Sonos Arc Ultra vs JBL Bar 1300XMK2: Which Soundbar Is Better? - RTINGS.com

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Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Mar 26, 2026 06:04 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Mar 18, 2026 06:21 PM

Sonos Arc Ultra Picture

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Picture

Channels 5.1.2

Channels 11.1.4

Recommended in 1 article:
Dialogue

Our Verdict

Sonos Arc Ultra

JBL Bar 1300XMK2

The JBL Bar 1300XMK2 and the Sonos Arc Ultra are hard to compare directly, because the JBL comes with a dedicated subwoofer and satellite speakers. As a result, the JBL has much more immersive surround performance and reproduces sounds like kick drums with more thump and rumble. Still, both setups accurately reproduce sounds like voices. The JBL also offers a greater range of input types, including Optical. Still, the all-in-one Sonos takes up much less space, which is handy if you only have a small viewing room.

Variants

Arc Ultra (Black)
Arc Ultra (White)

Bar 1300XMK2 (Black)

Review

See Sonos Arc Ultra Review

See JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Review

Check Price

Black

Arc Ultra

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

White

Arc Ultra

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Main Differences for

Mixed Usage

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

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Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

Dialogue/TV Shows

0.0

0.0

Music

0.0

0.0

Movies

0.0

0.0

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sub Wireless

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Height

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Show Text

Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

Height

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

Show Text

Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

Height

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

Show Text

Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

Sonos Arc Ultra Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Mounting Holes

Sonos Arc Ultra Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Mountable Bar

Locked

Locked

Bar Brackets Included

Locked

Locked

Mountable Satellites

Locked

Locked

Satellite Brackets Included

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build quality photo

Sonos Arc Ultra Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

In The Box

In The Box photo

Sonos Arc Ultra In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

N/A

N/A

Stereo Setup

Sonos Arc Ultra Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw Frequency Response

Sonos Arc Ultra Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response Small

Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

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

Show Text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

N/A

N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated

Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

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

Show Text

Stereo Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Crosstalk

Sonos Arc Ultra Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Crosstalk Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Stereo Dynamics

N/A

N/A

Dynamic Range Compression

Sonos Arc Ultra Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB

Lock dB

Lock dB

DRC @ Max Volume

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Center

N/A

N/A

Center Setup

Sonos Arc Ultra Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

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

Sonos Arc Ultra Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

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

Sonos Arc Ultra Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

H Frequency Response

Sonos Arc Ultra H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

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

Sonos Arc Ultra Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Sonos Arc Ultra Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

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

Show Text

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

Sonos Arc Ultra ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

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

Sonos Arc Ultra HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch

N/A

Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch

N/A

Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos

N/A

Lock ms

Dolby Digital

N/A

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus

N/A

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos

N/A

Lock ms

Show Text

Audio Latency: Optical

N/A

N/A

Optical Latency Video

Sonos Arc Ultra Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch

N/A

Lock ms

Dolby Digital

N/A

Lock ms

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

Sonos Arc Ultra Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Display

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Bar Controls

Controls photo

Sonos Arc Ultra Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Remote

Remote photo

Sonos Arc Ultra Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

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

Arc Ultra

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

White

Arc Ultra

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Sonos Arc Ultra

JBL Bar 1300XMK2

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 28 days ago

Sonos Arc Ultra vs JBL Bar 1300XMK2: Main Discussion

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