Get insider access
Preferred store
Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.

Sonos Arc Soundbar Review

Tested using Methodology v1.2
Review updated Dec 20, 2022 at 04:45 pm
Latest change: Test bench update Jun 02, 2023 at 10:56 am
Sonos Arc Picture

The Sonos Arc is the manufacturer's flagship soundbar released in 2020. Like most Sonos products, it has a sleek and premium design, with built-in voice assistant capabilities for hands-free control. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support gives you access to lots of different content on streaming platforms and Blu-rays, and you can upgrade the standalone bar to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers if you wish. With the Sonos S2 app, you can pair the bar with other products in your Sonos ecosystem to spread sound throughout your home, too.

Our Verdict

N/A Mixed Usage

The Sonos Arc is good for mixed usage. It's a really premium standalone bar that's suitable for everything from music to movies to TV shows. Right out of the box, dialogue is clear and accurate, and instruments are reproduced with fidelity. It supports lots of different audio formats, too, including Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos. You can always add on a sub and satellites to improve its performance down the line, too.

Pros
  • Sleek and very well-built design.
  • Supports Atmos.
  • Great stereo soundstage.
Cons
  • Compression artifacts at max volume.
  • No full EQ.
N/A Dialogue/TV Shows

The Sonos Arc soundbar is very good for dialogue-centric TV shows and podcasts. Its discrete center channel is designed to improve vocal reproduction, and dialogue is clearly and accurately reproduced. If you want, you can even use the dialogue enhancement tool to make voices more crisp. There's no Bluetooth compatibility, but you can still stream audio to the bar wirelessly over Wi-Fi or Apple AirPlay 2.

Pros
  • Sleek and very well-built design.
  • Low audio latency.
  • Room correction feature available on iOS.
Cons
  • No Bluetooth support.
  • Compression artifacts at max volume.
N/A Music

The Sonos Arc is good for music. Like most premium setups on the market, it offers a room correction feature to optimize its output based on your room's unique acoustics. Voices and lead instruments are reproduced with clarity and accuracy from the jump, making it suitable for listening to lots of different genres. Plus, you can adjust its bass and treble to make it sound how you wish. That said, as a standalone bar, you don't get much rumble in the low-bass, so you'll have to add on a separate sub if you're a real bass lover.

Pros
  • Sleek and very well-built design.
  • Great stereo soundstage.
  • Room correction feature available on iOS.
Cons
  • Compression artifacts at max volume.
  • No full EQ.
N/A Movies

The Sonos Arc is satisfactory for movies, and it performs quite well for a standalone bar. Sound stretches past the edges of the bar itself, so you get a wide and immersive surround sound experience. Dialogue is clear, and sound effects stretch into the space around you. However, without a dedicated sub, you don't get as much rumble in action-packed scenes, and the lack of satellites reduces the overall cinematic feel.

Pros
  • Supports Atmos.
  • Low audio latency.
  • Great stereo soundstage.
Cons
  • Compression artifacts at max volume.
  • No full EQ.
  • No Full HDMI In.
  • N/A Mixed Usage
  • N/A Dialogue/TV Shows
  • N/A Music
  • N/A Movies
  1. Updated Jun 02, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.2. Updated the results for audio format support via ARC/eARC, HDMI In, and Optical. Added Video Passthrough to TV results as well.
  2. Updated Mar 07, 2023: Added cable lengths to In The Box.
  3. Updated Mar 06, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.1. With this update, we've added a Mounting test and added information aboutSubwoofer Output, Spotify Connect, and Microphone Mute.
  4. Updated Dec 20, 2022: Updated review text for clarity and consistency. No changes in results.
  5. Updated Nov 30, 2022: Added market comparison with the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus to Height (Atmos).
  6. Updated Nov 11, 2022: Retested the bar's sound with firmware version 14.18.
  7. Updated Oct 31, 2022: Added mention of the Sonos Arc Costco variant to the Variants box.
  8. Updated Jul 12, 2022: Thanks to user feedback, added additional information about swipe controls to Bar Controls box.
  9. Updated Mar 31, 2022: We added our subjective impressions of the bar's soundstage with Atmos content. Since we don't factor this into our scoring, there were no changes to the Height (Atmos) score.
  10. Updated Jan 19, 2022: New update adds DTS support.
  11. Updated Jan 06, 2022: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
  12. Updated Aug 03, 2021: Retested for audio delay with LG TVs.
  13. Updated Jul 27, 2021: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
  14. Updated Jun 14, 2021: Updated results since this setup now features a height level adjustment feature, following the 13.1.2 firmware update.
  15. Updated Mar 31, 2021: Added note about a user-reported issue with Samsung TVs.
  16. Updated Mar 18, 2021: Updated latency measurements with new methodology.
  17. Updated Feb 12, 2021: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
  18. Updated Feb 09, 2021: Updated 5.1 PCM (eARC only) to 'Yes' after updating the bar's firmware.
  19. Updated Feb 09, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
  20. Updated Sep 21, 2020: The Dynamics tests have been reconducted due to a value input bug.
  21. Updated Aug 06, 2020: Added notes that the room correction feature is only available on iOS.
  22. Updated Jul 06, 2020: We've retested the soundbar with the latest firmware update.
  23. Updated Jun 29, 2020: Review published.
  24. Updated Jun 23, 2020: Early access published.
  25. Updated Jun 16, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
  26. Updated Jun 16, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  27. Updated May 31, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

This soundbar is available in both white and black. While we tested the black version, we expect the white version to perform the same. Note that we've only tested the soundbar by itself. This review isn't valid for the full setup with the added wireless subwoofer and rear speakers, which are sold separately. You can find our review for this Sonos setup here.

Sonos has also released a Costco-exclusive version of this soundbar called the Sonos Arc SL. It should perform the same, but it doesn't come with a built-in microphone. If you come across another variant of this soundbar, please let us know in the discussion section below and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Soundbars

The Sonos Arc is a very differently-designed soundbar when compared to the Sonos Playbar or the Sonos Beam. It's much bigger and has new features like Atmos support which isn't available on the other models. It's still an upgradable setup as the wireless subwoofer and satellites are sold separately, as the full Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.

For more options, check out our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, and the best soundbars for movies.

Sonos Beam

The Sonos Arc is more versatile than the Sonos Beam since it supports eARC and Atmos content. The Arc is able to deliver deeper bass, and it has better surround and height performances. That said, the Beam performs better at max volume. It's also shorter and much easier to fit between the legs of a 55 inch TV. 

