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Sonos arc vs samsung q990b: unraveling the soundbar mystery – which is the better choice?

Rob is a seasoned home improvement writer with over 15 years of experience researching and recommending products for the home. Prior to starting Nurturing Homeaid, he wrote extensively for This Old House magazine and has been featured as a home expert on several TV and radio programs. An avid DIY-er,...

What To Know

  • On the other hand, the Samsung Q990B boasts a more angular and aggressive design with a metal grille and a glossy black finish.
  • The Samsung Q990B offers a wider range of control options, including a dedicated remote, the Samsung SmartThings app, and voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
  • The Sonos Arc is priced at around $899, while the Samsung Q990B comes in at a slightly higher price of $1,299.

When it comes to premium soundbars, two names stand out: the Sonos Arc and the Samsung Q990B. Both offer exceptional audio experiences, but which one is right for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll pit the Sonos Arc soundbar against the Samsung Q990B to help you make an informed decision.

Design and Build Quality

The Sonos Arc features a sleek and minimalist design with a curved shape that complements modern home décor. Its matte black finish gives it a premium look and feel. On the other hand, the Samsung Q990B boasts a more angular and aggressive design with a metal grille and a glossy black finish. Both soundbars are well-built and durable, ensuring longevity and reliability.

Sound Quality

Immersive Surround Sound: Both the Sonos Arc and Samsung Q990B deliver immersive surround sound experiences. The Sonos Arc utilizes Dolby Atmos technology to create a wide and enveloping soundstage, while the Samsung Q990B employs Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for even more precise and detailed object-based audio.

Bass Response: The Samsung Q990B has a slight edge in terms of bass response, thanks to its dedicated subwoofer. However, the Sonos Arc still offers impressive bass that is well-balanced and controlled.

Dialogue Clarity: Both soundbars excel in delivering clear and intelligible dialogue, ensuring that you never miss a word.

Features and Connectivity

Smart Home Integration: The Sonos Arc seamlessly integrates with the Sonos ecosystem, allowing you to control it via the Sonos app or voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The Samsung Q990B also offers smart home integration but is limited to Samsung’s SmartThings platform.

Multi-Room Audio: The Sonos Arc can be paired with other Sonos speakers to create a multi-room audio system, allowing you to stream music throughout your home. The Samsung Q990B does not have this capability.

HDMI Ports and eARC: Both soundbars feature multiple HDMI ports, including an eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) port for high-quality audio transmission from your TV.

Ease of Use

Setup: Both the Sonos Arc and Samsung Q990B are relatively easy to set up. The Sonos Arc can be connected to your TV via HDMI or optical cable, while the Samsung Q990B requires an HDMI connection.

Control: The Sonos Arc can be controlled via the Sonos app or the included remote control. The Samsung Q990B offers a wider range of control options, including a dedicated remote, the Samsung SmartThings app, and voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Price

The Sonos Arc is priced at around $899, while the Samsung Q990B comes in at a slightly higher price of $1,299.

Which Soundbar is Right for You?

Sonos Arc:

  • Ideal for those who value seamless smart home integration and multi-room audio capabilities.
  • Suitable for medium to large-sized rooms.

Samsung Q990B:

  • Best for those seeking exceptional bass response and more precise object-based audio.
  • Recommended for large rooms or home theaters.

Final Thoughts: The Verdict

Both the Sonos Arc and Samsung Q990B are excellent soundbars that offer exceptional audio experiences. The Sonos Arc shines in terms of smart home integration and multi-room audio, while the Samsung Q990B delivers superior bass response and object-based audio. Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Frequently Discussed Topics

Q: Which soundbar has better dialogue clarity?
A: Both the Sonos Arc and Samsung Q990B offer excellent dialogue clarity.

Q: Can I use the Sonos Arc with a non-smart TV?
A: Yes, the Sonos Arc can be connected to a non-smart TV via HDMI or optical cable.

Q: Does the Samsung Q990B support Dolby Atmos?
A: Yes, the Samsung Q990B supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based audio formats.

Q: Which soundbar is more durable?
A: Both the Sonos Arc and Samsung Q990B are well-built and durable, ensuring longevity and reliability.

Q: Can I connect multiple subwoofers to the Sonos Arc?
A: No, the Sonos Arc only supports one subwoofer connection.

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Rob Sanders

Rob is a seasoned home improvement writer with over 15 years of experience researching and recommending products for the home. Prior to starting Nurturing Homeaid, he wrote extensively for This Old House magazine and has been featured as a home expert on several TV and radio programs. An avid DIY-er, Rob takes pride in testing out the latest tools and gadgets to see how they can make home projects easier. When it comes to heating systems, he's evaluated over 50 different furnace and boiler models over the years. Rob founded Nurturing Homeaid with his business partner Jim in 2020 to provide homeowners with genuine product recommendations they can trust. In his free time, Rob enjoys remodeling old homes with his family and traveling to visit architectural landmarks across the country. He holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Syracuse University.
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