- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Our Verdict
- Test Results
- Differences
- Compared To Others
- Deals
- Discussions
The Sonos Arc is a good overall soundbar from 2020. This standalone soundbar can be easily upgraded into the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers with the addition of a wireless subwoofer and surround satellites for an even more immersive experience. It also supports Atmos content, which the Sonos Beam doesn't. It's a versatile bar, although it slightly lacks low-bass, and there are compression artifacts at max volume that can hurt the clarity of your audio. Overall, the soundbar sounds a bit bright, even after using the room correction feature. On the upside, it's a very well-built bar that has a sleek design and features built-in Google Assistant and Alexa.
Note: Some users reported that this soundbar's sound cuts out for a few seconds when connected to a Samsung TV. However, we couldn't replicate this phenomenon in our tests.
Our Verdict
The Sonos Arc is good for mixed use. It has a neutral, although slightly bright sound profile that's suitable for most audio content. It gets pretty loud, and its discrete center channel accurately localizes voices in your sound image. That said, it lacks some low-bass, so you don't feel the deep thump and rumble in action-packed movies or bass-heavy music. Also, this standalone bar doesn't come with discrete surround speakers, which doesn't sound as immersive.
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Sleek and very well-built design.
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Supports Atmos.
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Great stereo soundstage.
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Compression artifacts at max volume.
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No full EQ.
The Sonos Arc is great for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. Its balanced mid-range can reproduce voices clearly and with detail, though they can also sound a bit bright. Thanks to its discrete center channel, dialogue is accurately localized within the sound image. There's also a dialogue enhancement feature available to help make voices more clear and crisp. Unfortunately, it offers limited wireless playback options, which can be disappointing if you like to wirelessly stream podcasts and audiobooks to the bar.
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Sleek and very well-built design.
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Low audio latency.
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Room correction feature available.
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No Bluetooth support.
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Compression artifacts at max volume.
The Sonos Arc is good for music. Its default sound profile is neutral but slightly bright, which makes it suitable for a variety of different genres, and it gets pretty loud. There are bass and treble adjustments to help you customize its sound more to your liking, too. That said, it still lacks some low-bass, so you don't feel the deep rumble in bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. It also lacks more premium sound customization features like a graphic EQ or EQ presets.
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Sleek and very well-built design.
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Great stereo soundstage.
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Room correction feature available.
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Compression artifacts at max volume.
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No full EQ.
The Sonos Arc is decent for movies. While it supports Atmos content, it lacks dedicated surround speakers, so its surround performance falls a bit short of creating an immersive audio experience. It also lacks some low-bass, which may affect sound effects. That said, it has an overall neutral sound that keeps dialogue clear and accurate. It has low latency, so your audio stays in sync with your video.
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Supports Atmos.
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Low audio latency.
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Great stereo soundstage.
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Compression artifacts at max volume.
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No full EQ.
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No DTS support.
- 7.6 Mixed Usage
- 8.1 Dialogue/TV Shows
- 7.6 Music
- 7.4 Movies
- Updated Aug 03, 2021: Retested for audio delay with LG TVs.
- Updated Jun 14, 2021: Updated results since this setup now features a height level adjustment feature, following the 13.1.2 firmware update.
- Updated Mar 31, 2021: Added note about a user-reported issue with Samsung TVs.
- Updated Mar 18, 2021: Updated latency measurements with new methodology.
- Updated Feb 09, 2021: Updated 5.1 PCM (eARC only) to 'Yes' after updating the bar's firmware.
- Updated Feb 09, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 21, 2020: The Dynamics tests have been reconducted due to a value input bug.
- Updated Aug 06, 2020: Added notes that the room correction feature is only available on iOS.
- Updated Jul 06, 2020: We've retested the soundbar with the latest firmware update.
- Updated Jun 29, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Jun 23, 2020: Early access published.
Test Results
The Sonos Arc is a 5.0.2 setup released in 2020. It's the high-end model from the manufacturer, and it can be upgraded as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance. Unlike the Sonos Beam or the Sonos Playbar, it supports Dolby Atmos content thanks to its height channels. That said, it lacks some sound customization features like a graphic EQ or presets. Its main competitors include the Bose Soundbar 700, the Vizio Elevate, and the JBL Bar 9.1.
This soundbar is a lot longer than the Sonos Beam. It has a similar plastic finish, though it still feels high-end and sturdy. There are two plastic grilles on its sides and a black plastic mesh between the grille in the front and top sides of the bar. You can also purchase this soundbar in white if you prefer.
This setup comes without a subwoofer, although you can purchase a Sonos subwoofer separately.
This setup comes without satellites, although you can purchase these speakers separately.
