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Sonos Arc vs Samsung HW-Q990D
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sonos Arc
Samsung HW-Q990D
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Apr 25, 2025 06:45 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.0.2
Channels11.1.4
Variants
- Arc (Black)
- Arc SL (Shadow Edition)
- Arc (White)
- HW-Q990D (Black)
Our Verdict
Sonos Arc
Samsung HW-Q990D
The Samsung HW-Q990D is a better overall soundbar then the Sonos Arc. The Samsung has a more balanced and neutral sound, which some people may prefer, and if it doesn't, there are plenty of sound customization features available to help align their sound with your tastes. Since it has discrete satellite speakers, its surround performance feels more immersive; sound effects sound clear and are easily located in the soundstage. This bar also has HDMI 2.1 support, so you can passthrough 4k signals at 120Hz, making it a great choice for gaming on next gen consoles or PCs. The Sonos is still a suitable option if you're looking for an all-in-one bar. It may not have all the bells and whistles of the Samsung, but it can play height content. You can also check out the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers or the Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc to see how it performs with a sub and satellites added on.
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Black
Arc
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HW-Q990D
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Amazon.comShadow Edition
Arc SL
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Arc
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Finding storeMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.4
8.6
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
8.5
Surround 5.1
5.7
8.4
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
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
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
44.9" (114.1 cm)
48.5" (123.2 cm)
Height
3.4" (8.7 cm)
2.7" (6.9 cm)
Depth
4.7" (12.0 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
8.8" (22.4 cm)
Height
N/A
16.1" (40.9 cm)
Depth
N/A
16.1" (40.9 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
5.1" (13.0 cm)
Height
N/A
7.8" (19.9 cm)
Depth
N/A
5.6" (14.1 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Yes
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
8.5
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.0.2
11.1.4
Tested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Slope
0.37
-0.32
Standard Error
3.33 dB
2.32 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
51.1 Hz
27.5 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.2
8.5
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
0
Suggested Treble Setting
-3
0
Slope
-0.09
-0.28
Standard Error
3.08 dB
2.37 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
51.1 Hz
27.5 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
7.5
Crosstalk Error
2.28 dB
2.43 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.1
9.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
91.6 dB SPL
99.4 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.28 dB
0.32 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.75 dB
0.81 dB
Center
7.8
8.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.40
-0.22
Std. Err.
2.94 dB
2.24 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
76.5 dB SPL
96.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
0.24
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.56
1.99
Surround 5.1
5.7
8.4
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Discrete
Slope
0.01
-0.16
Std. Err.
3.27 dB
2.83 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
75.1 dB SPL
93.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.39
0.56
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.98
3.00
7.1 Rears
No
Yes
Height (Atmos)
6.1
6.8
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
0.55
-0.23
Std. Err.
2.91 dB
3.76 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
62.0 dB SPL
91.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.07
0.53
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.18
1.46
Sound Enhancement Features
5.7
9.5
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
Yes
EQ
No
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Yes
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
1
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Yes
Full HDMI In
No
2
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
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.5
9.3
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
42 ms
34 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
41 ms
40 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
59 ms
58 ms
Dolby Digital
92 ms
79 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
101 ms
86 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
101 ms
90 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
0.0
9.4
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
34 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
35 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
63 ms
Dolby Digital
N/A
97 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
89 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
95 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
9.0
9.1
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
99 ms
97 ms
Dolby Digital
129 ms
156 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
10
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
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
Yes
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
Yes
ALLM Passthrough
No
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)
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
Yes (Built-in)
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
Yes
Check Price
Black
Arc
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HW-Q990D
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comShadow Edition
Arc SL
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Arc
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Sonos Arc
Samsung HW-Q990D
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Sonos Arc vs Samsung HW-Q990D: Main Discussion
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