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Products
Sonos Arc Ultra
Samsung HW-Q800F
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Sep 18, 2025 05:04 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Sep 16, 2025 09:00 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1.2
Channels5.1.2
Our Verdict
Sonos Arc Ultra
Samsung HW-Q800F
The Sonos Arc Ultra and the Samsung HW-Q800F are both 5.1.2 soundbars that forgo dedicated satellite speakers to enable a more compact home cinema setup. They use side-firing drivers to playback surround audio and up-firing drivers to play back high channels in formats like Dolby Atmos. That said, the Samsung offers a dedicated subwoofer and also provides more flexibility with a built-in 7-band EQ, compared to the Sonos' more limited bass and treble adjustments. On the other hand, the Sonos does offer a more immersive-feeling soundstage and is a better fit for those already invested in the Sonos ecosystem.
Variants
- Arc Ultra (Black)
- Arc Ultra (White)
- HW-Q800F (Black)
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Black
Arc Ultra
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q800F
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Amazon.comWhite
Arc Ultra
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q800F
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BestBuy.comBlack
HW-Q800F
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Samsung.comBlack
HW-Q800F
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B&HBlack
HW-Q800F
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Walmart.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.7
8.1
Stereo Frequency Response
7.6
8.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
0.0
10
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
7.0
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Enclosure
Integrated
Sealed
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
46.5" (118.0 cm)
43.7" (111.0 cm)
Height
3.0" (7.5 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)
Depth
4.3" (11.0 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
9.8" (24.9 cm)
Height
N/A
9.8" (24.9 cm)
Depth
N/A
9.8" (24.9 cm)
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
No
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.6
8.1
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1.2
5.1.2
Tested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Slope
0.06
0.10
Standard Error
2.50 dB
2.81 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
46.9 Hz
32.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.8 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.6
8.1
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
0
Suggested Treble Setting
0
0
Slope
0.01
0.10
Standard Error
2.53 dB
2.81 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
46.9 Hz
32.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.8 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Dynamics
8.4
8.3
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
93.0 dB SPL
96.1 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.23 dB
0.45 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.57 dB
2.00 dB
Center
8.5
8.4
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.59
-0.05
Std. Err.
2.67 dB
2.72 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
95.3 dB SPL
90.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.63
0.29
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.90
1.43
Surround 5.1
6.4
6.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
0.35
-0.78
Std. Err.
3.45 dB
3.64 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
97.6 dB SPL
94.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
3.73
0.44
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
4.31
3.54
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
5.7
6.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
0.25
-0.08
Std. Err.
4.49 dB
3.99 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.4 dB SPL
84.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.48
1.19
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.89
0.63
Sound Enhancement Features
5.7
9.2
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
No
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Virtual Surround
No
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
No
1
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
Full HDMI In
No
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
9.6
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Not Supported
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
0.0
10
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Not Supported
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.1
9.4
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
49 ms
38 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
45 ms
37 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
64 ms
58 ms
Dolby Digital
98 ms
78 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
107 ms
83 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
107 ms
88 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
0.0
9.3
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
35 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
39 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
62 ms
Dolby Digital
N/A
99 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
89 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
94 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
0.0
8.6
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
104 ms
Dolby Digital
N/A
149 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
8.5
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
No
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
Yes
Wireless Playback
9.0
10
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
Yes
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Requires Smartphone)
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
Yes
Check Price
Black
Arc Ultra
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q800F
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Amazon.comWhite
Arc Ultra
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q800F
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-Q800F
SEE PRICE
Samsung.comBlack
HW-Q800F
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B&HBlack
HW-Q800F
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
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Sonos Arc Ultra
Samsung HW-Q800F
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Sonos Arc Ultra vs Samsung HW-Q800F: Main Discussion
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