Compare Sonos Arc Soundbar vs JBL Bar 1300X Soundbar

Wired input flexibility was criticized because the Arc’s physical connection options are limited.

Wired connectivity was consistently praised for generous HDMI and input coverage, with multiple reviewers calling the ports ample or generous.

Omnidirectional-style immersion was praised in one review that described sound arriving from every direction.

Off-axis or omnidirectional coverage was limited in one review, which described the experience outside the central seat as lopsided.

Audio format support was mixed: Dolby Atmos support impressed reviewers, but DTS:X, hi-res, and TV passthrough limitations were repeated caveats.

Audio format support was strong where evaluated, with reviewers highlighting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X coverage and broad decoding support.

Stereo imaging was mixed: reviewers praised width and speaker-like imaging with surrounds, but some found music less direct or less precise than stereo speakers.

Stereo performance split reviewers: one found separation present, but several heard music as a step down, constrained, or simply not right.

Soundstage height was praised for convincing vertical presence and sounds that moved above the listener.

Height performance was impressive in several tests, but some reviewers found vertical projection less pronounced than rival Atmos bars.

Lip-sync risk was raised as a potential downside when a TV lacks proper passthrough support.

One reviewer noted a short one-second restart delay after pausing video, making TV latency a minor annoyance rather than a dealbreaker.

Surround simulation was a major strength, with reviewers praising the Arc’s virtual 3D field, room-filling movie sound, and immersive presentation while noting it is not true in-ceiling Atmos.

Surround performance was a major strength, repeatedly described as immersive, precise, and competitive with strong soundbar rivals.

Opinions on the Sub were context-dependent: several reviewers said the Arc works well alone, but bass-focused listeners and movie fans benefit noticeably from adding a Sub.

The subwoofer drew heavy praise for huge impact and deep bass, but some reviewers found its levels hard to control or less precise with music.

Low-volume features were praised for improving late-night listening by reducing bass, stabilizing output, and keeping dialogue clearer.

Low-volume and quiet-scene handling was praised in one review for keeping loud and quiet sounds delicately balanced.

Alexa and smart assistant integration was praised for convenient hands-free control of volume, playback, and smart-home devices.

Smart assistant integration was limited in the one opinionated assessment, with the reviewer saying there was not much in the way of smarts.

EQ controls were viewed as useful for bass, treble, and loudness adjustments, though not a replacement for every hardware limitation.

EQ customization was one of the clearest weaknesses, with repeated complaints about limited bands, few levels, and weak preset control.

Bluetooth-related feedback was negative because reviewers complained about the original Arc’s lack of conventional Bluetooth support.

Bluetooth stability was mixed: one reviewer could not pair a smartphone, while others had smooth streaming or no sync concerns.

Smart features were a strength, with reviewers praising Sonos smarts, streaming breadth, and the app as a central media hub.

Smart and extra features were useful but uneven: reviewers liked streaming and portable-speaker tricks, while some wanted more modes and controls.

Wi-Fi reliability was mixed, with one reviewer reporting app reconnection struggles and another finding the Wi-Fi-based system more reliable than competing soundbars.

One reviewer reported the app connected the bar to the home network without fuss, supporting a positive Wi-Fi reliability score.

App reliability and usability were mixed: some found Sonos polished and easy to navigate, while others disliked the layout or had reconnection trouble.

The JBL One app was usually praised as easy and useful, though one reviewer called it only good, not great.

Sonos multi-speaker pairing was praised as reliable and easy, especially for users building or expanding a whole-home Sonos system.

Wireless speaker pairing was praised in the two tests that addressed it, with stable surround operation and a strong stereo Bluetooth setup.

Despite its size, the Arc was described as easy to move and reposition.

Size and placement convenience were mixed to poor: the wider bar can overhang a stand, and the large subwoofer is hard to hide.

The Arc was widely described as balanced, smooth, and controlled, though a few reviews wanted more low-end weight from the standalone bar.

Frequency balance was mixed, ranging from balanced and non-fatiguing to shouty, flappy, muffled, or uneven with music.

HDMI ARC/eARC was valued for getting the best surround experience, but reviewers warned that TV passthrough support can complicate Atmos setup.

Reviewers who evaluated TV audio connection favored HDMI ARC/eARC, calling it the best path for Dolby Atmos playback.

Home theater integration was a major strength, especially the ability to expand with Sonos surrounds, Sub, and multi-room setups.

Home theater integration was a core strength, with reviewers calling it a strong all-in-one setup and a good easy alternative to separates.

Remote usability was mixed-positive: existing TV remotes usually work well, but some reviewers disliked the lack of a dedicated physical remote.

Remote reactions varied from easy and well-labeled to unbacklit, mediocre, or frustratingly enigmatic.

Trueplay room calibration was praised for improving or tailoring sound, but its Apple-only limitation frustrated Android users.

Room calibration was usually seen as helpful and effective, but one reviewer felt it did not make meaningful tonal changes.

High-volume composure was generally praised, with distortion described as limited to pushed bass and volume settings or absent in stress-free loud playback.