Sony HT-A7000

The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the standalone Sony HT-A7000. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup with better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. It also reproduces a slightly more extended low-bass. However, the Sony is better built. Unlike the Sonos, it has a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.

Sonos Playbar

The Sonos Arc is a bit more versatile than the Sonos Playbar. The Arc has HDMI ports and also supports Atmos and eARC, which the Playbar doesn't do. Both sound fairly bright, though, and the Playbar performs better at max volume than the Arc.

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

The Sonos Arc is better for mixed usage than the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). The Arc is a 5.0.2 setup with a better Atmos performance. It also gets louder, albeit with a bit more compression at max volume. However, the Beam is more compact and better built. You can also upgrade both setups with a subwoofer and satellites if you want.

Bose Smart Soundbar 900

The Sonos Arc and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 are both premium standalone setups that support Dolby Atmos content. Their performances are similar overall. The Sonos supports DTS content, unlike the Bose, and it has a few more sound enhancement features like auto-volume mode. The Bose is better built, with more wireless playback options.

Sony HT-A5000

The Sonos Arc is better than the Sony HT-A5000. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup with better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. Its default sound profile is also more balanced and neutral, which some listeners may prefer. Only the Sony has a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough. It also supports more wireless playback options, including Bluetooth.

Vizio Elevate

The Vizio Elevate is a better soundbar than the Sonos Arc. The Sonos has a bright sound profile that lacks a bit of bass, especially compared the Vizio's bass-heavy sound profile. The Vizio has a Full HDMI In port that supports 4k passthrough, unlike the Sonos. You can check out the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers to compare its performance with its full setup.

Sony HT-A9

The Sonos Arc is better than the Sony HT-A9. These setups have very different designs, as the Sonos is a long standalone bar while the Sony is a small box with four satellites. The Sonos reproduces a slightly more extended low-bass, and it has a better center channel performance. That said, the Sony has a better soundstage. You can also upgrade both of these setups with subwoofers.

Sonos Ray

The Sonos Arc is a better standalone soundbar than the Sonos Ray. The Arc is a 5.0.2 setup that supports Atmos content, unlike the Ray. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances and offers HDMI connectivity. The Ray can offer a better value for listeners who just want a simple setup for music and TV shows.

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus

The Sonos Arc and the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus are both very premium standalone soundbars with Dolby Atmos support. The Sonos has a wider, more immersive soundstage, which is especially noticeable with Atmos content. However, it doesn't come with HDMI In ports like the Sennheiser and doesn't support as many wireless playback options like Bluetooth.

Klipsch Cinema 1200

The Sonos Arc and the Klipsch Cinema 1200 are two different soundbar setups. The Sonos is a standalone 5.0.2 bar, while the Klipsch is a full 5.1.4 setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. As a result, the Klipsch can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has a better surrounds performance. However, its soundstage performance isn't as impressive as the better-built Sonos, and it doesn't support DTS content. You may also want to compare it to the full Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.

LG S90QY

The Sonos Arc is better than the LG S90QY. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup, so it's a standalone bar. Still, it has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It can't reproduce as much low-bass as the LG, which comes with a dedicated sub, but you can always add one on if you want to improve bass reproduction. The LG comes with some additional sound enhancement features like EQ presets, but Sonos' out-of-the-box sound is quite impressive without any tweaks.

Devialet Dione

The Sonos Arc is better than the Devialet Dione for most uses. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that doesn't reproduce as much low-bass as the Devialet, but its wider, more immersive soundstage makes it ideal for watching movies. It has a better surrounds performance, as well as more enhancement features to help you customize its sound. There's DTS support as well as built-in voice assistant capabilities, which the Devialet lacks. Also, you can add on rears or a dedicated sub to improve its performance, giving you more flexibility than the Devialet.

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Arc or the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch. The Nakamichi is slightly better for movies as it has a better surrounds performance. It also comes with EQ presets, unlike the Sonos, as well as two subwoofers and four satellites. However, the Sonos is a standalone bar that has a better soundstage. It also has room correction, and voice assistant support built into the bar. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.

Bose Smart Soundbar 700

The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 is a slightly better soundbar than the Sonos Arc. The Sonos isn't as well-built, but it supports Atmos, which is great for a more immersive listening experience. However, the Bose has a more neutral sound profile, and it allows for Bluetooth playback. Both setups can be upgraded easily.

JBL Bar 9.1

The JBL Bar 9.1 is a better soundbar than the Sonos Arc. The JBL comes with a dedicated subwoofer and satellites, which help reproduce a more extended low-bass and a better surrounds performance. It also comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port. However, you can also upgrade the Sonos as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.

Klipsch Cinema 600

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Arc or the Klipsch Cinema 600. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built, with a better soundstage and a room correction feature. It also supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the Klipsch. You can also update the Sonos with a wireless subwoofer and surround satellites. However, the 3.1 Klipsch comes with a dedicated subwoofer.

Sony HT-ST5000

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the standalone Sonos Arc or the Sony HT-ST5000. The Sony comes with a dedicated sub that reproduces a more extended low-bass. It's better-built and comes with EQ presets and three Full HDMI In ports. However, the Sonos has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It also comes with a room correction feature, and you can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.

Klipsch Cinema 800

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Arc or the Klipsch Cinema 800. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better built. It has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. There's even a room correction feature and built-in voice assistant support, which the Klipsch lacks. However, the Klipsch comes with a dedicated sub that can reproduce a thumpier low-bass out-of-the-box. It also has two Full HDMI In ports, meaning you can use it for high-quality passthrough.

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX

The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX and the Sonos Arc are both very premium standalone bars. The Sennheiser reproduces a more extended low-bass thanks to its integrated subwoofer. It supports more wireless playback options, and unlike the Sonos, it offers a graphic EQ, presets, and a Full HDMI In port. That said, the Sonos is better built with a better soundstage performance. Unlike the Sennheiser, it has bass and treble adjustments and built-in voice assistant support. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage and the Sonos Arc are soundbars with different setups, but the Bang & Olufsen is better for dialogue and TV shows. While the Bang & Olufsen is a 3.0 setup with a more bass-heavy sound, it has a graphic EQ and presets so you can customize it to your liking. It has more physical inputs, including a Full HDMI In port, and it has outstanding wireless playback options. However, the Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup with side-firing speakers, which helps significantly improve its surround performance in contrast to the Bang & Olufsen, which downmixes this content into stereo. It also has a better height performance and has a room correction feature.

