I am really impressed with the volume and quality of sound, it is nuanced and rich. It was much better than I expected and has added such a difference to my TV viewing. I wasn't completely happy with the TV's sound and thought I would try a sound bar.

You may not see Sony's new soundbar at first, but you'll sure as hell hear it

Slim and sleek design; Powerful; detailed sound; Clear dialogue; Impressive virtual surround; Feature packed

Surround performance varies based on installation; Vertical Surround feature adds sibilance to midrange

Welcome to audio hell. This is the place where otherwise fine audio systems are tormented by tweaking and tuning in a high-tech version of Dante's Inferno until they wind up relegated to the Purgatorio of the medieval Italian poet's imagination.

Sony HT-Z9F soundbar review: The audio quality of the HT-Z9F is top-notch. It is bigger and more wholehearted than a lot of other sound...

These rear speakers are a must to pair with the soundbar and subwoofer. I've never had a setup like this and wish I've purchased them sooner! Extremely easy to pair. #sweepstakes

Nice sound, good sound bar.

Soundbars are all about compromise: you buy one because you don't have room for a full surround sound setup, and you expect a narrower audio experience as a result. With one of these plugged into your telly box, it won't feel like you're really compromising at all. Sony's virtual version of Atmos might not be quite as convincing as the real thing, but it certainly expands the experience in films and music, creating a more immersive soundstage without needing a shedload of extra speakers. Delivering that through three small soundbar drivers is quite impressive, and the built-in smart features are all wecome additions to any home cinema setup. We'd want to try one out with our own test footage, and compare and contrast with an actual Atmos setup before delivering a final verdict, but hopefully that won't be too long: the Z9F is going on sale in the next few months.

The word “processing” isn’t exactly sexy. But in the electronics world, especially when you’re trying to accomplish a lot with very little, good processing can make all the difference. Sony uses its lauded processing skills to do some magical things with its products, from ultra-thin TVs with speakers built directly into the screen, to tiny music players loaded with digital upscaling for high-end wireless performance. The company’s new Dolby Atmos soundbar, the HT-Z9F, is another fine showcase for Sony’s considerable talents in this arena. The Z9F may not look like much of a powerhouse, but it’s loaded with just about every feature you could ask for in a 3.1 soundbar, including some impressive digital sound processing. Like other virtual surround soundbars, this is not a substitute for a fully discrete Dolby Atmos system. But, if you can swallow its $800-900 price tag, the Z9F will reward you with intuitive design and good performance, all in a sleek (and dare we say sexy?) little pack...

Slim and sleek design; Powerful, detailed sound; Clear dialogue; Impressive virtual surround; Feature packed;

Surround performance varies based on installation; Vertical Surround feature adds sibilance to midrange;