I compared two of the best soundbars on the market, and Sonos has some serious competition

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When you’ve got $1,000 to spend on a soundbar, there are compelling choices to select from. Since its late 2024 launch, the Sonos Arc Extremely has been on the high of the heap on this value vary, however there are new opponents that give Sonos a run for its cash. The Marshall Heston 120, for instance, provides a novel design, cool options, and comes at the very same value because the Sonos Arc Extremely.

Whereas Sonos sticks to the design establishment with modern, trendy components, Marshall challenges the norm with daring, distinct design language. Sonos provides choices for the tech-savvy, digital ecosystem fan, whereas Marshall retains its concentrate on offering an extended record of wired, analog decisions for music followers. 

Nevertheless, regardless of their hanging variations, each soundbars ship an distinctive audio expertise. So, is one higher than the opposite? I’ve extensively used each the Marshall Heston 120 and the Sonos Arc Extremely and outlined their professionals and cons that can assist you resolve.

Specs

You should purchase the Marshall Heston 120 if…

1. You need a design that enhances your furnishings

The Sonos Arc Extremely is a modern and classy soundbar, however if you need a design that is cool, then the Marshall Heston 120 is the best way to go. A terrific design is definitely form of essential in a soundbar – it is one thing that is going to dwell out within the open, in your front room, for all to see. Positive, I care extra about audio high quality than design, however I need one thing that is going to make an announcement with out being excessive.

The Heston 120 walks that line completely. It leans on Marshall’s signature aesthetic, with a great-looking fake leather-based on its sides, and a textile mesh protecting on the entrance and high. It is adorned with the Marshall emblem and knobs on the highest for its controls. It appears to be like superior and distinctive with out wanting foolish. 

2. You want bodily controls

Bodily controls in all probability aren’t the most essential controls for a soundbar, as you will use your distant extra. However for those who like utilizing bodily controls once you’re listening to music in your soundbar, then the Heston 120 is the best way to go. It has knobs on the highest, like its amplifiers, and so they feel and look nice. To be clear, the Sonos Arc Extremely has bodily controls too, and so they work completely high-quality. However they don’t seem to be as satisfying to make use of as these on the Heston 120.

3. You need numerous wi-fi options

Sonos is understood for integrating with sensible houses, and it does so properly — however it would not connect with as many audio ecosystems because the Marshall Heston 120. Each have Apple AirPlay 2 assist and Spotify Join assist, so for those who’re in these ecosystems, you will get what you want with each. Nevertheless, the Heston 120 builds on that with further companies.

With the Heston 120, you will get assist for Google Forged, which helps for those who’re within the Google ecosystem. You may additionally get Tidal Join, so for those who’re a Tidal consumer, you can hearken to music simply. 

You should purchase the Sonos Arc Extremely if…

1. You need higher spatial audio

Each soundbars supply wonderful audio and may ship deep and highly effective bass with stable response within the excessive finish. However the Sonos Arc Extremely undoubtedly has the sting. Its audio response is a bit more detailed, and its bass will get barely deeper than Marshall’s. 

Along with the marginally higher frequency response, the Sonos Arc Extremely provides a extra immersive audio expertise. Each soundbars can ship stable immersion with drivers that use reflections to simulate encompass sound. However Sonos has extra expertise with that form of sensible audio know-how, and it exhibits within the Arc Extremely, which, by itself, can get comparatively immersive when enjoying content material that helps Dolby Atmos and encompass sound.

2. You wish to broaden your system

Perhaps you do not wish to use your soundbar alone — during which case, the Sonos Arc Extremely is definitely the higher selection. The Marshall Heston 120 helps wired subwoofers, and Marshall provides one in-house-made sub, however that is it.

The Sonos Arc Extremely can connect with different Sonos audio system wirelessly, and you’ve got extra choices. There are two Sonos subwoofers you possibly can select from, together with plenty of totally different audio system you can use as encompass audio system — just like the Sonos Period 100 or Sonos Period 300. Sonos even sells bundles with these audio system, permitting you to get a full encompass sound system proper out of the field. 

The Sonos Ace headphones have a non-public listening function constructed for Sonos soundbars, additional increasing the Sonos machine ecosystem. I’ve used a Sonos Arc Extremely with two Sonos Period 300 audio system and a Sonos Sub 4 for a while, and I’ve to say, it is a fairly superior setup.

3. You’ve different Sonos audio system

Even for those who do not plan on immediately connecting different Sonos audio system to your Sonos Arc Extremely, the ecosystem impact can nonetheless play a task when you’ve got different Sonos audio system. Having the ability to handle all your wi-fi audio system in a single ecosystem makes it simpler to stream audio throughout them, particularly for those who use the Sonos app to take action. It additionally means which you could join them collectively down the road for those who so select. 

For instance, you can use two Sonos Period 100 audio system in numerous rooms however then hyperlink them collectively to kind a stereo pair for extra immersive audio. Or, within the case of the Arc Extremely, you can transfer to a bigger house and resolve that you simply wish to use these audio system as encompass audio system in your front room. 

Alternate options to contemplate