The Sonos Arc soundbar is quite wide, so it likely won't fit between the legs of a 55 inch TV stand. That said, it also isn't very tall, so it shouldn't obscure your TV screen unless your TV sits flush on your table.
Like most soundbars, the back is fairly straightforward. There's a small opening for your power and inputs. Note that the mounting holes are proprietary to Sonos, and you need to purchase special wall-mounting brackets separately, as they aren't included in the box.
The Sonos Arc has an impressive build quality. The bar is mostly made of plastic, which feels solid and sturdy. There's also a plastic grille covering the front and the sides of the bar to help protect the drivers inside. Overall, it feels a bit heavy and very well-made.
- Bar power cable
- HDMI cable
- HDMI to optical adapter
- Manuals
The stereo frequency response of the Sonos Arc is good. When using its room correction feature, this soundbar has a fairly neutral, although somewhat bright sound profile. The bar struggles to reproduce low-bass, but after updating the bar to its latest software version, the bass is more present and sounds tighter. During our subjective tests, we also didn't notice the dip in the bass range. Unfortunately, it only has bass and treble adjustment features and lacks a more comprehensive EQ to customize its sound. The room correction feature is only available on iOS devices as well.
The stereo frequency response with preliminary calibration is good. We tried the following bass and treble slider combinations in addition to using the room correction feature: 'Bass: 0, Treble: -1', 'Bass: 0, Treble: -2', 'Bass: 1, Treble: -1', and 'Bass: 2, Treble -2'. However, none of these settings improved the default slope of this soundbar.
The stereo soundstage of the Sonos Arc soundbar is great. It feels larger than the bar itself thanks to the side-firing speakers that reflect sound from the walls to the listener. The focus is also very good, and you can easily pinpoint where the sound is coming from. That said, if you're listening to Atmos content, the soundstage sounds wider although more diffused.
The Sonos Arc has decent stereo dynamics. The bar can get loud enough to fill a large or crowded room. However, there are some compression artifacts at max volume, so audio reproduction isn't very clean or pure.
The Sonos Arc has a decent stereo THD performance. At normal listening volumes, it falls within good limits, resulting in clean and pure audio reproduction. While there's a jump in THD when you push the bar to max volume, this may not be too noticeable for most people with real-life content.
The Sonos Arc has an excellent center channel performance. It has a discrete center channel, so dialogue is accurately localized to a pinpoint location in the sound image. Its frequency response is quite balanced in the mid-range where most voices are reproduced, though it can also sound a bit bright.
The surround 5.1 performance of the Sonos Arc is passable. It relies on its side-firing speakers to bounce sound off your walls to give you the impression of an immersive sound. However, it doesn't sound as immersive as setups that use dedicated satellites. If you watch a lot of surround content, check out the full Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers setup.
The height performance of the Sonos Arc is acceptable. It uses up-firing speakers located on the bar to bounce sound off your walls to give you the impression of height. However, if you're watching Atmos content, the volume level isn't as loud as other channels like center or surround. That said, it's still an improvement when compared to other soundbars like the Sonos Beam that don't support Atmos at all.
Update 06/14/2021: We updated the soundbar's firmware to 13.1.2. This bar now offers a height level adjustment feature. We've updated the test results accordingly.
The Sonos Arc has a fair selection of sound enhancement features. It has a 'Trueplay' Room Correction setting which can help adjust the bar's performance based on your room setup. Unfortunately, it's only available on iOS. There are also volume adjustments for bass and treble, but unlike the Sony HT-G700, it lacks a proper EQ to fine-tune its sound profile to your preference. Also, note that there's no remote available, so everything has to be done inside the app.
The Sonos Arc has a limited number of inputs. It has an HDMI ARC port and an optical one, though you'll need to use the included HDMI adapter. You can also connect the bar to your home network by using the Ethernet port.
Update 01/12/2021: We updated the soundbar's firmware to 12.2.1. After connecting to the bar via eARC, we retested its support for 5.1 PCM and found that all channels are recognized, which wasn't the case with the previous firmware. We updated the result for 5.1 PCM from 'No' to 'Yes'.
This soundbar has very good audio format support via its HDMI ARC port. The bar supports pretty much every Dolby signal, and thanks to its eARC support, it can also play lossless Dolby TrueHD. Unfortunately, it doesn't support DTS like some other high-end soundbars like the LG SN11RG.
If you're looking for a soundbar with several Full HDMI In ports, check out the Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300.
Via optical, the soundbar can play Dolby Digital, which can be found on most streaming services and some Blu-ray discs. Unfortunately, it doesn't support DTS content, which is even more common on Blu-ray.
Update 08/03/2021: We received user feedback about latency issues when connecting the Sonos Arc to LG TVs. We retested the bar after connecting it to an LG C1 TV and didn't notice any issues with sound cutting in and out or audio delays.
