Sennheiser and Sonos represent two of the top brands when it comes to premium soundbars for home theater audio. But with two great options to pick from, how do you decide which is better for your needs?
This comprehensive guide compares every aspect – from sound quality to design, smart features and beyond. Whether audio fidelity is paramount or you want intuitive controls for whole-home audio, discovering the key pros and cons of Sennheiser versus Sonos will help you invest in the best soundbar.
Audio Quality
Superior audio is the baseline requirement for any great soundbar. Both Sennheiser and Sonos meet this with flying colors, but there are discernable differences in their audio engineering philosophies.
Sennheiser is acclaimed for audio fidelity, with soundbars praised by audiophiles for exceptional clarity across the frequency range. Advanced transducer and waveguide design enables crystal-clear dialogue while proprietary bass reflex tubes and subwoofers deliver thunderous low-end punch. Whether you are watching action blockbusters or listening to music, the precise detail and expansive dynamics from Sennheisers soundbars are breathtaking.
Meanwhile, Sonos takes a different approach. While audio quality is still excellent, the focus is crafting an immersive soundstage customized to your room. Innovative Trueplay tuning analyzes room size, layout and even furniture to optimize audio performance. The result is phenomenal 3D sound imaging perfect for Dolby Atmos and surround content. While music playback sounds fantastic, some audiophiles still prefer Sennheiser for pure fidelity.
Verdict: Sennheiser for best-in-class audio fidelity, Sonos for immersive surround effects tuned to your room.
Sound Features and Formats
Modern soundbars need to support all the latest sound technologies – especially with immersive formats like Dolby Atmos gaining popularity. How do Sennheiser and Sonos compare on this front?
High-end Sennheiser models implement Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for stunning cinematic audio with 3D effects and object-oriented precision. Some Sennheiser models even feature upward-firing drivers, enhancing the height dimension. Sonos devices like the Sonos Arc leverage Dolby Atmos in novel ways too – advanced psychoacoustic techniques create the illusion of 3D audio using just front-facing drivers, with no need for added surround speakers.
Both brands support multi-room audio via companion wireless speakers you can scatter around your house. The Sennheiser Smart Control app manages various Sennheiser speakers and soundbars for whole-home audio, while Sonos utilizes a proprietary mesh network with over 150 compatible Sonos products to achieve the same goal.
Verdict: Sennheiser pulls ahead with native Dolby Atmos support with add-on speakers, while Sonos counterbalances with more affordable, TV-integrated immersive audio. Both excel at multi-room functionality.
Connectivity and Inputs
Your soundbar will likely serve as a central home theater hub – hence comprehensive connectivity is essential. How do Sennheiser and Sonos compare on the number of inputs supported?
Premium Sennheiser models include 4K/Dolby Vision HDMI inputs to connect media streamers, Blu-Ray players and game consoles. Some feature an extra HDMI eARC port for integrating audio into your TV‘s internal apps. High-resolution audio is supported over HDMI in formats like Dolby TrueHD. You also get analog and digital optical audio inputs for legacy devices. Bluetooth and WiFi ensure all your wireless devices can stream to the soundbar too.
By comparison, Sonos soundbars have a Spartan input count – just a single HDMI ARC input for TV connection. This is offset by WiFi, AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect for wireless streaming, plus Sonos music services integrations (Deezer, Apple Music etc) are very deep. Voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant also minimizes physical remote usage. Note there‘s no Bluetooth – Sonos utilizes a proprietary mesh network to communicate between devices instead.
Verdict: If your home theater setup requires plugging in many source gadgets, Sennheiser is unquestionably superior. For minimalist installs focusing just on TV and wireless streaming, Sonos delivers the goods.
Voice Assistant Compatibility
With smart home tech taking over, having an integrated voice assistant in your soundbar unlocks huge potential for hands-free enjoyment. But how deeply do Sennheiser and Sonos support Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri?
Most Sennheiser soundbars integrate both Alexa and Google Assistant with extensive voice command capabilities for music, information and smart home controls. Always-listening microphones mean you can activate voice assistance even when powered down. Apple device owners aren‘t left out either – AirPlay 2 means easy wireless streaming from any iPhone, iPad or Mac.
