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| Sonos Atmos vs. Nakamichi Dragon: A Tale of Beauty and the Beast |
What happens when a Sonos system priced at $2,600 faces off against a fire-breathing Dragon that costs $3,900? Let's delve into this comparison.
But first, an apology of sorts. This undertaking has been monumental. The task of relocating nine rather hefty components around our new studio, establishing connections, recalibrating them with each move (more on that shortly), has been quite a labor-intensive process.
At one point, I found myself questioning why I was even undertaking this comparison. Who truly struggles with deciding between a powerhouse system like the Dragon and a lifestyle-oriented setup like Sonos? Well, based on the comments and DMs I've received, it turns out quite a few of you are in that predicament. So, this is for you.
Ultimately, I'm glad I embarked on this endeavor. I've gained valuable insights into how systems like these execute Dolby Atmos, and I've developed a newfound appreciation for the flexibility and convenience of Sonos gear, especially after relocating, changing routers, and setting everything up in two different testing locations. In the end, this comparison is fairly straightforward because, after spending time using and listening to both systems, the situation becomes quite clear.
Value for Money
Let's begin with cost, as I hinted at earlier. The Nakamichi Dragon comes with a price tag of $3,900, following a $500 price increase since its initial offering. On the other hand, the Sonos system, consisting of the Sonos Arc soundbar, one Sonos Sub, and two Era 300 speakers, is priced at $2,600. If we were to add another Sonos Sub to replicate the dual-subwoofer setup that the Dragon provides out of the box, the price would climb to $3,400, bringing it much closer to the Dragon's current price.
I'm a firm believer in getting value for your money—though I'd rather avoid using the term "return on investment." In my view, if you're paying significantly more, you should expect to receive significantly more in return. However, this principle doesn't always hold true in the audio world due to the law of diminishing returns. The Dragon, in this context, stands out as a special case. It's an extravagantly robust system, packaged in a massive box that incurs significant shipping costs. Customized components and limited production contribute to its high price. Additionally, the Dragon carries a collector's appeal since only a limited number are manufactured.
Conversely, the Sonos system is the polar opposite of the Dragon in almost every aspect. While the Dragon is large and robust, the Sonos exudes sleekness and elegance. The Sonos Arc is unobtrusive, and even the Sonos Sub boasts a unique and relatively compact design for a subwoofer. These Sonos products are manufactured at scale, benefiting from the company's extensive experience in the field. Moreover, the Sonos system is not limited to dedicated home entertainment—it can function as a comprehensive home audio system, utilizing Wi-Fi and an intuitive app for seamless connectivity and organization.
In truth, apart from their shared objective of enhancing the audio experience for movies and music, there aren't many similarities between these two systems. To me, it seems unlikely that those who adore Sonos would be enticed by the Dragon, and vice versa. It's akin to the difference between Team Small-batch Craft Beer and Team Top-shelf Martini. While coexistence is possible, people tend to have distinct preferences when it comes to enjoyment.
Nevertheless, I've encountered individuals pondering whether to replace their aging Sonos system with a Dragon or to upgrade their Sonos setup. To those contemplating such a switch, I'd suggest reading my conclusions, but keep in mind that if you're invested in the Sonos ecosystem, you might not realize how much you'll miss it until it's gone.
Now, let's delve into the nitty-gritty.
Setup and Use
The Nakamichi Dragon requires a bit of effort to unbox and position each component, but once that's done, you can have everything up and running with superb audio quality in a matter of minutes. Nakamichi has incorporated various room-configuration presets and EQ presets for movies, music, sports, and games, most of which are accessible via the remote control. This means that within a few clicks, you can enjoy the system with excellent sound right out of the box.
If you're the type who enjoys fine-tuning settings, the Dragon offers very detailed controls, some of which have been refined based on feedback since my initial review. These include an LFE trim option and a speaker distance section that allows for precise adjustments.
In contrast, the Sonos system simplifies setup with its app but requires a bit more involvement. Each speaker needs to be connected to Wi-Fi, and during my testing, each speaker required an update, which added to the setup time. Then, you can run TruePlay, Sonos' tuning system that optimizes channel levels using your phone or the speakers themselves. The results are impressive, but if you're looking for granular control over individual channel levels or EQ customization, that level of tweaking isn't readily available. Some might argue that it's unnecessary, but for those who crave control, the Sonos system may fall short. It's more of a "set it and forget it" system, which can have implications for day-to-day use and flexibility.
In my previous review of the Sonos Era 300, I highlighted its flexibility as it can be used as part of a multiroom audio system or as surround speakers, thanks to their support for Bluetooth. However, I've learned through testing that transitioning the Era 300 from a surround system to standalone use is not a quick process. Additionally, retuning them for independent use can be time-consuming, should you choose to run the TruePlay tuning process again. This complexity diminishes the perceived advantage of flexibility that the Sonos system initially offers over the Dragon.