Samsung HW-Q950A

The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Samsung comes with a dedicated subwoofer and satellites, so it reproduces a more extended low-bass and has better surrounds performance. It also gets louder with less compression at max volume, and it comes with a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port. However, the Sonos is better built and has a better soundstage performance. Also, you can upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The Sonos offers better soundstage and Atmos performances. It can also be upgraded to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the JBL's dedicated sub reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port.

Samsung HW-Q800A

The Samsung HW-Q800A is a better 3.1.2 setup than the 5.0.2 Sonos Arc. The Samsung comes with a dedicated subwoofer, which helps produce a thumpy, rumbling low-bass. It also has a graphic EQ and four presets, letting you customize its sound profile to your liking. Only the Samsung is Bluetooth compatible, and it has a Full HDMI In port, so you can use the bar as a hub between devices. However, the Sonos has a better soundstage and a more immersive surround sound performance. You can also upgrade it with a sub and satellites as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. 

Vizio M Series M512a-H6

The Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is a better soundbar for mixed usage than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Vizio has a better surround performance, and unlike the Sonos, it has a Full HDMI In port and EQ presets. It also reproduces a more extended low-bass thanks to its dedicated sub. The Sonos is better built and has a room correction feature and built-in voice assistant support. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.

Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3

The Sonos Arc and the Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 are premium standalone soundbars. However, the Sonos is better overall. It has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances, and it also comes with more sound enhancement features. In addition, its default sound is more neutral, especially in the mids, so voices are clearer and more detailed in the mix.

LG GX Soundbar

The Sonos Arc is better than the LG GX Soundbar. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and offers betters soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. Unlike the LG, it has room correction and built-in voice assistant support. That said, the 3.1 LG gets louder, and it has a Full HDMI In port that supports high quality passthrough.

LG SN10YG

The LG SN10YG is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The LG comes with a wireless subwoofer, which helps it reproduce a thumpy, boomy bass. It offers more sound enhancement features such as EQ presets, and it has a larger variety of physical inputs. However, the Sonos offers a better height and surround performance.

LG SP9YA

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Arc or the LG SP9YA. The LG comes with a dedicated subwoofer that reproduces a more extended low-bass. Also, it comes with EQ presets for sound customization. However, the Sonos has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Also, it can be upgraded as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.

Yamaha YAS-209

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Yamaha YAS-209. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content and offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It's also better-built and comes with a room correction feature, unlike the Yamaha. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the 2.1 Yamaha comes with a dedicated subwoofer that reproduces a more extended low-bass. It also comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port that supports high-quality passthrough, unlike the Sonos.

Samsung HW-Q800T

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-Q800T or the Sonos Arc. The Samsung has a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, and it has fewer compression artifacts when played at max volume. Unlike the Sonos, the Samsung has an HDMI In port and a graphic EQ. However, unlike the Samsung, the 5.0.2 Sonos doesn't downmix surround content into stereo, so it provides a more immersive movie-watching experience. The Sonos also performs better with Atmos content.

Samsung HW-Q900A

The Samsung HW-Q900A is a better soundbar than the Sonos Arc. The Samsung comes with a dedicated subwoofer that helps reproduce a more extended low-bass and a Full HDMI In port. It offers more wireless playback options, and you can customize its sound using its graphic EQ and presets. However, the Sonos is better built, with a better soundstage performance. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.

LG SN11RG

The LG SN11RG is a better overall soundbar if you're comparing it to the Sonos Arc as solely a standalone bar. The LG has a subwoofer plus satellites to help its sound, but you can purchase these speakers separately for the Sonos Arc. The LG can also reproduce more bass, and while it can't get as loud as the Sonos, it can reach its max volume with fewer compression artifacts. It also has more sound enhancement features and more connectivity options such as two Full HDMI In ports. It even supports Bluetooth for a wireless connection. That said, on its own, the Sonos has a better height performance. Unlike the LG, you can also use it with Apple AirPlay.

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module

The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Bose is a 5.1.2 setup with satellites and a subwoofer. It's better built, and it can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It has better soundstage and surround performances as well as more wireless playback options to choose from. That said, the Sonos still offers solid performance for a standalone bar, and you can even upgrade it with a sub and satellites if you want.

Bose Smart Soundbar 600

The Sonos Arc and the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 are standalone Dolby Atmos soundbars with smart features, such as built-in voice assistant support. The Sonos is better overall, with a wider stereo soundstage that makes audio stretch all around you as if you were in a movie theater. It's a bit bigger than the Bose, and it gets louder. Plus, you find more sound enhancement features, like room correction.

Sony HT-A7000 with Speakers + Bass Module

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sony HT-A7000 with Speakers + Bass Module or the standalone Sonos Arc. The Sony is a 7.1.2 setup with discrete satellites and a subwoofer. It's better built, with a better surrounds performance. Unlike the Sonos, it has two Full HDMI In ports for high-quality passthrough. That said, the Sonos has better soundstage and Atmos performances. You can also upgrade it with a sub and satellites for a better performance.

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers

The full 5.1.2 setup of the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers is much better than the Sonos Arc soundbar by itself. Adding the two rear satellites provide a much better surround sound experience, which is very immersive with surround content. It also makes the soundstage wider, although it does lose a bit of focus. The added subwoofer also helps create more bass. On the other hand, the standalone soundbar might be a better option for people with limited space.

Vizio M Series M51ax-J6

The Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Vizio reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it offers a better surrounds performance. It also comes with EQ presets for sound customization as well as a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos. That said, the Sonos is better-built with better soundstage and Atmos performance. It also can be upgraded as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. It also has built-in voice assistant support, whereas the Vizio only supports voice assistants when you connect a third-party device.

Samsung HW-Q700A

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-Q700A or the Sonos Arc. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup with better soundstage and surround performances that comes with a room correction feature. It can also be upgraded as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the 3.1.2 Samsung comes with a subwoofer, as well as graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. Its Full HDMI In port supports high quality passthrough, and it supports more wireless playback options.

Bose Smart Soundbar 300

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Bose Smart Soundbar 300. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup with a more extended bass and more sound enhancement features. It also has better surround and soundstage performances, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. It can even be upgraded as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the 3.0 Bose offers more wireless playback support.

Sony HT-G700

The Sonos Arc is a better setup than the Sony HT-G700. The Sonos feels better-built, has a more balanced sound profile, and can get louder with less compression artifacts. It also offers a better center, surround, and height performance, and has room correction. However, the Sony has EQ presets and has more inputs including an HDMI Out as well as a Full HDMI In port.

