I compared the best soundbars from Samsung and Sonos, and here's my preference

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The Samsung HW-Q990F and Sonos Arc Ultra represent two distinct approaches to premium home theater audio, but both are highly praised for their quality and features. Both are excellent systems, but they're built for different kinds of buyers with somewhat different priorities.

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The Samsung HW-Q990F is Samsung's 2025 flagship, offering a complete surround sound package. The Sonos Arc Ultra takes a different approach, at least in its base form. It's a standalone soundbar that works within the Sonos ecosystem, allowing you to use it on its own or expand it with additional Sonos speakers and a subwoofer in the future. 

So, which of these systems is better than the other? Here's my take.

Specifications

You should buy the Samsung HW-Q990F if...

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1. You want a complete surround sound solution

The Samsung HW-Q990F is the system to get if you want everything you need for an immersive surround sound setup right out of the box. The package includes the main soundbar, featuring 15 drivers, two wireless rear speakers with three drivers each, and a subwoofer equipped with dual 8-inch drivers. That adds up to a true 11.1.4 channel configuration, which is about as immersive as soundbar systems get.

Review: Samsung HW-Q990F

What makes this system particularly impressive is that the rear speakers feature up-firing drivers for height effects, rather than solely forward- and side-firing elements. That helps make Dolby Atmos content sound genuinely enveloping. The immersion is excellent, and you don't have to buy anything extra to get the full experience. In my experience, I found the level of immersion to be among the highest among soundbar-based systems.

2. You have a compatible Samsung TV

If you already own a Samsung TV, the HW-Q990F offers native features you won't find elsewhere. The soundbar can work with your TV's built-in speakers to enhance dialog clarity through Samsung's Q-Symphony technology. You can also control everything through the Samsung SmartThings app, which you're likely already using if you have other Samsung devices in your home, like a Samsung TV.

Also: The top 6 TVs our readers bought last year (No. 1 wasn't a Sony or Samsung)

That said, not all Samsung TV models are compatible with these features, so it's advisable to check before making a purchase. For those with compatible TVs, the integration is seamless, making it even easier to use.

3. You require DTS:X support

The Samsung HW-Q990F supports DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, and the new Eclipsa Audio format that Samsung co-developed with Google. This is a significant advantage if you have a collection of Blu-rays or other physical media that utilize DTS formats, as you'll be able to fully leverage those audio tracks.

The Sonos Arc Ultra, by contrast, does not support DTS:X. It handles Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital very well, but if you have DTS:X content in your library, you'll be missing out on that format's full capabilities with the Sonos soundbar.

You should buy the Sonos Arc Ultra if...

Christian de Looper/ZDNET

1. You want exceptional performance from a single bar

The Sonos Arc Ultra is impressive for what it can do as a standalone soundbar. Sonos's Sound Motion technology utilizes a four-motor, dual-membrane woofer design that delivers approximately double the bass output of the previous Arc, all without the need for an external subwoofer. 

The result is a 9.1.4 virtualized channel system with 14 drivers packed into a compact form factor. In personal usage, I've found that the Arc Ultra's bass response is comparable to that of the Sonos Sub Mini, which is very impressive; however, you'll still get better bass from a full-size Sonos Sub 4. 

Review: Sonos Arc Ultra

For most content, including music, movies, and TV shows, the Arc Ultra sounds fantastic on its own. That said, it's still compatible with the Sonos Sub and Sonos speakers, such as the Era 100 and Era 300, if you want to expand later, or if you already have Sonos speakers you want to repurpose for use with the soundbar. 

The full Sonos Immersive Set, comprising Arc Ultra, Sub 4, and Era 300 speakers, costs around $2,956, which is significantly more than the Samsung package. However, the modularity is helpful if you prefer to build your system incrementally or if you want to use the surround speakers as standalone speakers in the future. 

2. You are building or expanding a multi-room ecosystem

If you already have Sonos speakers throughout your home, the Arc Ultra fits right in. It integrates seamlessly with your existing Sonos setup, allowing you to group speakers, create zones, and manage everything through the Sonos app. 

The soundbar offers Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing it to support features like AirPlay 2, providing flexible options for streaming music when you're not watching TV. The Arc Ultra is also compatible with the Ace headphones, which are an excellent choice for people who watch TV at home but often disturb housemates or neighbors.

Also: Here's how a free software upgrade made the Sonos Ace worth their price tag

The ability to upgrade incrementally is a real advantage here. You can start with just the Arc Ultra and add a Sub4 or Era 300 rear speakers later when your budget allows. For those who want to build a system over time rather than buying everything at once, this approach makes a lot of sense.

3. You prefer a minimalist aesthetic and simple setup

The Sonos Arc Ultra features a sleek, curved design that complements most living rooms, eliminating the visual clutter of separate subwoofers and rear speakers. It's certainly not compact or subtle, but it is less angular than the Samsung soundbar.

Also: Sonos just brought TV Audio Swap to more devices. Here's why it's my all-time favorite headphone feature

Setup is straightforward, too. Sonos's Trueplay tuning is now available on both iOS and Android, measuring your room's acoustics and adjusting the EQ accordingly. If you want a system that sounds great without a lot of fuss, the Arc Ultra delivers.

Writer's choice

I personally use the Sonos Arc Ultra, but that's mostly because, over the years, I've built up a system with the Arc Ultra, two Sonos Era 300 speakers for the rears, and the Sonos Sub 4. If I had to start over and buy everything in one go, I would definitely save the cash and opt for the Samsung HW-Q990F, unless I didn't want a full surround system. In that case, I would stick with the Arc Ultra.