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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 vs Sonos Arc Ultra
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
Sonos Arc Ultra
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Mar 10, 2025 03:55 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.0.2
Channels5.1.2
Variants
- BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 (Black)
- Arc Ultra (Black)
- Arc Ultra (White)
Our Verdict
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
Sonos Arc Ultra
The Sonos Arc Ultra is a better all-in-one bar than the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9. The Sonos is better built and has a more balanced default sound profile (although the Sony's frequency response can be almost as balanced after some calibration). The Sonos has a wider, more immersive soundstage, plus it can get louder with less compression. That said, the Sony has an HDMI In port with the ability to passthrough 4k signals at 120Hz, making it a great option for gamers that want to use it as a hub between their console and display.
Check Price
Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
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Amazon.comBlack
Arc Ultra
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Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
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BestBuy.comWhite
Arc Ultra
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Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
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B&HBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
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Walmart.comMain Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.2
7.7
Stereo Frequency Response
7.0
7.6
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
8.0
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
No
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
51.2" (130.1 cm)
46.5" (118.0 cm)
Height
2.5" (6.4 cm)
3.0" (7.5 cm)
Depth
4.4" (11.3 cm)
4.3" (11.0 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
No
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
7.5
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.0
7.6
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.0.2
5.1.2
Tested Preset
Standard Surround
No Preset
Slope
0.79
0.06
Standard Error
3.38 dB
2.50 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
56.6 Hz
46.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
18.8 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.5
7.6
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard Surround
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
1
0
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
0
Slope
-0.10
0.01
Standard Error
2.61 dB
2.53 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
50.4 Hz
46.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
18.8 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
8.0
Crosstalk Error
4.11 dB
2.71 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.5
8.4
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
93.2 dB SPL
93.0 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.27 dB
0.23 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
4.19 dB
0.57 dB
Center
8.7
8.5
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.38
0.59
Std. Err.
2.26 dB
2.67 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.5 dB SPL
95.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.33
0.63
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
4.68
1.90
Surround 5.1
5.1
6.4
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
1.32
0.35
Std. Err.
7.04 dB
3.45 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
95.1 dB SPL
97.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.30
3.73
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.04
4.31
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
5.5
5.7
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Slope
0.26
0.25
Std. Err.
5.24 dB
4.49 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
82.9 dB SPL
85.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.26
0.48
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.84
0.89
Sound Enhancement Features
5.3
5.7
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
No
No
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
No
No
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
Yes
No
Full HDMI In
1
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
No
1
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
9.6
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Supported
Not Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Not Supported
Audio Format Support: Optical
0.0
0.0
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Not Supported
Not Supported
Audio Latency: ARC
6.2
8.1
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
100 ms
49 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
96 ms
45 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
105 ms
64 ms
Dolby Digital
130 ms
98 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
134 ms
107 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
137 ms
107 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
5.8
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
104 ms
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
98 ms
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
109 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital
148 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
139 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
142 ms
N/A
Audio Latency: Optical
0.0
0.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
N/A
Dolby Digital
N/A
N/A
Video Passthrough To TV
9.6
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
Yes
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
No
Wireless Playback
9.0
9.0
Bluetooth
Yes
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
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
Yes (Built-in)
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
Yes
Check Price
Black
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Arc Ultra
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comWhite
Arc Ultra
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
SEE PRICE
B&HBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
Sonos Arc Ultra
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Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 vs Sonos Arc Ultra: Main Discussion
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