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Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers vs Samsung HW-Q990C
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Samsung HW-Q990C
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated May 03, 2024 06:17 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jul 15, 2024 04:31 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-Q990C (Black)
Our Verdict
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Samsung HW-Q990C
The Samsung HW-Q990C and the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers are two of the top soundbars on the market, and their premium performance shines with everything from music to movies to TV shows. Both have premium builds with built-in voice assistant support and immersive Dolby Atmos sound. The Sonos has a better stereo soundstage, though the Samsung's sound is a bit more controlled and even out-of-the-box. The Samsung supports more wireless playback options, and it has two HDMI In ports for video passthrough, unlike the Sonos. Plus, it supports more audio formats and is more customizable, thanks to its EQ.
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Black
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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HW-Q990C
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Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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HW-Q990C
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q990C
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q990C
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q990C
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q990C
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Amazon.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.0
8.5
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)
48.5" (123.2 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)
8.9" (22.6 cm)
Height
15.4" (39.2 cm)
16.2" (41.2 cm)
Depth
16.1" (41.0 cm)
16.1" (41.0 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
4.7" (12.0 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)
Height
6.3" (16.1 cm)
7.9" (20.0 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
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.2
8.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1.2
11.1.4
Tested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Slope
0.16
-0.01
Standard Error
3.20 dB
2.38 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.9 Hz
28.7 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
0
Suggested Treble Setting
-1
0
Slope
0.05
-0.01
Standard Error
3.17 dB
2.38 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.9 Hz
28.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.1 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
7.5
Crosstalk Error
2.30 dB
2.33 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.3
9.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
92.7 dB SPL
99.9 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.30 dB
0.46 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.43 dB
0.84 dB
Center
7.8
8.7
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
1.27
-0.33
Std. Err.
3.19 dB
2.31 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
77.9 dB SPL
96.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.33
0.35
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.66
1.70
Surround 5.1
6.9
8.2
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.47
-0.34
Std. Err.
3.76 dB
3.16 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
73.4 dB SPL
91.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.37
0.60
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.85
2.82
7.1 Rears
No
Yes
Height (Atmos)
6.1
6.7
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
0.18
-0.11
Std. Err.
3.10 dB
4.11 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
63.8 dB SPL
90.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.93
0.61
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.20
1.61
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
8.6
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
42 ms
37 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
41 ms
37 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
59 ms
69 ms
Dolby Digital
92 ms
90 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
101 ms
94 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
101 ms
96 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
0.0
8.8
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
41 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
40 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
73 ms
Dolby Digital
N/A
104 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
99 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
99 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
9.0
8.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
99 ms
103 ms
Dolby Digital
129 ms
303 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
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q990C
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comWhite
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q990C
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q990C
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q990C
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q990C
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q990C
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
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Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Samsung HW-Q990C
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Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers vs Samsung HW-Q990C: Main Discussion
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