Update 03/18/2021: There was a mistake in our methodology where we measured the latency using every second frame (eg. 120fps). We now re-evaluated the footage using every frame at 240fps for more accurate results.
The Sonos Arc has a fantastic latency performance. It has extremely low latency via its ARC and Optical In connections. This ensures that your audio is in sync with the video on your screen. However, some apps and TVs compensate for latency differently, so your real-world experience may vary.
The Sonos Arc has poor wireless playback options. You can wirelessly stream audio from your mobile devices to the bar via Wi-Fi or Apple AirPlay 2, but it doesn't support Bluetooth connectivity. If you want a soundbar that's Bluetooth compatible, consider the Samsung HW-Q800A or the Samsung HW-A550.
The interface of this soundbar is quite minimal. There's a main light that changes color and blinks depending on the command. There's also a second one that lights up whenever the soundbar's microphone is activated, but that's about it.
This soundbar has touch-sensitive controls that allow you to play/pause, raise or lower the volume, and mute the microphone.
This bar has both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant built-in. There's a mic mute button so that you can turn off the speaker if you don't always want it to be listening to you. If you'd rather connect a third-party voice assistant device to your soundbar, check out the Vizio V Series V51x-J6.
The Sonos S2 app offers tremendous control over all your Sonos products. It's pretty much an upgraded version of the Sonos Controller app, previously found on the Sonos Beam. You can link music services to the app, directly cast to the bar, and have access to different features like setting alarms. It also allows you to set up room configurations for all of your Sonos products. Note that the room correction feature Trueplay is only available on iOS.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
This soundbar is available both in white and black. While we tested the black version, we expect this review to be valid for the white variant as well. Note that we've only tested the soundbar by itself. This review isn't valid for the full setup with the added wireless subwoofer and rear speakers, which are sold separately. You can find our review for this Sonos setup here.
Sonos has also released a Costco-exclusive version of this soundbar. It should perform the same, but it doesn't come with a built-in microphone. If you come across another variant of this soundbar, please let us know in the discussion section below and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Soundbars
The Sonos Arc is a very differently-designed soundbar when compared to the Sonos Playbar or the Sonos Beam. It's much bigger and has new features like Atmos support which isn't available on the other models. It's still an upgradable setup as the wireless subwoofer and satellites are sold separately, and it offers a better performance as the full Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, and the best soundbars for movies.
The Sonos Arc is more versatile than the Sonos Beam since it supports eARC and Atmos content. The Arc is able to deliver deeper bass, and it has better surround and height performances. That said, the Beam performs better at max volume. It's also shorter and much easier to fit between the legs of a 55 inch TV.
The Sonos Arc is a bit more versatile than the Sonos Playbar. The Arc has HDMI ports and also supports Atmos and eARC, which the Playbar doesn't do. Both sound fairly bright, though, and the Playbar performs better at max volume than the Arc.
The Sonos Arc is marginally better than the Bose Smart Soundbar 900. The Sonos reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it has a few more sound enhancement features like auto-volume mode. That said, the Bose is better built, with more wireless playback options.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 is a slightly better soundbar than the Sonos Arc. The Sonos isn't as well-built, but it supports Atmos, which is great for a more immersive listening experience. However, the Bose has a more neutral sound profile, and it allows for Bluetooth playback. Both setups can be upgraded easily.
The Sonos Arc is better than the Sony HT-A9. These setups have very different designs, as the Sonos is a long standalone bar while the Sony is a small box with four satellites. The Sonos reproduces a slightly more extended low-bass, and it has a better center channel performance. That said, the Sony has a better soundstage and DTS support. You can also upgrade both of these setups with subwoofers.
The Vizio Elevate is a better soundbar than the Sonos Arc. The Sonos has a bright sound profile that lacks a bit of bass, especially compared the Vizio's bass-heavy sound profile. The Vizio supports DTS and DTS:X content and it has a Full HDMI In port that supports 4k passthrough, unlike the Sonos. However, we tested the Sonos as a standalone bar, so you can check out the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers to compare its performance with its full setup.
The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the standalone Sony HT-A7000. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup with better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. It also reproduces a slightly more extended low-bass. However, the Sony is better built. Unlike the Sonos, it supports DTS content and has a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Arc or the LG SP9YA. The LG comes with a dedicated subwoofer that reproduces a more extended low-bass. Also, it comes with EQ presets for sound customization. However, the Sonos has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Also, it can be upgraded as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Samsung comes with a dedicated subwoofer and satellites, so it reproduces a more extended low-bass and has better surrounds performance. It also gets louder with less compression at max volume, and it comes with a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port. However, the Sonos is better built and has a better soundstage performance. Also, you can upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.
