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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
    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-Q850A

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Samsung HW-Q850A

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated May 03, 2024 06:17 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:48 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Picture
Samsung HW-Q850A Picture
Channels
5.1.2
Channels
5.1.2

Variants

  • Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers (Black)
  • Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers (White)
  • HW-Q850A (Black)

Review

See Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers review

See Samsung HW-Q850A review

0
0

Our Verdict

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers

Samsung HW-Q850A

The Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q850A. The Sonos has a better soundstage performance, and it's better-built. It comes with a room correction feature and gets louder, albeit with more compression at max volume. However, the Samsung offers a graphic EQ with presets for sound customization and a Full HDMI In port.

0

Check Price

Black
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Samsung.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Samsung.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Samsung.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Samsung.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Samsung.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Samsung.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Samsung.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEARCH
Target.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEARCH
Target.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEARCH
Target.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEARCH
Target.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEARCH
Target.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
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Black
HW-Q850A
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Notice: 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 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

8.0
7.9

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
10

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Style photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q850A Style photo - bar

Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Style photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q850A 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-Q850A Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
Partial, satellites wired together

Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Dimensions photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q850A Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

44.9" (114.1 cm)
38.6" (98.0 cm)

Height  

3.4" (8.7 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)

Depth  

4.7" (12.0 cm)
4.5" (11.5 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Dimensions photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q850A Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

6.2" (15.7 cm)
8.0" (20.4 cm)

Height  

15.4" (39.2 cm)
15.8" (40.1 cm)

Depth  

16.1" (41.0 cm)
15.8" (40.1 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Dimensions photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q850A Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

4.7" (12.0 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)

Height  

6.3" (16.1 cm)
5.8" (14.8 cm)

Depth  

4.7" (12.0 cm)
3.5" (9.0 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
8.0

Build quality photo  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Build quality photo
Samsung HW-Q850A 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-Q850A 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-Q850A Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on underside)

Show text

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q850A Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported

Show text

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q850A Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on back)

Show text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.2
8.0

Stereo Setup  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Stereo Setup
Samsung HW-Q850A 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
5.1.2

Tested Preset 
 

No Preset
Standard

Slope 
 

0.16
0.92

Standard Error 
 

3.20 dB
3.24 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.9 Hz
33.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 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
3

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

-1
N/A

Slope 
 

0.05
0.46

Standard Error 
 

3.17 dB
2.33 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.9 Hz
29.5 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 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
2.26 dB

Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.3
7.4

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

92.7 dB SPL
94.4 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.30 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.43 dB
2.69 dB

Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.8

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.39

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.21

Show text

Center 
 

7.8
7.7

Center Setup  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Center Setup
Samsung HW-Q850A Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

1.27
1.32

Std. Err. 
 

3.19 dB
4.43 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

77.9 dB SPL
90.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.33
0.52

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.66
4.70

Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

6.9
8.2

Surround Setup  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Surround Setup
Samsung HW-Q850A Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.47
0.50

Std. Err. 
 

3.76 dB
2.54 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

73.4 dB SPL
97.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.37
0.62

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.85
3.46

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No

Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.1
6.2

Height Setup  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Height Setup
Samsung HW-Q850A Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

0.18
1.06

Std. Err. 
 

3.10 dB
3.55 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

63.8 dB SPL
83.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.93
0.47

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.20
0.88

Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

7.5
7.5

Room Correction 
 

Yes
No

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
No

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-Q850A Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Samsung HW-Q850A 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
1

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
7.3

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 
 

67 ms

Optical 
 

48 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-86 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
9.0

Bluetooth 
 

No
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes

Show text

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q850A Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q850A Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q850A Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q850A Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

Yes
Partial, satellites wired together

Show text

Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Interface photo
Samsung HW-Q850A Interface photo

Display 
 

No
Yes

Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Controls photo
Samsung HW-Q850A Controls photo

Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers Remote photo
Samsung HW-Q850A 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-Q850A 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
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Samsung.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Samsung.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Samsung.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Samsung.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Samsung.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Samsung.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Samsung.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
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Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
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Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
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Walmart.com
 
Black
HW-Q850A
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HW-Q850A
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HW-Q850A
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Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers

Samsung HW-Q850A

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers vs Samsung HW-Q850A: Main Discussion

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