With a well appointed app and a remote, the Smart Soundbar 900 is easy to control. Whichever soundbar you choose, you won't be short of connections. Considering an outdoor TV? There was a problem. Below, well dissect these two slabs of sound in a number of categories so you can find the perfect choice. We've tested both of these premium soundbars, so we're well-placed to reveal their pros and cons. Like the Bose bar, its visual interface is wanting, with only a colored LED pattern to trace whats going on. Read on for the ultimate Sonos Arc vs Bose 900 comparison Let's start with Bose's offering. Whereas Sonos has a relatively wide array of speakers to connect to the bar, including Ikea Symfonisk bookshelf speakers for affordable surrounds, Bose restricts your options to surround speakers that start at $349 a pair. His specialities include mobile technology, electric vehicles and video streaming. Surprisingly, both flagship soundbars come in at approximately the same price, even though they are expensive. Here are the top-rated popcorn machines ideal for your home theater. They feature the same layouts and even include a subwoofer. Both the Sonos Arc and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 offer a luscious taste of cinematic brilliance in a succinct package, alongside plenty of extras like smart assistant support, multi-room audio, and even the ability to expand your system down the line. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. Without a subwoofer, Sonos still delivers top-tier sound, as our experts have observed in this Bose Soundbar 700 vs Sonos Arc comparison. You need something stylish and simple that wont require running cables everywhereand youre equally interested in immersive, powerful, and detailed sound. Though its a tough competition, our team of experts concludes that the Sonos Arc delivers better sound quality in this Sonos Arc vs Bose Soundbar 700 comparison article. Though you can configure the Arc to any remote control, it doesnt ship with a universal remote. Sound quality is the main factor that distinguishes Bose Soundbar 700 vs Sonos Arc from each other. Like the newly releasedDenon Home Sound Bar 550, Bose Soundbar 700 doesnt offer great sound without a subwoofer. Most notably, it offers the sonic punch you want from a single bar, even without a wireless subwoofer. So youre ready to step into the world of Dolby Atmos, but you also have some limitations. Both soundbars also support control with voice commands via multiple smart assistants. This headset is designed to improve sound quality in the room.

The Smart Soundbar 900 comes with a headband with a microphone on the top. Sound is crisp and detailed, but the the lack of sideways-firing drivers does limit the soundstage when it comes to Dolby Atmos content. But which is right for you? Of course, its a big ask to expect any soundbar to deliver height in the way overhead speakers do, but the Sonos Arcs performance is much stronger in comparison. The bass quality is excellent and can be overwhelming, especially at night. The Smart Soundbar 900s smaller upfiring drivers sometimes struggle to create powerful overhead effects, but the system does a splendid job of bouncing virtual effects around the room, creating impressively enveloping sound for its size.

Tom Bailey That makes them best suited for those who stream most of their content online, as youll need to connect Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, or other components to your TV directly, using up precious inputs. Without a subwoofer, Sonos still delivers top-tier sound, as our experts have observed in this Bose Soundbar 700 vs Sonos Arc comparison. You can also control the volume of the height and center channels and, unlike Sonos systems, the 900 also comes with a separate remote. It's the newer of the two soundbars, so discounts are likely to be harder to find for now. You will receive a verification email shortly. The apps also allow for control over any wireless speakers from within the Bose or Sonos ecosystems respectively. This ones too close to call. , Sonos is a 5.0.2 soundbar that packs eleven discrete amplifiers, with two upward-facing drivers, three tweeters, and eight subwoofers that projects a surround sound upwards, . But it does offer a few controls on top to go along with a fully equipped app for control over things like basic EQ, smart assistants, grouping with other Bose speakers to create a multi-room sound system, and more. Both soundbars are compatible with a subwoofer for more bass quality. It also has support for Dolby Digital, but lacks support for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, TrueHD, and DTS:X. This is the reason why only Sonos supports Dolby Atmos because it uses massive data. Along with the strikingly similar Bose Smart Soundbar 700, the 900 is among the most stylish soundbars weve come across. So our experts picked two top-notch models and pit them against each other to see which one is worth spending your money on. With a greater number of larger drivers, the Sonos Arc offers more punch. MyAudioLover - All Rights Reserved, .com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Pyle Speaker Review, An Outdoor Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth Speaker, XLR vs TRS, Audio Ports, and Jacks Comparison. By Like JBL Bar 5.0, Sonos is a 5.0.2 soundbar that packs eleven discrete amplifiers, with two upward-facing drivers, three tweeters, and eight subwoofers that projects a surround sound upwards [1]. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. our review of Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II here, the Sonos One and Sonos Roam devices we reviewed, Sonos models such as Sonos 5.1 home theater system, Here are the top-rated popcorn machines ideal for your home theater. However, the Arc is an inch taller and weighs more than the 700. The 700 has Bluetooth support, while the Arc doesnt. Probably, but it's an effective system. Well call it another tie. Like the. Sign up below to get the latest from What Hi-Fi?, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox! It debuted back in June 2020 and, like the Bose, supports Dolby Atmos surround sound. Of course, its not surprising since both soundbars include unique features. Justlike the Blackweb Soundbar, you can enjoy the device by giving simple commands through their virtual asssitants. The Dolby Atmos-capable Bose Smart Soundbar 900 arrived in September 2021 and immediately impressed us. The slick glass plate on the top reveals oval-shaped cuts for the upward-firing drivers. Our experts were slightly disappointed at Sonos for having no Android TruePlay calibration unlike otherSonos models such as Sonos 5.1 home theater systemfor the best room sound experience. The Soundbar 900 comes with everything you need for a relatively simple setup process. Address: 1828 Lightning Point Drive Memphis, TN 38110 | Phone Number: +1 (307) 746-1215 | Email: contact@theproductanalyst.com, The Product Analyst All rights reserved 2022, If you buy something through our posts, we may get a small commission. The Arc offers more ways to sync up with other speakers and more ways to decode your physical media, while Boses bar brings Bluetooth to the table and a built-in optical connection.

Buy the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 from Amazon now. He now shares what he has learned through the years on the site, and has enlisted the help of tech-savvy colleagues in providing more insight about todays most sought-after gadgets. If it's within budget, the Sonos Arc is the one to beat. Sonos Arc vs Beam (Gen 2): Depending on your room size & speaker positioning, you actually might not need the Arc! It offers truly premium sound quality, presenting detail and dimension that elevates everything from brass instruments to gunshots to dialogue. For an Atmos bar, its extremely slim at just over two inches tall and just under 42 inches across. Get the best deals and the best advice dropped right in your inbox. Credit: Reviewed/Betsey Goldwasser, Credit: Reviewed/Jackson Ruckar. Price drops notwithstanding, the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 undercuts its main rival and is the cheaper option here. However, Sonos offers a far wider range of speakers, including affordable options in the Ikea Symfonisk series. This may affect your decision if you have a lot of older media around the house mixed in 5.1, but your TV also plays a role in compatibility since you cant plug in physical media to the bar directly. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Willie Greer is the founder of The Product Analyst.

Theres no doubt that Boses bar is an impressive performer, especially given its smaller size and the fact that it has fewer drivers than Sonos system. That means everything goes through the TV first and to some degree depends on its audio support options (LG TVs made after 2020 don't even pass through DTS at all, for instance). With this, the Bose Soundbar features a more minimalistic design than its counterpart and is aesthetically better. This one is close by the numbers, but there can only be one winner. The Soundbar 900 makes do with nine channels of amplification, two fewer than the Arc. is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. You must have an iOS device to adjust EQ settings, which is frustrating for Android users. Instead, Bose's PhaseGuide technology beams multi-directional sound to distinct areas in your room. The Sonos Arc sounds exceptionally spacious and weighty for a device of its size, stretching right across the front of our test room and delivering bass with a depth and authority. Which is the best Dolby Atmos soundbar for you? , you can enjoy the device by giving simple commands through their virtual asssitants. It has a very similar eye-catching aesthetic to the firm's Smart Soundbar 700, with rounded corners, a metal grille and a polished, impact-resistant tempered glass top. Will you look silly wearing the headband? The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is designed for 50-inchTVsor larger and measures 104cm long. I hope this post was helpful for you to learn more about the speakers in your mind. Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. soundton.com/speaker-placement-calculator/, adorama.com/specials/l/Home-Theater-Speakers, Klipsch RP-600M drop from 769.00 USD to 549.00 USD in here. Read our full Sonos Arc and Bose Smart Soundbar 900 reviews, Level up your home cinema with the best soundbars. Base controls set atop the minimalist Sonos Arc. Bose describes it as an "all-in-one powerhouse that replaces the Smart Soundbar 700.". The Sonos Arc is specifically designed to partner with bigger TVs, hence its width measurement of 114cm (just a bit wider than a typical modern49-inch TV). It also comes with a remote, offers some clever calibration tech and supports Bluetooth. The Sonos Sub Gen 3 will run you about $300 more, which is pretty substantial. If youre streaming over Spotify Connect or Airplay 2 for Apple Music, this probably wont affect you much as Wi-Fi is the best way to stream for audio quality anyway. Bose Soundbar 700 has a dimension of 2.25 (H) x 38.5 (W) x 4.25(D) and weighs 10.5 lb, while the Sonos Arc measures 3.4 (H) x 45 (W) x 4.5 (D) and weighs 13.8 lb. Moreover, neither bar supports DTS:X, Dolby Atmos biggest rival. But its telling that I keep referring to the 900s size in this article. There's case to be made for both of these soundbars. Sonos also supports Dolby Atmos content, which is another advantage over the limited sound quality of Bose Soundbar 700, a 3.0.0 soundbar with only four drivers and one tweeter. For its part, Boses Smart Soundbar 900 is also a potent system, offering the majority of the features listed above, as well as more ways to connect and a sleeker, more stylish design thats much easier to fit under your TV. In terms of connectivity, both soundbars are even. Not only is it shorter, it's also lower (5.8cm vs 8.7cm). In summary, each soundbar has its own unique appeal. Thats aided by the included microphone headset, which calibrates the sound to your roomSonos system requires an iOS device to do so. As noted, the app also offers easy control of sound settings, including channel levels for the upfiring speakers that help create the immersion of Dolby Atmos. Both of these bars offer slick style with minimalism upfront, but it has to be said right off the bat: Boses Smart Soundbar 900 is more lovely to look at. Thanks to its edge in performance, the Sonos Arc takes gold. Sonos Arc supports multiple audio formats, thanks to the eARC that ensures you listen to high-quality, uncompressed content. NY 10036. This feature further expands Alexa's capabilities by enabling users to turn on and control their TV or satellite box using their voice. Both are wi-fi enabled and support HDMI eARC, Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect. Depending on how old your TV is, this also may limit your ability to source uncompressed audio from these devices, though anyone with a basic HDMI ARC input can stream Dolby Atmos. That said, at the time of writing, it's a lot cheaper to add a subwoofer to Boses option than Sonos Arc if you opt for the Bass Module 500, which is something to consider. They have Google Assistant, Alexa commands, AirPlay 2 support, and Wi-Fi connectivity for streaming on several music platforms. It's still held in very high regard, but you might spot the odd discount (here's today's best Sonos Arc deals). One feature that the Bose 'bar offers that the Sonos doesn't is Bluetooth. With so many similarities, its probably easier to discuss what both bars offer before we get into the differences. That said, both models look suitably premium and are available in a choice of black or white. He has written articles for T3, ShortList, The Sun, The Mail on Sunday, The Daily Telegraph, Elle Deco, The Sunday Times, Men's Health, Mr Porter, Oracle and many more (including What Hi-Fi?). If you have a low TV, or are just short on space, the Bose 900 could be the best option for you. The Sonos Arc has been on sale for well over a year and usually goes for 899 / $899 / AU$1499. What Hi-Fi? It's also worth noting that the Sonos S2 app and software update brought support for high-res audio at 24-bit to most contemporary Sonos speakers, including the Arc soundbar. There's a slight lack of directness to music, but that's really our only criticism of the Arc's sound. For its part, the Arc also displays plenty of detail and premium sound for all your cinematic and musical adventures, including the addition of Dolby Atmos music streaming via Amazon Music Unlimited. The bass quality is excellent and can be overwhelming, especially at night. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. You're not just buying a soundbar, either you're buying all the usual Sonos smarts and perks, including the ability to integrate it seamlessly into a multi-room system.

