The Sonos Arc + Sub (Gen 3) + Era 300s is a complete, high-end home theater system that excels in delivering immersive, room-filling sound with deep bass. The Sony HT-A9 offers a compelling alternative with its 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology and easy setup, but may require an additional subwoofer for optimal bass performance. The choice depends on budget and preference for a complete, out-of-the-box solution versus a more modular system.
| Attribute | Sonos Arc + Sub (Gen 3) + Era 300s | Sony HT-A9 |
|---|---|---|
| Sound Quality (Overall) | Impressive, high-quality sound, especially in larger rooms. Provides a fully immersive, cinematic sound experience. | Well-balanced, clear, and detailed. Good vocal clarity, may lack deep bass without a separate subwoofer. |
| Dolby Atmos Support | Supports Dolby Atmos, creating a sensational 9.1.4 spatial audio experience. The Era 300s as rear speakers enhance the Dolby Atmos experience. | Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support with 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology to create phantom speakers. |
| Subwoofer Included | Includes the Sonos Sub (Gen 3), a powerful wireless subwoofer that delivers deep, rich bass with a frequency response as low as 25 Hz. | Not included, designed to work with optional subwoofers like SA-SW3 and SA-SW5. |
| Surround Sound Capability | Designed for a fully immersive home cinema experience, offering true Dolby Atmos surround sound with the Era 300s as rear channels. Delivers truly immersive, room-filling 3D spatial audio with Dolby Atmos. Lateral and overhead channels create a full three-dimensional effect. | Excellent, creates an immersive sound field with four speakers and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology generating up to twelve phantom speakers. |
| Wireless Connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) | Supports versatile wireless connectivity options, including WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and Apple AirPlay 2. Offers two wireless options to ensure reliable performance. Connecting a Sonos product to the router creates a dedicated wireless network. WiFi speakers typically have a range of 100 to 200 feet. | Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, supports Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, and Chromecast. |
| Multi-room Audio Support | Seamlessly integrates with other Sonos speakers for a complete multi-room audio experience. | Supported via Sony Music Center App. |
| Voice Assistant Integration (e.g., Alexa, Google Assistant) | Built-in voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. | Works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. |
| Ease of Setup | Setup is designed to be simple, with the Sonos app providing step-by-step guidance. Setup can be completed in minutes using the Sonos app. | Easy setup with wireless speaker connections and Sound Field Optimization. |
| Room Calibration Technology | Sonos utilizes Trueplay tuning to optimize the sound for the specific acoustics of your room. It measures the room's acoustics and fine-tunes the EQ. Trueplay tuning is an effective way to boost your soundbar's performance by tuning the audio output to match your room's layout. | Sound Field Optimization uses dual microphones to measure speaker height and position, optimizing sound. |
| Input Options (HDMI, Optical) | Connects to your TV via HDMI eARC. An optical adapter is included for older TVs. | HDMI input and output (with eARC), Ethernet port, and a jack port for center channel connection to compatible Sony TV. |
| Acoustic Beam Technology | The Sonos Arc Ultra features Sound Motion technology, which enhances clarity, depth, and dimension. | 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology creates a wider and more immersive sound field, synthesizing sound waves to create phantom speakers. |
| Spatial Audio Performance | The combination of the Sonos Arc and Era 300s delivers truly immersive, room-filling 3D spatial audio with Dolby Atmos support. | Delivers a 360 Spatial Sound experience, immersing you in a multi-dimensional audio environment. |
| Subwoofer | Sonos Sub (Gen 3) with frequency response as low as 25 Hz | Optional (SA-SW3 and SA-SW5) |