The Samsung HW-Q900A is a better soundbar than the Sonos Arc. The Samsung comes with a dedicated subwoofer that helps reproduce a more extended low-bass and a Full HDMI In port. It offers more wireless playback options, and you can customize its sound using its graphic EQ and presets. However, the Sonos is better built, with a better soundstage performance. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.
The Samsung HW-Q950T is a better overall soundbar than the basic Sonos Arc setup. The Samsung is a 9.1.4 setup with a better-balanced sound profile, and it has a graphic EQ and presets so that you can tweak the sound to your liking. You can stream audio to the bar using Bluetooth too, and it supports 4k @ 60Hz passthrough. It also has a better surrounds performance. However, the Sonos is a 5.1.4 setup that offers a better center and height performance. It has room correction as well as an auto-volume/night mode too. While it has limited inputs, you can also stream audio to it using Apple AirPlay.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the standalone Sonos Arc or the Sony HT-ST5000. The Sony comes with a dedicated sub that reproduces a more extended low-bass. It's better-built and comes with EQ presets and three Full HDMI In ports. However, the Sonos has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It also comes with a room correction feature, and you can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.
The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Sennheiser gets louder with less compression at max volume, and it reproduces a more extended low-bass. It supports more wireless playback options, and unlike the Sonos, it offers a graphic EQ, presets, and a Full HDMI In port. That said, the Sonos is better built with a better soundstage performance. Unlike the Sennheiser, it has bass and treble adjustments as well as built-in voice assistant support. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better soundbar than the Sonos Arc. The JBL comes with a dedicated subwoofer and satellites, which help reproduce a more extended low-bass and a better surrounds performance. It also comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port. However, you can also upgrade the Sonos as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Arc or the Klipsch Cinema 800. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better built. It has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. There's even a room correction feature and built-in voice assistant support, which the Klipsch lacks. However, the Klipsch comes with a dedicated sub that can reproduce a thumpier low-bass out-of-the-box. It also has two Full HDMI In ports, meaning you can use it for high-quality passthrough.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Arc or the Klipsch Cinema 600. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built, with a better soundstage and a room correction feature. It also supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the Klipsch. You can also update the Sonos with a wireless subwoofer and surround satellites. However, the 3.1 Klipsch comes with a dedicated subwoofer.
The Sonos Arc is a better setup than the Sony HT-G700. The Sonos feels better-built, has a more balanced sound profile, and can get louder with less compression artifacts. It also offers a better center, surround, and height performance, and has room correction. However, the Sony has EQ presets and has more inputs including an HDMI Out as well as a Full HDMI In port.
The LG SN11RG is a better overall soundbar if you're comparing it to the Sonos Arc as solely a standalone bar. The LG has a subwoofer plus satellites to help its sound, but you can purchase these speakers separately for the Sonos Arc. The LG can also reproduce more bass, and while it can't get as loud as the Sonos, it can reach its max volume with fewer compression artifacts. It also has more sound enhancement features and more connectivity options such as two Full HDMI In ports. It even supports Bluetooth for a wireless connection. That said, on its own, the Sonos has a better height performance. Unlike the LG, you can also use it with Apple AirPlay.
The Samsung HW-Q90R is a better soundbar than the Sonos Arc. The Samsung is a 7.1.4 setup with a more neutral sound profile and overall better performance at max volume. It also has a better surrounds performance, and it comes with a graphic EQ and presets to customize its sound. However, if you already have Sonos speakers, the Sonos app is very useful and allows you to control your ecosystem, which is nice. Also, the Sonos can be upgraded as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.
The LG SN9YG is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The LG comes with a dedicated subwoofer that reproduces a more extended low-bass. It also comes with EQ presets, a Full HDMI In port, and more wireless playback options. However, the Sonos offers better soundstage, surrounds, and Atmos performances. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.
The Samsung HW-Q900T is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Samsung is a 7.1.2 setup that reproduces a more extended low-bass thanks to its dedicated sub. It gets louder and supports more wireless playback options. Also, it has a graphic EQ for sound customization and two Full HDMI In ports. However, the 5.0.2 Sonos is better-built, with better soundstage, surrounds, and Atmos performances. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.
The LG SN10YG is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The LG comes with a wireless subwoofer, which helps it reproduce a thumpy, boomy bass. It offers more sound enhancement features such as EQ presets, and it has a larger variety of physical inputs. However, the Sonos offers a better height and surround performance.
The Samsung HW-Q800A is a better 3.1.2 setup than the 5.0.2 Sonos Arc. The Samsung comes with a dedicated subwoofer, which helps produce a thumpy, rumbling low-bass. It also has a graphic EQ and four presets, letting you customize its sound profile to your liking. Only the Samsung is Bluetooth compatible, and it has a Full HDMI In port, so you can use the bar as a hub between devices. However, the Sonos has a better soundstage and a more immersive surround sound performance. You can also upgrade it with a sub and satellites as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-Z9F. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It comes with a room correction feature, and its out-of-the-box sound profile is more neutral. You can even upgrade it to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the 3.1 Sony comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port that supports 4k passthrough.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Bose Smart Soundbar 300. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup with a more extended bass and more sound enhancement features. It also has better surround and soundstage performances, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. It can even be upgraded as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the 3.0 Bose offers more wireless playback support.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-Q800T or the Sonos Arc. The Samsung has a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, and it has fewer compression artifacts when played at max volume. Unlike the Sonos, the Samsung has an HDMI In port and a graphic EQ. However, unlike the Samsung, the 5.0.2 Sonos doesn't downmix surround content into stereo, so it provides a more immersive movie-watching experience. The Sonos also performs better with Atmos content.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q70T. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that offers better surrounds, Atmos, and soundstage performances. It also comes with a room correction feature, and you can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the Samsung comes with a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port, which some users may prefer.
The LG SP11RA is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The LG comes with a dedicated subwoofer that reproduces a more extended low-bass and discrete satellite speakers. It offers more wireless playback options, too. It also comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos. However, the Sonos offers better soundstage and Atmos performances. It can also be upgraded as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.
The Sonos Arc is better soundbar than the Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300. The Sonos has a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box with a more extended low-bass. It also supports Dolby Atmos, unlike the Harman/Kardon. That said, the Harman/Kardon offers more wireless playback options and comes with three Full HDMI In ports, and it also supports high-quality passthrough. You can also upgrade both setups with a subwoofer, and you can also see the results for the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Bose Soundbar 500. The Sonos supports Dolby Atmos content, and it offers better soundstage and surround performances. It also reproduces a more extended low-bass. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. That said, the Bose supports more wireless playback options.
The Sonos Arc is better than the LG GX Soundbar. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and offers betters soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. Unlike the LG, it has room correction and built-in voice assistant support. That said, the 3.1 LG gets louder, and it has a Full HDMI In port that supports high quality passthrough.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-Q600A or the standalone Sonos Arc. The Sonos has a better soundstage performance, and it comes with a room correction feature. It also offers better surrounds and Atmos performances. However, the Samsung comes with a graphic EQ for sound customization and a Full HDMI In port. You can also upgrade the Sonos as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Bose is better-built, with a more neutral sound profile and a more extended low-bass thanks to its dedicated subwoofer. It also has a better soundstage performance. However, the Sonos supports Atmos content, and you can also upgrade it with a sub and satellites as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-Q700A or the Sonos Arc. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup with better soundstage and surround performances that comes with a room correction feature. It can also be upgraded as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the 3.1.2 Samsung comes with a subwoofer, as well as graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. Its Full HDMI In port supports high quality passthrough, and it supports more wireless playback options.
The Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is a better soundbar for mixed usage than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Vizio has a better surround performance, and unlike the Sonos, it has a Full HDMI In port and EQ presets. It also reproduces a more extended low-bass thanks to its dedicated sub. The Sonos is better built and comes with a room correction feature and built-in voice assistant support. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.
The full 5.1.2 setup of the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers is much better than the Sonos Arc soundbar by itself. Adding the two rear satellites provide a much better surround sound experience, which is very immersive with surround content. It also makes the soundstage wider, although it does lose a bit of focus. The added subwoofer also helps create more bass. On the other hand, the standalone soundbar might be a better option for people with limited space.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the LG SP8YA. The Sonos is better-built, with better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. However, the LG comes with a Full HDMI In port and a dedicated sub that helps reproduce a more extended low-bass. That said, you can upgrade the Sonos as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
The standalone Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The Sonos has better soundstage and surround performances. It also supports Dolby Atmos content and offers a room correction feature. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the Samsung comes with a dedicated subwoofer, as well as a graphic EQ for sound customization and a Full HDMI In port.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The Sonos offers better soundstage and Atmos performances. It can also be upgraded to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the JBL's dedicated sub reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Arc or the LG SN8YG. The LG is a 3.1.2 setup that reproduces a more extended low-bass thanks to its dedicated subwoofer. It also comes with EQ presets, a Full HDMI In port, and more wireless connectivity options. However, the 5.0.2 Sonos is better-built, with better soundstage and surrounds performances. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
The Vizio M Series M51a-H6 is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Vizio gets louder with less compression at max volume, and it has a more extended low-bass thanks to its dedicated subwoofer. Its satellites help create a more immersive surrounds experience. It also offers some EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port. However, the Sonos is better-built, with a better soundstage performance and a room correction feature. You may also want to compare this bar with the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam. The Sonos has a better soundstage performance, and thanks to its two up-firing speakers, it also has a better Atmos performance. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the JBL is more compact and comes with some EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-X8500. The Sonos is better-built, with better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. It also comes with a room correction feature, and it can be upgraded as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the 2.1 Sony comes with some EQ presets as well as a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-A650. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that offers better center, surround, and soundstage performances. Unlike the Samsung, it supports Dolby Atmos content, offers built-in voice assistant support, and comes with a room correction feature. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the Samsung comes with a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization and a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos.