Sonos soundbars also feature Alexa and Google Assistant integration accessible hands-free thanks to far-field mics. Entertainment queries, smart home automation, playing music from streaming services – most common requests are covered. And Apple AirPlay 2 support allows Siri access and iOS device streaming too. One caveat – Sonos mics are inactive when the soundbar power is off, unlike always-listening Sennheisers.
Verdict: It‘s nearly a tie – both cover the major platforms well. Sennheiser just edges out Sonos with always-on microphones.
Design & Build Quality
Beyond great sound, you want your soundbar to blend in seamlessly with your living room. So how stylish and well-built are Sennheiser and Sonos offerings?
True to Sennheiser‘s German pedigree, their high-end soundbars exude elegant luxury with brushed aluminum finishes and angular minimalist designs. Build quality is phenomenal as well – premium glass, metal and plastics make them feel worth the steep price. Wall mounting is possible on several models, albeit with external unsightly wire routing. Size tends to be larger and more substantial too.
Sonos soundbars flaunt a low-key modern aesthetic, with matte black finishes and cloth speaker grilles neatly integrating into your decor. Cleaner wall mounting is achievable thanks to integrated power supplies and a compact form factor. Buttons and touch controls are also more discreet compared to Sennheiser‘s prominent tactile controls and display units. Materials used generally feel solid and durable, just not as opulent.
Verdict: If you want jewelry-grade luxury, Sennheiser shines. For simpler and subtler, Sonos nails it. Both build quality are superb though.
Setup and Configuration
Ease of setup is critical – reconfiguring complex entertainment systems is nobody‘s idea of fun. So is getting Sennheiser and Sonos soundbars singing fairly painless?
Premium Sennheiser models offer extensive customization for audiophiles – tweaking EQ settings, integrated subwoofer levels etc can require careful calibration for balanced sound. Wall mounting involves dealing with multiple external wires too unless you DIY cable concealment. That said, physical controls are intuitive, bass/treble presets effective for casual listening while HDMI connectivity minimizes configuration time if you don‘t need deeper customization.
Sonos soundbars focus heavily on simplicity – the Trueplay tuning feature automatically analyzes room acoustics for great sound out-of-the-box. Minimal ports and cable clutter enhance wall mounting convenience. The mobile app guides you through first-time installation smoothly while still allowing custom EQ settings imports if needed. Voice assistants offset remote control requirements as well.
Verdict: For plug-and-play convenience and simplicity right off the bat, Sonos leads. Tech enthusiasts who enjoy optimizing every audio parameter will favor Sennheiser‘s granular control instead.
Price and Value
With advanced components and technology inside high-end soundbars, how much damage will your wallet take? Sennheiser versus Sonos sees a big difference here in terms of cost.
Top Sennheiser models cost a premium – starting from $2000 and going up quickly if you desire add-ons like wireless subs and surrounds. However, the staggering audio quality you receive makes it worthwhile for home cinema buffs looking to create ultimate theaters. Plus every material used exudes luxury too.
Comparatively, Sonos soundbars are priced extremely competitively. The Sonos Arc with Dolby Atmos and Alexa built-in costs just $899, delivering awesome cinematic audio integrated beautifully with your smarter living space. Even adding wireless Sonos Sub and surround speakers keeps total spending under $2000.
Verdict: Sennheiser for no-compromise quality that audiophiles will relish, Sonos to enjoy immersive cinema audio on a relatable budget.
Verdict: Which is the Better Soundbar for You?
So with all factors compared, is Sennheiser or Sonos your ideal smart soundbar companion?
For audio purists wanting best-in-world performance, Sennheiser reigns supreme. If money is no object and you desire reference-grade fidelity no other brand matches, invest in Sennheiser soundbars. Extreme clarity, thunderous bass, expansive Dolby Atmos – they deliver it all with German overengineering magic sprinkled throughout.
That said, more practical users craving great immersive audio without breaking budgets should wholeheartedly embrace Sonos. Their solution nails all fundamentals – impressive sound optimized perfectly for your living space thanks to clever tuning tech, plus smart home conveniences like voice control and wireless expansion capabilities. For most homeowners, Sonos soundbars strike the right balance.
Ultimately though, you can‘t go wrong with either brand. Sennheiser produces audio masterpieces befitting Grammy recording studios, while Sonos brings that premium listening experience home. Choose what best matches your priorities. Happy listening!
