I had a chance to test and compare two models: Bose Soundbar 500 vs Sonos Arc and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The Bose Soundbar 500 was rated 7.4, while the Sonos Arc has a rating 7. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, microphone for the Soundbar 500 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 6 out of 10 received the Bose Soundbar 500 for audio features and specs, but the Sonos Arc received 5 out of 10.
AirPlay 2 supported by both soundbars. Each of the competitors can play content from Spotify.
Both models have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs are in each of soundbars. As in the Soundbar 500, so in the Arc there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). We rated the connectivity of the Soundbar 500 at 8 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 models under consideration cannot become part of a multiroom system.
Manufacturers equipped both units with Dolby Atmos audio decoder. Devices from this comparison cannot process surround sound due to lack of DTS:X. The same score of 4/10 was put to the soundbars for multichannel surround support.