A head-to-head soundbars comparison to help you pick the right one for your home theater.
Updated June 3, 2026
Verdict
The Sonos Arc is a premium single bar (5.0.2) with excellent sound and the Sonos multiroom ecosystem, but you add a sub and rears separately. The Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 includes a wireless subwoofer and rear speakers in the box for true Dolby Atmos surround at a fraction of the price. Buy the Sonos Arc for premium single-bar sound and Sonos whole-home audio; buy the Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 for complete Atmos surround on a budget.
| Sonos Arc | Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration | 5.0.2 single bar | 5.1.2 (bar + sub + rears) |
| Subwoofer included | No (add Sonos Sub) | Yes, wireless |
| Rears included | No (add Sonos rears) | Yes, wireless |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Ecosystem | Sonos multiroom, AirPlay 2 | Basic, great value |
| Best for | Premium sound, Sonos homes | Full surround on a budget |
| Price | ~$900 (bar only) | ~$300–500 (full system) |
You want premium single-bar sound, the Sonos multiroom ecosystem and app, and a clean one-bar look you may expand with Sonos add-ons later.
You want complete Dolby Atmos surround — bar, wireless subwoofer, and rear speakers — out of the box at a budget price, without buying add-ons.
Check Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 on Amazon
Yes. The Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 comes with a wireless subwoofer and rear surround speakers in the box, giving you true 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos surround out of the package. The Sonos Arc is a single bar; a sub and rears are sold separately.
For premium sound quality, the Sonos multiroom ecosystem, and a clean single-bar design, yes. But if your priority is complete surround sound for the money, the Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 includes a sub and rears for far less and delivers a more enveloping setup out of the box.
Out of the box, the Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 — because it includes dedicated wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer for real discrete surround. The Sonos Arc creates a wide, virtualized soundstage from one bar and only becomes a true surround system once you add Sonos rears and a Sub.
Yes. The Arc is designed to grow — add a Sonos Sub and a pair of Sonos rear speakers over time to build a fuller surround system. This staged path is a reason to choose the Arc if you want to spread the cost and stay in the Sonos ecosystem.