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Sonos Arc vs Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sonos Arc
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Aug 02, 2024 09:04 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.0.2
Channels4.1.4
Variants
- Arc (Black)
- Arc SL (Shadow Edition)
- Arc (White)
- HT-A9 with SAS-SW5 (Light Gray - Black)
Our Verdict
Sonos Arc
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module
The Sonos Arc and the Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module are two premium soundbar setups. The Sonos is a standalone 5.0.2 bar with a discrete center channel. It can get louder, and you can also upgrade it with a sub and satellites. The better-built Sony has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It even comes with a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough and supports more wireless playback options.
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Black
Arc
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HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Amazon.comShadow Edition
Arc SL
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HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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BestBuy.comWhite
Arc
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HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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Walmart.comLight Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
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B&HMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.4
7.4
Stereo Dynamics
8.1
5.4
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
0.0
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
7.5
Center
7.8
6.6
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
9.0
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Passive Radiator
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
44.9" (114.1 cm)
6.3" (16.0 cm)
Height
3.4" (8.7 cm)
12.2" (31.0 cm)
Depth
4.7" (12.0 cm)
5.8" (14.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
10.6" (27.0 cm)
Height
N/A
15.9" (40.5 cm)
Depth
N/A
16.5" (42.0 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
6.3" (16.0 cm)
Height
N/A
12.2" (31.0 cm)
Depth
N/A
5.8" (14.8 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
No
Mountable Satellites
No
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
7.5
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.0.2
4.1.4
Tested Preset
No Preset
Standard Surround
Slope
0.37
0.03
Standard Error
3.33 dB
2.79 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
51.1 Hz
46.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.2
7.5
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
No Preset
Standard Surround
Suggested Bass Setting
0
6
Suggested Treble Setting
-3
N/A
Slope
-0.09
0.03
Standard Error
3.08 dB
2.79 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
51.1 Hz
46.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
9.0
Crosstalk Error
2.28 dB
2.14 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.1
5.4
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
91.6 dB SPL
86.6 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.28 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.75 dB
4.75 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.6
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.47
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.88
Center
7.8
6.6
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom
Slope
-0.40
-0.04
Std. Err.
2.94 dB
2.95 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
76.5 dB SPL
88.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
0.42
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.56
1.66
Surround 5.1
5.7
7.5
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Discrete
Slope
0.01
-0.90
Std. Err.
3.27 dB
3.50 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
75.1 dB SPL
89.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.39
0.40
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.98
1.42
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.1
7.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
0.55
0.36
Std. Err.
2.91 dB
1.97 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
62.0 dB SPL
82.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.07
1.16
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.18
0.32
Sound Enhancement Features
5.7
8.3
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
No
EQ
No
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
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
No
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
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
No
Ethernet
1
1
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
9.6
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Not Supported
Yes
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Yes
DTS
Not Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Not Supported
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
Not Supported
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
0.0
Dolby Digital
Supported
No
DTS
Supported
No
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
7.8
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
74 ms
Optical
N/A
Full HDMI In
54 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
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
Wireless Playback
3.0
10
Bluetooth
No
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
Yes
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
Searching
Finding storeLight Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comShadow Edition
Arc SL
Searching
Finding storeLight Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comWhite
Arc
Searching
Finding storeLight Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comLight Gray - Black
HT-A9 with SAS-SW5
SEARCH
B&H
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Sonos Arc
Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module
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Sonos Arc vs Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module: Main Discussion
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