It makes sense comparing Samsung HW-Q80R vs Sonos Playbar because they both are able to give some premium features. Based on our rating, HW-Q80R has a total rating of 8 out of 10 versus 5.5 for Playbar. The competitors' control buttons are different: power, volume down, volume up, source and play/pause, volume up, volume down, respectively.
Both soundbars have active amplification type. A significant difference between the units in the number of channels, the Samsung HW-Q80R has 5.1.2 versus 3.0 for the Sonos Playbar. Competitors do not have a built-in subwoofer. Rivals have wireless connection to separate subwoofer. The Samsung HW-Q80R got our rating of 8 out of 10, and the Sonos Playbar 7 for its audio features and specs. Spotify is available on each of the soundbars.
These models have the ability to connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Only the HW-Q80R has Bluetooth support. Only the HW-Q80R supports HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). For connectivity, the HW-Q80R received a rating of 7/10 versus 3/10, respectively. App control is available in every soundbar. A built-in microphone is present only on the HW-Q80R. Multi-room is only available for the Samsung HW-Q80R.
Only the HW-Q80R has a Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format support. A surround technology DTS:X is supported only by the HW-Q80R. For multichannel surround Samsung HW-Q80R got a rating of 10, and Sonos Playbar 4 out of 10.