The home theater audio landscape has evolved dramatically in recent years, with soundbars becoming increasingly sophisticated. The Sonos Arc ($564.44) and JBL Bar 700 ($899.95) represent two distinct approaches to delivering immersive audio in your living room.
Both systems launched in the last few years - the Sonos Arc in 2020 and the JBL Bar 700 more recently - and they showcase how far soundbar technology has come. While traditional soundbars were once simple stereo upgrades from TV speakers, these modern systems deliver advanced features like Dolby Atmos (which creates a 3D sound field, including height effects) and smart home integration.
The fundamental difference between these systems lies in their approach to surround sound. The Sonos Arc is a premium single-unit soundbar that uses advanced audio processing and carefully positioned speakers to create a virtual surround experience. It's designed for those who want simplicity without sacrificing quality.
The JBL Bar 700 takes a more traditional home theater approach, providing physical surround speakers and a separate subwoofer. This creates a true 5.1 surround sound setup (meaning five main speakers plus one subwoofer) with less reliance on audio processing tricks.
For movies and TV shows, both systems excel but in different ways. The Sonos Arc's 11 precisely-tuned drivers create an impressively wide soundstage (the perceived width and depth of sound). Its upward-firing speakers bounce sound off your ceiling to simulate height effects for Dolby Atmos content. The sound is cohesive and room-filling, though the surround effects are more subtle than with physical rear speakers.
The JBL Bar 700's dedicated rear speakers and subwoofer provide a more traditional surround sound experience. Action scenes feel more immersive because sounds actually come from behind you. The 10-inch subwoofer delivers deeper, more impactful bass compared to the Arc's built-in woofers. However, this comes at the cost of having more components to place and manage.
For music, the Sonos Arc demonstrates its heritage as part of a company focused on music streaming. It delivers detailed, balanced sound with excellent stereo separation. The Arc's TruePlay room correction (which uses your iPhone's microphone to optimize sound for your specific room) helps create a more refined listening experience.
The JBL system, while capable with music, is clearly optimized for movie content. Its separate subwoofer can sometimes feel overpowering for music unless carefully adjusted. However, the system offers more powerful overall output, which can be beneficial for larger rooms or parties.
Setting up the Sonos Arc is remarkably straightforward - connect one HDMI cable to your TV's eARC port (which allows for high-quality audio transmission), plug it in, and follow the app instructions. TruePlay tuning takes about 5 minutes, walking around your room with an iPhone to measure acoustics.
The JBL Bar 700 requires more initial setup time, as you'll need to position the rear speakers and subwoofer, though they connect wirelessly to the main unit. The system includes its own room correction system, which is simpler than TruePlay but still effective.
The Sonos Arc shines in smart features, offering built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2 support, and seamless integration with music streaming services. The Sonos app provides an excellent user experience and multi-room audio capabilities.
The JBL Bar 700 offers fewer smart features but includes basics like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming. Its detachable rear speakers are battery-powered, offering flexibility in placement without permanent wire installation.
The Sonos Arc is part of the larger Sonos ecosystem, which means you can easily add more speakers over time. You might start with just the Arc, then add a Sub and rear speakers later. This flexibility comes at a price - a complete Sonos surround setup will cost significantly more than the JBL system.
The JBL Bar 700 provides everything needed for a full surround sound experience out of the box. While it doesn't offer the same ecosystem benefits as Sonos, its all-in-one package represents better immediate value for those wanting complete surround sound.
Choose the Sonos Arc if:
Choose the JBL Bar 700 if:
Both systems represent excellent choices in premium home audio, but they serve different needs. The Sonos Arc is perfect for those who value simplicity, ecosystem integration, and flexibility to expand over time. The JBL Bar 700 is ideal for home theater enthusiasts who want immediate surround sound impact without the premium pricing of a complete Sonos system.
Consider your room size, primary use case, and long-term audio goals when making your decision. Both systems will significantly upgrade your TV audio experience, but their different approaches mean each will appeal to different types of users.
