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Onkyo Debuts TX-SR493 & TX-SR393 AV Receivers
Posted Mon Jan 7, 2019 at 04:15 PM PST by Steven Cohen -
Monolith Reveals New Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Processor, Desktop Speakers, and THX Subwoofers
Posted Fri Jan 4, 2019 at 12:50 PM PST by Steven Cohen -
LG Announces New Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Sound Bars
Posted Wed Dec 26, 2018 at 06:15 PM PST by Steven Cohen -
Denon & Marantz Reveal First IMAX Enhanced Audio Components
Posted Wed Sep 5, 2018 at 12:25 PM PDT by Steven CohenThe first receivers and pre-processor with IMAX Enhanced functionality have been detailed.
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IMAX & DTS Announce New IMAX Enhanced Certification & Licensing Program
Posted Tue Sep 4, 2018 at 01:55 PM PDT by Steven CohenThe program is designed to offer premium 4K HDR and immersive audio performance across home theater gear and content.
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Yamaha Details Flagship AVENTAGE CX-A5200 AV Preamp & MX-A5200 Amp
Posted Wed Aug 29, 2018 at 01:10 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Samsung Details Pricing & Availability for New Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Sound Bars
Posted Thu Aug 16, 2018 at 08:20 AM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Denon Launches AVR-X3500H Receiver & Apple AirPlay 2 Support
Posted Wed Aug 15, 2018 at 10:45 AM PDT by Steven CohenThe company's latest receiver is now available along with an update for AirPlay 2 support.
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Soundbar Showdown: Sony HT-Z9F Vs. LG SK10Y
Posted Mon Jul 30, 2018 at 03:14 PM PDT by David KraussWhen I decided to turn an unused playroom into an intimate home theater, I transferred much of my existing A/V equipment into the new area. But I left my 65” OLED 3D-capable TV where it was. I wanted to maintain the ability to watch 4K UHD and 3D Blu-ray discs on that television, and I wanted high-quality sound as well. What I didn’t want was a cluster of bulky speakers cluttering the room and a tangle of cables behind the TV. I envisioned this setup as sleek and streamlined, and believed a high-quality, high-def Dolby Atmos soundbar with unobtrusive wireless rear speakers would be the perfect solution.
Yet finding the perfect soundbar wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be.
After doing a fair bit of research, I ordered both Sony’s HT-Z9F and LG’s SK10Y systems along with their respective wireless rear speakers. Both sit on the high-end of the price spectrum, with the Z9F currently selling for $798 (reduced from $899) and the LG selling for $999 (reduced from $1,099). (Sony’s rear speakers, which retail for $299, are more expensive than LG’s, which list for $179.) I reviewed both systems for HDD. For my full, in-depth analysis of the Sony HT-Z9F, click here. For my full, in-depth take on the LG SK10Y, click here.
Which system is better? I pitted them against each other and put them through rigorous testing over a two-week period. Here’s what I found...
