How popular isSony?
In September 2026, people searched for Sony by name about 28,000 times in New Zealand, a 12.4% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 56.5% of all New Zealand surround sound system brand searches, placing Sony first out of eight brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about surround sound system brands, Sony appeared in all answers and was the second most recommended of the eight.
Sony is the most searched of 8 competitors and the second most recommended in AI answers.
SonyShare of searches 56.5%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
BoseShare of searches 20%Mentioned in 0 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
SonosShare of searches 19.7%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
SamsungShare of searches 1.3%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
LGShare of searches 0.93%Mentioned in 0 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
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Top surround sound system brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Sony appeared in all three answers. Sony is the second most recommended of the eight.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Sony3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Sonos3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Samsung3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Denon3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Yamaha2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers- Bose0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- LG0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Panasonic0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about surround sound system brands
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which surround sound system brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best surround sound system brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best surround sound system brand in New Zealand for home movie nights?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best surround sound system”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“home theatre system nz”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Which surround sound system brands compete with Sony?
Share of searches by month for Sony, Bose, Sonos. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Sony | Bose | Sonos | Samsung | LG | Yamaha | Denon | Panasonic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 54.4% | 23.9% | 17.7% | 1.4% | 1% | 0.75% | 0.75% | 0.04% |
| Nov 2025 | 52.5% | 23.8% | 20.3% | 1.2% | 0.92% | 0.54% | 0.67% | 0.03% |
| Dec 2025 | 52% | 23.7% | 20.8% | 1.3% | 0.79% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.03% |
| Jan 2026 | 54.2% | 21.9% | 19.7% | 1.5% | 1.1% | 0.64% | 0.98% | 0.04% |
| Feb 2026 | 57.3% | 20.2% | 18.2% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.94% | 0.76% | 0.04% |
| Mar 2026 | 55.5% | 19.8% | 20.2% | 1.5% | 1.1% | 0.81% | 1% | 0.04% |
| Apr 2026 | 54.5% | 19.8% | 21% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 0.8% | 0.99% | 0.04% |
| May 2026 | 54.3% | 22.5% | 19.3% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.75% | 0.93% | 0.04% |
| Jun 2026 | 53.5% | 24% | 18.6% | 1.1% | 1.3% | 0.61% | 0.75% | 0.04% |
| Jul 2026 | 55% | 22.2% | 18.5% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.74% | 0.92% | 0.04% |
| Aug 2026 | 51.2% | 23.7% | 20.7% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.75% | 0.75% | 0.04% |
| Sep 2026 | 56.5% | 20% | 19.7% | 1.3% | 0.93% | 0.86% | 0.69% | 0.03% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 56.5% | 17.1K | +18.8% | +5.3 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 20% | 6K | -9.4% | -3.8 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 19.7% | 6K | +2.6% | -1 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 1.3% | 390 | -18.8% | -0.4 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 0.93% | 280 | -15.2% | -0.2 points | |
| 6, moved from 7th to 6th | 0.86% | 260 | +23.8% | +0.1 pointsmoved from 7th to 6th | |
| 7, moved from 6th to 7th | 0.69% | 210 | 0% | -0.1 pointsmoved from 6th to 7th | |
| 8, held 8th | 0.03% | 10 | 0% | 0 points |
1.
Sony56.5%
Held 1st. 17.1K estimated branded searches, +18.8% vs prior month. Share +5.3 points.
2.
Bose20%
Held 2nd. 6K estimated branded searches, -9.4% vs prior month. Share -3.8 points.
3.
Sonos19.7%
Held 3rd. 6K estimated branded searches, +2.6% vs prior month. Share -1 points.
4.
Samsung1.3%
Held 4th. 390 estimated branded searches, -18.8% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.
5.
LG0.93%
Held 5th. 280 estimated branded searches, -15.2% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
6.
Yamaha0.86%
Moved from 7th to 6th. 260 estimated branded searches, +23.8% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
7.
