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Sonos Arc vs Sony HT-A9
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sonos Arc
Sony HT-A9
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 30, 2025 09:10 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.0.2
Channels4.0.4
Variants
- Arc (Black)
- Arc SL (Shadow Edition)
- Arc (White)
- HT-A9 (Light Gray)
Our Verdict
Sonos Arc
Sony HT-A9
The Sonos Arc is better than the Sony HT-A9. These setups have very different designs, as the Sonos is a long standalone bar while the Sony is a small box with four satellites. The Sonos reproduces a slightly more extended low-bass and has a better center channel performance. However, the Sony has a better soundstage. You can also upgrade both of these setups with subwoofers.
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Black
Arc
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HT-A9
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Amazon.comShadow Edition
Arc SL
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HT-A9
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Walmart.comWhite
Arc
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HT-A9
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B&HLight Gray
HT-A9
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BestBuy.comLight Gray
HT-A9
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LG.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.4
7.4
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
0.0
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
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
No
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
No Subwoofer
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
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
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
8.0
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
4.0.4
Tested Preset
No Preset
Standard Surround
Slope
0.37
0.33
Standard Error
3.33 dB
3.21 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
51.1 Hz
60.8 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.2
6.9
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
2.98 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
51.1 Hz
61.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
9.0
Crosstalk Error
2.28 dB
2.23 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.1
7.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
91.6 dB SPL
86.4 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.28 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.75 dB
1.39 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.7
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.41
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.28
Center
7.8
6.6
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom
Slope
-0.40
-0.44
Std. Err.
2.94 dB
3.07 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
76.5 dB SPL
88.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
0.47
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.56
0.99
Surround 5.1
5.7
7.1
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Discrete
Slope
0.01
-1.87
Std. Err.
3.27 dB
4.67 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
75.1 dB SPL
89.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.39
0.66
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.98
1.48
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.1
6.8
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
0.55
0.75
Std. Err.
2.91 dB
3.00 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
62.0 dB SPL
84.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.07
0.99
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.18
0.39
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 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
1
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
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
9.5
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
No
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)
No
Google Assistant
Yes (Built-in)
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
No
Check Price
Black
Arc
Searching
Finding storeLight Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comShadow Edition
Arc SL
Searching
Finding storeLight Gray
HT-A9
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comWhite
Arc
Searching
Finding storeLight Gray
HT-A9
SEARCH
B&HLight Gray
HT-A9
SEARCH
BestBuy.comLight Gray
HT-A9
SEARCH
LG.com
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Sonos Arc
Sony HT-A9
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Sonos Arc vs Sony HT-A9: Main Discussion
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