Sonos Arc vs Bose Soundbar 700 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Sonos Arc & Bose Soundbar 700 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Sonos Arc rather than the Bose Soundbar 700.

Table Of Contents hide

1 Why Do I Recommend The Sonos Arc?

2 Side By Side Comparison

3 What Common Both Can Do?

4 Common Features

Why Do I Recommend The Sonos Arc?

The Sonos Arc features an eleven-driver array with dedicated upward-firing speakers for a fully immersive Dolby Atmos soundstage that fills large rooms with vertical effects, whereas the Bose Soundbar 700 uses a three-channel configuration with no upward-firing drivers.
Sonos Arc supports HDMI eARC for uncompressed high-bitrate Dolby TrueHD and Atmos streams to ensure cinema-level clarity, while the Bose Soundbar 700 relies on standard HDMI ARC.
It comes with Trueplay room-tuning technology to automatically adjust output for room size and furnishings for consistently balanced audio, while the Bose Soundbar 700 uses ADAPTiQ calibration.
The Sonos Arc includes eleven Class-D amplifiers for dynamic range and stronger bass response to deliver impactful low-frequency effects without a subwoofer, whereas the Bose Soundbar 700 features fewer amplifiers.
Sonos Arc supports dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi for more stable wireless streaming and reduced latency, while the Bose Soundbar 700 connects only on 2.4 GHz.
It features seamless integration with the Sonos multi-room ecosystem to synchronize music across dozens of speakers for whole-home listening, whereas the Bose Soundbar 700 uses the more limited Bose Music system with fewer third-party integrations.
The Sonos Arc includes both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant with Sonos Voice Control for flexible voice commands and native smart-home automation, while the Bose Soundbar 700 supports Alexa and Google Assistant without Sonos Voice Control option.
Sonos Arc has a wider 114 cm cabinet to create a broader stereo image and better left-right separation for cinematic effects, whereas the Bose Soundbar 700 has only 97.8 cm cabinet.

Maybe the Bose Soundbar 700 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Sonos Arc. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

Check Sonos Arc Best Price

Check Soundbar 700 Best Price

Side By Side Comparison

Feature	Sonos Arc	Bose Soundbar 700
Channel Configuration	5.0.2 with upward-firing speakers	3.0 without upward-firing speakers
HDMI Type	HDMI eARC	HDMI ARC
Room Calibration	Trueplay	ADAPTiQ
Amplifiers	11 Class-D amplifiers	Fewer amplifiers
Wi-Fi Bands	Dual-band 2.4/5 GHz	2.4 GHz only
Multi-Room System	Sonos ecosystem	Bose Music ecosystem
Voice Control Options	Alexa, Google Assistant, Sonos Voice Control	Alexa, Google Assistant
Width	114 cm	97.8 cm
Price	Check Sonos Arc Price	Check Soundbar 700 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

Wireless Wi-Fi Streaming: Both soundbars connect to a home Wi-Fi network to stream high-quality audio without relying on Bluetooth compression, ensuring stable playback from music services and TV sources.
Apple AirPlay 2 Support: Each model supports AirPlay 2, allowing direct streaming from Apple devices and synchronized multi-room playback across other AirPlay-compatible speakers.
Spotify Connect: Both the Sonos Arc and Bose Soundbar 700 can stream directly from the Spotify app over Wi-Fi, letting the phone act purely as a controller for reliable, high-bit-rate audio.
Amazon Alexa Built-In: Both soundbars have integrated Amazon Alexa voice control, enabling hands-free commands for music playback, volume adjustments, and smart-home functions.
Google Assistant Built-In: Each supports Google Assistant for users who prefer Google’s ecosystem, providing flexible voice control and smart-home integration.
HDMI ARC Connectivity: Both connect to a TV via HDMI ARC, allowing audio return and one-cable setup for clean installations and simplified control.
Optical Input (via adapter): Each soundbar can accept an optical signal when HDMI ARC isn’t available, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of televisions.
Multi-Room Audio Capability: Both integrate with their respective multi-room ecosystems, letting users group speakers throughout the home for synchronized playback.
Expandable with Subwoofer: Each system can be paired with its brand’s wireless subwoofer to add deeper, more powerful bass for movies and music.
Expandable with Rear Surrounds: Both can connect to optional wireless surround speakers to create a fuller 5.1 or more immersive setup for home theater use.
Custom Room Calibration: Each offers a proprietary room-tuning system—Trueplay for Sonos and ADAPTiQ for Bose—to optimize sound based on the room’s acoustics for balanced listening.
App-Based Control: Both use dedicated apps that manage setup, updates, streaming services, and EQ adjustments, giving users fine control from a phone or tablet.
Touch Control Panel: Each includes capacitive touch buttons on the top surface for quick play, pause, and volume changes without needing a remote or phone.
Voice Control for Playback & Volume: Both soundbars let you adjust volume, skip tracks, or play content using spoken commands, enhancing convenience during everyday use.
TV Remote Sync via HDMI-CEC: Both can be controlled by a TV remote through HDMI-CEC, eliminating the need for multiple remotes when switching volume or power states.
Automatic Software Updates: Each receives firmware updates over Wi-Fi, ensuring ongoing performance improvements, feature additions, and security patches.
Wall-Mount Compatibility: Both support optional wall-mount hardware, allowing flexible placement and a clean aesthetic for different room setups.