The 5.0.2 Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the 2.1 Samsung HW-A550. The Sonos is better-built, and it comes with a discrete center channel and two up-firing speakers that support Atmos. It has a better soundstage performance and offers room correction and built-in voice assistant support. You can also upgrade it to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the Samsung comes with a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port, and it supports Bluetooth. You can also upgrade the Samsung with satellite speakers.
The Samsung HW-Q850A has a better performance than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Samsung has a more extended low-bass thanks to its dedicated subwoofer and a better surrounds performance due to its discrete satellite speakers. It also comes with a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port, and it supports Bluetooth. However, the Sonos has a better soundstage performance and a room correction feature. You can also upgrade to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage and the Sonos Arc are soundbars with different setups, but the Bang & Olufsen is better for dialogue and TV shows. While the Bang & Olufsen is a 3.0 setup with a more bass-heavy sound, it has a graphic EQ and presets so you can customize it to your liking. It has more physical inputs, including a Full HDMI In port, and it has outstanding wireless playback options. However, the Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup with side-firing speakers, which helps significantly improve its surround performance in contrast to the Bang & Olufsen, which downmixes this content into stereo. It also has a better height performance and has a room correction feature.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Yamaha YAS-209. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content and offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It's also better-built and comes with a room correction feature, unlike the Yamaha. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the 2.1 Yamaha comes with a dedicated subwoofer that reproduces a more extended low-bass. It also comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port that supports high-quality passthrough, unlike the Sonos.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Arc or the Vizio V Series V51-H6. The Vizio is a 5.1 setup that comes with satellites and a dedicated subwoofer, so it reproduces a more extended low-bass. However, the 5.0.2 Sonos is better-built and supports Dolby Atmos content. Also, it has a better soundstage performance and a room correction feature. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-A450. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It also supports Dolby Atmos content and comes with a room correction feature, unlike the Samsung. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the Samsung comes with a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization, unlike the Sonos.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Denon Home Sound Bar 550. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that comes with a discrete center channel. It has a better soundstage performance, gets louder, and comes with a room correction feature. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the 4.0 Denon is smaller, and it comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-S60A. The Sonos has a better soundstage performance, and thanks to its two up-firing speakers, it supports Dolby Atmos content. It also comes with a room correction feature. However, the Samsung comes with a graphic EQ and presets, and it also supports Bluetooth connectivity.
The Sonos Arc is better than the Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR. The Sonos is better built, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. It also has better soundstage and surround performances. Unlike the Polk Audio, it comes with room correction and built-in voice assistant support. However, only the Polk Audio comes with a Full HDMI In port and EQ presets.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the LG SP7Y. The Sonos is better built and comes with a room correction feature and built-in voice assistant support, unlike the LG. It offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it also supports Dolby Atmos content. It gets louder than the LG, albeit with more compression at max volume. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the LG comes with a dedicated subwoofer, EQ presets, and a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q65T. The Sonos has a better soundstage performance, and it supports Atmos content. Also, it comes with a room correction feature. However, the Samsung comes with a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-T650. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage and surround performances, and it comes with a room correction feature. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the 3.1 Samsung comes with some EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Bose TV Speaker. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. Unlike the Bose, it supports Dolby Atmos content, and it has built-in voice assistant support. It also comes with more sound enhancement features, including room correction. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.
The standalone Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-S350. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It supports Dolby Atmos content, offers built-in voice assistant support, and comes with a room correction feature. That said, the 2.1 Sony comes with some EQ presets for sound customization, unlike the Sonos.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-T550. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. Unlike the Samsung, it supports Atmos content and comes with a room correction feature. That said, the 2.1 Samsung comes with a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port.
The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the Sony HT-X9000F. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built, with better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. Unlike the Sony, it has built-in voice assistant support, and it offers more sound enhancement features like room correction. Also, some listeners may prefer its more neutral default sound profile.
The standalone Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Polk Audio SIGNA S2. The Sonos is better-built, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better center, surround, and soundstage performances, and it has built-in voice assistant support. It also comes with a room correction feature. That said, the Polk comes with EQ presets, unlike the Sonos.
