Samsung Q990D vs Sonos Arc Ultra, Sub 4 & Era 300: Which Home Cinema System Is Best?

Is the premium Sonos price worth it, or can Samsung deliver top-tier sound for less?

Sonos Releases - Updated 7th February 2025

Samsung Q990D vs Sonos Arc Ultra, Sub 4 & Era 300: Which Home Cinema System Is Best?

Written By

Elliott Peeters-Vanstone

Sonos Arc Ultra vs. Samsung Q990D: The Ultimate Home Cinema Showdown

When investing in a home cinema setup, getting the right balance between sound quality, features, and value for money is a must. Two of the best options on the market right now are the Samsung Q990D and the Sonos Arc Ultra bundle (with Sub 4 and two Era 300s)—but which one is the best choice for your setup? We’ve thoroughly tested both systems to provide the definitive answer.

🎥 Not much of a reader? Watch our Tech Guides Lui & Elliott put the Q990D vs Sonos Arc Ultra Bundle head to head in our in-depth review on YouTube!

Meet The Contenders:

While the Samsung Q990D and Sonos Arc Ultra setups take very different approaches, they share the same goal—delivering an immersive home cinema experience. Let’s break down how they compare at a glance.

Feature	Samsung Q990D	Sonos Arc Ultra, Sub 4 & 2x Era 300s
Price (RRP)	£1,699	£2,696
Audio Format Support	Dolby Atmos & DTS:X	Dolby Atmos
Connectivity	HDMI eARC, 2x HDMI passthrough, Optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant	Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice
Room Calibration	SpaceFit Sound	Trueplay (iOS & Android)
Best For	Value For Money	Premium Sound Quality & Style

Samsung Q990D (RRP: £1,699)

Key Strengths:	Where It Falls Short:
✅ 11.1.4 channel configuration ✅ Dolby Atmos & DTS: X support ✅ 2x HDMI 2.1 passthrough ports ✅ More affordable price tag ✅Perfect match for a Samsung TV	❌ Bulkier design ❌ Less refined sound performance

Shop Samsung Q990D

Sonos Arc Ultra, Sub 4 & 2x Sonos Era 300 (RRP: £2,696)

Key Strengths:	Where It Falls Short:
✅ Class-leading Dolby Atmos sound performance ✅ Deep, controlled bass with zero distortion ✅ Extensive multi-room compatibility ✅ Modular design for easy upgradeability	❌ Expensive—over £1,000 more than the Samsung ❌ No HDMI Passthrough or DTS:X support

Shop Sonos Arc Ultra Setup

Price

First, let’s talk numbers—because when it comes to premium sound, price can often be the dealbreaker.

The Sonos Arc Ultra + Sub 4 + Era 300 bundle sits at the top end of the market, usually well over £2,000. So, if you're set on this setup, be ready for an investment. That said, since Sonos is a modular system, you could start with just the soundbar and expand the setup over time. It’s a great way to build a fully-fledged Sonos home cinema system without the upfront cost.

The Samsung Q990D, on the other hand, is the more wallet-friendly option. Despite its (still pretty steep) RRP of £1,699, this setup regularly sees discounts—and we’ve even spotted it dropping below £1,000. That’s a serious bargain for a full surround system with a sub and rear speakers included.

🏆 Winner: Samsung Q990D

Design & Build Quality

When it comes to design Sonos has nailed the sleek and modern aesthetic with the Arc Ultra, Era 300’s and Sub 4. Available in both black and white, their curved edges and matte finish make it look and feel like a premium addition to your room rather than just another piece of AV equipment.

The Samsung Q990D is bulkier, more angular, and has a more industrial look overall, which although might work for some, isn’t necessarily the easiest to blend into every home setup. It’s also only available in black too, which while versatile, doesn’t give you many alternatives to match different room styles.

One key difference between these two systems is the display—or lack of one. The Samsung Q990D features a small front-facing screen that provides handy information like volume levels and input selection. It’s a useful addition, but during testing, we found that scrolling through the text can be a bit slow and clunky—not ideal when you just want a quick update.

Sonos, on the other hand, takes a less-is-more approach, opting for a display-free design. Some will love its sleek, minimalist aesthetic, while others might miss having that extra bit of visual feedback.

When it comes to subwoofer placement, Sonos takes the lead in terms of flexibility. The Sub 4 can be led flat and tucked neatly under a sofa. Samsung’s subwoofer on the other hand, is noticeably larger and harder to hide, making it more of a visual statement in your living space. If you don’t mind having your audio gear on show, this might not be an issue—but for those who prefer a more seamless look, the Sub 4 offers an edge.

