Get insider access
Preferred store
Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
  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
    10. Back - Bar
    11. Back - Subwoofer
    12. Back - Satellites
  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
    10. Connectivity - Subwoofer
    11. Connectivity - Satellites
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
    5. App
    6. Other Features
  8. Comments

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers vs Samsung HW-Q950T

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Samsung HW-Q950T

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated May 03, 2024 06:17 PM

Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:47 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Picture
Samsung HW-Q950T Picture

Variants

  • Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers (Black)
  • Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers (White)
  • HW-Q950T (Black)

Our Verdict

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers

Samsung HW-Q950T

The Samsung HW-Q950T is a better soundbar than the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. The Samsung is a 9.1.4 setup that offers a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box and gets louder with less compression. It also comes with a graphic EQ and two Full HDMI In ports. However, the 5.1.2 Sonos is better built, with a better soundstage performance and a room correction feature.

0 

Check Price

Black
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Searching
Finding store
White
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Searching
Finding store
 
 
 
 
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

8.0
8.2

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
10

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
No

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Style photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q950T Style photo - bar
Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Style photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q950T Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Style photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q950T Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Dimensions photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q950T 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)
Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Dimensions photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q950T 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)
Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Dimensions photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q950T Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

4.7" (12.0 cm)
4.8" (12.2 cm)

Height  

6.3" (16.1 cm)
8.2" (20.9 cm)

Depth  

4.7" (12.0 cm)
5.6" (14.3 cm)
Show text

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

No

Mountable Satellites 
 

No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No

Build Quality 
 

8.5
7.5

Build quality photo  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Build quality photo
Samsung HW-Q950T Build quality photo
Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers In The Box photo
Samsung HW-Q950T In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

N/A
Show text

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q950T Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on underside)
Show text

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q950T Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show text

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q950T Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on back)
Show text
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.2
8.4

Stereo Setup  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Stereo Setup
Samsung HW-Q950T 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 
 

5.1.2
9.1.4

Tested Preset 
 

No Preset
Standard

Slope 
 

0.16
-0.14

Standard Error 
 

3.20 dB
2.62 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.9 Hz
28.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
18.5 kHz
Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.2
8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

No Preset
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
0

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

-1
0

Slope 
 

0.05
-0.14

Standard Error 
 

3.17 dB
2.62 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.9 Hz
28.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
18.5 kHz
Show text

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
7.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.30 dB
2.35 dB
Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.3
9.0

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

92.7 dB SPL
101.1 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.30 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.43 dB
1.00 dB
Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.3

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.18

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.55
Show text

Center 
 

7.8
8.6

Center Setup  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Center Setup
Samsung HW-Q950T Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

1.27
0.05

Std. Err. 
 

3.19 dB
2.92 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

77.9 dB SPL
96.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.33
0.21

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.66
1.05
Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

6.9
8.0

Surround Setup  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Surround Setup
Samsung HW-Q950T Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.47
-0.02

Std. Err. 
 

3.76 dB
5.01 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

73.4 dB SPL
103.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.37
0.32

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.85
3.97

7.1 Rears 
 

No
Yes
Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.1
6.0

Height Setup  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Height Setup
Samsung HW-Q950T Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Slope 
 

0.18
1.02

Std. Err. 
 

3.10 dB
5.71 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

63.8 dB SPL
88.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.93
1.09

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.20
0.74
Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

7.5
6.3

Room Correction 
 

Yes
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
No

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
Show text
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Samsung HW-Q950T Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Samsung HW-Q950T Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

Adapter into HDMI ARC
1

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
1 (shared)

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

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

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)
Show text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

9.6
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Yes

eARC 
 

Yes

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Yes

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Yes
Show text

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Not Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Yes

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Yes

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Yes

PCM Channels 
 

Not Supported

5.1 PCM 
 

Yes
Show text

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Supported
Yes

PCM Channels 
 

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
8.1

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 
 

46 ms

Optical 
 

45 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

93 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
0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

No

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Show text

Wireless Playback 
 

3.0
8.0

Bluetooth 
 

No
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
No

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
Show text

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q950T Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q950T Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q950T Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q950T Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Interface photo
Samsung HW-Q950T Interface photo

Display 
 

No
Yes
Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Controls photo
Samsung HW-Q950T Controls photo
Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Remote photo
Samsung HW-Q950T Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
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
Show text

App 
 

App image  

Samsung HW-Q950T App image

App Name  

Samsung SmartThings

iOS  

Yes

Android  

Yes

Acts As A Remote 
 

Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

Some

Casts Device Files 
 

Yes
Show text

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
Show text

Check Price

Black
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Searching
Finding store
White
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Searching
Finding store
 
 
 
 

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers

Samsung HW-Q950T

Comments

  1. Comparison

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers vs Samsung HW-Q950T: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.


Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.

PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones