Comparing Today's Best Premium Soundbars: A Complete Guide

When it comes to upgrading your TV's sound, premium soundbars have become increasingly sophisticated. Let's dive into two of the most compelling options available today: the Sonos Arc Ultra ($999) and the LG S90TR ($799) complete surround system. Both aim to deliver theater-quality sound, but they take notably different approaches.

Understanding Modern Soundbar Systems

Today's premium soundbars are a far cry from the basic stereo units of the past. They now use advanced technologies like Dolby Atmos (which creates a 3D sound bubble around you) and upward-firing speakers (that bounce sound off your ceiling for height effects). Whether you're watching movies, gaming, or streaming music, these systems can transform your entertainment experience.

The key things to consider when shopping include:

• How your room is set up (size, ceiling height, seating position)
• What you'll mainly use it for (movies, music, gaming)
• Whether you want a single unit or multiple speakers
• Your budget, including potential future upgrades
• How important smart features are to you

Breaking Down the Core Differences

Configuration and Design

The Sonos Arc Ultra takes an innovative all-in-one approach. Released in early 2024, it packs 14 speakers into a single sleek bar, including their new SoundMotion technology that delivers surprisingly powerful bass without a separate subwoofer. It's an engineering marvel that creates a convincing surround effect from one unit.

The LG S90TR follows a more traditional home theater approach with a central soundbar, wireless subwoofer, and two rear speakers. This configuration, while requiring more space, delivers true surround sound right out of the box.

Sound Quality and Performance

I've tested both systems extensively in different room setups. The Sonos Arc Ultra's sound is remarkably refined and room-filling for a single unit. The new SoundMotion bass technology is a significant improvement over the previous Arc, though it still can't match the physical impact of a dedicated subwoofer.

The LG S90TR's separate components create a more traditional home theater experience. The dedicated subwoofer delivers deeper, more impactful bass that you can physically feel during explosive movie scenes. The rear speakers provide true surround sound rather than simulated effects.

Smart Features and Connectivity

Sonos leads in smart features with their refined app, multi-room audio capabilities, and regular software updates. The Arc Ultra supports AirPlay 2, voice assistants, and can be part of a whole-home audio system.

The LG offers more traditional connectivity options, including multiple HDMI ports and USB input. It works well with LG TVs through their WOW Orchestra feature, which coordinates the TV speakers with the soundbar for enhanced sound.

Real-World Use Cases

For Movie Enthusiasts

If you're primarily watching movies and TV shows:

• The Sonos Arc Ultra excels at dialogue clarity and creates an impressive bubble of sound from one unit
• The LG S90TR delivers a more theater-like experience with dedicated rear effects and deeper bass

For Music Listeners

For music playback:

• Sonos offers superior streaming integration and multi-room capabilities
• LG provides powerful bass response and good stereo separation

For Gamers

Gaming considerations:

• Both support Dolby Atmos for games
• LG's lower latency and HDMI 2.1 support might appeal to serious gamers
• Sonos offers better positional audio from a single unit

Installation and Setup

The Sonos Arc Ultra is simpler to set up - just place it and connect to your TV via HDMI. The Sonos app walks you through room calibration (called Trueplay) to optimize sound for your space.

The LG S90TR requires more planning for speaker placement but doesn't need wiring between components. Its AI Room Calibration feature helps optimize sound, though it's not quite as sophisticated as Sonos's system.

Value Considerations

While the Sonos Arc Ultra costs more initially ($999), it's important to consider:

• The potential cost of adding a Sonos Sub ($749) and rear speakers ($549/pair) later
• The long-term software support Sonos is known for
• The multi-room audio capabilities

The LG S90TR includes everything needed for full surround sound at $799, making it arguably better value if you want a complete home theater setup immediately.

How to Decide

Choose the Sonos Arc Ultra if:

• You want the cleanest possible setup
• You value future expandability
• Multi-room audio is important
• You have space constraints
• You appreciate regular software updates

Choose the LG S90TR if:

• You want immediate full surround sound
• Powerful bass is a priority
• You have space for multiple speakers
• You want the best value for a complete system
• Traditional home theater sound is your preference

Final Thoughts

Both systems represent different philosophies in modern home audio. The Sonos Arc Ultra showcases what's possible with advanced engineering in a single unit, while the LG S90TR delivers a more traditional but highly effective surround sound experience.

For my living room setup, I personally prefer the Sonos approach because I value the clean aesthetic and future expandability. However, in a dedicated home theater room, the LG system's separate components would be my choice for their more impactful sound and lower total cost.

Remember, the best choice depends entirely on your specific needs, room setup, and how you plan to use the system. Both options deliver excellent sound quality - they just take different paths to get there.

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