Samsung HW-B450

The Sonos Arc is better than the Samsung HW-B450. The Sonos is a premium 5.0.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the Samsung. It has better soundstage and surround performances, too. However, if you just want a simple setup for watching TV, the Samsung is still a solid pick at a more affordable price.

LG S80QY

The Sonos Arc and the LG S80QY are both Dolby Atmos soundbars that have different designs. The Sonos is a standalone soundbar with a 5.0.2 setup, and it has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It doesn't come with a dedicated subwoofer like the LG, meaning it doesn't reproduce as much low-bass out of the box. You can always add a separate subwoofer to improve the Sonos' bass reproduction, though.

Denon Home Sound Bar 550

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Denon Home Sound Bar 550. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that comes with a discrete center channel. It has a better soundstage performance, gets louder, and comes with a room correction feature. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the Denon is smaller, and it comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port.

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR

The Sonos Arc is better than the Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR. The Sonos is better built, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. It also has better soundstage and surround performances. Unlike the Polk Audio, it comes with room correction and built-in voice assistant support. However, only the Polk Audio comes with a Full HDMI In port and EQ presets.

Samsung HW-Q600A

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-Q600A or the standalone Sonos Arc. The Sonos has a better soundstage performance, and it comes with a room correction feature. It also offers better surrounds and Atmos performances. However, the Samsung comes with a graphic EQ for sound customization and a Full HDMI In port. You can also upgrade the Sonos as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.

Samsung HW-Q90R

The Samsung HW-Q90R is a better soundbar than the Sonos Arc. The Samsung is a 7.1.4 setup with a more neutral sound profile and overall better performance at max volume. It also has a better surrounds performance, and it comes with a graphic EQ and presets to customize its sound. However, if you already have Sonos speakers, the Sonos app is very useful and allows you to control your ecosystem, which is nice. Also, the Sonos can be upgraded as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.

Samsung HW-T450

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-T450. The Sonos is better-built with better soundstage, center, and surround performances. Unlike the Samsung, it supports Dolby Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant support. It also comes with a room correction feature and an HDMI ARC port. That said, the Samsung comes with EQ presets, unlike the Sonos.

Sony HT-X8500

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-X8500. The Sonos is better-built, with better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. It also comes with a room correction feature, and it can be upgraded as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the 2.1 Sony comes with some EQ presets as well as a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos.

JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam. The Sonos has a better soundstage performance, and thanks to its two up-firing speakers, it also has a better Atmos performance. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the JBL is more compact and comes with some EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port.

Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module

The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Bose is better-built, with a more neutral sound profile and a more extended low-bass thanks to its dedicated subwoofer. It also has a better soundstage performance. However, the Sonos supports Atmos content, and you can also upgrade it with a sub and satellites as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.

LG SN9YG

The LG SN9YG is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The LG comes with a dedicated subwoofer that reproduces a more extended low-bass. It also comes with EQ presets, a Full HDMI In port, and more wireless playback options. However, the Sonos offers better soundstage, surrounds, and Atmos performances. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.

Vizio M Series M51a-H6

The Vizio M Series M51a-H6 is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Vizio gets louder with less compression at max volume, and it has a more extended low-bass thanks to its dedicated subwoofer. Its satellites help create a more immersive surrounds experience. It also offers some EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port. However, the Sonos is better-built, with a better soundstage performance and a room correction feature. You may also want to compare this bar with the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.

Hisense HS218

The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the Hisense HS218. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better built. Unlike the Hisense, it supports Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant capabilities. It also offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It even has some more sound enhancement features, like room correction.

LG S75Q

The Sonos Arc is better than the LG S75Q. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 standalone bar with a premium design. It has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances, and it supports more premium features like room correction. While the LG comes with a dedicated sub, it doesn't reproduce that much more low-bass compared to the Sonos.

Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module

The Sonos Arc and the Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module are two premium soundbar setups. The Sonos is a standalone 5.0.2 bar with a discrete center channel. It can get louder, and you can also upgrade it with a sub and satellites. That said, the better-built Sony has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It even comes with a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough, and it supports more wireless playback options.

AmazonBasics 2.1 Channel Bluetooth

The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the AmazonBasics 2.1 Channel Bluetooth. The Sonos is better-built with a better soundstage performance. It comes with dedicated center, surround, and Atmos channels, and it has more sound enhancement features. Some listeners may prefer its more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. Also, it has built-in voice assistant support and an ARC port.

Samsung HW-A450

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-A450. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It also supports Dolby Atmos content and comes with a room correction feature, unlike the Samsung soundbar. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the Samsung comes with a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization, unlike the Sonos.

Yamaha YAS-408

The standalone Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Yamaha YAS-408. The Sonos is better-built, and unlike the Yamaha, it supports Dolby Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant support. It offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it even comes with a room correction feature. That said, the Yamaha reproduces a more extended low-bass, supports more wireless playback options, and has a Full HDMI In port.

Sony HT-Z9F

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-Z9F. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It comes with a room correction feature, and its out-of-the-box sound profile is more neutral. You can even upgrade it to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the 3.1 Sony comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port that supports 4k passthrough.

Vizio V Series V21-H8

The Sonos Arc is better than the Vizio V Series V21-H8. The Sonos is better built, and it supports Dolby Atmos content and voice assistants. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it also comes with room correction. However, the Vizio comes with EQ presets, which some listeners may prefer for sound customization.

Vizio V Series V51-H6

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Arc or the Vizio V Series V51-H6. The Vizio is a 5.1 setup that comes with satellites and a dedicated subwoofer, so it reproduces a more extended low-bass. However, the 5.0.2 Sonos is better built and supports Dolby Atmos content. Also, it has a better soundstage performance and a room correction feature. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.

LG SP7Y

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the LG SP7Y. The Sonos is better built and comes with a room correction feature and built-in voice assistant support, unlike the LG. It offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it also supports Dolby Atmos content. It gets louder than the LG, albeit with more compression at max volume. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the LG comes with a dedicated subwoofer, EQ presets, and a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos.

LG SK1

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the LG SK1. Unlike the 2.0 SK1, the 5.0.2 Arc supports Atmos content. The Sonos also comes with more sound enhancement features, including room correction and dialogue enhancement. It also has an eARC port, unlike the LG. That being said, the LG has less compression and less distortion when played at max volume, so you might prefer this bar if you tend to crank up the volume.

Samsung HW-Q900T

The Samsung HW-Q900T is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Samsung is a 7.1.2 setup that reproduces a more extended low-bass thanks to its dedicated sub. It gets louder and supports more wireless playback options. Also, it has a graphic EQ for sound customization and two Full HDMI In ports. However, the 5.0.2 Sonos is better-built, with better soundstage, surrounds, and Atmos performances. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.

