Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar vs Sonos Arc Ultra

Which Soundbar Is Better?

Products

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
Sonos Arc Ultra

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Oct 24, 2025 06:17 PM

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  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Bose
  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. All-In-One
  3. Dialogue

Our Verdict

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar

Sonos Arc Ultra

The Sonos Arc Ultra is a better all-in-one soundbar than the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. It has a more balanced default sound profile, with better bass extension and an improved center performance, which helps localize dialogue. While the Sonos can't get as loud as the Bose, there's considerably less compression present at max volume. While both are 5.1.2 configurations, the Sonos has a slight edge when it comes to its surrounds performance and supports audio playback via DTS. The Bose is better built, though, and comes with an optical port, which could be useful for users with older TVs. Your decision could also come down to how each bar integrates with other devices in your audio setup. The Bose can pair with the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Truly Wireless for a more immersive surround sound experience, while Sonos Ace owners will want to take advantage of the seamless audio switching between their headphones and the Arc Ultra.

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Variants

  • Smart Ultra Soundbar (Arctic White)
  • Smart Ultra Soundbar (Black)
  • Arc Ultra (Black)
  • Arc Ultra (White)

Check Price

Black
Smart Ultra Soundbar
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Black
Arc Ultra
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Arctic White
Smart Ultra Soundbar
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White
Arc Ultra
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

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Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - bar Sample

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Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - sub Sample

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Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
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Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - satellites Sample

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Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - bar Sample

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Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)
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Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - sub Sample

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
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Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Bar Mounting Holes Sample

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Satellite Mounting Holes  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

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Sonos Arc Ultra Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

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Mountable Bar 
 

Locked
Locked

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked

Mountable Satellites 
 

Locked
Locked

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked
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Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build quality photo  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Build quality photo Sample

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In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar In The Box photo  Sample

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Sonos Arc Ultra In The Box photo  Sample

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Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Stereo Setup Sample

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Raw Frequency Response  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Raw Frequency Response Sample

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Frequency Response Small  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Small Sample

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Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Small Sample

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Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Tested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

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Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
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Stereo Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Crosstalk  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Crosstalk Sample

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Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Dynamic Range Compression Sample

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SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
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Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Center Setup Sample

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Frequency Response  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Sample

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

N/A
N/A

Surround Setup  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Sample

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock

7.1 Rears 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

N/A
N/A

Height Setup  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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H Frequency Response  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra H Frequency Response Sample

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

N/A
N/A

Room Correction 
 

Locked
Locked

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Locked
Locked

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Bass Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

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Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

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Optical Audio In 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Out 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

Locked
Locked

Full HDMI In 
 

Locked
Locked

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA In 
 

Locked
Locked

USB for Files 
 

Locked
Locked

Ethernet 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Output 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

N/A
N/A

ARC Latency Video  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

HDMI Latency Video  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A
N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A
N/A

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Optical Latency Video  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms
N/A
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

N/A
N/A

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Chromecast built-in 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple AirPlay 
 

Locked
Locked

Spotify Connect 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Remote  

Remote photo  

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Locked
Locked

Google Assistant 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple Siri 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone Mute 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Smart Ultra Soundbar
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Arc Ultra
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Arctic White
Smart Ultra Soundbar
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
White
Arc Ultra
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar

Sonos Arc Ultra

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Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar vs Sonos Arc Ultra: Main Discussion

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