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  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. Back - Bar
    8. Back - Subwoofer
    9. Back - Satellites
    10. Build Quality
    11. 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. Physical Inputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support - ARC
    3. Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support - Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Wireless Playback
    7. Other Input Specifications
    8. Connectivity - Subwoofer
    9. Connectivity - Satellites
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
    5. App
    6. Other Features
  8. Comments

Samsung HW-Q70R vs Sonos Playbar

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Samsung HW-Q70R
Sonos Playbar

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 11, 2024 07:47 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:26 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Samsung HW-Q70R Picture
Sonos Playbar Picture

Variants

  • HW-Q70R
  • Playbar

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-Q70R

Sonos Playbar

The Samsung HW-Q70R is a better soundbar than the Sonos Playbar. It has a great subwoofer that gives you a great bass, which the Sonos lacks. Its sound profile is well-balanced, too, and its stereo performance is better. The Samsung has multiple inputs, including Full HDMI In ports, which the Sonos also lacks. 

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Standard
HW-Q70R
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Amazon.com
Standard
Playbar
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Amazon.com
Standard
HW-Q70R
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
Playbar
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Amazon.com
 
Standard
Playbar
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B&H
 
Standard
Playbar
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B&H
 
Standard
Playbar
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B&H

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.8
7.2

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.5
7.4

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

10
0.0

Height (Atmos) 
 

5.9
0.0

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

10
0.0

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
8.0

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q70R Style photo - bar
Sonos Playbar Style photo - bar

Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q70R Style photo - sub
Sonos Playbar Style photo - sub

Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q70R Style photo - satellites
Sonos Playbar Style photo - satellites

Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q70R Dimensions photo - bar
Sonos Playbar Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

43.3" (110.0 cm)
35.5" (90.1 cm)

Height  

2.2" (5.5 cm)
3.3" (8.5 cm)

Depth  

4.0" (10.1 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q70R Dimensions photo - sub
Sonos Playbar Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

7.9" (20.1 cm)
N/A

Height  

15.9" (40.4 cm)
N/A

Depth  

15.7" (39.8 cm)
N/A

Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q70R Dimensions photo - satellites
Sonos Playbar Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Show text

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q70R Back photo - bar
Sonos Playbar Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on underside)
Proprietary

Show text

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q70R Back photo - sub
Sonos Playbar Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
No Subwoofer

Show text

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q70R Back photo - satellites
Sonos Playbar Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
No

Show text

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Build quality photo  

Samsung HW-Q70R Build quality photo
Sonos Playbar Build quality photo

Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Samsung HW-Q70R In The Box photo
Sonos Playbar In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)
N/A

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

N/A
1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Show text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.5
7.4

Stereo Setup  

Samsung HW-Q70R Stereo Setup
Sonos Playbar 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

Tested Preset 
 

Standard
No Preset

Slope 
 

-0.53
0.48

Std. Err. 
 

2.43 dB
2.21 dB

Channels 
 

3.1.2
3.0

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.9 Hz
51.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
15.6 kHz

Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.5
7.5

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
No Preset

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
1

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

0
-3

Slope 
 

-0.53
-0.11

Std. Err. 
 

2.43 dB
2.04 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.9 Hz
51.1 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.3 kHz

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
8.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.67 dB
2.63 dB

Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.8
7.7

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

95.6 dB SPL
96.0 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

2.14 dB
2.41 dB

Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.5
7.6

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.52
0.47

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.91
1.96

Show text

Center 
 

8.3
8.8

Center Setup  

Samsung HW-Q70R Center Setup
Sonos Playbar Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.32
0.44

Std. Err. 
 

2.43 dB
1.99 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

88.0 dB SPL
96.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.94
0.67

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.45
1.83

Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

3.2
4.5

Surround Setup  

Samsung HW-Q70R Surround Setup
Sonos Playbar Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-1.68
0.12

Std. Err. 
 

5.62 dB
2.51 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

88.2 dB SPL
94.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.66
1.24

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.06
2.53

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No

Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

5.9
0.0

Height Setup  

Samsung HW-Q70R Height Setup
Sonos Playbar Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
Sonos Playbar H Frequency Response

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Not Supported

Slope 
 

1.00
N/A

Std. Err. 
 

4.70 dB
N/A

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

89.3 dB SPL
N/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.96
N/A

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.54
N/A

Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

5.9
6.2

Room Correction 
 

No
Yes

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

EQ 
 

Graphic + Presets
No

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Connectivity

Physical Inputs - Bar 
 

Physical inputs bar photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q70R Physical inputs bar photo 1
Sonos Playbar Physical inputs bar photo 1

Physical inputs bar photo 2  

Samsung HW-Q70R Physical inputs bar photo 2
Sonos Playbar Physical inputs bar photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)
No

HDMI Out 
 

1 (shared)
No

Full HDMI In 
 

1
No

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

No
2

Show text

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

10
0.0

eARC 
 

Yes
No

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
No

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
No

DTS 
 

Yes
No

DTS:X (eARC only) 
 

Yes
No

Dolby TrueHD (eARC only) 
 

Yes
No

DTS-HD MA (eARC only) 
 

Yes
No

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

10
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
No

DTS:X 
 

Yes
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
No

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
No

DTS 
 

Yes
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Yes
No

DTS-HD MA 
 

Yes
No

5.1 PCM 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Audio Format Support - Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Latency 
 

7.8
8.8

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

94 ms
N/A

Optical 
 

74 ms
36 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-19 ms
N/A

Wireless Playback 
 

8.0
2.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
No

Wi-Fi 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
No

Show text

Other Input Specifications 
 

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q70R Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Sonos Playbar Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q70R Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sonos Playbar Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q70R Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Sonos Playbar Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q70R Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sonos Playbar Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

No
No

Show text

Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Samsung HW-Q70R Interface photo
Sonos Playbar Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Samsung HW-Q70R Controls photo
Sonos Playbar Controls photo

Show text

Remote 
 

Remote photo  

Samsung HW-Q70R Remote photo
Sonos Playbar Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
No

Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Show text

App 
 

App image  

Samsung HW-Q70R App image
Sonos Playbar App image

App Name  

Samsung SmartThings
Sonos Controller

iOS  

Yes
Yes

Android  

Yes
Yes

Acts As A Remote 
 

Yes
Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

Some
All

Casts Device Files 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Auto-off
No

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Check Price

Standard
HW-Q70R
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
Playbar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HW-Q70R
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
Playbar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Standard
Playbar
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Standard
Playbar
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Standard
Playbar
SEE PRICE
B&H

Samsung HW-Q70R

Sonos Playbar

Comments

  1. Comparison

Samsung HW-Q70R vs Sonos Playbar: Main Discussion

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