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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Audio Latency: ARC
    6. Audio Latency: HDMI In
    7. Audio Latency: Optical
    8. Video Passthrough To TV
    9. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch vs Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jan 11, 2024 05:16 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated May 03, 2024 06:17 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Picture
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Picture
Channels
9.2.4
Channels
5.1.2

Variants

  • Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch (Black)
  • Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers (Black)
  • Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers (White)

Review

See Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Review
See Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Review
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0 

Our Verdict

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers

The Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers is a better soundbar than the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch.  The Sonos is better-built, and it has a more neutral, balanced sound profile. Also, it has a better soundstage performance and more sound enhancement features. However, the Nakamichi is Bluetooth-compatible, unlike the Sonos, and it offers more connectivity options, so it also supports 4k passthrough.

0 

Check Price

Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
White
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Searching
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Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.4
8.0

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

6.9
8.2

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

10
0.0

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Style photo - bar
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Style photo - sub
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Style photo - satellites
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Partial, wired to wireless sub
Yes
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Dimensions photo - bar
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

45.6" (115.8 cm)
44.9" (114.1 cm)

Height  

3.5" (9.0 cm)
3.4" (8.7 cm)

Depth  

3.1" (8.0 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Dimensions photo - sub
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

12.4" (31.6 cm)
6.2" (15.7 cm)

Height  

20.3" (51.6 cm)
15.4" (39.2 cm)

Depth  

13.6" (34.5 cm)
16.1" (41.0 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Dimensions photo - satellites
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

8.0" (20.4 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)

Height  

5.6" (14.3 cm)
6.3" (16.1 cm)

Depth  

4.8" (12.1 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Bar Mounting Holes
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Satellite Mounting Holes
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
No

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes
No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Yes
No

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.5

Build quality photo  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Build quality photo
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch In The Box photo
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

6.9
8.2

Stereo Setup  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Stereo Setup
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Channels 
 

9.2.4
5.1.2

Tested Preset 
 

DSP Off
No Preset

Slope 
 

0.07
0.16

Standard Error 
 

3.62 dB
3.20 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

48.3 Hz
27.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

7.1 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

6.9
8.2

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

DSP Off
No Preset

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

5
0

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

5
-1

Slope 
 

0.07
0.05

Standard Error 
 

3.62 dB
3.17 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

48.3 Hz
27.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

7.1 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.5
8.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

1.65 dB
2.30 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.7
8.3

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

101.1 dB SPL
92.7 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.30 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

3.61 dB
0.43 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.5

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.56

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.76
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.4
7.8

Center Setup  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Center Setup
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-1.06
1.27

Std. Err. 
 

3.84 dB
3.19 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

101.5 dB SPL
77.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.41
0.33

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.66
1.66
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

8.3
6.9

Surround Setup  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Surround Setup
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.61
-0.47

Std. Err. 
 

4.24 dB
3.76 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

102.3 dB SPL
73.4 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.14
1.37

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.90
1.85

7.1 Rears 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.4
6.1

Height Setup  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Height Setup
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Side Firing, Front Firing Bar and Up Firing Satellites)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

-0.89
0.18

Std. Err. 
 

5.04 dB
3.10 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

100.2 dB SPL
63.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

2.18
0.93

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.95
0.20
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

6.8
7.5

Room Correction 
 

No
Yes

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

EQ 
 

Presets
No

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
Adapter into HDMI ARC

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)

HDMI Out 
 

1 (shared)
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

3
No

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

1
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
No

Ethernet 
 

No
1

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

8.4
9.6

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

No
Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS:X 
 

No
Not Supported

eARC 
 

No

DTS-HD MA 
 

No
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

10
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
Not Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Not Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
Not Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Yes
Not Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Not Supported

DTS:X 
 

Yes
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Yes
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Not Supported

5.1 PCM 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

8.5

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

42 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

41 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

59 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

92 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

101 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

101 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

8.1
0.0

HDMI Latency Video  

Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A

ARC 
 

69 ms

Optical 
 

70 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-28 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

9.0

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

99 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

129 ms
Show Text 

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 
 

Yes
No

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
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

6.0
3.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
No

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

No
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Interface photo
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Controls photo
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Remote photo
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant 
 

No
Yes (Built-in)

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Searching
Finding store
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
White
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Searching
Finding store
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Back to Top

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch vs Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers: Main Discussion

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