When a subwoofer is added, both soundbars produce almost the same bass sound experience, although the Sonos still has an edge, thanks to the eight included woofers. Which of these simplified sound solutions will serve you best? is supported by its audience. Whats more, youll rarely find either of these systems on sale, so this section is a cut-and-dry, even heat. In the world of tight supply chains and limited chips, both of these bars will run you a cool $900 (or just short of it). Heres why you can trust us. One feature neither bar offers is a spare HDMI input for outboard components. Sonos also supports Dolby Atmos content, which is another advantage over the limited sound quality of. Speaking of Blu-rays, Sonos Arc soundbar offers basic decoding for DTS (up to 5.1) while Boses bar does not. New York, What Hi-Fi? With an impressively wide soundfield, clear forward projection and bright character, many listeners will likely be very pleased with the cinematic performance of the Bose Smart Soundbar 900. Pop it on your head and Bose's ADAPTiQ room calibration software brings out the best in the speaker. Both soundbars are compatible with a subwoofer for more bass quality. Its only real drawback is that it's not quite as cinematic or powerful without a subwoofer. Our experts were slightly disappointed at Sonos for having no Android TruePlay calibration unlike other. Additionally, Sonos Arc produces better bass sound quality due to the inbuilt eight woofers. , Bose Soundbar 700 doesnt offer great sound without a subwoofer. The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is neater and sleeker, and features a beautiful glass top. The 700 has Bluetooth support, while the Arc doesnt. As for controls, the Sonos app is arguably even more richly packed with functionality than Bose's, and the Arc is equally easy to control with your TV remote for the basics like power and volume. However, this can be tuned down, thanks to the Night Sound and Enhanced Dialogue modes. Boy oh boy, if youre new to the world of Dolby Atmos soundbars, youll have plenty to explore in either of these options. This is where Sonos has the advantage. Getting a soundbar can offer immersive sound experience, but it can bring more hassle and headache if you settle with something that wont satisfy your ears. 2022 Reviewed, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network LLC. Like the Arc, it's offered in black or white, but we'll caution that the white can be visually distracting depending on your setup. Please refresh the page and try again. . So, if youre looking for the best-sounding Dolby Atmos soundbar, wed suggest spending a small amount extra for the added height, transparency, musicality and dynamics of the Sonos Arc. As for Bose, there is an ADAPTiQ headset included that allows you to listen to the best room sound quality. (For more Bose models, you can also check our review of Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II here). Both can be controlled through Alexa and Google Assistant but the Bose boasts an added bonus: Voice4Video. Tom is a journalist, copywriter and content designer based in the UK. In our test we found it supremely capable, producing a detailed, weighty sound.

Bose Soundbar 700, a 3.0.0 soundbar with only four drivers and one tweeter. We're big fans of both products, but let's take a closer look at how these premium soundbars compare in terms of design, price, features and performance We tested the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 at 849 / $900 / AU$1399. A metal grille at the front meets a glossy glass plate across the top for an understated, chic aesthetic. Both soundbars mirror each other in terms of the overall design. , an exclusive program that makes it easier for our long-time listeners to get the latest Sonos experience. Both models feature touch-sensitive controls but only the Bose comes with a separate remote. You can also check how Sonos Arc compared against JBL 9.1 here. Log in, You might also want to check out Sonos Upgrade. Which one should you buy? The bass quality in Sonos is one of the strongest our team of experts has experienced, including. This is really where the rubber hits the road, so to speak. Want to enjoy a full cinematic experience with your best tasting popcorn? But it goes further with surprisingly potent bass for a bar of its size, and more distinctive overhead sound from the bars upfiring drivers, to create a convincing, hemispheric soundstage when sourcing Dolby Atmos content. Both bars allow you to add speakers throughout the home and sync or group them with your bar, or even add them as satellite speakers to create a full surround setup. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Just. The Sonos Arc is also a simple and unified package, but a bigger and bolder one. As mentioned in our Smart Soundbar 900 review, the 900 is minimalist to a fault in some cases, most notably its onboard digital display, which is little more than a flashing white LED pattern. While you can upgrade either bar with a subwoofer for a richer cinematic experience, the bottom line is that the Sonos Arc fares better as an all-in-one sound solution due to its extra drivers (four more than Bose's bar), bigger bass, and more striking Dolby Atmos immersion. The software fine-tunes the speaker to max out performance according to the shape of your room. Thank you for signing up to What Hi-Fi?. One feature Boses Smart Soundbar 900 offers that Sonos doesnt is Bluetooth connection. Can't decide between the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 and the Sonos Arc? If you connect via the HDMI ARC/eARC input youll mostly be using your TVs remote instead, but its a handy backup. Plus, Sonos app offers plenty of support for other services like Deezer, Tidal, and Amazon Music, so most folks shouldnt be left stranded without Bluetooth, but its something to keep in mind. As we'll touch on throughout, there are more similarities than differences, but with an edge in analog controls and a classier design, Boses Smart Soundbar 900 takes this round.

