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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  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. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. 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 Sony HT-X8500

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Sonos Arc
Sony HT-X8500

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Apr 09, 2024 01:57 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sonos Arc Picture
Sony HT-X8500 Picture
Channels
5.0.2
Channels
2.1

Variants

  • Arc (Black)
  • Arc SL (Shadow Edition)
  • Arc (White)
  • HT-X8500

Review

See Sonos Arc Review
See Sony HT-X8500 Review
3 
0 

Our Verdict

Sonos Arc

Sony HT-X8500

The Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-X8500. The Sonos is better built, with better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. It also comes with a room correction feature and can be upgraded to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. However, the 2.1 Sony has some EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port, unlike the Sonos.

0 

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Black
Arc
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Standard
HT-X8500
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Shadow Edition
Arc SL
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Standard
HT-X8500
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White
Arc
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Standard
HT-X8500
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Standard
HT-X8500
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Standard
HT-X8500
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.4
6.8

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
6.0

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.2
6.8

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
10

Surround 5.1 
 

5.7
3.3

Center 
 

7.8
6.7

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sonos Arc Style photo - bar
Sony HT-X8500 Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sonos Arc Style photo - sub
Sony HT-X8500 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

No
No

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
Integrated
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sonos Arc Style photo - satellites
Sony HT-X8500 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sonos Arc Dimensions photo - bar
Sony HT-X8500 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

44.9" (114.1 cm)
34.9" (88.7 cm)

Height  

3.4" (8.7 cm)
2.5" (6.3 cm)

Depth  

4.7" (12.0 cm)
3.9" (9.8 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sonos Arc Dimensions photo - sub
Sony HT-X8500 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
Sony HT-X8500 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
Sony HT-X8500 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sonos Arc Satellite Mounting Holes
Sony HT-X8500 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
7.0

Build quality photo  

Sonos Arc Build quality photo
Sony HT-X8500 Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sonos Arc In The Box photo
Sony HT-X8500 In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.2
6.8

Stereo Setup  

Sonos Arc Stereo Setup
Sony HT-X8500 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
2.1

Tested Preset 
 

No Preset
Standard

Slope 
 

0.37
-0.52

Standard Error 
 

3.33 dB
3.31 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

51.1 Hz
59.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
17.2 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.2
6.8

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

No Preset
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
-1

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

-3
N/A

Slope 
 

-0.09
-0.48

Standard Error 
 

3.08 dB
3.44 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

51.1 Hz
59.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
18.0 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
6.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.28 dB
1.99 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.1
7.4

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

91.6 dB SPL
92.6 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.28 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.75 dB
2.19 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.5

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.57

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.32
Show Text 

Center 
 

7.8
6.7

Center Setup  

Sonos Arc Center Setup
Sony HT-X8500 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Phantom

Slope 
 

-0.40
-0.82

Std. Err. 
 

2.94 dB
3.14 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

76.5 dB SPL
91.4 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.32
0.44

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.56
1.27
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

5.7
3.3

Surround Setup  

Sonos Arc Surround Setup
Sony HT-X8500 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

0.01
-0.76

Std. Err. 
 

3.27 dB
5.33 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

75.1 dB SPL
89.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.39
0.52

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.98
1.32

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.1
4.8

Height Setup  

Sonos Arc Height Setup
Sony HT-X8500 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Surround (Downmix)

Slope 
 

0.55
-0.19

Std. Err. 
 

2.91 dB
5.82 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

62.0 dB SPL
80.0 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.07
2.65

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.18
0.60
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

5.7
4.7

Room Correction 
 

Yes
No

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
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Virtual Surround 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Sonos Arc Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Sony HT-X8500 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sonos Arc Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Sony HT-X8500 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
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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

0.0
7.5

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 
 

-23 ms

Optical 
 

5 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-126 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

9.0

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

99 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

129 ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

0.0
6.6

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
60Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
60Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
60Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
60Hz

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
30Hz

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No
No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No
No

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No
No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No
No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

3.0
6.0

Bluetooth 
 

No
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
No

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
No

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Sonos Arc Interface photo
Sony HT-X8500 Interface photo

Display 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sonos Arc Controls photo
Sony HT-X8500 Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sonos Arc Remote photo
Sony HT-X8500 Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Yes (Built-in)
No

Google Assistant 
 

Yes (Built-in)
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Arc
Searching
Finding store
Standard
HT-X8500
Searching
Finding store
Shadow Edition
Arc SL
Searching
Finding store
Standard
HT-X8500
Searching
Finding store
White
Arc
Searching
Finding store
Standard
HT-X8500
Searching
Finding store
 
Standard
HT-X8500
Searching
Finding store
 
Standard
HT-X8500
Searching
Finding store
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Sonos Arc

Sony HT-X8500

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Sonos Arc vs Sony HT-X8500: Main Discussion

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