The Sonos Arc and Samsung Q950A are two of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars on the market. However, if you’re looking for a more complete system, you may want to consider pairing the Sonos Arc with the Sub One SL subwoofer.
Here’s a comprehensive comparison of the two systems, including their key differences and similarities, to help you decide which one is right for you.
Design and Build
The Sonos Arc and Samsung Q950A both have sleek and stylish designs. The Arc is a long, thin soundbar that’s designed to blend in with your TV and other entertainment components. The Q950A is also a long soundbar, but it has a more angular design with a black metal finish.
The Sub One SL is a compact subwoofer that can be placed anywhere in your room. It has a matte black plastic finish that matches the Sonos Arc.
The Samsung Q950A comes with two rear satellite speakers, which are also upward-firing for Dolby Atmos support. The Sonos Arc does not come with any rear speakers, but you can purchase them separately.
Features
The Sonos Arc and Samsung Q950A both support Dolby Atmos and other surround sound formats. They also both have built-in voice assistants, so you can control them with your voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
The Sonos Arc has a few unique features, such as TruePlay room tuning. This feature uses your iPhone or iPad to analyze the acoustics of your room and then adjust the sound of the soundbar accordingly. The Arc also has a night mode that reduces the bass and treble levels for quieter listening.
The Samsung Q950A has a few unique features of its own, such as SpaceFit Sound+ room tuning. This feature uses test tones to analyze the acoustics of your room and then adjust the sound of the soundbar accordingly. The Q950A also has a Game Mode that boosts the bass and treble levels for a more immersive gaming experience.
Sound Quality
Both the Sonos Arc and Samsung Q950A offer excellent sound quality. They both produce a wide soundstage with clear vocals and powerful bass. However, there are a few key differences between the two systems.
The Sonos Arc is generally considered to have a more balanced sound profile, with smooth treble and clear vocals. The Samsung Q950A has a more aggressive sound profile, with boosted treble and bass. This can make the Q950A sound more exciting for movies and TV shows, but it can also make it sound a bit fatiguing for music listening.
The Sonos Arc with Sub One SL system has a significant advantage over the Samsung Q950A system when it comes to bass response. The Sub One SL subwoofer adds deep, powerful bass to the system, which is ideal for movies and music. The Q950A has a built-in subwoofer, but it’s not as powerful as the Sub One SL subwoofer.
Surround Sound Performance
The Samsung Q950A system has a significant advantage over the Sonos Arc with Sub One SL system when it comes to surround sound performance. The Q950A comes with two dedicated rear satellite speakers, while the Arc does not. This gives the Q950A system a more immersive and realistic surround sound experience.
The Q950A’s rear satellite speakers are also upward-firing, which means that they can reflect sound off the ceiling to create overhead effects for Dolby Atmos. The Arc also supports Dolby Atmos, but it doesn’t have any upward-firing speakers, so its Atmos effects are not as immersive.
Price
The Sonos Arc with Sub One SL system retails for $1,099, while the Samsung Q950A system retails for $1,499. This makes the Sonos system significantly less expensive than the Samsung system.
Conclusion
The Sonos Arc with Sub One SL system and the Samsung Q950A system are both excellent Dolby Atmos sound systems. However, they offer different advantages and disadvantages.
The Sonos Arc with Sub One SL system is a better choice for budget-minded shoppers. It also has a more balanced sound profile, which is ideal for music listening.
The Samsung Q950A system is a better choice for users who want the best possible surround sound experience. It also has a more aggressive sound profile, which is ideal for movies and TV shows.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which system is right for you is to listen to both of them in person and see which one you prefer.
