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Sonos Arc Ultra vs Samsung Q-Series HW-Q930H Soundbar

Buy the Sonos Arc Ultra if you want one sleek bar with no separate sub or rear speakers to place. Buy the Samsung HW-Q930H if you want a true 9.1.4 setup with a dedicated subwoofer and rear speakers for less fiddling with placement. The Arc Ultra's lowest recent price was $989.10 on November 3, 2026, against $999.99 for the Samsung on October 28, 2026, so the two are close in cost.

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Sonos
Sonos Arc Ultra

Sonos Arc Ultra

5(2 ratings)

Choose the Sonos Arc Ultra if you want a single low-profile bar with 14 drivers, Dolby Atmos, AirPlay 2 and a polished app, and you don't want a separate subwoofer or rear speakers in the room.

Pros
True one-box Dolby Atmos with 9.1.4 channels
  • 14 drivers and 15 Class-D amps in a low-profile bar
  • Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, AirPlay 2 and Ethernet
  • Speech Enhancement in the app for dialogue
  • Audio Swap to Sonos Ace headphones
  • Cons
    • No separate subwoofer, so deep bass is limited next to a real sub
    • Full control needs the Sonos app
    • Large and heavy for a bar
    • Adding Sub and Era 300 rears costs extra
    Samsung
    Samsung Q-Series Soundbar HW-Q930H/ZA 9.1.4 ch Subwoofer

    Samsung Q-Series HW-Q930H Soundbar

    Samsung Q-Series Soundbar HW-Q930H/ZA 9.1.4 ch Subwoofer

    4.6(16 ratings)

    Choose the Samsung HW-Q930H if you want a full 9.1.4 system with a dedicated subwoofer and rear speakers included, and you'd rather not pay extra to add bass and surround later.

    Pros
    • Dedicated subwoofer and rear speakers included
    • 9.1.4 channels with Dolby Atmos
    • Alexa built in
    • 4.6 out of 5 from 16 ratings
    • Priced within a few dollars of the Arc Ultra
    Cons
    • More boxes to place, wire and power
    • Fewer streaming options than the Sonos
    • No AirPlay 2 or headphone handoff listed
    • Only 16 ratings so far

    What separates them

    Sonos Arc UltraSamsung Q-Series HW-Q930H Soundbar
    Speaker configurationSingle soundbar with 14 drivers and 15 ampsSoundbar plus separate subwoofer and rear speakers
    BassBuilt-in Sound Motion woofer, no separate subDedicated subwoofer included
    Room footprintOne bar, wall-mountable, no extra boxesBar, sub and two rears need placement and power
    Channels9.1.49.1.4
    StreamingWi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, AirPlay 2, EthernetWi-Fi and Bluetooth
    Voice assistantsAmazon Alexa and Sonos Voice ControlAmazon Alexa
    Headphone handoffAudio Swap with Sonos Ace headphonesNot offered
    Price$989.10 at Bear Security Shop as of November 3, 2026$999.99 as of October 28, 2026

    Price history

    $1,099.00$989.10
    Oct 28Nov 5
    • Sonos Arc Ultra: lowest $989.10 on Nov 3 at eBay; $1,099.00 on Nov 5.
    • Samsung Q-Series HW-Q930H Soundbar: lowest $999.99 on Oct 28 at Best Buy; $999.99 on Oct 30.

    Prices at every store

    Sonos Arc Ultra

    • AdoramaCheck price at Adorama
    • AmazonCheck price at Amazon
    • Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
    Prices and history →

    Samsung Q-Series HW-Q930H Soundbar

    • Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
    Prices and history →

    Specs compared

    SpecSonos Arc UltraSamsung Q-Series HW-Q930H Soundbar
    Assistant SupportAmazon Alexa, Sonos Voice ControlAmazon Alexa
    WirelessYesYes
    ColorWhiteBlack
    Dolby Atmos EnabledYesYes
    ConnectivityBluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Ethernet, Optical AudioBluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI
    OutdoorNo—
    Frequency ResponseDoesn't provide a full frequency range—
    Crossover Frequency70 Hz (for Arc Ultra and Sub)—
    Power SourcePlug in the power cable—
    BluetoothYes—
    Connectivity TechnologyWireless, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi—
    Ports And InterfacesHDMI eARC, Ethernet port, HDMI eARC port—
    Show all 30 specsShow fewer specs
    SpecSonos Arc UltraSamsung Q-Series HW-Q930H Soundbar
    Wi-FiYes—
    Smart FunctionsVoice control—
    Speaker PlacementWall Mountable—
    Audio Configuration9.1.4 system—
    Audio HighlightsDolby Atmos Enabled—
    Audio Channels9.1.4-channel—
    Design HighlightsWall Mountable, Touch controls—
    MaterialMetal—
    StyleMatte finish—
    Driver Size

