I compared flagship soundbars from Sonos and Samsung – this model’s staying under my TV

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The Samsung HW-Q990F and Sonos Arc Ultra symbolize two distinct approaches to premium residence theater audio, however each are extremely praised for his or her high quality and options. Each are glorious programs, however they’re constructed for various sorts of consumers with considerably totally different priorities.

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The Samsung HW-Q990F is Samsung’s 2025 flagship, providing an entire encompass sound bundle. The Sonos Arc Extremely takes a unique method, at the very least in its base kind. It is a standalone soundbar that works throughout the Sonos ecosystem, letting you apply it to its personal or broaden it with further Sonos audio system and a subwoofer later. 

So, which of those programs is healthier? Here is my take.

Specs

You can purchase the Samsung HW-Q990F if…

1. You desire a full encompass sound answer

The Samsung HW-Q990F is the system to get if you would like the whole lot you want for an immersive encompass sound setup proper out of the field. The bundle contains the principle soundbar with 15 drivers, two wi-fi rear audio system with three drivers every, and a subwoofer with twin 8-inch drivers. That provides as much as a real 11.1.4 channel configuration, which is about as immersive as soundbar programs get.

Overview: Samsung HW-Q990F

What makes this technique significantly spectacular is that the rear audio system function up-firing drivers for peak results, slightly than solely forward- and side-firing components. That helps make Dolby Atmos content material sound genuinely enveloping. The immersion is superb, and you do not have to purchase something further to get the total expertise. In my expertise, I discovered the extent of immersion to be among the many highest amongst soundbar-based programs.

2. You’ve a suitable Samsung TV

In case you already personal a Samsung TV, the HW-Q990F presents native options you will not discover elsewhere. The soundbar can work along with your TV’s built-in audio system to boost dialog readability by means of Samsung’s Q-Symphony know-how. You too can management the whole lot by means of the Samsung SmartThings app, which you are seemingly already utilizing when you’ve got different Samsung units in your house, like a Samsung TV.

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That stated, not all Samsung TV fashions are suitable with these options, so it is advisable to examine earlier than making a purchase order. For these with suitable TVs, the mixing is seamless, making it even simpler to make use of.

3. You require DTS:X help

The Samsung HW-Q990F helps DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, and the brand new Eclipsa Audio format that Samsung co-developed with Google. This can be a important benefit when you’ve got a group of Blu-rays or different bodily media that make the most of DTS codecs, as you’ll absolutely leverage these audio tracks.

The Sonos Arc Extremely, in contrast, doesn’t help DTS:X. It handles Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital very nicely, however when you’ve got DTS:X content material in your library, you will be lacking out on that format’s full capabilities with the Sonos soundbar.

You can purchase the Sonos Arc Extremely if…

1. You need distinctive efficiency from a single bar

The Sonos Arc Extremely is spectacular for what it could actually do as a standalone soundbar. Sonos’s Sound Movement know-how makes use of a four-motor, dual-membrane woofer design that delivers roughly double the bass output of the earlier Arc, all with out the necessity for an exterior subwoofer. 

The result’s a 9.1.4 virtualized channel system with 14 drivers packed right into a compact kind issue. In private utilization, I’ve discovered that the Arc Extremely’s bass response is similar to that of the Sonos Sub Mini, which may be very spectacular; nonetheless, you will nonetheless get higher bass from a full-size Sonos Sub 4. 

Overview: Sonos Arc Ultra

For many content material, together with music, motion pictures, and TV exhibits, the Arc Extremely sounds implausible by itself. That stated, it is nonetheless suitable with the Sonos Sub and Sonos audio system, such because the Period 100 and Era 300, if you wish to broaden later, or if you have already got Sonos audio system you wish to repurpose to be used with the soundbar. 

The complete Sonos Immersive Set, comprising Arc Extremely, Sub 4, and Period 300 audio system, prices round $2,956, which is considerably greater than the Samsung bundle. Nonetheless, the modularity is useful in the event you desire to construct your system incrementally or if you wish to use the encompass audio system as standalone audio system sooner or later. 

2. You’re constructing or increasing a multi-room ecosystem

If you have already got Sonos audio system all through your house, the Arc Extremely matches proper in. It integrates seamlessly along with your current Sonos setup, permitting you to group audio system, create zones, and handle the whole lot by means of the Sonos app. 

The soundbar presents Wi-Fi connectivity, permitting it to help options like AirPlay 2, offering versatile choices for streaming music whenever you’re not watching TV. The Arc Extremely can be suitable with the Ace headphones, that are a superb selection for individuals who watch TV at residence however typically disturb housemates or neighbors.

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The power to improve incrementally is an actual benefit right here. You can begin with simply the Arc Extremely and add a Sub4 or Period 300 rear audio system later when your price range permits. For many who wish to construct a system over time slightly than shopping for the whole lot without delay, this method makes plenty of sense.

3. You like a minimalist aesthetic and easy setup

The Sonos Arc Extremely incorporates a glossy, curved design that enhances most residing rooms, eliminating the visible muddle of separate subwoofers and rear audio system. It is actually not compact or delicate, however it’s much less angular than the Samsung soundbar.

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Setup is easy, too. Sonos’s Trueplay tuning is now obtainable on each iOS and Android, measuring your room’s acoustics and adjusting the EQ accordingly. If you would like a system that sounds nice with out plenty of fuss, the Arc Extremely delivers.

Author’s selection

I personally use the Sonos Arc Ultra, however that is largely as a result of, through the years, I’ve constructed up a system with the Arc Extremely, two Sonos Period 300 audio system for the rears, and the Sonos Sub 4. If I needed to begin over and purchase the whole lot in a single go, I’d undoubtedly save the money and go for the Samsung HW-Q990F, until I did not desire a full encompass system. In that case, I’d follow the Arc Extremely.