Reviewed by the Inside Out Home Reviews team · Last updated September 2026
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Quick Answer
The Samsung HW-Q990F is the simplest path to real surround sound since it includes everything in the box. If you already have a Sonos system, the Arc Ultra is the better long term investment. Gamers with newer consoles should look hard at the Sony HT-A7000 for its HDMI 2.1 support. And the Bose Smart Ultra on its own does a lot with a single bar.
A soundbar is one of the cheapest upgrades you can make to a living room, and one of the most noticeable. We compared four flagship soundbars from Sonos, Bose, Samsung, and Sony, all systems built for genuine home theater surround sound rather than a basic stereo strip, so you can see exactly what each one includes and what it will actually cost you to get the full setup.
The Lineup
Sonos Arc Ultra
$1,099 (bar only)
The Arc Ultra is Sonos’ flagship bar, and it is the only one here with a dedicated bass driver technology, Sonos calls it Sound Motion, built into the bar itself, so even without the subwoofer it hits harder than most single-bar systems. Where Sonos wins is the ecosystem. If you already own Sonos speakers, everything works together instantly. The catch is the price adds up fast once you add the Sub and rear speakers.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
$999 (bar only)
Bose’s TrueSpace processing does a genuinely good job of faking a wider soundstage from a single bar, which matters if you are not planning to buy rear speakers at all. It is the most affordable bar-only option here, and the app is straightforward to set up. The tradeoff is the same as Sonos: the bass module is a substantial added cost if you want real low end.
Samsung HW-Q990F
$1,999.99
This is the only system in the comparison that includes everything, subwoofer and rear speakers, in the box at the listed price. For anyone who wants a complete surround system without hunting down and pairing separate components, that makes the math simpler even though the sticker price is the highest here. It also pairs specifically well with Samsung TVs through a feature called Q-Symphony, which uses the TV’s own speakers alongside the soundbar.
Sony HT-A7000
Around $1,199 to $1,400
Sony’s HT-A7000 is built around HDMI 2.1 passthrough, which matters if you have a PS5 or a newer gaming PC and want 4K 120Hz signal to pass cleanly to your TV. At 500 watts it is genuinely loud, and the 7.1.2 channel array does a good job of upmixing regular stereo content. Like the Sonos and Bose, the rear speakers and subwoofer are separate purchases if you want the full setup.
Our Take
If you want one box that does not require any add-on purchases, the Samsung HW-Q990F is the simplest path to real surround sound. If you already have a Sonos system or plan to build one, the Arc Ultra is the better long term investment. Gamers with newer consoles should look hard at the Sony HT-A7000 for its HDMI 2.1 support. And if you mainly want better dialogue and movie sound without turning your living room into a home theater lab, the Bose Smart Ultra on its own does a lot with a single bar.
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Do I need a separate subwoofer with a soundbar?
Not strictly, but it makes a real difference for movies and music with deep bass. The Sonos Arc Ultra and Bose Smart Ultra both sound good on their own, but adding their optional subwoofers noticeably improves low end impact. The Samsung HW-Q990F is the only one here that includes a subwoofer in the box.
Is Dolby Atmos worth it for a soundbar?
Yes, if you watch a lot of movies or shows mastered in Atmos, since it adds a sense of height and space that regular surround sound cannot. All four soundbars in this comparison support Dolby Atmos, so the bigger differences between them come down to power, channel count, and whether rear speakers are included.
Is a Sonos soundbar worth the price?
If you already own Sonos speakers or plan to build a Sonos system over time, the Arc Ultra is worth it for how seamlessly it integrates. If you just want the best sound for the least money and have no interest in a broader speaker ecosystem, the Samsung or Bose may be a better value.
How many channels do I need for a home theater soundbar?
For most living rooms, 5.1 or 7.1 channels covers front, center, and rear sound well. The Samsung HW-Q990F’s true 11.1.4 channel setup is aimed at people who want the most immersive experience possible and are willing to pay for it.