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Sonos Arc vs Samsung HW-B550
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sonos Arc
Samsung HW-B550
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jan 14, 2025 08:37 PM
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Channels5.0.2
Channels2.1
Variants
- Arc (Black)
- Arc SL (Shadow Edition)
- Arc (White)
- HW-B550 (Black)
Our Verdict
Sonos Arc
Samsung HW-B550
Since the Samsung HW-B550 comes with a subwoofer, it can reproduce more bass than the standalone Sonos Arc. That said, the Sonos shines in other regards. Its stereo soundstage is better, as is its surround sound performance. It can playback height content like Dolby Atmos, unlike the Samsung soundbar. You can always add a sub on to the Sonos to improve its bass performance, too.
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Black
Arc
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HW-B550
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Arc SL
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HW-B550
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Arc
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HW-B550
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HW-B550
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HW-B550
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HW-B550
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Finding storeMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.4
7.3
Height (Atmos)
6.1
0.0
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
8.0
Center
7.8
6.0
Surround 5.1
5.7
3.4
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
9.6
6.3
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" (86.0 cm)
Height
3.4" (8.7 cm)
2.2" (5.6 cm)
Depth
4.7" (12.0 cm)
3.0" (7.6 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
7.2" (18.4 cm)
Height
N/A
13.5" (34.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
11.7" (29.7 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
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
8.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
8.0
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.0.2
2.1
Tested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Slope
0.37
-0.32
Standard Error
3.33 dB
2.40 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
51.1 Hz
38.3 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
0
Suggested Treble Setting
-3
0
Slope
-0.09
-0.32
Standard Error
3.08 dB
2.40 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
51.1 Hz
38.3 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.28 dB
2.57 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.1
8.5
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
91.6 dB SPL
94.1 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.28 dB
0.26 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.75 dB
0.68 dB
Center
7.8
6.0
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom
Slope
-0.40
-1.43
Std. Err.
2.94 dB
4.91 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
76.5 dB SPL
90.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
0.38
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.56
3.20
Surround 5.1
5.7
3.4
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
0.01
-1.50
Std. Err.
3.27 dB
5.10 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
75.1 dB SPL
87.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.39
0.39
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.98
2.60
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
7.4
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
Yes
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
ARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
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
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
9.6
6.3
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
2.0
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
6.3
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Not Supported
2.0
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.5
8.8
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
42 ms
85 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
41 ms
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
59 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital
92 ms
85 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
101 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
101 ms
N/A
Audio Latency: HDMI In
0.0
8.9
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
84 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
N/A
Dolby Digital
N/A
97 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
N/A
Audio Latency: Optical
9.0
7.2
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
99 ms
140 ms
Dolby Digital
129 ms
181 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
5.3
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
60Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
30Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
No
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
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
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
No
Google Assistant
Yes (Built-in)
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
No
Check Price
Black
Arc
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HW-B550
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Arc SL
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HW-B550
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Arc
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HW-B550
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HW-B550
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HW-B550
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HW-B550
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Sonos Arc
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Sonos Arc vs Samsung HW-B550: Main Discussion
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