TCL Alto 6+

The Sonos Arc is a much better soundbar than the TCL Alto 6+. The Sonos is a better-built 5.0.2 soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. There are also more sound enhancement features available, including room correction. Even though it doesn't come with a dedicated sub like the TCL, it can still reproduce a similar amount of low-bass.

LG SN6Y

The Sonos Arc is better than the LG SN6Y. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and has better soundstage and surround performances. Unlike the LG, it has built-in voice assistant support and a room correction feature, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. That said, the 3.1 LG comes with some EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos.

Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300

The Sonos Arc is better soundbar than the Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300. The Sonos has a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box with a more extended low-bass. It also supports Dolby Atmos, unlike the Harman/Kardon. That said, the Harman/Kardon offers more wireless playback options and comes with three Full HDMI In ports, and it also supports high-quality passthrough. You can also upgrade both setups with a subwoofer, and you can also see the results for the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.

Yamaha YAS-207

The Sonos Arc is better than the Yamaha YAS-207. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built. Unlike the Yamaha, it supports Dolby Atmos content and has voice assistant connectivity built into the bar. It also has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and there are more sound enhancement features available. That said, the Yamaha comes with a dedicated sub that helps reproduce a more extended low-bass. It also has a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos.

LG SP11RA

The LG SP11RA is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The LG comes with a dedicated subwoofer that reproduces a more extended low-bass and discrete satellite speakers. It offers more wireless playback options, too. It also comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos. However, the Sonos offers better soundstage and Atmos performances. It can also be upgraded as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.

Samsung HW-Q59CT

The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the Samsung HW-Q59CT. The Sonos is better built and supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, surround, and center performances. Unlike the Samsung, it has room correction and built-in voice assistant support. That said, only the Samsung has a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization.

Samsung HW-T650

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-T650. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage and surround performances, and it comes with a room correction feature. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the 3.1 Samsung comes with some EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos.

Samsung HW-Q70T

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q70T. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that offers better surrounds, Atmos, and soundstage performances. It also comes with a room correction feature, and you can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the Samsung comes with a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port, which some users may prefer.

Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar

The Sonos Arc is better than the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better built. Unlike the Bowers & Wilkins, it has Dolby Atmos support and an HDMI ARC port. Its soundstage, center, and surround performances are better, and it offers more sound enhancement features. That said, it isn't Bluetooth-compatible like the Bowers & Wilkins.

Bose TV Speaker

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Bose TV Speaker. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. Unlike the Bose, it supports Dolby Atmos content, and it has built-in voice assistant support. It also comes with more sound enhancement features, including room correction. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.

LG Eclair QP5

The Sonos Arc is better than the LG Eclair QP5. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 standalone soundbar with a premium design. It offers better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances than the LG. Even though the LG comes with a dedicated sub, it can't reproduce a more extended low-bass than the Sonos. That said, the LG's small design may be more ideal for some users.

LG SN8YG

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Arc or the LG SN8YG. The LG is a 3.1.2 setup that reproduces a more extended low-bass thanks to its dedicated subwoofer. It also comes with EQ presets, a Full HDMI In port, and more wireless connectivity options. However, the 5.0.2 Sonos is better-built, with better soundstage and surrounds performances. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.

LG SK9Y

The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the LG SK9Y. The Sonos is better built. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. However, the LG has a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.

Sony HT-CT800

The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the Sony HT-CT800. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the Sony. It also has better center and surround performances as well as built-in voice assistant capabilities. There's even a room correction feature available. That said, the 2.1 Sony has more wireless playback options and EQ presets for sound customization.

Sony HT-S100F

The Sonos Arc is better than the Sony HT-S100F. The Sonos supports Dolby Atmos content, and it has better center, surround, and soundstage performances. It comes with a room correction feature and built-in voice assistant support, unlike the Sony. Also, it's better-built.

Bose Soundbar 500

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Bose Soundbar 500. The Sonos supports Dolby Atmos content, and it offers better soundstage and surround performances. It also reproduces a more extended low-bass. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. That said, the Bose supports more wireless playback options.

Samsung HW-Q60R

The standalone Sonos Arc is a bit better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-Q60R. The Sonos supports Dolby Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant support. It comes with room correction, and it has better surround and soundstage performances. That said, the Samsung is more customizable thanks to its graphic EQ and presets.

Sony HT-S200F

The Sonos Arc is better than the Sony HT-S200F. The Sonos is a better-built 5.0.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances as well as built-in voice assistant capabilities. It even has a room correction feature, unlike the Sony. That said, only the Sony comes with EQ presets, which some users may prefer for sound customization.

TCL Alto 8i

The Sonos Arc is better than the TCL Alto 8i. The Sonos is a better built 5.0.2 setup with built-in voice assistant support. It also has better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. That said, it doesn't come with a Full HDMI In port like the TCL.

JBL Link Bar

The Sonos Arc is better than the JBL Link Bar. The Sonos is a better-built 5.0.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It even has a room correction feature, unlike the JBL. That said, only the JBL comes with EQ presets, which some users may prefer for sound customization.

Yamaha YAS-109

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Yamaha YAS-108. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it comes with a room correction feature. Some listeners may prefer its more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. That said, the 2.0 Yamaha has more wireless playback options, and it comes with a Full HDMI In port.

TCL Alto 9+

The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the TCL Alto 9+. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Unlike the TCL, it has built-in voice assistant support and a room correction feature. Some users may also prefer its more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. That said, the TCL comes with a Full HDMI In port that supports high quality passthrough, unlike the Sonos.

Klipsch Cinema 700

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sonos Arc or the Klipsch Cinema 700. The Sonos is a premium standalone 5.0.2 soundbar. It's better built, and it has better surround and Atmos performances. However, it doesn't reproduce as extended of a low-bass as the Klipsch. Also, the Klipsch supports more wireless playback options.

Vizio V Series V51x-J6

The Sonos Arc is a bit better for mixed usage than the Vizio V Series V51x-J6. The Sonos is better built and supports Dolby Atmos content. It also comes with a room correction feature and offers a better soundstage performance. Its voice assistant support is built into the bar, while you'll have to purchase a separate third-party device to use voice assistants with the Vizio. That said, the Vizio comes with EQ presets.

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE

The Sonos Arc and the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE are two very different soundbar setups. The Sonos is a premium standalone soundbar that you can upgrade as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. It has a better soundstage, but on its own, it can't reproduce as much low-bass as the Nakamichi. Thanks to its satellites, the Nakamichi also has a better surrounds performance. That said, you can always add on satellites to the Sonos to improve its surround sound.