The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the AmazonBasics 2.1 Channel Bluetooth. The Sonos is better-built with a better soundstage performance. It comes with dedicated center, surround, and Atmos channels, and it has more sound enhancement features. Some listeners may prefer its more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. Also, it has built-in voice assistant support and an ARC port.
The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a somewhat better soundbar for mixed usage than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Vizio offers more wireless playback options and reproduces a more extended low-bass. It comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port, and a dedicated subwoofer and satellites. That said, the Sonos is better built and offers a better soundstage performance. It also has built-in voice assistant support, a room correction feature, and a dialogue enhancement mode. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.
The Sonos Arc is better than the Bose Solo 5. The Sonos supports Dolby Atmos content, and it has better center, surround, and soundstage performances. It comes with a room correction feature and built-in voice assistant support, unlike the Bose. That said, some users may prefer the Bose's more compact design.
The standalone Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Yamaha YAS-408. The Sonos is better-built, and unlike the Yamaha, it supports Dolby Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant support. It offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it even comes with a room correction feature. That said, the Yamaha reproduces a more extended low-bass, supports more wireless playback options, and has a Full HDMI In port.
The Samsung HW-Q70R is a bit better for mixed usage than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Samsung comes with a dedicated subwoofer, so it reproduces a more extended low-bass. Unlike the Sonos, it comes with a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port. Also, it supports more wireless playback options. That said, the Sonos has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Unlike the Samsung, it has room correction and built-in voice assistant support. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.
The Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Vizio reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it offers a better surrounds performance. It also comes with EQ presets for sound customization as well as a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos. That said, the Sonos is better-built with better soundstage and Atmos performance. It also can be upgraded as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. It also has built-in voice assistant support, whereas the Vizio only supports voice assistants when you connect a third-party device.
The Sonos Arc is better than the LG SN6Y. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and has better soundstage and surround performances. Unlike the LG, it has built-in voice assistant support and a room correction feature, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. That said, the 3.1 LG comes with some EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-T450. The Sonos is better-built with better soundstage, center, and surround performances. Unlike the Samsung, it supports Dolby Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant support. It also comes with a room correction feature and an HDMI ARC port. That said, the Samsung comes with EQ presets, unlike the Sonos.
The Samsung HW-Q80R is better than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Samsung comes with a dedicated sub that helps reproduce a more extended low-bass. It also has a graphic EQ for sound customization. However, the Sonos has better soundstage and surround performances. It comes with room correction and built-in voice assistant support. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.
The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the TCL Alto 9+. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Unlike the TCL, it has built-in voice assistant support and a room correction feature. Some users may also prefer its more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. That said, the TCL comes with a Full HDMI In port that supports high quality passthrough, unlike the Sonos.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the LG SL10YG or the standalone Sonos Arc. The LG is a 5.1.2 setup with a dedicated sub that can reproduce a more extended low-bass. Unlike the Sonos, it has a Full HDMI In port for high quality passthrough and DTS support. That said, the Sonos has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Arc or the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch. The Nakamichi is slightly better for movies as it has a better surrounds performance. It also comes with EQ presets, unlike the Sonos, as well as two subwoofers and four satellites. However, the Sonos is a standalone bar that has a better soundstage. It also has room correction, and voice assistant support built into the bar. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.
The standalone Sonos Arc is a bit better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-Q60R. The Sonos supports Dolby Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant support. It comes with room correction, and it has better surround and soundstage performances. That said, the Samsung is more customizable thanks to its graphic EQ and presets.
The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the Hisense HS218. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better built. Unlike the Hisense, it supports Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant capabilities. It also offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It even has some more sound enhancement features, like room correction.
The Sonos Arc is better than the Yamaha YAS-207. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built. Unlike the Yamaha, it supports Dolby Atmos content and has voice assistant connectivity built into the bar. It also has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and there are more sound enhancement features available. That said, the Yamaha comes with a dedicated sub that helps reproduce a more extended low-bass. It also has a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos.
The Vizio SB46512-F6 is a bit better for mixed usage than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Vizio is a 5.1.4 setup with a discrete sub and satellites. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and its Full HDMI In port supports high quality passthrough. It also has a better surrounds performance and more wireless playback options. That said, the Sonos has a better soundstage and built-in voice assistant capabilities. It comes with some more sound enhancement features like room correction and dialogue enhancement. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Yamaha YAS-108. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it comes with a room correction feature. Some listeners may prefer its more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. That said, the 2.0 Yamaha has more wireless playback options, and it comes with a Full HDMI In port.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the LG SPD7Y. The standalone Sonos is better-built, with better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. It also has a more neutral sound profile with its room correction feature, which some users may prefer. It also has built-in voice assistant support. Only the LG comes with EQ presets for sound customization and a Full HDMI In port.
The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the LG SK9Y. The Sonos is better built. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. However, the LG has a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough as well as DTS support.