Denon0.69%
Moved from 6th to 7th. 210 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
0.03%
Held 8th. 10 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
Compare popularity between Sony and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Sony
41 comparisons
- Apple AirPods vs Sony
- JBL vs Sony
- Bose vs Sony
- GoPro vs Sony
- Insta360 vs Sony
- Sonos vs Sony
- Canon vs Sony
- Fujifilm vs Sony
- Sennheiser vs Sony
- Skullcandy vs Sony
- Sony vs Ultimate Ears
- Beats vs Sony
- Philips vs Sony
- Nikon vs Sony
- Sony vs TCL
- Sony vs Veon
- Hisense vs Sony
- Panasonic vs Sony
- Jabra vs Sony
- Panasonic Lumix vs Sony
- Edifier vs Sony
- Sony vs Soundcore
- Marshall vs Sony
- Bang & Olufsen vs Sony
- OM System vs Sony
- Bowers & Wilkins vs Sony
- KEF vs Sony
- Samsung vs Sony
- LG vs Sony
- Audio-Technica vs Sony
- Pro-Ject vs Sony
- Sony vs Technics
- Sony vs Tamron
- Sigma vs Sony
- Denon vs Sony
- Q Acoustics vs Sony
- Rega vs Sony
- Sony vs Yamaha
- DALI vs Sony
- Marantz vs Sony
- Onkyo vs Sony
How has branded search demand for Sony changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Sony in New Zealand rose from 24.9K to 28K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sony’s share of searches among surround sound system brands in New Zealand increased from 54.4% to 56.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sony’s share of searches among surround sound system brands in New Zealand peaked at 57.3% in February 2026 and was lowest at 51.2% in August 2026.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand surround sound system brands in September 2026?
5 changes
In September 2026, Sony gained share of searches among surround sound system brands in New Zealand, from 51.2% to 56.5%.
In September 2026, Bose lost share of searches among surround sound system brands in New Zealand, from 23.7% to 20%.
In September 2026, Sonos lost share of searches among surround sound system brands in New Zealand, from 20.7% to 19.7%.
In September 2026, Yamaha rose from 7th to 6th among surround sound system brands in New Zealand.
In September 2026, Denon fell from 6th to 7th among surround sound system brands in New Zealand.
How are Sony’s branded searches counted?
25 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Sony’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- sony
- sony android tv
- sony av receiver
- sony bluetooth headphones
- sony bravia tv
- sony camara
- sony cyber shot
- sony earbuds
- sony earphones
- sony headphones
- sony led tv
- sony lens
- sony mirrorless
- sony oled tv
- sony receiver
- sony turntable
- sony tv
- sony tv sale
- sony wh 1000xm4
- sony wh 1000xm5
- sony wh 1000xm6
- sony wired earphones
- sony wired headphones
- sony wireless earbuds
- sony wireless headphones
Who owns Sony?
Sony is owned by Sony. Brandwave also tracks 
PlayStation and PlayStation VR2, owned by the same company, in New Zealand.
Do you work for Sony? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Where does Sony compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headphone brands | 3rd of 10 | 13.4% | Show ranking |
| Bluetooth headphones brands | 3rd of 8 | 10.5% | Show ranking |
| Bluetooth earbuds brands | 3rd of 6 | 11.2% | Show ranking |
| Earphones brands | 3rd of 6 | 11.3% | Show ranking |
| Ear buds brands | 3rd of 4 | 11.3% | Show ranking |
| Speaker brands | 2nd of 12 | 19.6% | Show ranking |
| Bluetooth speaker brands | 2nd of 8 | 21.3% | Show ranking |
| Home cinema brands | 2nd of 8 | 22.9% | Show ranking |
| Camera brands | 1st of 8 | 29.7% | Show ranking |
| Soundbar with subwoofer brands | 2nd of 6 | 35.4% | Show ranking |
| TV brands | 1st of 8 | 43.1% | Show ranking |
| Camera lens brands | 1st of 7 | 56.1% | Show ranking |
| Surround sound system brands | 1st of 8 | 56.5% | Shown above |
| Telephoto lens brands | 1st of 4 | 70.1% | Show ranking |
| Wide angle lens brands | 1st of 4 | 70.1% | Show ranking |
| Turntable brands | 4th of 5 | 6.5% | Show ranking |
| AV receiver brands | 5th of 5 | 4.3% | Show ranking |
Is Sony your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.