Polk Audio Signa S4

The Sonos Arc is better than the Polk Audio Signa S4. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup with a standalone design, ideal if you don't have a lot of space. Also, it has better soundstage, Atmos, and surround performances than the Polk. It even comes with additional features, like room correction and built-in voice assistant support. You can upgrade it with a sub and satellites down the line if you want.

LG SPD7Y

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the LG SPD7Y. The standalone Sonos is better-built, with better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. It also has a more neutral sound profile with its room correction feature, which some users may prefer. It also has built-in voice assistant support. Only the LG comes with EQ presets for sound customization and a Full HDMI In port.

Klipsch Cinema 400

The Sonos Arc is better than the Klipsch Cinema 400. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it has room correction. Unlike the Klipsch, it has built-in voice assistant support. That said, the 2.1 Klipsch has a dedicated sub that helps reproduce a more extended low-bass.

Samsung HW-Q950T

The Samsung HW-Q950T is a better overall soundbar than the basic Sonos Arc setup. The Samsung is a 9.1.4 setup with a better-balanced sound profile, and it has a graphic EQ and presets so that you can tweak the sound to your liking. You can stream audio to the bar using Bluetooth too, and it supports 4k @ 60Hz passthrough. It also has a better surrounds performance. However, the Sonos is a 5.1.4 setup that offers a better center and height performance. It has room correction as well as an auto-volume/night mode too. While it has limited inputs, you can also stream audio to it using Apple AirPlay.

Vizio SB2020n-J6

The Sonos Arc and the Vizio SB2020n-J6 are two very different soundbar setups. They're both standalone bars, but the Sonos is a much more premium model, with a better soundstage and support for surround sound and Dolby Atmos content. The Vizio, on the other hand, is a budget-friendly model that only supports PCM content. The Sonos is better overall, with a much more versatile performance. However, the Vizio is still suitable for users on a tight budget who mostly listen to dialogue-focused content like TV shows.

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar

The Sonos Arc is better than the onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar. The Sonos is a bit different, as it's a 5.0.2 standalone bar with a more premium design that you can upgrade with a sub and satellites down the line. Still, it has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. There are more sound enhancement features available, too, and DTS support. It can't reproduce as much bass on its own compared to the onn.

Samsung HW-T550

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-T550. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. Unlike the Samsung, it supports Atmos content and comes with a room correction feature. That said, the 2.1 Samsung comes with a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port.

Bose Solo 5

The Sonos Arc is better than the Bose Solo 5. The Sonos supports Dolby Atmos content, and it has better center, surround, and soundstage performances. It comes with a room correction feature and built-in voice assistant support, unlike the Bose. That said, some users may prefer the Bose's more compact design.

Vizio SB36512-F6

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a somewhat better soundbar for mixed usage than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Vizio offers more wireless playback options and reproduces a more extended low-bass. It comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port, and a dedicated subwoofer and satellites. That said, the Sonos is better built and offers a better soundstage performance. It also has built-in voice assistant support, a room correction feature, and a dialogue enhancement mode. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.

Yamaha YAS-108/ATS-1080

The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the Yamaha YAS-108/ATS-1080. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, too. Unlike the Yamaha, it supports Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant support. There are even more sound enhancement features, such as room correction.

Samsung HW-Q70R

The Samsung HW-Q70R is a bit better for mixed usage than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Samsung comes with a dedicated subwoofer, so it reproduces a more extended low-bass. Unlike the Sonos, it comes with a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port. Also, it supports more wireless playback options. That said, the Sonos has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Unlike the Samsung, it has room correction and built-in voice assistant support. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.

LG SL6Y

The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the LG SL6Y. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better built. It has better soundstage and surround performances. Unlike the LG, it supports Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant capabilities. However, the 3.1 LG has a Full HDMI In port and EQ presets, unlike the Sonos.

Sony HT-X9000F

The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the Sony HT-X9000F. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built, with better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. Unlike the Sony, it has built-in voice assistant support, and it offers more sound enhancement features like room correction. Also, some listeners may prefer its more neutral default sound profile.

Samsung HW-Q80R

The Samsung HW-Q80R is better than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Samsung comes with a dedicated sub that helps reproduce a more extended low-bass. It also has a graphic EQ for sound customization. However, the Sonos has better soundstage and surround performances. It comes with room correction and built-in voice assistant support. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.

Polk Audio Signa S2

The standalone Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Polk Audio Signa S2. The Sonos is better-built, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better center, surround, and soundstage performances, and it has built-in voice assistant support. It also comes with a room correction feature. That said, the Polk comes with EQ presets, unlike the Sonos.

Samsung HW-Q65T

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q65T. The Sonos has a better soundstage performance, and it supports Atmos content. Also, it comes with a room correction feature. However, the Samsung comes with a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port.

Samsung HW-S60A

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-S60A. The Sonos has a better soundstage performance, and thanks to its two up-firing speakers, it supports Dolby Atmos content. It also comes with a room correction feature. However, the Samsung comes with a graphic EQ and presets, and it also supports Bluetooth connectivity.

Samsung HW-A650

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-A650. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that offers better center, surround, and soundstage performances. Unlike the Samsung, it supports Dolby Atmos content, offers built-in voice assistant support, and comes with a room correction feature. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the Samsung comes with a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization and a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos.

Samsung HW-A550

The 5.0.2 Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the 2.1 Samsung HW-A550. The Sonos is better-built, and it comes with a discrete center channel and two up-firing speakers that support Atmos. It has a better soundstage performance and offers room correction and built-in voice assistant support. You can also upgrade it to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the Samsung comes with a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port, and it supports Bluetooth. You can also upgrade the Samsung with satellite speakers.

Samsung HW-Q850A

The Samsung HW-Q850A has a better performance than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Samsung has a more extended low-bass thanks to its dedicated subwoofer and a better surrounds performance due to its discrete satellite speakers. It also comes with a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port, and it supports Bluetooth. However, the Sonos has a better soundstage performance and a room correction feature. You can also upgrade to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.

Roku Smart Soundbar

The 5.0.2 Sonos Arc is a better soundbar for TV shows and movies than the 2.0 Roku Smart Soundbar. Unlike the Roku, the Sonos has a dedicated center channel, which allows it to reproduce voices and dialogue clearly and more accurately. It doesn't downmix surround content into stereo, either, which provides a more immersive listening experience. The Sonos also supports Atmos content, unlike the Roku, and it has a room correction feature and a wider and more focused soundstage.

