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NVIDIA Launches New SHIELD TV & SHIELD TV Pro with Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos
Posted Mon Oct 28, 2019 at 09:45 AM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Google Announces New Pixel Buds, Nest Mini, and Nest Wifi
Posted Wed Oct 16, 2019 at 12:05 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
LG Introduces New CineBeam 4K UHD Projector Model
Posted Fri Sep 13, 2019 at 12:30 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Denon Announces New HEOS Sound Bars
Posted Thu Sep 12, 2019 at 09:30 AM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Bose Launches Pre-Orders for New Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Posted Fri May 31, 2019 at 03:00 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Yamaha Announces Product Updates for AirPlay 2, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, eARC, and More
Posted Tue Apr 16, 2019 at 08:55 AM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Optoma Debuts P1 Smart 4K UHD Projector with Integrated Sound Bar
Posted Thu Jan 10, 2019 at 12:00 PM PST by Steven Cohen -
Klipsch Releases "The Three" Wireless Speaker with Google Assistant
Posted Mon Dec 3, 2018 at 08:50 AM PST by Steven Cohen -
VIZIO Expands Google Assistant Voice Control Support for SmartCast TVs
Posted Tue Oct 9, 2018 at 05:10 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
This Week in Gear: LG Expands Google Assistant Support for ThinQ TVs, Yamaha Reveals New MusicCast Amp, and More
Posted Fri Aug 24, 2018 at 09:30 PM PDT by Steven CohenWe've compiled the latest gear news, including the expansion of Google Assistant support for LG TVs, Yamaha's latest MusicCast device, and more.
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JBL Link Bar with Android TV Support Now Available for Pre-Order
Posted Tue Aug 21, 2018 at 04:00 PM PDT by Steven CohenThe unique sound bar offers integrated media player and smart speaker capabilities.
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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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Hisense Launches H9E Plus ULED 4K TV Series with Dolby Vision HDR
Posted Tue Jun 12, 2018 at 01:30 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
LG Launches Native Google Assistant Support on 2018 ThinQ OLED & SUPER UHD TVS
Posted Tue May 8, 2018 at 06:00 AM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Klipsch Announces Heritage Wireless Speakers with Google Assistant
Posted Tue Jan 9, 2018 at 11:30 AM PST by Steven Cohen -
This Week in Gear: New Pioneer Stereo Receiver, 8th Gen Intel Core Processors, and More
Posted Sun Oct 1, 2017 at 03:30 PM PDT by Steven CohenWe've compiled the latest gear news, including a new Pioneer receiver, Intel's latest CPUs, and expanded Alexa and Google Assistant voice support.
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Sony Unveils New Wireless Speakers
Posted Mon Sep 4, 2017 at 10:30 AM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Onkyo Details Smart Speaker G3 with Google Assistant Support
Posted Mon Sep 4, 2017 at 08:00 AM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Google Home Voice-Activated Speaker Launches in November for $129
Posted Tue Oct 4, 2016 at 12:00 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Google Announces Pixel Smartphone with HD AMOLED Display & Google Assistant
Posted Tue Oct 4, 2016 at 10:30 AM PDT by Steven Cohen