I‘m thrilled to help walk you through a detailed comparison of the Sonos Arc and Sonos Arc SL soundbars. Given the similar names and premium reputations, I know it can get confusing deciding between these two stellar audio upgrades for your home theater!
By the end, my goal is to provide you with a comprehensive, 2,000+ word guide covering all the key differences – from microphones to colors, pricing to audio performance – so you can determine which Sonos soundbar is the best fit your needs and budget. Let‘s get started!
At a Glance: Sonos Arc vs Sonos Arc SL
Before we dive into the nitty gritty details, here‘s a high-level overview of how the Sonos Arc and Sonos Arc SL models differ:
Sonos Arc
- Retails for $899
- Available in black or white
- Includes far-field microphones for voice control
- Supports virtual Dolby Atmos surround sound
Sonos Arc SL
- Retails for $1,087
- Only available in black
- No microphone array; focused on privacy
- Also supports Dolby Atmos 3D audio
So in short, the Sonos Arc SL fetches a higher price tag, partly thanks to excluding any integrated mics to prioritize personal privacy. But besides the microphone and color options, the two premium soundbars are identically matched when it comes to their peerless acoustic performance.
Now let‘s explore each of those differences – not to mention similarities – in much more helpful detail…
microphone
One of the most frequent questions I hear from readers is: "What‘s the deal with the microphones?" And this is a key point setting apart the standard Sonos Arc versus the later released Sonos Arc SL.
The regular Sonos Arc contains a built-in, far-field microphone array. This allows it to clearly pick up voice commands from anywhere in your room. Then, by using the microphone and natural language processing, the Sonos Arc grants you hands-free voice control over your home theater via:
- Amazon Alexa
- Google Assistant
I don‘t know about you, but after getting my first "smart speaker," I was amazed by the convenience of voice controls for music, entertainment, and smart home devices. Now imagine having that same freedom, but with big, booming surround sound blanketing the living room.
With the Sonos Arc‘s integrated mics, you can wirelessly:
- Play, pause, or skip tracks
- Adjust volume
- Look up artist information
- Check weather and news
- Control lights, thermostats, security systems and other Alexa compatible devices
- Plus many more voice commands!
However, your friend who‘s paranoid about "always listening" digital assistants? They will adore the Sonos Arc SL!
This premium Sonos soundbar was purpose-built without any on-board microphones in order to protect privacy and provide security reassurance. So you can enjoy the same epic Sonos audio experience, with true peace of mind that the Arc SL stays silent unless you actively turn it on.
Pricing Comparison
| Model | Release MSRP | Current Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sonos Arc | $799 | $899 |
| Sonos Arc SL | $999 | $1,087.50 |
The Sonos Arc SL originally retailed for about $200 higher than the Sonos Arc. Now in 2023, you‘re looking at a $189 price difference between:
- Sonos Arc: $899
- Sonos Arc SL: $1,087.50
However, it‘s worth noting that Sonos sells refurbished Arc SL models for just $679 on their official website. So if you decide the microphone-free route is a must, you can actually spend less than the standard edition!
Colors
Visual aesthetics might not make or break your home theater dreams. But if coordinating sound system colors with your living room style and furniture is important (no judgment, by the way!), here‘s the deal…
The Sonos Arc gives you two classy neutral finishes to blend beautifully with your décor:
- Matte black
- Matte white
Meanwhile, the Sonos Arc SL is currently only available in one understated color:
- Matte "shadow" black
I‘ll be honest – they both look incredibly sleek and modern to me! But the Sonos Arc definitely provides added flexibility if you‘re particualr about mixing and matching shades within your interior design.
Audio Quality
Now for the million dollar question: is there a difference in audio performance?
I‘m thrilled to report that whether you choose the Sonos Arc or Sonos Arc SL, you can expect an utterly identical, awesome listening experience thanks to:
- The same 11 high-performance Class-D digital amplifiers
- 5 ultra-responsive tweeters for crystal clear vocal reproduction
- 7 elliptical mid-woofers that produce faithfully deep, punchy bass
This potent 11.2.4 speaker array enables the Sonos Arc series to faithfully reproduce Dolby Atmos 3D soundtracks. That means you‘ll feel transported to the center of the action by virtual surround sound coming from all directions – even overhead!
I realize that‘s a lot of AV jargon so let me translate the key takeaway:
No compromises in epic, theater-quality audio! 🎶🎵
The Sonos Arc SL‘s lack of microphone carries zero sacrifice when it comes to serving your audiophile listening desires. Both deliver equally enthralling home theater audio immersion.
To learn more about how they achieve such acoustic awesomeness, check out my in-depth Sonos Arc Performance review here.
Sonos Arc vs. Sonos Arc SL – 5 Must-Know Facts
Just to recap the biggest differences:
- The “SL” label stands for “speechless”, referring to the missing microphone
- The standard Sonos Arc launched about 6 months before the SL version
- You cannot control the Arc SL using voice commands
- Arc SL only available in matte black finish
- Aside from the mics and colors, their specs and sound quality match
Which is Better for You?
So when comparing the Sonos Arc versus Sonos Arc SL, how do you decide which soundbar fits your needs?
For most buyers eyeing a premium Sonos home theater experience, I strongly recommend the classic Sonos Arc (non-SL version).
The Arc costs at least $189 less than the virtually identical SL edition. And supporting Alexa/Google Assistant voice control helps maximize both convenience and functionality.
However, if you:
- Want a microphone-free soundbar to protect personal privacy
- Prefer the SL‘s sleek black aesthetic
- Can purchase refurbished to save significantly…
…then the Sonos Arc SL also shines as a top-notch immersive listening upgrade!
At the end of the day, you really can‘t go wrong. Both the Arc and Arc SL serve up gorgeous high resolution audio. But I hope breaking down their key pros and cons makes choosing the right Sonos for your home that much easier!
If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to me directly. I‘m always happy to provide friendly, jargon-free home theater buying advice.
Enjoy those Sonos tunes! 😎🎸
– Your personal Sonos shopping guide