    What reviewers say

    Sonos Arc Ultra

    Reviewers describe clear, detailed sound with convincing bass and immersive Atmos effects, and several praise the smoother app setup. Some owners who moved up from the original Arc were not blown away by the difference.

    What people mention
    • Sound qualityPraisedReviewers call it clear and detailed across music and film soundtracks.
    • BassPraisedThe Sound Motion woofer is said to give real punch without adding a Sub.
    • Atmos effectsPraisedOwners describe height and surround effects that fill the room from one bar.
    • DialoguePraisedSpeech comes through clearly, and Speech Enhancement in the app helps further.

    Samsung Q-Series HW-Q930H Soundbar

    • 4.6 / 516 ratings

    Ratings are strong at 4.6 out of 5 from 16 ratings, with buyers generally pleased by the surround effect and bass.

    What people mention
    • Surround effectPraisedOwners say the rear and height channels create a convincing wrap-around field.
    • BassPraisedThe wireless subwoofer is described as delivering deep, room-filling low end.
    • SetupMixedSome find pairing and calibration straightforward, others say it takes patience.
    Reviews
    • The Best Soundbars for 2026
    • Best Soundbars 2026: Options to suit your home cinema needs
    • We tested four premium Dolby Atmos soundbars: can JBL, LG or Sony defeat Sonos?
    • The Best Soundbars for 2026 - PCMag editors select and review products independently
    • What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026: we tested more than 20 soundbars to find these 7 Dolby Atmos winners

    Questions and answers

    Which has better bass?
    The Samsung HW-Q930H, because it ships with a dedicated subwoofer. The Arc Ultra's Sound Motion woofer gives strong bass for a single bar, but a separate sub moves more air.
    Which is better for a small room?
    The Sonos Arc Ultra. It is one bar with no sub or rear speakers to place, while the Samsung needs room and outlets for three extra pieces.
    Is the Sonos worth the extra over the Samsung?
    There is no real extra: $989.10 for the Arc Ultra as of November 3, 2026 versus $999.99 for the Samsung as of October 28, 2026. Pick on setup, not price.
    Which is better for movies?
    Both do 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos. The Samsung's rear speakers and sub give more physical surround and low end out of the box; the Arc Ultra relies on beamforming from one bar.
    Which works better with an iPhone?
    The Sonos Arc Ultra, which supports AirPlay 2 and Audio Swap to Sonos Ace headphones. The Samsung lists Wi-Fi and Bluetooth only.
    Which has more streaming options?
    The Sonos Arc Ultra: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, AirPlay 2 and an Ethernet port. The Samsung lists Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

    More comparisons

    • Sonos Arc Ultra vs Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus
    • Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4 Channel Soundbar vs Sonos Arc Ultra
    • Sonos Arc Ultra vs Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Mini
    • Samsung HW-Q990F vs Sonos Arc Ultra
    • Yamaha True X Bar 50A 280W 2.1.2-Channel Dolby Atmos Sound Bar System vs Sonos Arc Ultra
    • Sonos Arc Ultra vs JBL Bar 300MK2
    • Sonos Arc Ultra vs Marshall Heston 120

    Buying guides that pick them

    • Best soundbars
    • Best soundbars for gaming
    • Best wireless surround sound speakers with Dolby Atmos
    Multiple sizes of mid-range drivers and tweeters
    —
    Driver ConfigurationUp-Firing—
    Driver TypeTweeters, Midwoofers—
    Number Of DriversSeven tweeters, Six midwoofers—
    Nominal Output PowerFifteen amps—
    Max Wattage150 W (Peak audio power handling)—
    Output Level (SPL)Volume hovering around 30 (out of 50)—
    Special PurposeSoundbar—
    Width46.4 in wide—
    Rear speakersMixed
    The wireless rears are convenient but still need power and careful placement.