Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 vs Sonos Arc

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Votes 2 2
Rating 5 5

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 vs Arc comparison chart

Overall
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2
8.2
Sonos Arc
7
4
8
Multichannel surround
10
4

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 vs Sonos Arc review

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2
vs
Sonos Arc

Choosing a soundbar is not an easy task and the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 vs Sonos Arc comparison is meant to help you with that. As a result, it is clear that Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 is much better designed and has a better sound performance than Arc. According to the results of our comparison, Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Arc was rated 7 points.

Advantages Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 over Sonos Arc

  • Comes with 4 separate speakers
  • Separate subwoofer provided
  • Available the Apple Music service
  • Surround sound with DTS:X support
  • Supports external media connection via USB

Advantages Sonos Arc over Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2

  • Wireless connection via Wi-Fi
  • Voice control supports
  • App for remote control
  • Built-in microphone

Audio features

The Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 is rated 10 of 10 against 5 for the Arc according to the audio features rating.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2
10
Arc
5

It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 and the Arc.

There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 Arc
Built-in channels9.2.4N/A
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W1000 (overall)N/A
Separate speaker (in package)40
Separate speaker connectionswiredwireless

Subwoofers

Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. The Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 comes with an external subwoofer. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 Arc
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswirelesswireless

Multichannel surround

Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 received rating 10 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the Arc, in the same category, earned 4 out of 10 points.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2
10
Arc
4

The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. If we consider the models in terms of support for Dolby Atmos, then both soundbars can work with this technology.

DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. The manufacturer has implemented DTS:X technology only in Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 Arc
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital, Dolby TruHDDolby Digital
DTS:X
DTS (other)DTS Digital Surround, DTS HDhas not

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services. For the ability to work with streaming services, the Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 received 9 points, and the Arc - 10 on a 10-point scale.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2
9
Arc
10

The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 Arc
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesPandora, SoundCloudPandora, Tuneln, iHeart, Chromecast

Connectivity

The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 was rated 8 out of 10, and Sonos Arc was rated 7 out of 10.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2
8
Arc
7

The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Arc.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 has 3/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the Arc got 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs from the manufacturer.

HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 Arc
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)01
NFC
HDMI input/output3/11/0
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output1/00/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output1/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)1/00/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output00

Features

Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.

Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Arc has its own remote control application. Only Sonos Arc has a built-in microphone.

Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. However, it is impossible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 Arc
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 Arc
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in114.3 x 7.6 x 7.6/45.5 x 3 x 3.5114 x 7.6 x 10.1/45 x 3.4 x 4.5
Weight, kg/pounds3.1/7.26.2/13.7
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