Now, as far as rear speakers go, the Sonos Era 300s are physically larger than Samsung’s rears, which means you’ll need to be mindful of placement, especially if you’re working with a smaller room. If space is tight, Sonos gives you the option to downsize to a pair of Sonos Era 100 rears, though this does mean sacrificing some of that immersive Dolby Atmos height experience.

🏆 Winner: Sonos Arc Ultra, Sub 4 & Sonos Era 300

Read More: Sonos Sub 4 vs Sonos Sub Mini

Connectivity & Extra Features

When it comes to connectivity, the Samsung Q990D has the upper hand. If you want flexibility, this system has you covered with HDMI eARC, two HDMI passthrough ports, an optical input, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and support for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. For Samsung TV owners, the Q990D also offers seamless integration with features like Q-Symphony for an enhanced audio experience.

Sonos, on the other hand, takes a more stripped-back approach. The Arc Ultra features just one HDMI eARC port and a mains connection, with everything else running wirelessly. This keeps things simple and tidy, but if you’re someone who likes to hardwire multiple devices, you might find it a tad limiting. The Sonos Arc Ultra setup also doesn’t support DTS:X, which while not the end of the world could be a dealbreaker for those who value that kind of audio support.

That said, Sonos’ Wi-Fi-based connectivity and multi-room capabilities are fantastic if you’re already invested in the Sonos ecosystem. You can sync your Arc Ultra setup with other Sonos speakers throughout your home for a seamless audio experience, something Samsung just doesn’t offer at the same level. But if wired connections and multiple inputs are important to you, then the Q990D is the better option here.

🏆 Winner: Samsung Q990D

Sound Performance

Sonos arc ultra wall mounted in living room

Look, let's be real, when it comes to sound performance the Sonos setup is pricier. So, it should sound better, right? The real question is: how much better? We were curious to see if the Q990D could give it a run for its money.

Based on our experiences, the Samsung is definitely a powerful bit of kit. It creates a really wide soundstage, the bass is solid, and the height effects are actually quite impressive. The biggest issue we found when testing though was how it handled more complex film scenes. It seemed to get a little muddled when there was a lot going on.

The Sonos handled those complex scenes with a bit more composure. The sound felt more balanced, with each element clearly defined and better separated making for a more immersive and, frankly, more enjoyable listening experience overall.

The Q990D has a decent punch to its low-end, but the Sonos, particularly with the Sub 4, takes it up a notch. And as for vocals, although both systems have dedicated centre channels, the Arc Ultra just edges it out, making dialogue sound more natural and lifelike. The Sonos also had the edge with the Dolby Atmos height effects but given the quality of the Era 300s, that's not surprising.

For us, while the Sonos system is clearly a better collection of speakers, the cost is a major factor to consider. Is the performance twice as good? That's the key question potential buyers need to consider.

Based on our hands-on experiences, the Sonos offers a clear advantage in sound quality, making it the ideal choice for those serious about their sound and value that extra level of refinement, especially with Dolby Atmos content.

However, if you're looking for excellent sound at a more accessible price, the Samsung Q990D is a fantastic alternative. It’s a very capable system, and for many, it will be more than enough. It really comes down to how much you’re willing to spend for that top-tier experience. If budget is less of an issue, the Sonos is the way to go. But if cost is a primary concern, the Q990D is a great shout.

🏆 Winner: Sonos Arc Ultra, Sub 4 & Sonos Era 300

Our Verdict

Where does all this leave us? Well, there's no easy answer. We're talking about two very different approaches to creating an immersive home cinema experience.

The Samsung Q990D is a real powerhouse. It's packed with features, sounds great, is easy to set up, and it offers things the Sonos misses, like HDMI passthrough, DTS:X support, and seamless integration with Samsung TVs. Plus, for the price, it will be hard to beat.

That said, while the Sonos is a significant price jump, it's also a considerable jump in performance. So, if you've got the cash and are after a truly premium audio experience, the Sonos deserves serious consideration. You're getting a cohesive, complete system with superb sound, sleek looks, and incredible flexibility. The ability to upgrade individual components later on is also another big plus, and the multi-room benefits of the Sonos ecosystem are also worthwhile.

Ultimately, this is a decision that boils down to your budget and priorities. If value for money and those extra features are key, the Samsung Q990D is the winner. But if you prioritise the absolute best sound and want a system that can evolve with your needs, the Sonos is the one to go for.

Shop Samsung Q990D

Shop Sonos Arc Ultra Setup