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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. Center
    6. Surround 5.1
    7. Height (Atmos)
    8. 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

Samsung HW-Q990D vs Sonos Arc Ultra

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Samsung HW-Q990D
Sonos Arc Ultra

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Apr 25, 2025 06:45 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Mar 10, 2025 03:55 PM

SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Samsung HW-Q990D Picture
Sonos Arc Ultra Picture
Channels
11.1.4
Channels
5.1.2
  1. Recommended in 7 articles:
  2. Soundbars
  3. Subwoofer
  4. Samsung
  5. Dolby Atmos
  6. Music
  7. Dialogue
  8. Movies
  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. All-In-One
  3. Dialogue

Variants

  • HW-Q990D (Black)
  • Arc Ultra (Black)
  • Arc Ultra (White)

Review

See Samsung HW-Q990D Review
See Sonos Arc Ultra Review
0 
0 

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-Q990D

Sonos Arc Ultra

Full comparison details regarding individual product score sets can be found in the section below

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Black
HW-Q990D
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Black
Arc Ultra
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Black
HW-Q990D
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White
Arc Ultra
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Black
HW-Q990D
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Black
HW-Q990D
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Black
HW-Q990D
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Black
HW-Q990D
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

8.6
7.7

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.5
7.6

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
0.0

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

10
0.0

Surround 5.1 
 

8.4
6.4

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q990D Style photo - bar
Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q990D Style photo - sub
Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
No

Enclosure 
 

Ported
No Subwoofer
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q990D Style photo - satellites
Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q990D Dimensions photo - bar
Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

48.5" (123.2 cm)
46.5" (118.0 cm)

Height  

2.7" (6.9 cm)
3.0" (7.5 cm)

Depth  

5.4" (13.8 cm)
4.3" (11.0 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q990D Dimensions photo - sub
Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

8.8" (22.4 cm)
N/A

Height  

16.1" (40.9 cm)
N/A

Depth  

16.1" (40.9 cm)
N/A
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q990D Dimensions photo - satellites
Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

5.1" (13.0 cm)
N/A

Height  

7.8" (19.9 cm)
N/A

Depth  

5.6" (14.1 cm)
N/A
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Samsung HW-Q990D Bar Mounting Holes
Sonos Arc Ultra Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Samsung HW-Q990D Satellite Mounting Holes
Sonos Arc Ultra Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
No

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes
No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.5
8.0

Build quality photo  

Samsung HW-Q990D Build quality photo
Sonos Arc Ultra Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Samsung HW-Q990D In The Box photo
Sonos Arc Ultra In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.5
7.6

Stereo Setup  

Samsung HW-Q990D Stereo Setup
Sonos Arc Ultra 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 
 

11.1.4
5.1.2

Tested Preset 
 

Standard
No Preset

Slope 
 

-0.32
0.06

Standard Error 
 

2.32 dB
2.50 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.5 Hz
46.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
18.8 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.5
7.6

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
No Preset

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
0

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

0
0

Slope 
 

-0.28
0.01

Standard Error 
 

2.37 dB
2.53 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.5 Hz
46.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
18.8 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.5
8.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.43 dB
2.71 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

9.1
8.4

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

99.4 dB SPL
93.0 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.32 dB
0.23 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.81 dB
0.57 dB
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.8
8.5

Center Setup  

Samsung HW-Q990D Center Setup
Sonos Arc Ultra Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.22
0.59

Std. Err. 
 

2.24 dB
2.67 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

96.2 dB SPL
95.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.24
0.63

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.99
1.90
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

8.4
6.4

Surround Setup  

Samsung HW-Q990D Surround Setup
Sonos Arc Ultra Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

-0.16
0.35

Std. Err. 
 

2.83 dB
3.45 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

93.2 dB SPL
97.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.56
3.73

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

3.00
4.31

7.1 Rears 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.8
5.7

Height Setup  

Samsung HW-Q990D Height Setup
Sonos Arc Ultra Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

-0.23
0.25

Std. Err. 
 

3.76 dB
4.49 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

91.4 dB SPL
85.4 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.53
0.48

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.46
0.89
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

9.5
5.7

Room Correction 
 

Yes
Yes

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

EQ 
 

Graphic + Presets
No

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q990D Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Sonos Arc Ultra Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Samsung HW-Q990D Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Sonos Arc Ultra Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
No

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

Yes
No

Full HDMI In 
 

2
No

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

No
1

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

10
9.6

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS:X 
 

Supported
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

10
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Not Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Not Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Not Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Not Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Not Supported

DTS:X 
 

Supported
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1
Not Supported
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
0.0

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Not Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Not Supported
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

9.3
8.1

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

34 ms
49 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

40 ms
45 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

58 ms
64 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

79 ms
98 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

86 ms
107 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

90 ms
107 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

9.4
0.0

HDMI Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

34 ms
N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

35 ms
N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

63 ms
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

97 ms
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

89 ms
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

95 ms
N/A
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

9.1
0.0

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

97 ms
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

156 ms
N/A
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

10
0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
Not Supported

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
Not Supported

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
Not Supported

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Supported
Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
Not Supported

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz
Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

10
9.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

Yes
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Samsung HW-Q990D Interface photo
Sonos Arc Ultra Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Samsung HW-Q990D Controls photo
Sonos Arc Ultra Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Samsung HW-Q990D Remote photo
Sonos Arc Ultra Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant 
 

No
Yes (Built-in)

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
HW-Q990D
Searching
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Black
Arc Ultra
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q990D
Searching
Finding store
White
Arc Ultra
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q990D
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
HW-Q990D
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
HW-Q990D
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
HW-Q990D
Searching
Finding store
 
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Samsung HW-Q990D

Sonos Arc Ultra

Comments

  1. Comparison

Samsung HW-Q990D vs Sonos Arc Ultra: Main Discussion

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