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Sonos Arc vs Samsung HW-A550
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sonos Arc
Samsung HW-A550
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM
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BestBuy.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 12, 2024 03:49 PM
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Channels5.0.2
Channels2.1
Variants
- Arc (Black)
- Arc SL (Shadow Edition)
- Arc (White)
- HW-A550 (Black)
Our Verdict
Sonos Arc
Samsung HW-A550
The 5.0.2 Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the 2.1 Samsung HW-A550. The Sonos is better built and has a discrete center channel and two up-firing speakers that support Atmos. It has a better soundstage performance and offers room correction and built-in voice assistant support. You can also upgrade it to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the Samsung has a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port and supports Bluetooth. You can also upgrade the Samsung with satellite speakers.
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Arc
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Arc SL
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Arc
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Amazon.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.4
7.1
Height (Atmos)
6.1
0.0
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
7.9
Center
7.8
5.9
Surround 5.1
5.7
3.3
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
7.0
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
44.9" (114.1 cm)
33.9" (86.1 cm)
Height
3.4" (8.7 cm)
2.2" (5.5 cm)
Depth
4.7" (12.0 cm)
3.4" (8.7 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
7.9" (20.0 cm)
Height
N/A
13.8" (35.0 cm)
Depth
N/A
11.4" (29.0 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Mountable Satellites
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
8.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
N/A
Digital Optical Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on underside)
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
7.9
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.0.2
2.1
Tested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Slope
0.37
-0.58
Standard Error
3.33 dB
2.35 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
51.1 Hz
40.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.2
8.0
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
-3
3
Slope
-0.09
-0.12
Standard Error
3.08 dB
1.96 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
51.1 Hz
40.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.28 dB
2.65 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.1
8.2
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
91.6 dB SPL
92.2 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.28 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.75 dB
0.55 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
6.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.08
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
6.15
Center
7.8
5.9
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom
Slope
-0.40
-1.63
Std. Err.
2.94 dB
4.66 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
76.5 dB SPL
87.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
0.50
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.56
3.08
Surround 5.1
5.7
3.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
0.01
-1.68
Std. Err.
3.27 dB
4.87 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
75.1 dB SPL
85.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.39
0.51
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.98
2.22
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.1
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Not Supported
Slope
0.55
N/A
Std. Err.
2.91 dB
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
62.0 dB SPL
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.07
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.18
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
5.7
6.7
Room Correction
Yes
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
No
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Virtual Surround
No
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
Adapter into HDMI ARC
1
HDMI Out
eARC
1 (shared)
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
No
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
1
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
9.6
7.1
Dolby Atmos
Supported
No
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
No
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
No
DTS
Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Not Supported
No
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
No
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
6.4
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
No
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
No
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
No
DTS
Not Supported
No
DTS:X
Not Supported
No
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
No
PCM Channels
Not Supported
5.1 PCM
No
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
2.0
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
Audio Latency: HDMI In
0.0
7.0
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
104 ms
Optical
77 ms
Full HDMI In
77 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
9.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
99 ms
Dolby Digital
129 ms
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
No
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
Wireless Playback
3.0
6.0
Bluetooth
No
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
No
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
No
Spotify Connect
Yes
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
No
Google Assistant
Yes (Built-in)
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
App
App image
App Name
No App
iOS
No
Android
No
Acts As A Remote
No
Controls Soundbar's Settings
No
Casts Device Files
No
Other Features
Power Saving
Auto-off
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
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Black
Arc
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HW-A550
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BestBuy.comShadow Edition
Arc SL
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Finding storeBlack
HW-A550
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BestBuy.comWhite
Arc
Searching
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HW-A550
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BestBuy.comBlack
HW-A550
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BestBuy.comBlack
HW-A550
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Sonos Arc
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Sonos Arc vs Samsung HW-A550: Main Discussion
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