Sony Atmos Soundbar Availability

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Sony Atmos Soundbar Availability - HT-Z9F

Shindig

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#237549 7-Jun-2018 10:36

Hello,

does anyone work for Sony AU\NZ and could share some information on the following soundbar, being made available in NZ?

https://www.sony.co.nz/electronics/sound-bars/ht-z9f

thank you

The little things make the biggest difference.

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Ultimate Geek
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#2031302 7-Jun-2018 10:42

That looks like the replacement for the HT-CT790/CT800. I have a CT790 and it's awesome. That Z9F looks even better.

When I was shopping for a 790 I had to do some digging. I went into HN and had to ask, and be persistent. They had it in stock, and they had it on special - but the staff had no clue. I had to give them the SKUs, and picked it up from the warehouse myself. The guy that served me was surprised it existed, thought it was cool, had no idea why they didn't have them out on the floor.

dafman

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#2031315 7-Jun-2018 11:00

Am keen on looking at this as well, so adding this post to keep up with thread updates.

Shindig

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#2031319 7-Jun-2018 11:02

I have browsed the Sony pages everyday, still nothing! In the states they are freely available, as I have been keeping an eye on

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/195-soundbars/2948342-sony-3-1ch-dolby-atmos-dts-x-sound-bar-ht-zf9.html

Sony rep told me they would be available the last week of May!!! That's the latest info I know.

The little things make the biggest difference.

dafman

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#2031902 8-Jun-2018 09:26

This reviewer is underwhelmed re performance for price.

https://youtu.be/DL2CozK37Y8

I still really like the look of the soundbar though, but not sure now that I would pay over $1k - which I guess is unlikely in near future as is new release.

Shindig

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#2031971 8-Jun-2018 10:41

Thanks for the YouTube link. The soundbar has been removed completely from the Sony NZ website now!

Insider info seems to suggest its going to be made available as a bundle; potentially with the rear speakers at the end of June.

The little things make the biggest difference.

Stubs

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#2034607 12-Jun-2018 20:36

I emailed them a few weeks ago and they we're saying limited stock will be available from the end of June.

Pretty keen on this myself but really want to hear in in person before I jump in. Multi HDMI Inputs is a definite bonus

Shindig

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#2034865 13-Jun-2018 10:24

Thanks for the reply @Stubs, I had also emailed Sony and got a similar response about availability being at the end of June.

What I didnt get was the line about stock already being allocated! Where was their an option to pre-order? Certainly not on the website...hmm...maybe instore.

cheers

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Stubs

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#2035920 13-Jun-2018 12:07

I don't think they are all allocated already, I think they are just inferring that those who do pre order will have priority with their stock allocation.

In any case I am probably going to wait until it hits the retail market to purchase.

If you end up getting one I'd be interested to hear your take. I'm 80% sold on this but I really want to hear how it performs with music playback. Obviously it won't be audiophile quality but if it is really sub par that would be a deal breaker for me.

Shindig

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#2035947 13-Jun-2018 13:33

Same with me mate TBH, i'll wait until its in the shops and I can listen to it.

The little things make the biggest difference.

dafman

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#2035954 13-Jun-2018 13:48

Shindig:

Same with me mate TBH, i'll wait until its in the shops and I can listen to it.

Ditto, I am keen to audition. Also, does anyone know RRP yet?

My impression of Sony soundbars from talking to people/checking reviews is that they are good, but also expensive for what they are.

I will be pairing up to a Sony TV, so I am keen to keep brand the same, but not if cost exceeds performance.

Shindig

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#2036062 13-Jun-2018 17:38

same as me @dafman, I have found a now love of Sony having shifted my buying from Samsung to Sony when I bought the KD55-X930D.

I have looked at other soundbars, but just feel the pairing from a technology and aesthetics perspective will be good.

Unsure on RRP, take the price mate. Expect 4 figures.

The little things make the biggest difference.

daunjan

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#2039167 17-Jun-2018 17:02

Saw this onsale at Silvia Park, it's a beast for such small form totally immersed sound. Only downside TV had to be turned up almost full appreciate the effect. Price $1700 only good for small rooms. Almost brought 1080 amp for atmos but this is more better.

daunjan

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#2039169 17-Jun-2018 17:06

Forgot to say this comes with the sub bar n two rear speakers for $1700

Shindig

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#2039183 17-Jun-2018 18:16

daunjan: Saw this onsale at Silvia Park, it's a beast for such small form totally immersed sound. Only downside TV had to be turned up almost full appreciate the effect. Price $1700 only good for small rooms. Almost brought 1080 amp for atmos but this is more better.

Nothing on the Sony website to suggest its available! Appreciate the reply.

My insider knowledge had suggested it will be packaged with the rears! I'm replying now without doing the maths, but I wonder if we are getting the overall setup cheaper than the US.

Contributors over at AVSForums have been buying this soundbar, then buying the rears to compliment it. Comments suggest the rears really make it hence the NZ package.

ohhhh exciting!

oh rats... i forgot there is money involved.

The little things make the biggest difference.

Stubs

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Wannabe Geek

#2051136 7-Jul-2018 16:07

FYI

This unit is now available at Noel Leemings

I picked one up this morning, RRP is $1749 although I got it a bit cheaper than that due to special rates. The package includes the rear speakers which is great because I was planning to purchase anyway, includes a wall mounting kit as well which is great. So Far setup had been super easy, just plugged it into arc and updated all the software, really easy to set up. One thing I have noticed so far is that the rear speakers only seem to work in a surround sound configuration and don't appear to be able to work as a satellite speaker when using the soundbar to music playback.

I haven't had a chance to test out the Atmos yet but that doesn't phase me too much, we have been playing quite a bit of music through it and have been satisfied thus far. My initial impression is that Bass could be a little bit punchier, once I raised the level and volume of the sub it sounded a lot beefier and is now a lot closer to my expectations. After playing quite a bit of electronic, hip-hop and some Fat freddy's drop I am pretty happy with the sound, the bass doesn't blow me away but it is a sound bar so that's to be expected. For reference I am used to a 7.2 Sony Muteki system which obviously has a lot higher bass output that this device so that is kind of apples an oranges.

I was initially tossing up between this and a full Bose soundtouch 300 bar, sub & rear speaker package. This package is $1k cheaper, has 2 HDMI inputs(vs 1 on the bose) and built in chromecast which the Bose doesn't have. My impression is that the Bose has a bit more volume than the sony which is to be expected for the but the Sony definitely has better features with the Atmos being a great futureproof feature. I can say for myself that I am satisfied with the sound for being $1k richer

Setup as it is now with a 55" Bravia for reference. Have been lazy with cable management so far as we only moved into our new house a few weeks ago.

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