The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the Samsung HW-Q59CT. The Sonos is better built and supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, surround, and center performances. Unlike the Samsung, it has room correction and built-in voice assistant support. That said, only the Samsung has a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization.
The Sonos Arc is better than the Klipsch Cinema 400. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it has room correction. Unlike the Klipsch, it has built-in voice assistant support. That said, the 2.1 Klipsch has a dedicated sub that helps reproduce a more extended low-bass.
The Sonos Arc is better than the JBL Link Bar. The Sonos is a better-built 5.0.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It even has a room correction feature, unlike the JBL. That said, only the JBL comes with EQ presets, which some users may prefer for sound customization.
The Samsung HW-Q850T is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Samsung comes with a subwoofer and satellites, and it has a more extended low-bass. It's also more customizable thanks to its graphic EQ and presets, and it's Bluetooth-compatible and comes with a Full HDMI In port. However, the Sonos has a better soundstage and a better Atmos performance. You can also compare the Samsung to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the Yamaha YAS-108/ATS-1080. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, too. Unlike the Yamaha, it supports Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant support. There are even more sound enhancement features, such as room correction.
The Sonos Arc is better than the Sony HT-S100F. The Sonos supports Dolby Atmos content, and it has better center, surround, and soundstage performances. It comes with a room correction feature and built-in voice assistant support, unlike the Sony. Also, it's better-built.
The Sonos Arc is better than the Klipsch Bar 48. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and supports Atmos content. It has better soundstage and surround performances as well as built-in voice assistant support. It even comes with some more sound enhancement features, like room correction. However, the 3.1 Klipsch comes with a dedicated sub, and it reproduces a more extended low-bass.
The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the LG SL6Y. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better built. It has better soundstage and surround performances. Unlike the LG, it supports Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant capabilities. However, the 3.1 LG has a Full HDMI In port and EQ presets, unlike the Sonos.
The Sonos Arc is better than the Vizio M-Series M21d-H8R. The Sonos is a better-built 5.0.2 setup with better soundstage, center, and surround performances. Unlike the Vizio, it supports Dolby Atmos content and built-in voice assistant capabilities. It also gets louder with less compression at max volume. However, only the 2.1 Vizio comes with a Full HDMI In port and EQ presets.
The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the Sony HT-CT800. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the Sony. It also has better center and surround performances as well as built-in voice assistant capabilities. There's even a room correction feature available. That said, the 2.1 Sony has more wireless playback options and EQ presets for sound customization.
The Sonos Arc is a bit better for mixed usage than the Vizio V Series V51x-J6. The Sonos is better built and supports Dolby Atmos content. It also comes with a room correction feature and offers a better soundstage performance. Its voice assistant support is built into the bar, while you'll have to purchase a separate third-party device to use voice assistants with the Vizio. That said, the Vizio comes with EQ presets.
The Sonos Arc is better than the Sony HT-S200F. The Sonos is a better-built 5.0.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances as well as built-in voice assistant capabilities. It even has a room correction feature, unlike the Sony. That said, only the Sony comes with EQ presets, which some users may prefer for sound customization.
The Sonos Arc is better than the Vizio V Series V21-H8. The Sonos is better built, and it supports Dolby Atmos content and voice assistants. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it also comes with room correction. However, the Vizio comes with EQ presets, which some listeners may prefer for sound customization.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar for mixed use than the Roku Streambar. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup with a better-balanced sound profile. It has a better center, surrounds, and height performance, and it also has room correction. However, while the Roku is a 2.0 setup, it has a few more physical inputs, like a USB port, and you can wirelessly stream audio to the bar using Bluetooth.
The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the LG SK1. Unlike the 2.0 SK1, the 5.0.2 Arc supports Atmos content. The Sonos also comes with more sound enhancement features, including room correction and dialogue enhancement. It also has an eARC port, unlike the LG. That being said, the LG has less compression and less distortion when played at max volume, so you might prefer this bar if you tend to crank up the volume.
The 5.0.2 Sonos Arc is a better soundbar for TV shows and movies than the 2.0 Roku Smart Soundbar. Unlike the Roku, the Sonos has a dedicated center channel, which allows it to reproduce voices and dialogue clearly and more accurately. It doesn't downmix surround content into stereo, either, which provides a more immersive listening experience. The Sonos also supports Atmos content, unlike the Roku, and it has a room correction feature and a wider and more focused soundstage.
The standalone Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Vizio V Series V21x-J8. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the Vizio. It also has better soundstage, center, and surrounds performances, and it comes with a room correction feature. Some listeners may prefer its more neutral default sound profile compared to the Vizio's bass-heavy sound. That said, the 2.1 Vizio comes with EQ presets, unlike the Sonos.