Vizio V Series V21x-J8

The standalone Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Vizio V Series V21x-J8. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the Vizio. It also has better soundstage, center, and surrounds performances, and it comes with a room correction feature. Some listeners may prefer its more neutral default sound profile compared to the Vizio's bass-heavy sound. That said, the 2.1 Vizio comes with EQ presets, unlike the Sonos.

Samsung HW-Q60T

The standalone Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The Sonos has better soundstage and surround performances. It also supports Dolby Atmos content and offers a room correction feature. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the Samsung comes with a dedicated subwoofer, as well as a graphic EQ for sound customization and a Full HDMI In port.

Samsung HW-Q850T

The Samsung HW-Q850T is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Samsung comes with a subwoofer and satellites, and it has a more extended low-bass. It's also more customizable thanks to its graphic EQ and presets, and it's Bluetooth-compatible and comes with a Full HDMI In port. However, the Sonos has a better soundstage and a better Atmos performance. You can also compare the Samsung to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.

Klipsch Bar 48

The Sonos Arc is better than the Klipsch Bar 48. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and supports Atmos content. It has better soundstage and surround performances as well as built-in voice assistant support. It even comes with some more sound enhancement features, like room correction. However, the 3.1 Klipsch comes with a dedicated sub, and it reproduces a more extended low-bass.

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R

The Sonos Arc is better than the Vizio M-Series M21d-H8R. The Sonos is a better-built 5.0.2 setup with better soundstage, center, and surround performances. Unlike the Vizio, it supports Dolby Atmos content and built-in voice assistant capabilities. It also gets louder with less compression at max volume. However, only the 2.1 Vizio comes with a Full HDMI In port and EQ presets.

Vizio SB46514-F6

The Vizio SB46512-F6 is a bit better for mixed usage than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Vizio is a 5.1.4 setup with a discrete sub and satellites. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and its Full HDMI In port supports high quality passthrough. It also has a better surrounds performance and more wireless playback options. That said, the Sonos has a better soundstage and built-in voice assistant capabilities. It comes with some more sound enhancement features like room correction and dialogue enhancement. You can even upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.

Sony HT-S350

The standalone Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-S350. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better-built and offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It supports Dolby Atmos content, offers built-in voice assistant support, and comes with a room correction feature. That said, the 2.1 Sony comes with some EQ presets for sound customization, unlike the Sonos.

LG SL10YG

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the LG SL10YG or the standalone Sonos Arc. The LG is a 5.1.2 setup with a dedicated sub that can reproduce a more extended low-bass. Unlike the Sonos, it has a Full HDMI In port for high quality passthrough. That said, the Sonos has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. You can also upgrade it as the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for a better performance.

+ Show more

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style - Bar

This soundbar is a lot longer than the Sonos Beam. It has a similar plastic finish, though it still feels high-end and sturdy. There are two plastic grilles on its sides and a black plastic mesh between the grille in the front and top sides of the bar. You can also purchase this soundbar in white if you prefer.

Design
Style - Subwoofer
Sub Wireless
Locked
Enclosure
Locked

This setup comes without a subwoofer, although you can purchase a Sonos subwoofer separately.

Design
Style - Satellites
Satellite Wireless
Locked

This setup comes without satellites, although you can purchase these speakers from Sonos separately.

Design
Dimensions - Bar
Width Lock" (Lock cm)
Height Lock" (Lock cm)
Depth Lock" (Lock cm)

This soundbar is quite wide, so it likely doesn't fit between the legs of a 55-inch TV stand. That said, it also isn't very tall, so it shouldn't obscure your TV screen unless your TV sits flush on your table.

Design
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Width N/A
Height N/A
Depth N/A
Design
Dimensions - Satellites
Width N/A
Height N/A
Depth N/A
Design
Mounting
Mountable Bar
Locked
Bar Brackets Included
Locked
Mountable Satellites
Locked
Satellite Brackets Included
Locked
N/A
Design
Build Quality

The bar has an impressive build quality. It's mostly made of plastic, which feels solid and sturdy. There's also a plastic grille covering the front and the sides of the bar to help protect the drivers inside. Overall, it feels a bit heavy and very well-made.

Design
In The Box

  • Bar power cable (6.2 ft / 1.9m)
  • HDMI cable (4.9 ft / 1.5m)
  • HDMI to optical adapter (9 cm)
  • Manuals

Sound
N/A
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
Tested Preset
Locked
Slope
Lock
Std. Err.
Lock dB
Channels
5.0.2
Low-Frequency Extension
Lock Hz
High-Frequency Extension
Lock kHz

This soundbar has a decent stereo frequency response. Like most premium setups, it comes with a room correction feature to optimize the bar's output based on your room's unique acoustics. Sonos calls this feature TruePlay, and it's available with iOS devices. With it on, the bar offers a fairly even sound, especially in the mids. Voices and lead instruments are clear and detailed in the mix, with a touch of extra brightness in the treble to make higher-pitched sounds sparkle. Naturally, as a standalone bar, you don't get a very extended low-bass, so you don't feel much rumble with bass-heavy genres like EDM.

N/A
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
Suggested Preset
Locked
Suggested Bass Setting
Lock
Suggested Treble Setting
Lock
Slope
Lock
Std. Err.
Lock dB
Low-Frequency Extension
Lock Hz
High-Frequency Extension
Lock kHz

If you prefer a more neutral sound with stereo content, you can adjust the bar's treble. The resulting frequency response is a bit more balanced with less brightness in the mix, especially with higher-pitched voices and instruments like cymbals. The bass is also adjustable, but these features aren't capable of altering the low-frequency extension, so you'll have to add on a separate sub if you want more thump and rumble.

N/A
Sound
Stereo Soundstage
Crosstalk Error
Lock dB

The soundbar's stereo soundstage is great. It feels larger than the bar itself, thanks to the side-firing speakers that reflect sound from the walls to the listener. The focus is also very good, and you can easily pinpoint where the sound objects are coming from in the soundstage. That said, if you're listening to Atmos content, the soundstage sounds wider, although more diffused.

N/A
Sound
Stereo Dynamics
SPL @ Max Volume
Lock dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
Lock dB

The bar gets loud enough to fill a large or crowded room. There isn't much compression at max volume, either, so you can turn up the volume without impacting the sound quality.

N/A
Sound
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
Weighted THD @ 80dB
Lock
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
Lock

At normal listening volumes, the amount of distortion falls within good limits, resulting in clean and pure audio reproduction. Updating the bar to firmware version 14.18 reduces the amount of distortion at max volume as well, so you don't notice a reduction in audio quality as the volume increases.

