Sonos Arc & Bose Smart Soundbar 900 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Sonos Arc rather than the Bose Smart Soundbar 900.
Why Do I Recommend The Sonos Arc?
- The Sonos Arc delivers superior bass performance without requiring an additional subwoofer, providing richer low-end audio for a more powerful home theater experience compared to the Bose Smart Soundbar 900.
- The Sonos Arc features Trueplay tuning technology, which optimizes sound based on room acoustics, ensuring a more immersive and balanced audio experience than the ADAPTiQ calibration in the Bose Smart Soundbar 900.
- The Sonos Arc integrates seamlessly with the Sonos ecosystem, offering superior multi-room audio synchronization and whole-home music playback, providing greater flexibility and scalability compared to the Bose Smart Soundbar 900.
- The Sonos Arc’s enhanced spatial audio capabilities deliver improved surround sound positioning, offering a more immersive and cinematic experience than the Bose Smart Soundbar 900.
- The Sonos Arc supports a wider range of streaming services directly through the Sonos S2 app, ensuring better music service compatibility and control compared to the Bose Music App.
- The Sonos Arc’s longer build (45″) produces a wider soundstage, improving the overall sound spread and making it better suited for larger rooms compared to the smaller Bose Smart Soundbar 900.
- The Sonos Arc includes an HDMI cable in the box, offering better value out-of-the-box than the Bose Smart Soundbar 900, which requires purchasing an HDMI cable separately.
- The Sonos Arc offers better integration with Apple devices through AirPlay 2, ensuring seamless audio streaming for iOS users and providing a smoother Apple ecosystem experience compared to the Bose Smart Soundbar 900.
Maybe the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Sonos Arc. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
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Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | Sonos Arc | Bose Smart Soundbar 900 |
| Surround Sound Focus | Enhanced spatial audio immersion | Precise sound clarity |
| Bass Performance | Stronger without subwoofer | Less powerful without subwoofer |
| Build Material | Fabric-wrapped design | Glass top finish |
| Bluetooth Support | No | Yes (Limited to Music Playback) |
| App Control | Sonos S2 App | Bose Music App |
| Audio Customization | Trueplay tuning | ADAPTiQ room calibration |
| Multi-Room Audio | Sonos Multi-Room System | Bose SimpleSync |
| HDMI Cable Included | Yes | No |
| TV Integration | Stronger with ARC support | Stronger with HDMI eARC support |
| Sound Modes | Limited modes, relies on Trueplay | Versatile sound modes in-app |
| Price | Check Sonos Arc Price | Check Bose 900 Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Dolby Atmos Support: Both soundbars feature Dolby Atmos technology, delivering immersive 3D audio that enhances depth, height, and directionality for a more cinematic listening experience.
- Audio Channel Configuration (5.0.2): Each model is equipped with a 5.0.2 audio channel setup, consisting of five primary channels and two upward-firing speakers that provide overhead sound effects for improved immersion.
- Voice Assistant Support: Both soundbars support Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, enabling hands-free control for playback, volume adjustment, and smart home commands.
- HDMI eARC Support: Each model offers HDMI eARC support, ensuring high-quality audio transmission with minimal latency, perfect for delivering uncompressed sound from compatible TVs.
- Optical Audio Support: Both soundbars include an optical adapter option, allowing compatibility with older TVs that may not support HDMI eARC.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: Both models feature dual-band Wi-Fi for stable wireless connections, ensuring seamless streaming and uninterrupted software updates.
- Ethernet Port: Both soundbars include an Ethernet port, providing a wired connection option for enhanced network stability and improved performance in areas with weaker Wi-Fi.
- Wall Mounting Capability: Both models support wall mounting, allowing flexible placement options and optimal audio positioning. Mounting kits are sold separately for both.
- Color Options: Both soundbars are available in Black and White, giving users flexibility to match their sound system with their home décor.
- Voice Control Compatibility: Both devices allow for hands-free control via voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, offering seamless integration with smart home ecosystems.
- TV Control Integration: Both soundbars support HDMI CEC, enabling users to control TV power and volume directly from the soundbar without requiring multiple remotes.
- Music Streaming Services: Both the Sonos Arc and Bose Smart Soundbar 900 support popular streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more for easy access to a vast library of audio content.
- Smartphone App Control: Each model features a dedicated app — the Sonos S2 App for the Arc and the Bose Music App for the Smart Soundbar 900 — providing in-depth sound adjustments, multi-room control, and customization features.
- Expandable Audio Setup: Both soundbars support expandable setups, allowing users to connect additional speakers, subwoofers, or rear speakers for enhanced surround sound performance.
- AirPlay 2 Support: Both models are compatible with Apple AirPlay 2, enabling seamless audio streaming from iOS devices with multi-room functionality.
- Spotify Connect Support: Both devices feature Spotify Connect, allowing users to control music playback directly from the Spotify app for improved sound quality and convenience.
- Automatic Room Calibration: Each soundbar includes advanced room calibration technology — Trueplay for Sonos and ADAPTiQ for Bose — ensuring optimized sound based on room acoustics for the best listening experience.
- Slim Profile Design: Both soundbars feature a sleek, low-profile design, making them ideal for placement under TVs or on entertainment units without obstructing the screen.
- Smart Home Integration: Both models seamlessly integrate with smart home devices, allowing users to control lights, thermostats, and other connected devices through voice commands or app controls.
Common Features
| Feature | Sonos Arc | Bose Smart Soundbar 900 |
| Dolby Atmos Support | Yes | Yes |
| Audio Channels | 5.0.2 channel system | 5.0.2 channel system |
| Voice Assistants | Alexa, Google Assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant |
| HDMI eARC Support | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Audio Support | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | Dual-band Wi-Fi | Dual-band Wi-Fi |
| Ethernet Port | Yes | Yes |
| Wall Mounting Capability | Yes | Yes |
| Color Options | Black, White | Black, White |
| Voice Control Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| TV Control Integration | HDMI CEC support for TV control | HDMI CEC support for TV control |
| Music Streaming Services | Supports Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc. | Supports Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc. |
| Smartphone App Control | Sonos S2 App | Bose Music App |
| Expandable Setup | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Room Audio Support | Yes | Yes |
| AirPlay 2 Support | Yes | Yes |
| Spotify Connect Support | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Room Calibration | Yes | Yes |
| Soundbar Dimensions | Similar slim-profile design for modern TV setups | Similar slim-profile design for modern TV setups |
| Smart Home Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check Sonos Arc Price | Check Bose 900 Price |
FAQ
Do both soundbars support Dolby Atmos? Which soundbar has better bass performance without a subwoofer? Can I use Alexa or Google Assistant with both soundbars? Do these soundbars support Apple AirPlay 2? Which soundbar offers better app control for customization? Do both soundbars have HDMI eARC support? Can I expand these soundbars with additional speakers or subwoofers? Which soundbar offers Bluetooth support? Do these soundbars support multi-room audio? Which soundbar is better for large rooms? Can I control my TV with these soundbars? Do both soundbars offer wall-mounting options? Which soundbar offers a more premium design? Are these soundbars compatible with older TVs? |
