Sonos Arc Ultra vs Samsung HW-Q800H: Which Soundbar Is Better? - RTINGS.com

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Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Sep 02, 2026 03:46 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Sep 03, 2026 07:04 PM

Sonos Arc Ultra Picture

Samsung HW-Q800H Picture

Channels 5.1.2

Channels 5.1.2

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Dialogue

Our Verdict

Sonos Arc Ultra

Samsung HW-Q800H

The Sonos Arc Ultra and Samsung HW-Q800H are different styles of soundbars. The Samsung comes with a dedicated subwoofer, which provides extra low-frequency extension compared to the Sonos. That said, the Sonos has a wider stereo soundstage and better tracking of sound objects. If you already own other compatible Sonos products (like the Era 300 speaker), you can also expand the system to include them.

Variants

Arc Ultra (Black)
Arc Ultra (White)

HW-Q800H (Black)

Review

See Sonos Arc Ultra Review

See Samsung HW-Q800H Review

Check Price

Black

Arc Ultra

Black

HW-Q800H

White

Arc Ultra

Black

HW-Q800H

Black

HW-Q800H

Black

HW-Q800H

Black

HW-Q800H

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

Samsung HW-Q800H Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sub Wireless

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Wireless

Locked

Locked

Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H 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)

Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H 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)

Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

N/A

N/A

Height

N/A

N/A

Depth

N/A

N/A

Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

Sonos Arc Ultra Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Mounting Holes

Sonos Arc Ultra Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H 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

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build quality photo

Sonos Arc Ultra Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box photo

Sonos Arc Ultra In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

N/A

N/A

Stereo Setup

Sonos Arc Ultra Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw Frequency Response

Sonos Arc Ultra Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response Small

Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H 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

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

Samsung HW-Q800H 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

Stereo Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Crosstalk

Sonos Arc Ultra Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Crosstalk Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Stereo Dynamics

N/A

N/A

Dynamic Range Compression

Sonos Arc Ultra Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H 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

Center

N/A

N/A

Center Setup

Sonos Arc Ultra Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H 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

Surround 5.1

N/A

N/A

Surround Setup

Sonos Arc Ultra Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H 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

Height (Atmos)

N/A

N/A

Height Setup

Sonos Arc Ultra Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

H Frequency Response

Sonos Arc Ultra H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H 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

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

Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Sonos Arc Ultra Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H 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

Samsung HW-Q800H 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

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

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

Audio Latency: ARC

N/A

N/A

ARC Latency Video

Sonos Arc Ultra ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H 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

Audio Latency: HDMI In

N/A

N/A

HDMI Latency Video

Sonos Arc Ultra HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H 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

Audio Latency: Optical

N/A

N/A

Optical Latency Video

Sonos Arc Ultra Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch

N/A

Lock ms

Dolby Digital

N/A

Lock ms

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

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

Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Sonos Arc Ultra Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Display

Locked

Locked

Bar Controls

Controls photo

Sonos Arc Ultra Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Remote

Remote photo

Sonos Arc Ultra Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q800H Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Locked

Locked

Google Assistant

Locked

Locked

Apple Siri

Locked

Locked

Microphone Mute

Locked

Locked

Check Price

Black

Arc Ultra

Black

HW-Q800H

White

Arc Ultra

Black

HW-Q800H

Black

HW-Q800H

Black

HW-Q800H

Black

HW-Q800H

Sonos Arc Ultra

Samsung HW-Q800H

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 3 months ago

Sonos Arc Ultra vs Samsung HW-Q800H: Main Discussion

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