Remember that room acoustics play a crucial role in any audio system's performance. If possible, try to listen to both systems in person before making your final decision. The best choice will ultimately depend on your specific needs, space, and how you plan to use the system in your home.
| Sonos Arc | JBL Bar 700 |
|---|---|
| Price - Total investment for surround sound | |
| $564.44 base, $1,856 with Sub + rear speakers | $899.95 complete system |
| Audio Channels - Determines surround sound capability | |
| 5.0.2 virtual channels (single unit) | 5.1 true channels with physical speakers |
| Power Output - Impacts maximum volume and clarity | |
| Unknown total wattage, single integrated unit | 620W total (240W soundbar, 300W sub, 2x40W surrounds) |
| Subwoofer - Critical for bass impact | |
| No included sub (optional $749 add-on) | Included 10-inch wireless subwoofer |
| Surround Speakers - Affects immersion | |
| Virtual surround (optional $458 add-on) | Included detachable wireless rear speakers |
| Drivers Configuration - Influences sound quality | |
| 11 drivers (3 tweeters, 8 woofers) | 7 drivers in bar + sub + 2 surrounds |
| Smart Features - Convenience and connectivity | |
| Built-in Alexa/Google, AirPlay 2, Sonos app | Basic streaming, no voice assistants |
| Room Correction - Optimizes sound for space | |
| Advanced Trueplay (iOS only) | Basic auto-calibration |
| Connectivity - Streaming options | |
| HDMI eARC, WiFi, Ethernet, AirPlay 2 | HDMI eARC, WiFi, Bluetooth, Chromecast |
| Dimensions - Space requirements | |
| 45" x 4.5" x 3.4" (single unit) | 46.2" bar + 12" x 17.3" x 12" sub |
| Ecosystem - Future expansion | |
| Extensive Sonos multi-room compatibility | Limited to included components |
| HDR Support - Video passthrough quality | |
| No video passthrough | HDR10, Dolby Vision passthrough |
The JBL Bar 700 ($899.95) provides better movie performance with its included surround speakers and subwoofer. While the Sonos Arc ($564.44) offers good virtual surround, physical speakers deliver a more immersive experience for movies.
The JBL Bar 700 offers better immediate value since it includes a subwoofer and rear speakers. The Sonos Arc requires expensive add-ons for comparable features, potentially costing over $1,800 for a complete system.
The JBL Bar 700 includes a powerful 10-inch subwoofer. The Sonos Arc works without one but benefits significantly from adding the optional Sonos Sub for deeper bass response.
The Sonos Arc offers simpler setup with just one unit to connect. The JBL Bar 700 requires more setup time due to multiple components but still features wireless connectivity for the subwoofer and surrounds.
Both can stream music. The Sonos Arc offers more streaming options with AirPlay 2 and the Sonos app ecosystem. The JBL Bar 700 supports basic Bluetooth and WiFi streaming.
The Sonos Arc is better for small rooms as it's a single unit with virtual surround. The JBL Bar 700 needs more space to accommodate its subwoofer and rear speakers.
The Sonos Arc has built-in Alexa and Google Assistant. The JBL Bar 700 doesn't include built-in voice assistants but can be controlled through external smart speakers.
Both support Dolby Atmos, but the JBL Bar 700 creates a more convincing effect with its physical rear speakers. The Sonos Arc relies on virtual processing for surround effects.
Both soundbars can be wall-mounted. The Sonos Arc is simpler to mount as it's a single unit. The JBL Bar 700 requires consideration for subwoofer placement and rear speaker charging.
The Sonos Arc offers better wireless connectivity with AirPlay 2 and extensive streaming options. The JBL Bar 700 provides more physical connections including HDMI passthrough.
The Sonos Arc offers more expansion options within the Sonos ecosystem. The JBL Bar 700 comes complete but has limited expansion options.
Both perform well with dialogue. The Sonos Arc features Speech Enhancement technology, while the JBL Bar 700 uses PureVoice technology. Both can be adjusted to emphasize vocal clarity.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: whathifi.com - soundandvision.com - en.community.sonos.com - cnet.com - worldwidestereo.com - abt.com - creativeaudio.net - target.com - sonos.com - worldwidestereo.com - businessinsider.com - en.community.sonos.com - youtube.com - crutchfield.com - harmanaudio.com - target.com - jbl.com - walmart.com - dell.com - jbl.com.pdf)
