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Sonos Playbar vs Klipsch Bar 48
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sonos Playbar
Klipsch Bar 48
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:26 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 11, 2024 07:21 PM
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Channels3.0
Channels3.1
Variants
- Playbar
- Bar 48
Our Verdict
Sonos Playbar
Klipsch Bar 48
The Sonos Playbar, which was tested without a sub and satellites, is a better performing soundbar than the 3.1 Klipsch Bar 48. Although it doesn't have a sub like the Klipsch, the Sonos has better stereo performance and a more neutral sound profile. It also has a wide soundstage due to its configuration but doesn't get as loud as the Klipsch. On the other hand, the Klipsch has an ARC port, which the Sonos doesn't have. However, the Sonos is noticeably better built and feels more robust.
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Standard
Playbar
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Amazon.comStandard
Bar 48
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Bar 48
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Bar 48
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Bar 48
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Bar 48
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Finding storeMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.2
7.2
Audio Format Support - ARC
0.0
7.1
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
6.5
Stereo Frequency Response
7.4
7.8
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
35.5" (90.1 cm)
47.8" (121.5 cm)
Height
3.3" (8.5 cm)
2.9" (7.3 cm)
Depth
5.4" (13.8 cm)
3.3" (8.5 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
11.9" (30.3 cm)
Height
N/A
16.2" (41.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
11.9" (30.3 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Proprietary
Proprietary
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
No
Build Quality
8.0
7.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
N/A
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Digital Optical Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
N/A
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.4
7.8
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Slope
0.48
0.81
Std. Err.
2.21 dB
3.99 dB
Channels
3.0
3.1
Low-Frequency Extension
51.9 Hz
33.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
15.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.5
8.5
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
1
1
Suggested Treble Setting
-3
N/A
Slope
-0.11
-0.35
Std. Err.
2.04 dB
2.38 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
51.1 Hz
27.5 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.3 kHz
17.7 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
6.5
Crosstalk Error
2.63 dB
2.84 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.7
7.7
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
96.0 dB SPL
101.9 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.41 dB
3.83 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.6
8.0
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.47
0.26
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.96
2.55
Center
8.8
8.6
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.44
0.55
Std. Err.
1.99 dB
3.04 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
96.1 dB SPL
100.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.67
0.35
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.83
2.47
Surround 5.1
4.5
4.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
0.12
-0.81
Std. Err.
2.51 dB
3.62 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.8 dB SPL
99.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.24
1.38
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.53
4.37
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Not Supported
Slope
N/A
N/A
Std. Err.
N/A
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
6.2
5.4
Room Correction
Yes
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
No
Treble Adjustment
Yes
No
EQ
No
No
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
No
Yes
Connectivity
Physical Inputs - Bar
Physical inputs bar photo 1
Physical inputs bar photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
No
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
No
1 (shared)
Full HDMI In
No
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
1
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
1
Ethernet
2
No
Audio Format Support - ARC
0.0
7.1
eARC
No
No
Dolby Atmos
No
No
Dolby Digital
No
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
No
No
DTS
No
Yes
DTS:X (eARC only)
No
No
Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)
No
No
DTS-HD MA (eARC only)
No
No
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
No
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
0.0
0.0
Dolby Atmos
No
No
DTS:X
No
No
Dolby Digital
No
No
Dolby Digital Plus
No
No
DTS
No
No
Dolby TrueHD
No
No
DTS-HD MA
No
No
5.1 PCM
No
No
Audio Format Support - Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
DTS
Yes
Yes
Latency
8.8
7.3
Latency Video
ARC
N/A
89 ms
Optical
36 ms
73 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
N/A
Wireless Playback
2.0
6.0
Bluetooth
No
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
No
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
No
No
Other Input Specifications
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
No
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
No
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
No
HDR10 Passthrough
No
No
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
App
App image
App Name
Sonos Controller
No App
iOS
Yes
No
Android
Yes
No
Acts As A Remote
Yes
No
Controls Soundbar's Settings
All
No
Casts Device Files
Yes
No
Other Features
Power Saving
No
No
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
No
Yes
Check Price
Standard
Playbar
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Bar 48
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Bar 48
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Bar 48
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Bar 48
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Bar 48
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Sonos Playbar
Klipsch Bar 48
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Sonos Playbar vs Klipsch Bar 48: Main Discussion
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