BOTH THE SONY HT-Z9F & LG SK10Y
- support Dolby Atmos soundtracks
- come equipped with a wireless subwoofer and remote
- pump out more than sufficient power
- flaunt a sleek, low-profile design
- provide full 4K pass-through
- allow Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity
- feature built-in Chromecast
- contain 2 HDMI inputs, one HDMI out (ARC compatible), one optical input, and one Ethernet input
- offer multiple soundscape options
- can work with Google Assistant
- have subpar sync adjustment tools
WHERE THE SONY HT-Z9F HAS THE EDGE
- warmer, richer, fuller sound
- both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
- superior wireless rear speakers
- Vertical Surround option expands the soundscape
- excellent voice adjustment tool brings dialogue to the foreground while maintaining a good balance with surround effects
- compact styling makes it portable, if desired
- on-screen display for movies and music
- better remote
- ability to turn off LED display, if desired
- more pleasing music playback
WHERE THE LG SK10Y HAS THE EDGE
- dedicated upward-firing speakers to provide more authentic Dolby Atmos audio
- coupled with the optional rear speakers, provides a 7.1.2 surround experience
- more watts per channel
- sleeker styling
- better for large format TVs
- offers a phone app to control the unit in addition to the remote
WHERE THE SONY HT-Z9F FALLS SHORT
- no upward-firing speakers
- less distinct Dolby Atmos sound
- no treble or bass adjustments for music
- no phone app to control the unit
WHERE THE LG SK10Y FALLS SHORT
- no DTS:X support
- despite firmware update, dialogue still gets drowned out by effects during high-tech action, sci-fi, and fantasy movies
- volume maxes out at too low a level during Blu-ray and streaming movies
- rear speakers must connect to a separate receiver via speaker wire, adding unsightly clutter and an extra component to the setup
- Bluetooth music sounds harsh and sharp
- no on-screen display
- LED light only dims, does not go out, which could distract some viewers when watching content in a dark room
- remote is too simple and doesn’t have quick access buttons
BOTTOM LINE
Both soundbar systems have their similarities and differences, attributes and faults. Neither one hits a home run, but after a deep dive, I chose the Sony HT-Z9F, which I found to have better all-around sound quality, a more streamlined setup, fewer components, and features that better suit my needs and satisfy my personal home theater preferences. The LG SK10Y has the chops to beat its Sony rival, but until the center channel/dialogue and maximum volume issues are fixed, it’s not really a worthy competitor. (I also found the inability to turn off the LED display on the LG to be another serious strike against it.) Multi-channel audio effects are a lot of fun, but as William Shakespeare once famously wrote, “the play’s the thing,” and if verbal exchanges are subjugated by explosions, gunfire, and swelling music, it’s tough to truly enjoy a movie. The Sony HT-Z9F may not provide the perfect Atmos experience, but it supplies high-quality, well-balanced, adjustable surround sound that complements any genre of film and is a fine substitute for a traditional receiver-based setup. In this head-to-head battle, the Sony HT-Z9F scores a decisive victory.
Buy the Sony HT-Z9F from Amazon.com OR from BestBuy.com!
Buy the LG SK10Y from Amazon.com OR from BestBuy.com!
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Pioneer Announces Elite VSX-LX503 9.2-Channel AV Receiver
Posted Fri Jun 8, 2018 at 09:25 AM PDT by Steven Cohen -
LG Unveils V35 ThinQ Smartphone with OLED FullVision Display & DTS:X Support
Posted Tue Jun 5, 2018 at 09:00 AM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Integra Details New Dot 2 Series 9.2-Channel AV Receivers
Posted Fri Jun 1, 2018 at 12:50 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Onkyo Reveals New 9.2-Channel RZ Series Receivers
Posted Wed May 23, 2018 at 02:00 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Marantz Details New NR1609 & NR1509 Slim Network AV Receivers
Posted Tue May 22, 2018 at 06:15 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Yamaha Details AVENTAGE RX-A 80 Series AV Receivers with New Surround:AI Tech
Posted Mon May 14, 2018 at 04:00 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Onkyo Launches TX-NR787 9.2-Channel AV Receiver for $799
Posted Fri May 4, 2018 at 08:30 AM PDT by Steven Cohen -
LG Details G7 ThinQ Smartphone with HDR and DTS:X Support
Posted Wed May 2, 2018 at 05:35 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Pioneer Unveils Elite VSX-LX303 9.2-Ch AV Receiver
Posted Tue May 1, 2018 at 08:00 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Pioneer Launches VSX-933 7.2-Channel Receiver with Dolby Atmos & DTS:X for Under $500
Posted Wed Apr 18, 2018 at 10:50 AM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Onkyo Details TX-NR686 & TX-NR585 7.2 Channel AV Receivers
Posted Wed Apr 11, 2018 at 07:30 AM PDT by Steven Cohen