N/A
Sound
Center
Localization
Locked
Slope
Lock
Std. Err.
Lock dB
SPL @ Max Volume
Lock dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
Lock
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
Lock

The bar comes with a discrete center channel to improve vocal reproduction. The frequency response on this channel is quite even and balanced, meaning that voices are clearly and accurately reproduced. The lack of bass on this channel isn't much of an issue, since most voices aren't reproduced in the bass range.

N/A
Sound
Surround 5.1
Localization
Locked
Slope
Lock
Std. Err.
Lock dB
SPL @ Max Volume
Lock dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
Lock
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
Lock
7.1 Rears
Locked

The soundbar's surrounds performance is acceptable. Side-firing drivers built into the bar itself simulate surround objects like voices in the soundstage. Unfortunately, this doesn't sound as clear or as real as the discrete localization provided by the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.

N/A
Sound
Height (Atmos)
Localization
Locked
Slope
Lock
Std. Err.
Lock dB
SPL @ Max Volume
Lock dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
Lock
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
Lock

It uses up-firing speakers located on the bar to bounce sound off your walls to give you the impression of height. However, if you're watching Atmos content, the volume level isn't as loud as other channels like center or surround. It's still an improvement when compared to other soundbars like the Sonos Beam that don't support Atmos at all.

Subjectively, the bar also offers a wide soundstage, and it achieves height with many different sound effects. However, sound objects seem like they come from the front of the TV rather than from overhead like they do with the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. For example, a helicopter flying overhead in a movie doesn't quite seem like it comes from an accurate location above you. Still, it offers solid performance for a standalone bar, even compared to similar setups like the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus.

N/A
Sound
Sound Enhancement Features
Room Correction
Locked
Dialogue Enhancement
Locked
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Locked
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Locked
Bass Adjustment
Locked
Treble Adjustment
Locked
EQ
Locked
Surround Level Adjustment
Locked
Rear Level Adjustment
Locked
Height Level Adjustment
Locked
Virtual Surround
Locked

Like most premium setups on the market, this bar comes with a 'Trueplay' Room Correction setting which can help adjust the bar's performance based on your room setup. Unfortunately, it's only available on iOS. There are also volume adjustments for bass and treble, but unlike the Sony HT-G700, it lacks a proper EQ to fine-tune its sound profile to your preference. Also, note that there's no remote available, so everything has to be done inside the app.

Connectivity
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Optical Audio In
Locked
HDMI Out
Locked
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
Locked
Full HDMI In
Locked
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
Locked
RCA In
Locked
USB for Files
Locked
Ethernet
Locked
Subwoofer Output
Locked

The Sonos Arc has a limited number of inputs. It has an HDMI ARC port. If your TV doesn't support HDMI ARC or eARC, you can also use the included HDMI-to-optical adapter to connect the soundbar to your TV's optical port. You can also connect the bar to your home network by using the Ethernet port.

Some users reported that this soundbar's sound cuts out for a few seconds when connected to a Samsung TV. However, we couldn't replicate this phenomenon in our tests.

N/A
Connectivity
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
Dolby Atmos
Locked
Dolby Digital
Locked
Dolby Digital Plus
Locked
Dolby TrueHD
Locked
DTS
Locked
DTS:X
Locked
DTS-HD MA
Locked
PCM Channels
Locked

This soundbar has excellent audio format support via its HDMI ARC port. The bar supports pretty much every Dolby signal, and thanks to its eARC support, it can also play lossless Dolby TrueHD.

N/A
Connectivity
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
Dolby Atmos
Locked
Dolby Digital
Locked
Dolby Digital Plus
Locked
Dolby TrueHD
Locked
DTS
Locked
DTS:X
Locked
DTS-HD MA
Locked
PCM Channels
Locked

If you're looking for a soundbar with several Full HDMI In ports, check out the Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300.

N/A
Connectivity
Audio Format Support: Optical
Dolby Digital
Locked
DTS
Locked
PCM Channels
Locked

Via optical, the soundbar can play both DTS and Dolby Digital found on most streaming services and some Blu-ray discs.

N/A
Connectivity
Latency
- SAMPLE -
Get Insider Access for videos & test results
Sonos Arc Latency Video Sample
ARC
Lock ms
Optical
Lock ms
Full HDMI In
N/A

The Sonos Arc has fantastic latency performance. It has extremely low latency via its ARC connection and when using the HDMI-to-optical adapter. This ensures that your audio is in sync with the video on your screen. However, some apps and TVs compensate for latency differently, so your real-world experience may vary.

While some users have reported latency issues when the bar is connected with an LG TV, we didn't notice this in our tests.

N/A
Connectivity
Video Passthrough To TV
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Locked
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Locked
4k Max Refresh Rate
Locked
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Locked
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Locked
8k Max Refresh Rate
Locked
HDR10 Passthrough
Locked
HDR10+ Passthrough
Locked
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Locked
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Locked
FreeSync Passthrough
Locked
G-SYNC Passthrough
Locked
ALLM Passthrough
Locked
N/A
Connectivity
Wireless Playback
Bluetooth
Locked
Wi-Fi Playback
Locked
Chromecast built-in
Locked
Apple AirPlay
Locked
Spotify Connect
Locked

The Sonos Arc has poor wireless playback options. You can wirelessly stream audio from your mobile devices to the bar via Wi-Fi or Apple AirPlay 2, but it doesn't support Bluetooth connectivity. If you want a soundbar that's Bluetooth compatible, consider the Samsung HW-Q800A or the Samsung HW-A550.

Additional Features
Additional Features
Interface
Display
Locked

The interface of this soundbar is minimal. There's a main light that changes color and blinks, depending on the command. There's also a second one that lights up whenever the soundbar's microphone is activated, but that's about it.

Additional Features
Bar Controls

This soundbar has touch-sensitive controls that allow you to play/pause, raise or lower the volume, and mute the microphone. If you swipe right or left over the controls, you can skip to the next or previous track, respectively.

Additional Features
Remote

This bar doesn't come with a remote, since it's meant to be controlled through the Sonos S2 app. Through the app, you're able to link other Sonos products, too.

Additional Features
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Locked
Google Assistant
Locked
Apple Siri
Locked
Microphone Mute
Locked

This bar has both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant built-in. There's a mic mute button so you can turn off the speaker if you don't always want it to be listening to you. If you'd rather connect a third-party voice assistant device to your soundbar, check out the Vizio V Series V51x-J6.