Compare Sonos Arc Soundbar vs Samsung HW-B650 Soundbar

Trueplay room calibration was praised for improving or tailoring sound, but its Apple-only limitation frustrated Android users.

Room calibration evidence is mixed: one review says room correction is missing, while another describes room-acoustic adaptation.

AirPlay was viewed positively as a handy wireless music option, especially for Apple users.

AirPlay compatibility is unsupported in the review evidence, with one review explicitly saying it does not stream via Apple AirPlay.

Amplifier power evidence is strong for the class, with a 250W subwoofer amplifier and 430W output mentioned.

App reliability and usability were mixed: some found Sonos polished and easy to navigate, while others disliked the layout or had reconnection trouble.

App support is limited: one review says there is no companion app, and another says it lacks a mobile app.

Audio format support was mixed: Dolby Atmos support impressed reviewers, but DTS:X, hi-res, and TV passthrough limitations were repeated caveats.

Audio format support is solid for Dolby Digital/Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X, though Atmos is repeatedly absent.

Backwards compatibility was a drawback because some older Sonos devices are not compatible with the S2-based Arc setup.

Backwards compatibility is supported by broad TV compatibility evidence, including use with different TV brands and connection types.

Bluetooth codec support is limited but directly documented as SBC and AAC.

Bluetooth-related feedback was negative because reviewers complained about the original Arc’s lack of conventional Bluetooth support.

Bluetooth connection stability is mostly positive for streaming and switching devices, but one month-long review reported periodic disconnections from the TV.

Cabinet and construction evidence is positive, with protective grilles and a wooden subwoofer cabinet mentioned.

Chromecast compatibility is unsupported in the review evidence, with one review explicitly saying it does not stream via Chromecast.

Cohesive presentation was mixed: standalone home-cinema cohesion impressed some reviewers, while one found music less authentically cohesive than stereo speakers.

The overall presentation is cohesive when tuned correctly, with reviews praising clear, full and cinematic sound from the 3.1 system.

Design and aesthetics were praised for a classy, unobtrusive, blend-in look, though the Arc’s size still requires space.

The design is consistently described as compact, sleek, premium-looking or easy to place under a TV.

Build quality impressions were mixed: one reviewer praised the form-function blend, while another complained that the plastic body attracts dust.

Build quality is described positively through hard mesh, metal grilles, a sturdy finish and a solid-feeling bar.

Detail retrieval was widely praised, with reviewers highlighting separation, crispness, clarity, and fine detail in music and movies.

Detail retrieval is good for the price, with small effects, vocals and instruments remaining audible or separated in favorable reviews.

Dialogue clarity was usually strong and helped by Speech Enhancement, though one direct comparison placed it behind some rivals for immediate clarity.

Dialogue clarity is consistently praised because the dedicated center channel keeps speech focused and intelligible for TV and movies.

High-volume composure was generally praised, with distortion described as limited to pushed bass and volume settings or absent in stress-free loud playback.

High-volume behavior is mixed: one review reported tinniness or crackle, while later reviews described clean loud playback without obvious distortion.

Dolby Atmos height effects were among the Arc’s strongest attributes, with reviewers praising overhead realism, height presence, and immersive Atmos delivery.

Dolby Atmos height performance is limited: a few reviews mention virtual height, but most direct evidence says Dolby Atmos is missing.

Dynamic headroom was strong overall, with reviewers praising power, subtlety, and big dynamic shifts, though one found the Arc less quick than some rivals.

Dynamic headroom is a positive, with reviewers noting quiet and loud scenes remained manageable and vocals stayed balanced against explosions.

Energy evidence is limited but positive, with standby power consumption listed at 0.5W.

EQ controls were viewed as useful for bass, treble, and loudness adjustments, though not a replacement for every hardware limitation.

EQ and sound-mode customization is a recurring strength, with graphic EQ, bass/treble controls and multiple presets, despite some limits.

The Arc was widely described as balanced, smooth, and controlled, though a few reviews wanted more low-end weight from the standalone bar.

Frequency balance is usually described as neutral or balanced in mids, but some modes can sound tinny and bass tuning depends on content.

Gaming HDMI passthrough was a weakness because the single HDMI connection and lack of passthrough can complicate consoles and streaming boxes.

Gaming HDMI passthrough is limited because the HDMI input is reported not to support 4K passthrough.

Google Assistant support received a positive hands-on assessment when used as the Arc’s selected assistant.

Google Assistant support is not present in the cited evidence, with the review stating users cannot use Alexa or Google Assistant.

HDMI 2.1 gaming support is weak because the only gaming-relevant passthrough evidence says 4K passthrough is not supported.

HDMI ARC/eARC was valued for getting the best surround experience, but reviewers warned that TV passthrough support can complicate Atmos setup.

HDMI ARC support is consistently documented and is tied to TV remote control, direct TV connection and audio return channel use.

Home theater integration was a major strength, especially the ability to expand with Sonos surrounds, Sub, and multi-room setups.

Home theater integration is a strength, with HDMI ARC, Samsung TV compatibility and optional rear speakers expanding the setup.

Inter-speaker connectivity was praised as easy and impactful when adding or connecting Sonos components.

Inter-speaker connectivity is supported by optional Samsung rear-speaker compatibility and wireless rear-speaker integration claims.

