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Products
Samsung HW-B550
Sonos Arc
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jan 14, 2025 08:37 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM
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BestBuy.com
Channels2.1
Channels5.0.2
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-B550
Sonos Arc
Since the Samsung HW-B550 comes with a subwoofer, it can reproduce more bass than the standalone Sonos Arc. That said, the Sonos shines in other regards. Its stereo soundstage is better, as is its surround sound performance. It can playback height content like Dolby Atmos, unlike the Samsung soundbar. You can always add a sub on to the Sonos to improve its bass performance, too.
Variants
- HW-B550 (Black)
- Arc (Black)
- Arc SL (Shadow Edition)
- Arc (White)
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Black
HW-B550
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Amazon.comBlack
Arc
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-B550
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Walmart.comShadow Edition
Arc SL
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-B550
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B&HWhite
Arc
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BestBuy.comBlack
HW-B550
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HW-B550
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Samsung.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.3
7.4
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.1
Stereo Frequency Response
8.0
7.2
Center
6.0
7.8
Surround 5.1
3.4
5.7
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.3
9.6
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
8.0
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
33.9" (86.0 cm)
44.9" (114.1 cm)
Height
2.2" (5.6 cm)
3.4" (8.7 cm)
Depth
3.0" (7.6 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
7.2" (18.4 cm)
N/A
Height
13.5" (34.2 cm)
N/A
Depth
11.7" (29.7 cm)
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
No
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
7.5
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.0
7.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
2.1
5.0.2
Tested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Slope
-0.32
0.37
Standard Error
2.40 dB
3.33 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
38.3 Hz
51.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.0
7.2
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
0
0
Suggested Treble Setting
0
-3
Slope
-0.32
-0.09
Standard Error
2.40 dB
3.08 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
38.3 Hz
51.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Dynamics
8.5
8.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.1 dB SPL
91.6 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.26 dB
0.28 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.68 dB
0.75 dB
Center
6.0
7.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Discrete
Slope
-1.43
-0.40
Std. Err.
4.91 dB
2.94 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.6 dB SPL
76.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.38
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.20
1.56
Surround 5.1
3.4
5.7
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
-1.50
0.01
Std. Err.
5.10 dB
3.27 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
87.9 dB SPL
75.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.39
0.39
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.60
0.98
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
N/A
0.55
Std. Err.
N/A
2.91 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
62.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
1.07
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
0.18
Sound Enhancement Features
7.4
5.7
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Graphic + Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
Adapter into HDMI ARC
HDMI Out
ARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
Full HDMI In
1
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
No
Ethernet
No
1
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.3
9.6
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
6.3
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Supported
Not Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Not Supported
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.8
8.5
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
85 ms
42 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
41 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
59 ms
Dolby Digital
85 ms
92 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
101 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
101 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
8.9
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
84 ms
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
N/A
Dolby Digital
97 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
N/A
Audio Latency: Optical
7.2
9.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
140 ms
99 ms
Dolby Digital
181 ms
129 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
5.3
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
No
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
No
Wireless Playback
6.0
3.0
Bluetooth
Yes
No
Wi-Fi Playback
No
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
No
Yes
Spotify Connect
No
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
Yes (Built-in)
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
Yes
Check Price
Black
HW-B550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Arc
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-B550
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comShadow Edition
Arc SL
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
HW-B550
SEARCH
B&HWhite
Arc
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-B550
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-B550
SEARCH
Samsung.com
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Samsung HW-B550
Sonos Arc
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