A high-quality soundbar can make a world of difference to your home entertainment experience by enhancing audio quality from your TV. Samsung and Sonos lead the soundbar market, but the two brands cater to different needs. This comprehensive guide compares Samsung and Sonos soundbars across key factors like sound quality, features, design, and value to help you determine which is better suited for your requirements.
Sound Quality
Superior sound quality is the prime reason why most people invest in a premium soundbar. Both Samsung and Sonos soundbars excel in audio reproduction, but there are some differences:
Samsung: Most Samsung soundbar models focus on powerful, room-filling audio with strong bass and added audio technologies like Dolby Atmos for 3D surround sound. Models like the Q950A 11.1.4ch flagship soundbar are geared towards cinematic audio.
Sonos: Sonos soundbars like the Arc provide a balanced, natural sound profile focusing on clear vocals and mid-range clarity. Sonos Trueplay tuning calibrates the sound to your room. Great for music streaming. Lower-end models may lack thumping bass but provide incredible sound quality for their size.
Both brands support lossless HD audio formats and have similar power output capabilities on premium models. Samsung edges out when it comes to bombastic home theater audio but audiophiles prefer Sonos for accuracy.
Features
Soundbars pack varying levels of connectivity, wireless streaming capabilities, voice controls and compatibility with other devices. Here is how Samsung and Sonos compare:
Samsung soundbars support Bluetooth, Wi-Fi streaming from media devices, and HDMI ARC/eARC connections to TV. Higher-end models include Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility for voice control. Models lacking mics can use Samsung‘s SmartThings app. Subwoofers are wireless on premium options.
Sonos has Apple Airplay 2 and Spotify Connect for streaming plus Alexa and Google Assistant voice control. Most models lack HDMI support and rely on optical input. A big advantage is seamless wireless integration with other Sonos speakers for multi-room audio. No separate subwoofer needed.
Samsung offers more wired connectivity and voice control options while Sonos holds the edge for wireless flexibility. Sonos Arc has upwards-firing drivers for Dolby Atmos playback.
Design
Design plays an important role in integrating soundbars seamlessly with your living room setup.
The minimalist look of Sonos soundbars allows them to blend in neatly against the wall below your TV unit. Wall-mounting options are available. Sonos Arc has a curved design to widen directional sound.
Samsung soundbars sport a relatively flashier profile matching Samsung TV designs. Premium models include an external wireless subwoofer and surround speakers for placements around the room. The long rectangular shape ensures the soundbar does not obstruct the TV screen.
Both brands provide options to place the soundbar on TV stands or mount them on walls. Sonos provides more flexibility here. Some Samsung models have upward-firing drivers enabled for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X playback when placed on a surface.
Setup and Usability
Soundbars keep things simple when setting up and customizing audio playback compared to full-blown home theater systems.
For Samsung soundbars with wireless subwoofers, the main bar connects to the TV via HDMI ARC or optical input. The subwoofer automatically pairs wirelessly. Blu-ray players or media streamers can directly plug into HDMI input ports. Samsung‘s SmartThings app handles settings adjustments.
Sonos relies on Wi-Fi for connectivity. Simply connect the soundbar to power, your Wi-Fi network, and TV. Optical is the most common input option. The Sonos app guides you through setup and provides sound customization features. Adding rear surrounds or other Sonos speakers is straightforward.
Both brands offer easy plug-and-play connectivity. Samsung has more wired options while Sonos offers effortless wireless speaker integration.
Remote Control
Soundbar remotes allow convenient control of volume, audio sources, and settings.
Samsung soundbars come with traditional remote controls to change volume, switch sound modes, adjust bass etc. Some models have built-in mics for voice control and Samsung‘s SmartThings app offers enhanced settings.
Sonos ditches old-school remotes completely in favor of app-based control using your smartphone or tablet. This allows control from anywhere and integration with various music streaming platforms. Basic playback is still possible using TV remote.
Sonos app and its smart features make it more convenient to operate compared to Samsung‘s traditional button-heavy physical remote. But Samsung provides both physical and app-based options.
Brand Ecosystem
Both brands offer larger ecosystems of audio products and smart home devices for extended functionality.
The Samsung ecosystem includes QLED TVs, Blu-ray players, wireless speakers and their SmartThings smart home platform covering security cameras to refrigerators. Samsung soundbar integration enables audio playback from the TV and syncing with ambient lighting.
Sonos focuses extensively on multi-room audio and lets their soundbars integrate flawlessly with Sonos speakers like the Five, Sub mini and Sonos Roam portable speaker. The S2 app platform even allows combining with Ikea Symfonisk speakers tuned by Sonos. Limited smart home device support outside of music.
If you desire a unified home audio experience, Sonos is unrivaled. But Samsung rules for those seeking a single brand managing both entertainment systems and smart homes.
Value For Money
Soundbar prices range from $150 to $2000 across both brands. Here is how they compare for price ranges.
| Price Range | Samsung Soundbars | Sonos Soundbars |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (<$250) | Entry-level 2.1 channel models with basic connectivity and limited sound enhancement | Sonos Ray has incredible sound but needs to be combined with Sub Mini for bass |
| Mid-Range ($450 to $700) | Solid 5.1 setups with Dolby Atmos, wireless rears, and external subwoofer options | Sonos Arc with Dolby Atmos and Trueplay tuning |
| Premium ($1000+) | Cutting-edge 11-channel performance with Earc, DTS:X, and Alexa voice control | N/A |
Both brands provide excellent value depending on the price tier with Samsung having a edge for premium home theater sound and Sonos dominating the mid-range segment. At the budget end, Samsung soundbars pack in more features.
Samsung vs. Sonos Soundbars: Which Should You Buy?
Go for Samsung if you want room-filling cinematic audio, wireless rears/sub integration, and consistency with Samsung TVs. Great for movie buffs.
Choose Sonos for balanced audio quality focused on vocals and ease of adding surrounds and wireless speakers across rooms. Ideal for music lovers who want multi-room functionality.
Ultimately your buying decision would depend on your priorities around sound quality, features, room sizes, aesthetics, and future expansion plans. Assessing the pros and cons of both brands against those criteria will make it easier to pick the right fit.
Both companies also offer a wide variety of models at different price points so there are good options whether you are on a budget or willing to splurge. Considering alternate soundbar brands can also provide additional choices that may better match your needs.
