number of HDMI inputs in the design of the sound projector.

HDMI is the most popular modern interface for working with HD content, it allows you to transmit high-definition video simultaneously with multi-channel audio over a single cable. Having multiple inputs allows you to keep multiple signal sources connected to the projector at the same time and select the source from the remote without fiddling with reconnecting wires.

The ability to control the soundbar, in addition to the standard push-button from the device case, also includes control from the remote control, the TV remote control to which the acoustics are connected, through the application from a smartphone or tablet, and in some cases using a voice assistant. More details about each of them:

— Remote control. The presence in the configuration of the classic remote control on IR sensors, like those used in TVs. It can contain much more settings functions than the controls on the body of the device and, of course, makes it easier to control the soundbar.

— TV remote control (HDMI-CEC). Connecting the soundbar via the HDMI port allows you to control it via the HDMI-CEC protocol via the TV remote control. This solution will reduce the number of remotes in the room and facilitate the comfort of the settings. However, the functionality of the "non-native" remote control may be limited. In this case, the compatibility of the TV and the soundbar can be achieved using other protocols (not necessarily HDMI-CEC).

— Smartphone control. The ability to control the soundbar through the application. This makes it easier to “search” for the remote control, because the phone is always at hand. The application also has extensive settings and such control is highly likely to be supported by t...he TV, which allows you to execute absolutely any commands from your smartphone for a comfortable pastime on the TV.

— Voice assistant. This is not about the assistant built into the soundbar itself, but about compatibility with external devices that have this function (for example, with a smartphone or tablet). But even such compatibility allows you to give commands to the voice projector by voice — this is often more convenient than more traditional control methods. The specific set of supported commands and languages may vary depending on the voice assistant and its specific version. And among the most popular at the moment are Google Assistant, Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa.

The total power consumption of the entire system, both the sound projector itself and the external subwoofer (if present). Usually this indicator is indicated by the average power consumption at maximum volume. Note that on individual signal jumps, the actual power consumption may exceed the claimed one; in some cases (for example, when connected through a voltage stabilizer), this must be taken into account.