High-volume control is mostly good, with two reviewers praising resistance to distortion, though one heard dialogue clarity soften when pushed louder.

Vocal clarity in music and general playback drew strong praise, with reviewers calling vocals and higher frequencies very impressive.

Voice reproduction was generally strong, with reviewers praising vocal clarity, natural presentation, and PureVoice performance despite limited adjustment.

Cohesive presentation was mixed: standalone home-cinema cohesion impressed some reviewers, while one found music less authentically cohesive than stereo speakers.

Cohesion was usually praised, especially the seamless bubble of sound, though one reviewer found the stage somewhat constrained.

Dynamic headroom was strong overall, with reviewers praising power, subtlety, and big dynamic shifts, though one found the Arc less quick than some rivals.

One reviewer strongly praised dynamic range, especially smooth transitions between quiet and loud moments.

Inter-speaker connectivity was praised as easy and impactful when adding or connecting Sonos components.

The strongest inter-speaker connectivity evidence was positive, with one reviewer saying the surrounds worked reliably even at distance.

Dolby Atmos height effects were among the Arc’s strongest attributes, with reviewers praising overhead realism, height presence, and immersive Atmos delivery.

Dolby Atmos effects were widely praised as spectacular, astounding, and immersive, though a few reviews wanted clearer or stronger height projection.

Dialogue clarity was usually strong and helped by Speech Enhancement, though one direct comparison placed it behind some rivals for immediate clarity.

Dialogue was often clear against busy soundtracks, but several reviewers found occasional difficulty, muffling, or a need for more adjustment.

Status indicators were praised for being subtle and not overly bright.

Status displays and indicators were well liked, with reviewers calling the front display helpful, easy to read, and useful for battery/status feedback.

Detail retrieval was widely praised, with reviewers highlighting separation, crispness, clarity, and fine detail in music and movies.

Detail retrieval was a strength, with reviewers hearing subtle effects, crisp textures, and distinct elements in busy scenes.

Reviewers consistently described the Arc as loud, powerful, and room-filling, with enough scale for larger spaces and home theater use.

Reviewers consistently found the bar loud and room-filling, with enough output for cinematic impact; one noted it could play at full volume without becoming unbearable.

Gaming HDMI passthrough was a weakness because the single HDMI connection and lack of passthrough can complicate consoles and streaming boxes.

Gaming passthrough was a weakness where discussed, with reviewers flagging missing HDMI 2.1 or 4K/120Hz support.

Video passthrough support was a consistent weakness because reviewers criticized the absence of HDMI input/passthrough.

Video passthrough was useful thanks to multiple HDMI inputs and HDR/Dolby Vision support, but limited by 4K/120Hz shortcomings.

Spotify voice playback was described as working beautifully with the Arc’s voice assistant setup.

Spotify support was generally useful, especially for streaming, though one reviewer noted Spotify was not built into the JBL app.

Setup simplicity was a clear strength, with reviewers repeatedly calling installation quick, guided, and easy.

Setup was mostly considered simple, quick, or plug-and-play, with one reviewer finding the first controls and guide tricky.

Optical support was treated as a fallback with a major tradeoff because it limits Dolby Atmos usefulness.

Optical input was treated as a fallback, with reviewers warning that it gives a lesser surround experience than eARC.

Value opinions were mixed: many reviewers called the Arc worth it or excellent value, while others stressed the premium price and extra cost of a full system.

Value opinions were positive for movie-focused users and the all-in-one package, but some reviewers questioned the cost against strong competitors.

Build quality impressions were mixed: one reviewer praised the form-function blend, while another complained that the plastic body attracts dust.

Build quality was generally regarded as solid or excellent, with reviewers praising sturdy construction and premium-feeling materials.

Design and aesthetics were praised for a classy, unobtrusive, blend-in look, though the Arc’s size still requires space.

Design reactions were mostly positive for innovation and minimalism, though several comments framed the look as practical rather than striking.

AirPlay was viewed positively as a handy wireless music option, especially for Apple users.

Backwards compatibility was a drawback because some older Sonos devices are not compatible with the S2-based Arc setup.

One reviewer criticized the subwoofer cabinet, tying plastic construction to audible rattle at very low frequencies.

Google Assistant support received a positive hands-on assessment when used as the Arc’s selected assistant.

HDMI 2.1 gaming support was limited, with reviewers routing consoles directly to the TV for better high-refresh gaming.

Magnetic attachment was mostly secure and robust, though one reviewer said the detachable speakers sometimes required force to remove.

The Arc’s microphone hardware was positively described through its far-field mic array for voice pickup.

Battery-powered surrounds enable flexibility, but several reviewers called regular recharging a hassle or a faff.

USB-C charging was repeatedly praised as a useful backup or major improvement for keeping the detachable speakers powered.

On-device controls were split: basic buttons were liked in one review, while another criticized missing direct controls for key modes.

Voice assistant responsiveness was rated highly, with reviewers saying assistants worked well and commands were picked up even during loud playback.

Voice recognition was praised for continuing to work while content was playing.