Furthermore, the Sonos system doesn't provide control over how two-channel sources are played back. It consistently upmixes them to a surround presentation. Sometimes, all you want is a two-channel stereo or a two-channel setup with a sub when playing stereo content, particularly music. The Dragon system offers this flexibility—you can choose to play through the left and right channels of the soundbar, opt for the studio setting to enhance the left and right speakers using Atmos channels, select all-channel stereo, or let it upmix to surround sound. In terms of playback options and control, the Dragon offers more flexibility.
So, to recap our progress before delving into sound quality differences, which I assume is what you're eagerly anticipating: The Dragon is robust, bold, and unapologetically itself. It requires custom wall mounts and speaker stands for the surrounds and includes two substantial subwoofers that demand space. It's an impressive system with numerous playback and listening options, along with granular controls. It closely resembles an AVR and speaker system, all within a single unit.
In contrast, the Sonos system embodies sleek and stylish living. It complements modern home aesthetics, offering flexibility despite requiring a bit more setup effort. While it may not offer extensive granular controls, it provides a hassle-free experience for those less technically inclined. It caters to a wide audience and appeals to both enthusiasts and those looking for an elevated audio experience without diving into the intricacies.
With these insights into how these systems integrate into everyday life and media consumption, let's explore their sound quality.
Sound Quality
The Sonos system is undeniably impressive. Thanks to its onboard audio processing and speaker configuration, it delivers an immersive surround sound experience, possibly one of the best Dolby Atmos experiences available from a soundbar-based system. Sonos' processing of incoming Atmos signals creates expansive, spacious Atmos effects, and the blend among speakers is seamlessly integrated. The overall Dolby Atmos presentation is, by a small margin, possibly more convincing and enveloping than the Dragon's. Despite involving fewer speakers, you'd be hard-pressed to notice the difference.
Special mention goes to the Sonos Sub, an impressive subwoofer for its size, offering deep and impactful bass comparable to the Dragon system, albeit with some variance across the low-frequency spectrum due to having only one subwoofer. With two Sonos subs, it would likely match the Dragon in the bass department.
In terms of audio fidelity and general sound quality, the Sonos system is dazzling. It captivates your attention with its small, sleek speakers. The sound quality is exceptional, prompting disbelief from listeners in demo rooms. Similar to how some people couldn't believe what Bose systems achieved in the 1980s and '90s, Sonos delivers a "wow" factor. Many individuals would prefer its sound. However, in this head-to-head comparison, I personally favor the sound of the Dragon system, and here's why.
The Dragon sounds effortless and natural compared to the Sonos. This distinction is most noticeable in the treble region, where the Sonos sparkles and dazzles but can potentially be fatiguing over extended listening periods. The Dragon, on the other hand, offers a smoother, more natural, and realistic sound that feels effortless. The Air Motion tweeters on the Dragon contribute significantly to this quality. Additionally, digital signal processing (DSP) plays a role.
It's apparent to me that Sonos employs DSP to enhance the sound quality of its speaker drivers within less-than-ideal acoustic environments, such as its compact cabinets. Achieving a big sound from a small package requires significant DSP intervention. While the Sonos sound is enjoyable, it contrasts sharply with the Dragon's sound, which feels more akin to a component speaker system designed from the ground up to deliver exceptional sound quality naturally. This difference contributes to the Dragon's sense of effortlessness.
For dedicated music listening—sitting down and actively enjoying music—I strongly prefer the Dragon by a considerable margin. It provides better stereo separation, more natural fidelity, and various listening options. It delivers detailed and textured sound without being overly aggressive, performing admirably at both low-volume and high-volume listening. The Dragon offers an abundance of headroom, allowing you to fine-tune the bass to your liking, with control over which of the four subwoofer drivers to use and their placement.
For movies, as mentioned earlier, the Sonos slightly edges ahead in overall Atmos immersion, but only marginally. The Dragon achieves a more expansive sound field behind you, and in terms of fidelity, it surpasses the Sonos, in my opinion.
The Verdict
The Dragon caters to enthusiasts. Its exceptional fidelity, precise bass control, refined treble, and natural midrange make it a standout choice for audiophiles. Although it comes at a premium price, if you seek next-level sound quality and are willing to invest, the Dragon delivers. It also excels at producing Atmos effects, even in cases where ceiling reflection is not possible. Additionally, the Dragon is notably more powerful than the Sonos, capable of reaching impressive volume levels without distortion.
So, here's my conclusion: In this studio environment, resembling a purpose-built media room, the Dragon takes the top spot. However, if I were to set up a system in my personal living room, I might lean toward the Sonos due to its more manageable size while still providing an exceptional experience. To avoid oversimplification, let's say the Dragon appeals to enthusiasts, while Sonos caters to lifestyle-conscious individuals looking for an elevated audio experience that seamlessly integrates with their decor. In my view, it's Dragon for the movie room and Sonos for the living room. That's how I would approach it.
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