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Sonos Arc vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sonos Arc
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.0.2
Channels5.0.2
Variants
- Arc (Black)
- Arc SL (Shadow Edition)
- Arc (White)
- BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 (Black)
Our Verdict
Sonos Arc
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
For some, the Sonos Arc offers better overall value than the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9. The Sonos can create a wider soundstage with better focus, so you can pinpoint where sound is coming from. Its surround and height performances are better and more even, too. It's even better built, and you can pair it with other Sonos products in your home, but the trade-off is that it only has an HDMI ARC port and comes with an Optical adapter. The Sony soundbar may not have an Optical port, but it has separate HDMI In and Out ports and can passthrough 4k content at 120Hz, which is ideal for gamers wanting to use the bar as a hub between their TV and the latest-gen console.
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Black
Arc
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Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
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Amazon.comShadow Edition
Arc SL
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Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
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BestBuy.comWhite
Arc
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Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
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B&HBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
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Walmart.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.4
7.2
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
6.5
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
0.0
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
No
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
44.9" (114.1 cm)
51.2" (130.1 cm)
Height
3.4" (8.7 cm)
2.5" (6.4 cm)
Depth
4.7" (12.0 cm)
4.4" (11.3 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
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
7.0
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.0.2
5.0.2
Tested Preset
No Preset
Standard Surround
Slope
0.37
0.79
Standard Error
3.33 dB
3.38 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
51.1 Hz
56.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.2
7.5
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
No Preset
Standard Surround
Suggested Bass Setting
0
1
Suggested Treble Setting
-3
N/A
Slope
-0.09
-0.10
Standard Error
3.08 dB
2.61 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
51.1 Hz
50.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
6.5
Crosstalk Error
2.28 dB
4.11 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.1
7.5
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
91.6 dB SPL
93.2 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.28 dB
0.27 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.75 dB
4.19 dB
Center
7.8
8.7
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.40
0.38
Std. Err.
2.94 dB
2.26 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
76.5 dB SPL
94.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
0.33
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.56
4.68
Surround 5.1
5.7
5.1
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
0.01
1.32
Std. Err.
3.27 dB
7.04 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
75.1 dB SPL
95.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.39
0.30
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.98
2.04
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.1
5.5
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
0.55
0.26
Std. Err.
2.91 dB
5.24 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
62.0 dB SPL
82.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.07
1.26
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.18
0.84
Sound Enhancement Features
5.7
5.3
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
No
EQ
No
No
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
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
No
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Yes
Full HDMI In
No
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
9.6
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Not Supported
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
0.0
Dolby Digital
Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Not Supported
Audio Latency: ARC
8.5
6.2
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
42 ms
100 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
41 ms
96 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
59 ms
105 ms
Dolby Digital
92 ms
130 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
101 ms
134 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
101 ms
137 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
0.0
5.8
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
104 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
98 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
109 ms
Dolby Digital
N/A
148 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
139 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
142 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
9.0
0.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
99 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital
129 ms
N/A
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
9.6
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
120Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
120Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
60Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
No
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
Yes
ALLM Passthrough
No
Yes
Wireless Playback
3.0
9.0
Bluetooth
No
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Yes
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
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comShadow Edition
Arc SL
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comWhite
Arc
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Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
SEE PRICE
B&HBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
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Sonos Arc
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
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Sonos Arc vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9: Main Discussion
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