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Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers vs Samsung HW-Q950A
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Samsung HW-Q950A
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated May 03, 2024 06:17 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1.2
Channels11.1.4
Variants
- Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers (Black)
- Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers (White)
- HW-Q950A (Black)
Our Verdict
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Samsung HW-Q950A
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. The Samsung has a more balanced, neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer. It also comes with a graphic EQ, EQ presets, a Full HDMI In port, and support for more wireless playback options. However, the Sonos is better built and has a better soundstage performance.
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Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comWhite
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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HW-Q950A
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HW-Q950A
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Walmart.comNotice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our soundbars test methodology.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.0
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
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
44.9" (114.1 cm)
48.4" (123.0 cm)
Height
3.4" (8.7 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)
Depth
4.7" (12.0 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
6.2" (15.7 cm)
8.2" (20.9 cm)
Height
15.4" (39.2 cm)
15.8" (40.2 cm)
Depth
16.1" (41.0 cm)
15.9" (40.3 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
4.7" (12.0 cm)
4.9" (12.4 cm)
Height
6.3" (16.1 cm)
8.0" (20.2 cm)
Depth
4.7" (12.0 cm)
5.5" (14.0 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
8.5
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.2
8.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1.2
11.1.4
Tested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Slope
0.16
0.30
Standard Error
3.20 dB
2.65 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.9 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.1 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.2
8.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
2
Suggested Treble Setting
-1
0
Slope
0.05
0.01
Standard Error
3.17 dB
2.19 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.9 Hz
30.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
7.5
Crosstalk Error
2.30 dB
2.24 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.3
8.8
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
92.7 dB SPL
98.8 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.30 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.43 dB
1.08 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.4
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.18
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.27
Center
7.8
8.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
1.27
0.28
Std. Err.
3.19 dB
2.19 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
77.9 dB SPL
96.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.33
0.17
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.66
0.86
Surround 5.1
6.9
8.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.47
-0.36
Std. Err.
3.76 dB
2.92 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
73.4 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.37
0.52
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.85
2.31
7.1 Rears
No
Yes
Height (Atmos)
6.1
6.6
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
0.18
-0.28
Std. Err.
3.10 dB
4.20 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
63.8 dB SPL
90.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.93
0.54
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.20
1.03
Sound Enhancement Features
7.5
9.5
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
No
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
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
No
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
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
7.7
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
80 ms
Optical
60 ms
Full HDMI In
59 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
8.5
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
120Hz
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
Yes
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
9.0
Bluetooth
No
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
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 with Sub + One SL Speakers
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comWhite
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEARCH
B&HBlack
HW-Q950A
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Samsung.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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Walmart.com
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Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers vs Samsung HW-Q950A: Main Discussion
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