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Home Audio Systems Compared: Sonos Arc vs. Bose Smart Soundbar 900

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Home Audio Systems Compared: Sonos Arc vs. Bose Smart Soundbar 900

When it comes to setting up the perfect home entertainment system, sound quality is king. Two standout contenders in the home audio arena are the Sonos Arc and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900. Each offers an immersive audio experience, but they come with their own unique features that might make one a better fit for your living room than the other. Let's dive into a simple comparison to see which one might be the best choice for you.

Design and Build

First impressions matter, and both Sonos and Bose understand this well. The Sonos Arc boasts a sleek, premium design with its elongated, curved shape that's meant to complement your TV and living space. It's available in matte black or white, allowing it to blend seamlessly with your decor. On the other hand, the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 embraces a minimalist design, with a glass top and metal grille that exude elegance. Like the Arc, it's also designed to match your living space, available in black or white.

Sound Quality

The core of any audio system, sound quality, is where both models shine, but they cater to slightly different preferences. The Sonos Arc is celebrated for its Dolby Atmos support, delivering 3D sound that seems to come from all around you. This soundbar uses its 11 drivers to create an enveloping sound experience, making you feel like you're in the middle of the action whether you're watching a movie or listening to music.

The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 also supports Dolby Atmos, but with a twist. It includes Bose's proprietary PhaseGuide technology, which precisely directs sound to the left and right of the room, creating an even wider soundstage. This means you get an immersive experience with sounds that seem to come from places where there are no speakers.

Connectivity and Compatibility

A smart home deserves a smart soundbar, and both the Sonos Arc and Bose Smart Soundbar 900 deliver in this aspect. With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, setting up and connecting to your existing home network is a breeze. However, the Sonos Arc goes a step further with Apple AirPlay 2 support, making it especially appealing for iPhone and iPad users who want to stream audio directly to their soundbar.

Both soundbars work well with voice assistants, with the Sonos Arc supporting Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa directly built into the system. The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 also supports these assistants, ensuring that whichever device you choose, you can control your audio experience with just your voice.

User Experience

When it comes to controlling your soundbar and customizing your listening experience, both Sonos and Bose offer intuitive apps. The Sonos S2 app is recognized for its user-friendly interface, allowing you to adjust settings, set up Trueplay tuning (for iOS devices), and access streaming services directly. The Bose Music app offers a similar level of control and customization, with easy access to your favorite music and more.

One area where Sonos particularly excels is in its multi-room audio capabilities. If you have other Sonos speakers, you can seamlessly connect and control them through the Sonos app, creating a comprehensive home sound system. While Bose does offer multi-room audio, Sonos' platform is often regarded as more refined in this aspect.

Price

Price is an important consideration for many shoppers. Both the Sonos Arc and Bose Smart Soundbar 900 are premium products with price tags to match. They are similar in price, with variations depending on sales and promotions, so your choice might come down to which brand's features and ecosystem appeal more to you.

Conclusion

Choosing between the Sonos Arc and Bose Smart Soundbar 900 ultimately comes down to personal preference and which ecosystem you're already invested in or plan to adopt. If you're looking for exceptional 3D sound with superior multi-room audio capabilities, the Sonos Arc might be the way to go. On the other hand, if precise sound direction with a sleek design is what you're after, the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 could be your match.

Both soundbars offer a premium audio experience that can greatly enhance your home entertainment system, making either a worthy investment for the audiophile looking to bring the cinema experience into the comfort of their living room.