Lip-sync risk was raised as a potential downside when a TV lacks proper passthrough support.

Lip-sync and latency evidence is positive overall, with auto AV sync, audio-delay adjustment and no-lag Bluetooth/TV use cited.

Reviewers consistently described the Arc as loud, powerful, and room-filling, with enough scale for larger spaces and home theater use.

Reviewers generally found the HW-B650 capable of strong volume and 430W output, though one review cautioned it may not fill larger rooms.

Low-volume features were praised for improving late-night listening by reducing bass, stabilizing output, and keeping dialogue clearer.

Low-volume use is helped by balanced loud/quiet playback, adjustable bass and night mode for late-night listening.

The Arc’s microphone hardware was positively described through its far-field mic array for voice pickup.

Sonos multi-speaker pairing was praised as reliable and easy, especially for users building or expanding a whole-home Sonos system.

Multipoint support is supported by Bluetooth multi-connection evidence, with reviewers describing two-device switching and device handoff as useful.

Omnidirectional-style immersion was praised in one review that described sound arriving from every direction.

Omnidirectional sound is only simulated; DTS Virtual:X creates 360-like effects but does not equal true surround speakers.

On-device controls are basic but present, covering power, volume and source selection on the bar.

Optical support was treated as a fallback with a major tradeoff because it limits Dolby Atmos usefulness.

Optical connectivity is well supported across reviews, usually listed alongside HDMI ARC and other wired inputs.

Remote usability was mixed-positive: existing TV remotes usually work well, but some reviewers disliked the lack of a dedicated physical remote.

Remote usability is generally positive, with reviewers calling it weighty, intuitive, clean and easy, though one review found mode navigation limited.

Setup simplicity was a clear strength, with reviewers repeatedly calling installation quick, guided, and easy.

Setup simplicity is a major strength, repeatedly described as easy, quick or taking only minutes with common TV connections.

Alexa and smart assistant integration was praised for convenient hands-free control of volume, playback, and smart-home devices.

Smart assistant integration is weak because reviewers repeatedly note no direct smart home, voice assistant or Alexa-style support.

Smart features were a strength, with reviewers praising Sonos smarts, streaming breadth, and the app as a central media hub.

Smart features are basic and mixed: adaptive modes and SmartThings are mentioned, but companion apps and voice/smart home features are limited.

Soundstage height was praised for convincing vertical presence and sounds that moved above the listener.

Soundstage height is virtual rather than true Atmos height, with DTS Virtual:X helping but height and surround immersion remaining limited.

Spotify voice playback was described as working beautifully with the Arc’s voice assistant setup.

Status indicators were praised for being subtle and not overly bright.

Status feedback is adequate, with a front display or LED showing inputs, modes and volume/status changes.

Stereo imaging was mixed: reviewers praised width and speaker-like imaging with surrounds, but some found music less direct or less precise than stereo speakers.

The left, center and right channel layout is treated as a meaningful upgrade, giving a wider soundstage than basic 2.1 bars.

Opinions on the Sub were context-dependent: several reviewers said the Arc works well alone, but bass-focused listeners and movie fans benefit noticeably from adding a Sub.

The subwoofer is a major strength for many reviewers, adding rumble and punch, though a few reviews say the deepest low bass is limited.

Surround simulation was a major strength, with reviewers praising the Arc’s virtual 3D field, room-filling movie sound, and immersive presentation while noting it is not true in-ceiling Atmos.

Surround simulation is helpful but not equivalent to true surround: DTS Virtual:X and expansion modes add immersion, while some reviews note a narrow or inconsistent stage.

Sustainability evidence is limited to packaging, which one review described as eco-friendly or recyclable-looking.

Value opinions were mixed: many reviewers called the Arc worth it or excellent value, while others stressed the premium price and extra cost of a full system.

Value for money is one of the strongest consensus points, with reviews praising the price-to-performance ratio and budget-friendly impact.

Video passthrough support was a consistent weakness because reviewers criticized the absence of HDMI input/passthrough.

Video passthrough support is limited because one review says the HDMI input does not support 4K passthrough.

Voice assistant responsiveness was rated highly, with reviewers saying assistants worked well and commands were picked up even during loud playback.

Voice assistant responsiveness is effectively absent because reviews cite no voice-assistant support to respond to commands.

Vocal clarity in music and general playback drew strong praise, with reviewers calling vocals and higher frequencies very impressive.

Voice clarity is one of the strongest repeated positives, with reviewers praising clear vocals, voice enhancement and easy-to-hear dialogue.

Voice recognition was praised for continuing to work while content was playing.

Voice recognition accuracy cannot perform well because reviews describe the absence of voice-assistant support rather than usable recognition.

Water resistance is not a strength; the only direct evidence says the soundbar is not waterproof.

Despite its size, the Arc was described as easy to move and reposition.

Wi-Fi reliability was mixed, with one reviewer reporting app reconnection struggles and another finding the Wi-Fi-based system more reliable than competing soundbars.

Wi-Fi streaming is a clear weakness because multiple reviews say the soundbar lacks Wi-Fi streaming or direct wireless smart streaming support.

Wired input flexibility was criticized because the Arc’s physical connection options are limited.

Wired input support is broad for the class, with HDMI, ARC, optical, USB and other wired inputs mentioned across reviews.