Check Sonos Arc Best Price

Check Soundbar 700 Best Price

Common Features

Feature	Sonos Arc	Bose Soundbar 700
Wireless Wi-Fi Streaming	Yes	Yes
Apple AirPlay 2 Support	Yes	Yes
Spotify Connect	Yes	Yes
Amazon Alexa Built-In	Yes	Yes
Google Assistant Built-In	Yes	Yes
HDMI ARC Connectivity	Yes	Yes
Optical Input (via adapter)	Yes	Yes
Multi-Room Audio Capability	Yes	Yes
Expandable with Subwoofer	Yes	Yes
Expandable with Rear Surrounds	Yes	Yes
Custom Room Calibration	Yes	Yes
App-Based Control	Yes	Yes
Touch Control Panel	Yes	Yes
Voice Control for Playback & Volume	Yes	Yes
TV Remote Sync via HDMI-CEC	Yes	Yes
Automatic Software Updates	Yes	Yes
Wall-Mount Compatibility	Yes	Yes
Price	Check Sonos Arc Price	Check Soundbar 700 Price

FAQ

What audio formats do both Sonos Arc and Bose Soundbar 700 support?
Both soundbars handle standard formats like Dolby Digital and stereo PCM through HDMI ARC, ensuring compatibility with most TVs and streaming devices for clear, high-quality sound.

Can these soundbars be used without a subwoofer?
Yes, both Sonos Arc and Bose Soundbar 700 produce full-range sound on their own, so you can enjoy balanced audio without an extra subwoofer, though adding one deepens bass performance.

Do they support Dolby Atmos?
The Sonos Arc supports full Dolby Atmos with upward-firing speakers for immersive 3D sound, while the Bose Soundbar 700 can pass Dolby Digital but does not include native Atmos playback.

Are they compatible with voice assistants?
Both models have built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing hands-free control for music, volume, and smart home commands right out of the box.

Can I stream music over Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth?
Yes, both soundbars connect to Wi-Fi for high-resolution streaming through services like Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay 2, which gives better quality than Bluetooth.

Is Bluetooth available on both products?
The Bose Soundbar 700 has Bluetooth for direct device pairing, while the Sonos Arc relies on Wi-Fi and its app for streaming instead of native Bluetooth.

Do they support Apple AirPlay 2?
Yes, both Sonos Arc and Bose Soundbar 700 support Apple AirPlay 2, allowing seamless streaming from iPhone, iPad, or Mac and multi-room audio with other AirPlay devices.

Can these soundbars be wall-mounted?
Both can be wall-mounted using their respective optional brackets, helping save space and create a clean home theater look.

Do they include a remote control?
The Bose Soundbar 700 comes with a premium universal remote for easy TV and audio control, while the Sonos Arc is operated through the Sonos app, touch controls, or voice commands.

Will they work with any TV brand?
Yes, both are compatible with virtually any TV that has HDMI ARC or optical output, so they integrate easily into most home entertainment setups.

Can I expand them into a surround system later?
Both soundbars can be upgraded with their brand’s wireless subwoofer and rear speakers to create a full surround-sound home theater experience.

Do they receive software updates?
Yes, both automatically download and install updates over Wi-Fi, ensuring access to the latest features and performance improvements.

How is the setup process for each soundbar?
Each comes with a guided setup through its mobile app, making connection to your TV and Wi-Fi straightforward and user-friendly.

Are they compatible with multi-room audio?
Yes, the Sonos Arc integrates with the Sonos multi-room ecosystem, and the Bose Soundbar 700 connects to the Bose Smart Home network for synchronized playback throughout the house.

What are the key differences in size and weight?
The Sonos Arc is wider and heavier at about 114 cm and 6.25 kg, making it ideal for larger TVs, while the Bose Soundbar 700 is slimmer and lighter, fitting better in tighter spaces.