Getting a soundbar can offer immersive sound experience, but it can bring more hassle and headache if you settle with something that won’t satisfy your ears. So our experts picked two top-notch models and pit them against each other to see which one is worth spending your money on.
Which one should you buy? Find out in the result of our Sonos ARC vs Bose Soundbar 700 test and assessment below.
Sonos Arc VS Bose 700
- 3D sound with Dolby Atmos
- Enhanced Trueplay technology
- Full HD video recording/playback
- Voice control with Alexa
- Flexible placement
- Buildable system
- WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Bose Voice4Video technology
- Built-in Alexa
- Bose music app for setup
Features of Sonos Arc and Bose Soundbar 700
Design
Both soundbars mirror each other in terms of the overall design. They feature the same layouts and even include a subwoofer. However, the Arc is an inch taller and weighs more than the 700.
Bose Soundbar 700 has a dimension of 2.25″ (H) x 38.5″ (W) x 4.25″(D) and weighs 10.5 lb, while the Sonos Arc measures 3.4″ (H) x 45″ (W) x 4.5″ (D) and weighs 13.8 lb. With this, the Bose Soundbar features a more minimalistic design than its counterpart and is aesthetically better.
(For more Bose models, you can also check our review of Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II here)
Sound Quality
Sound quality is the main factor that distinguishes Bose Soundbar 700 vs Sonos Arc from each other.
Bose Soundbar 700 is better at emulating surround sound, thanks to the PhaseGuide transducers that channel sound horizontally. It also has support for Dolby Digital, but lacks support for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, TrueHD, and DTS:X. This is where Sonos has the advantage.
Like JBL Bar 5.0, Sonos is a 5.0.2 soundbar that packs eleven discrete amplifiers, with two upward-facing drivers, three tweeters, and eight subwoofers that projects a surround sound upwards [1]. Sonos also supports Dolby Atmos content, which is another advantage over the limited sound quality of Bose Soundbar 700, a 3.0.0 soundbar with only four drivers and one tweeter.
Price: Bose Soundbar 700 vs Sonos Arc
Surprisingly, both flagship soundbars come in at approximately the same price, even though they are expensive. Of course, it’s not surprising since both soundbars include unique features.
Subwoofer
Both soundbars are compatible with a subwoofer for more bass quality. Without a subwoofer, Sonos still delivers top-tier sound, as our experts have observed in this Bose Soundbar 700 vs Sonos Arc comparison. Like the newly released Denon Home Sound Bar 550, Bose Soundbar 700 doesn’t offer great sound without a subwoofer.
When a subwoofer is added, both soundbars produce almost the same bass sound experience, although the Sonos still has an edge, thanks to the eight included woofers.
Bass
The bass quality in Sonos is one of the strongest our team of experts has experienced, including the Sonos One and Sonos Roam devices we reviewed. The bass quality is excellent and can be overwhelming, especially at night. However, this can be tuned down, thanks to the Night Sound and Enhanced Dialogue modes.
Bose Soundbar 700 lacks Night Sound and Enhanced Dialogue modes and has low bass quality when the subwoofer is excluded.
Extra Features of Sonos Arc & Bose Soundbar 700
Sonos Arc and Bose Soundbar feature ARC, allowing users to stream audio from the TV. Sonos Arc features the advanced eARC, allowing for faster data transfer for high-quality content. This is the reason why only Sonos supports Dolby Atmos because it uses massive data.
In terms of connectivity, both soundbars are even. Just like the Blackweb Soundbar, you can enjoy the device by giving simple commands through their virtual asssitants. They have Google Assistant, Alexa commands, AirPlay 2 support, and Wi-Fi connectivity for streaming on several music platforms. The 700 has Bluetooth support, while the Arc doesn’t.
For more control, the 700 includes a universal TV remote, allowing you to switch between preset settings and perform various commands. Though you can configure the Arc to any remote control, it doesn’t ship with a universal remote.
Our experts were slightly disappointed at Sonos for having no Android TruePlay calibration unlike other Sonos models such as Sonos 5.1 home theater system for the best room sound experience. You must have an iOS device to adjust EQ settings, which is frustrating for Android users.
As for Bose, there is an ADAPTiQ headset included that allows you to listen to the best room sound quality. This headset is designed to improve sound quality in the room. You can also stream music from your audio and TV directly to your headphones using SimpleSync, which is lovely.
Overall Winner: Sonos Arc
Though it’s a tough competition, our team of experts concludes that the Sonos Arc delivers better sound quality in this Sonos Arc vs Bose Soundbar 700 comparison article.
Sonos Arc supports multiple audio formats, thanks to the eARC that ensures you listen to high-quality, uncompressed content. Additionally, Sonos Arc produces better bass sound quality due to the inbuilt eight woofers.
You can also check how Sonos Arc compared against JBL 9.1 here.
Want to enjoy a full cinematic experience with your best tasting popcorn? Here are the top-rated popcorn machines ideal for your home theater.
