Sonos Arc Vs Samsung Q950a: Which Smart Soundbar Reigns Supreme?

What To Know

  • It has a curved shape that contours to the front of your TV, and it can be mounted on the wall or placed on a shelf.
  • Both the Arc and the Q950A support Dolby Atmos, which is an object-based surround sound format that can create a more realistic and immersive audio experience.
  • The Q950A is a better choice if you’re looking for a soundbar with a more immersive Dolby Atmos experience and a wider range of features.

The Sonos Arc soundbar and Samsung Q950A are two of the most popular and highly-rated soundbars on the market today. Both offer an immersive and cinematic audio experience, but they have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. In this blog post, we’ll compare the Sonos Arc vs Samsung Q950A in detail to help you decide which one is right for your home theater setup.

Design and Build Quality

The Sonos Arc is a sleek and minimalist soundbar that is designed to blend seamlessly with your home décor. It has a curved shape that contours to the front of your TV, and it can be mounted on the wall or placed on a shelf. The Samsung Q950A, on the other hand, has a more traditional soundbar design. It is longer and wider than the Arc, and it has a more angular look. It can also be mounted on the wall or placed on a shelf.

Both the Arc and the Q950A are well-built soundbars. The Arc is made from a durable polycarbonate material, while the Q950A is made from a combination of metal and plastic. Both soundbars are also resistant to scratches and fingerprints.

Sound Quality

The Sonos Arc and Samsung Q950A both offer excellent sound quality. The Arc has a wider soundstage than the Q950A, which means that it can create a more immersive and cinematic audio experience. The Q950A, on the other hand, has better bass response than the Arc, which makes it a better choice for action movies and music.

Both the Arc and the Q950A support Dolby Atmos, which is an object-based surround sound format that can create a more realistic and immersive audio experience. However, the Q950A has a more immersive Dolby Atmos experience than the Arc, thanks to its additional height channels.

Features

The Sonos Arc and Samsung Q950A both offer a variety of features. The Arc has built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support, which allows you to control the soundbar with your voice. It also has a night mode that reduces the bass response, which is ideal for late-night listening.

The Samsung Q950A has a wider range of features than the Arc. It has built-in Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Bixby support. It also has a Q-Symphony feature that allows it to work with Samsung TVs to create a more immersive audio experience. Additionally, the Q950A has a Game Mode that optimizes the sound for gaming.

Connectivity

The Sonos Arc and Samsung Q950A both offer a variety of connectivity options. The Arc has an HDMI ARC port, an optical audio port, and an Ethernet port. It also supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The Samsung Q950A has an HDMI ARC port, an optical audio port, and a USB port. It also supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Additionally, the Q950A has a built-in Chromecast, which allows you to stream music from your smartphone or tablet.

Price

The Sonos Arc is priced at $799, while the Samsung Q950A is priced at $1,299. The Q950A is more expensive than the Arc, but it also offers a wider range of features and a more immersive Dolby Atmos experience.

Which One Should You Buy?

The Sonos Arc and Samsung Q950A are both excellent soundbars. The Arc is a better choice if you’re looking for a sleek and minimalist soundbar with a wide soundstage. The Q950A is a better choice if you’re looking for a soundbar with a more immersive Dolby Atmos experience and a wider range of features.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which soundbar is right for you is to listen to them both in person. This will allow you to experience the sound quality and features of each soundbar firsthand and make an informed decision.

Enhanced Audio Experience with Dolby Atmos

Both the Sonos Arc and Samsung Q950A support Dolby Atmos, which is an object-based surround sound format that can create a more realistic and immersive audio experience. Dolby Atmos uses height channels to create a sense of overhead sound, which can make you feel like you’re in the middle of the action.

The Sonos Arc has three built-in height channels, while the Samsung Q950A has five built-in height channels. This gives the Q950A a more immersive Dolby Atmos experience than the Arc.

Immersive Gaming with Game Mode

If you’re a gamer, you’ll want to consider the Samsung Q950A. The Q950A has a dedicated Game Mode that optimizes the sound for gaming. This mode reduces latency and enhances the bass response, which can give you a more immersive and exciting gaming experience.

Smart Home Integration

Both the Sonos Arc and Samsung Q950A offer smart home integration. The Arc has built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support, while the Q950A has built-in Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Bixby support. This allows you to control the soundbar with your voice, which can be very convenient.

You can use your voice to turn the soundbar on or off, adjust the volume, change the input, and play music. You can also use your voice to control other smart home devices, such as lights, thermostats, and door locks.

Verdict

The Sonos Arc and Samsung Q950A are both excellent soundbars that offer an immersive and cinematic audio experience. The Arc is a better choice if you’re looking for a sleek and minimalist soundbar with a wide soundstage. The Q950A is a better choice if you’re looking for a soundbar with a more immersive Dolby Atmos experience and a wider range of features.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which soundbar is right for you is to listen to them both in person. This will allow you to experience the sound quality and features of each soundbar firsthand and make an informed decision.

Common Questions and Answers

Q: Which soundbar is better for music, the Sonos Arc or the Samsung Q950A?

A: The Sonos Arc has a wider soundstage than the Samsung Q950A, which makes it a better choice for music. The Arc can create a more immersive and realistic sound experience, which is ideal for listening to music.

Q: Which soundbar is better for movies, the Sonos Arc or the Samsung Q950A?

A: The Samsung Q950A has a more immersive Dolby Atmos experience than the Sonos Arc, which makes it a better choice for movies. The Q950A has more height channels than the Arc, which allows it to create a more realistic and immersive sound experience.

Q: Which soundbar is better for gaming, the Sonos Arc or the Samsung Q950A?

A: The Samsung Q950A has a dedicated Game Mode that optimizes the sound for gaming, which makes it a better choice for gaming. The Q950A reduces latency and enhances the bass response, which can give you a more immersive and exciting gaming experience.