When it comes to set-up, the Sonos Arc uses Trueplay to measure how sound reflects off your walls. You can also stream music from your audio and TV directly to your headphones using SimpleSync, which is lovely. In terms of connectivity, both soundbars are even. Bose goes further. Expert advice: which is the best Sonos speaker? Most folk stream music over wi-fi these days, but it's worth bearing in mind. Bose Soundbar 700 lacks Night Sound and Enhanced Dialogue modes and has low bass quality when the subwoofer is excluded. Both these premium soundbars can be supplemented with additional surrounds or a subwoofer, and both can be grouped with their respective brand's smart speakers as part of an integratedmulti-roomset-up. Sonos Arc features the advanced eARC, allowing for faster data transfer for high-quality content. However, this can be tuned down, thanks to the Night Sound and Enhanced Dialogue modes. For more control, the 700 includes a universal TV remote, allowing you to switch between preset settings and perform various commands. Find out in the result of our Sonos ARC vs Bose Soundbar 700 test and assessment below. But here's where things begin to differ a bit. Simply put, it cant keep up with the Arc for overall power or sonic expansion. The Sonos Arc is also attractive in its minimalist design. It has a certain je ne sais quoi, and it looks good on your TV stand, but at well over three inches high and 45 inches across, its more log than bar. Musical delivery with the Bose is a mixed bag, too. Here's what you need to know. You can learn more about these options in our HDMI eARC/ARC guide. published 22 December 21. The Sonos Arc's Dolby Atmos sound field is generated by 11 Class D digital amplifiers that power 11 custom drivers. This is an easy one. A cinephile, he has made it a personal quest to achieve the awesomest home theater possible. Read more. All rights reserved. Sonos Arc and Bose Soundbar feature ARC, allowing users to stream audio from the TV. The bass quality in Sonos is one of the strongest our team of experts has experienced, including the Sonos One and Sonos Roam devices we reviewed. It uses Dolby's 3D sound technology to great effect and, with a recent software update adding functionality to adjust height volume via its mobile app, delivers one of the most convincing Atmos presentations of any soundbar weve heard. Youll likely be happy with either option, depending on your needs and use case. It also does away with side-firing drivers (more on this in the 'sound' section below). Neither bar offers any additional HDMI inputs. Indeed, it's still the best Dolby Atmos soundbar we've heard at this particular price point. Its easy to use, it incorporates brilliantly with extra speakers (grouped or in a surround setup), it has tons of great features and a comprehensive app to control them. A single-piece Dolby Atmos soundbar from Sonos or Bose could be the perfect solution. That size pays off when it comes to performance, but if were judging on looks alone, the Arc defers to its rival here. Heres a quick look at the similarities: As you can see, both offer plenty of options for network connection and streaming, and there are more compatible streaming services within their respective apps. However, the sound doesn't extend outwards as much as we'd like. Its curvy design helps mask the Arcs dimensions and makes it look svelte. While both bars are excellent premium sound solutions, the Arc is the default choice for those who want one bar to rule them all. Today's best Bose Smart Soundbar 900 deals, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Today's best Bose Smart Soundbar 900 and Sonos Arc deals, NuraTrue Pro are the world's first aptX Lossless wireless earbuds now on Kickstarter, Best Dolby Atmos soundbar deals 2022: mega discounts on Sony, JBL, Samsung and Bose, HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC: everything you need to know, Best stereo amplifiers 2022: the best integrated amps you can buy, The best home entertainment buying advice, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. Its why we named the Arc our favorite soundbar. The Sonos Arc is the older of the two soundbars here. The Bose 900 offers extra connectivity and cutting-edge sound calibration, while the Sonos can be more easily expanded into a top-notch multi-room system. , Alexa commands, AirPlay 2 support, and Wi-Fi connectivity for streaming on several music platforms. Its an immediate upgrade from your TV speakers and plenty of outboard audio solutions as well. But if youre looking for the best standalone Dolby Atmos soundbar for your money, the Sonos Arc is it. You must have an iOS device to adjust EQ settings, which is frustrating for Android users.

for the best room sound experience. The Sonos Arc might be a bit older and a bit pricier but it's also the better-sounding product here. Bose Soundbar 700 is better at emulating surround sound, thanks to the PhaseGuide transducers that channel sound horizontally. Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors.