I had a chance to test and compare two models: Sony HT-ST5000 vs Sonos Arc and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The Sony HT-ST5000 was rated 8.6, while the Sonos Arc has a rating 7. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, volume down, volume up, input Bluetooth, music service for the HT-ST5000 and volume down, volume up, play/pause, microphone for the Arc.
Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in any of these models. An external subwoofer can be connected to any of the units in this comparison. Rate 9 out of 10 received the Sony HT-ST5000 for audio features and specs, but the Sonos Arc received 5 out of 10. Each of the competitors can play content from Spotify.
Both models have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 3/1 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Sony HT-ST5000 versus 1/0 HDMIs in the Sonos Arc. As in the HT-ST5000, so in the Arc there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). We rated the connectivity of the HT-ST5000 at 9 out of 10, while the Arc was rated 7/10.
Both devices have integrated voice control via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. Each of the soundbars can be controlled using the application. The soundbars in this review are equipped with a microphone. The Sony HT-ST5000 may become part of a multiroom system.
Manufacturers equipped both units with Dolby Atmos audio decoder. The HT-ST5000 can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The HT-ST5000 was rated 8/10, while the Arc received a mark of 4/10 for multichannel surround.