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  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

Sonos Arc vs Bose Smart Soundbar

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Sonos Arc
Bose Smart Soundbar

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Nov 15, 2024 09:42 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sonos Arc Picture
Bose Smart Soundbar Picture
  1. Recommended in 3 articles:
  2. Dolby Atmos
  3. Bose
  4. Small

Variants

  • Arc (Black)
  • Arc SL (Shadow Edition)
  • Arc (White)
  • Smart Soundbar (Black)

Our Verdict

Sonos Arc

Bose Smart Soundbar

The Sonos Arc is a larger and more premium all-in-one soundbar that is a bit better than the Bose Smart Soundbar for most people, unless you're short of space, though they share some of the same qualities, like a lack of full bass extension. The Sonos' stereo soundstage is bigger and sounds similarly balanced as the Bose, but you get room calibration and a 5.0.2 configuration as opposed to a 3.0.2. On the other hand, the Bose is smaller and keeps up well for Dolby Atmos and surround performance and falls only a bit shy on most other metrics, though it lacks DTS support.

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Shadow Edition
Arc SL
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Black
Smart Soundbar
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Black
Smart Soundbar
B&H
 
Black
Smart Soundbar
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.4
7.2

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
No

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
7.0

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sonos Arc Style photo - bar
Bose Smart Soundbar Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sonos Arc Style photo - sub
Bose Smart Soundbar Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

No
No

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
No Subwoofer
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sonos Arc Style photo - satellites
Bose Smart Soundbar Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sonos Arc Dimensions photo - bar
Bose Smart Soundbar Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

44.9" (114.1 cm)
27.4" (69.5 cm)

Height  

3.4" (8.7 cm)
2.2" (5.6 cm)

Depth  

4.7" (12.0 cm)
4.1" (10.5 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sonos Arc Dimensions photo - sub
Bose Smart Soundbar Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sonos Arc Dimensions photo - satellites
Bose Smart Soundbar Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Sonos Arc Bar Mounting Holes
Bose Smart Soundbar Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sonos Arc Satellite Mounting Holes
Bose Smart Soundbar Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Build quality photo  

Sonos Arc Build quality photo
Bose Smart Soundbar Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sonos Arc In The Box photo
Bose Smart Soundbar In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.2
7.2

Stereo Setup  

Sonos Arc Stereo Setup
Bose Smart Soundbar 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 
 

5.0.2
3.0.2

Tested Preset 
 

No Preset
No Preset

Slope 
 

0.37
-0.59

Standard Error 
 

3.33 dB
3.15 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

51.1 Hz
53.4 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.2
7.2

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

No Preset
No Preset

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
-30

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

-3
30

Slope 
 

-0.09
-0.05

Standard Error 
 

3.08 dB
3.02 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

51.1 Hz
52.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.28 dB
3.31 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.1
7.9

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

91.6 dB SPL
92.3 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.28 dB
0.47 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.75 dB
1.75 dB
Show Text 

Center 
 

7.8
8.6

Center Setup  

Sonos Arc Center Setup
Bose Smart Soundbar Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.40
0.13

Std. Err. 
 

2.94 dB
2.60 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

76.5 dB SPL
94.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.32
0.57

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.56
0.92
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

5.7
6.1

Surround Setup  

Sonos Arc Surround Setup
Bose Smart Soundbar Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Front Firing, Up Firing and Side Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

0.01
-1.06

Std. Err. 
 

3.27 dB
3.72 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

75.1 dB SPL
92.2 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.39
1.15

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.98
2.72

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.1
6.3

Height Setup  

Sonos Arc Height Setup
Bose Smart Soundbar Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Front Firing and Up Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

0.55
-0.27

Std. Err. 
 

2.91 dB
3.09 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

62.0 dB SPL
82.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.07
0.68

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.18
0.72
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

5.7
3.0

Room Correction 
 

Yes
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
No

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

EQ 
 

No
No

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

No
No
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Sonos Arc Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Bose Smart Soundbar Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sonos Arc Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Bose Smart Soundbar Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

Adapter into HDMI ARC
1

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No
No

Full HDMI In 
 

No
No

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

1
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

9.6
8.1

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Not Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
6.5

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

8.5
9.0

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

42 ms
57 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

41 ms
60 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

59 ms
60 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

92 ms
80 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

101 ms
93 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

101 ms
94 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

0.0
0.0

HDMI Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A
N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A
N/A

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

9.0
7.5

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

99 ms
130 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

129 ms
175 ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

0.0
0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

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
10

Bluetooth 
 

No
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
Yes

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Sonos Arc Interface photo
Bose Smart Soundbar Interface photo

Display 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sonos Arc Controls photo
Bose Smart Soundbar Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sonos Arc Remote photo
Bose Smart Soundbar Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

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

Google Assistant 
 

Yes (Built-in)
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Shadow Edition
Arc SL
Searching
Finding store
Black
Smart Soundbar
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Smart Soundbar
B&H
 
Black
Smart Soundbar
BestBuy.com

Sonos Arc

Bose Smart Soundbar

Comments

  1. Comparison

Sonos Arc vs Bose Smart Soundbar: Main Discussion

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