Products
Sonos Beam
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:27 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Jan 11, 2024 05:16 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Channels
3.0
Channels
9.2.4
Our Verdict
Sonos Beam
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
The Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch is a better setup than the Sonos Beam soundbar by itself. Since we only tested the Sonos with the bar alone, it's somewhat hard to compare a 9.2 system with a 3.0 system. Nevertheless, the Nakamichi gets louder with stereo content, although its soundstage isn't as wide as the Sonos'. The Sonos soundbar also features a room correction feature that uses a microphone to adjust the audio reproduction.
Variants
- Beam (Black)
- Beam (White)
- Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch (Black)
Check Price
Black
Beam
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Beam
SEARCH
Amazon.com
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
SEARCH
B&H
Main Differences for
Mixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.9
7.4
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.4
Surround 5.1
3.1
8.3
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
Stereo Dynamics
6.4
7.7
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
6.9
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
Partial, wired to wireless sub
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
25.6" (65.0 cm)
45.6" (115.8 cm)
Height
2.6" (6.7 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)
Depth
4.0" (10.1 cm)
3.1" (8.0 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
12.4" (31.6 cm)
Height
N/A
20.3" (51.6 cm)
Depth
N/A
13.6" (34.5 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
8.0" (20.4 cm)
Height
N/A
5.6" (14.3 cm)
Depth
N/A
4.8" (12.1 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Yes
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
6.9
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
No Preset
DSP Off
Slope
0.63
0.07
Std. Err.
3.39 dB
3.62 dB
Channels
3.0
9.2.4
Low-Frequency Extension
49.7 Hz
48.3 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
7.1 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.5
6.9
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
No Preset
DSP Off
Suggested Bass Setting
0
5
Suggested Treble Setting
-6
5
Slope
0.18
0.07
Std. Err.
2.34 dB
3.62 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
49.7 Hz
48.3 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
7.1 kHz
Stereo Dynamics
6.4
7.7
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
91.2 dB SPL
101.1 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
3.85 dB
3.61 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.2
7.5
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.73
0.56
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.51
1.76
Center
8.3
8.4
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.39
-1.06
Std. Err.
2.87 dB
3.84 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.0 dB SPL
101.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.97
0.41
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.56
1.66
Surround 5.1
3.1
8.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Discrete
Slope
-0.27
-0.61
Std. Err.
5.44 dB
4.24 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.2 dB SPL
102.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.74
0.14
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.95
1.90
7.1 Rears
No
Yes
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.4
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Phantom (Side Firing, Front Firing Bar and Up Firing Satellites)
Slope
N/A
-0.89
Std. Err.
N/A
5.04 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
100.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
2.18
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
0.95
Sound Enhancement Features
5.4
6.8
Room Correction
Yes
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
No
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
No
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
No
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
Adapter into HDMI ARC
1
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
No
3
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
1
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
1
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.3
8.4
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
No
DTS
Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Not Supported
No
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
No
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Yes
DTS
Not Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Not Supported
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
Not Supported
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
9.8
8.1
Latency Video
ARC
-14 ms
69 ms
Optical
0 ms
70 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
-28 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
No
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
Wireless Playback
3.0
6.0
Bluetooth
No
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
No
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
No
Spotify Connect
Yes
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
No
Google Assistant
Yes (Built-in)
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
No
Check Price
Black
Beam
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Beam
SEARCH
Amazon.com
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
SEARCH
B&H
Create your free account or log in to unlock limited full product reviews.
Login
For unlimited access,
become an insider
Sonos Beam
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Comments
Sonos Beam vs Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.