The sound bar has about a 45 sec delay when the TV is turned on. I have never expierenced this before with the sound bars and this is Sony to Sony. I am waiting for sales to call me

I have been selecting a high end bar based on reviews (no showroom near by) and chose Sony (over Sonos, as the last two contenders on my list) because of the inclusion of the sub-woofer and the variety of input ports. I like the sound quality and the amount of power is more than enough for my room.

Amazing the sound field this soundbar can produce from the small footprint and just 3 speakers. I will compare the Z9F to the LG SK10Y in case someone else is deciding between the two products.

The Sony HT-Z9F is a Dolby Atmos soundbar like no other. Until now, Atmos soundbars have used front firing drivers with integrated Dolby enabling up-firers, to create immersive audio. Examples of this include the pricey-but-versatile Samsung HW-K950 and the newly debuted LG SK10Y .

Supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X; Vertical S up-mixer; Up-mixes regular surround sound

Decent low end performance; Operationally confusing; Disappointing overhead sound

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

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...

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;

Soundbars designed to deliver Dolby Atmos sound in an all-in-one package offer a convenient alternative to complicated-and pricey-setups that require in-ceiling speakers or "elevation" modules. We've checked out a few such specimens in Sound & Vision, including Sony'sHT-ST5000($1,500).

Atmos and DTS:X sound from a compact package; Easy setup

Limited overhead effects capability; Performance with music less impressive than movies

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.

I wanted a sound bar to improve the sound from our new Sony Bravia 4K TV, but did not want to mess around with a lot of speakers or a complex set-up. I also had hopes that the sound might be good enough to enjoy listening to music with the sound bar.

Easy set up (1 cable); Looks nice and sleek; Sound is excellent both movies and music alone

On the pricey side (to me); But you get what you pay for