The Sonos Arc Ultra is a remarkable soundbar with 14 built-in speakers that produce clear, rich audio. It captures intricate details in action-packed scenes and subtle instrumentals, boasting impressive bass and sparkling highs that enhance every audio experience.
Reasons to Buy
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Engaging surround sound
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Powerful bass
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Crisp highs
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Outstanding music playback
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Handy audio customization options like audio height and Trueplay
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Night Mode for quieter listening
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Sleek design
Reasons to Avoid
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Midrange clarity could improve
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Dialogue may lack authenticity
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A soundbar can elevate your entertainment, creating a home theater experience that adds depth to your favorite shows and music.
The Sonos Arc Ultra stands as the brand's most advanced soundbar, designed to provide cinema-quality audio without the clutter of multiple speakers. It supports Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi streaming, voice assistants, and can be paired with additional speakers or subwoofers.
But is it worth its hefty price tag? I put the Sonos flagship to the test in my home, experiencing its performance across various media, and I must say, I was impressed.
Quick Verdict
Whether you're immersed in dialogue or enjoying a music track, the Sonos Arc Ultra offers detailed, immersive sound.
It's among the best audio systems I've encountered at home. If it's within your budget, I highly recommend it.
With its 14 built-in speakers and compatibility with smart home devices, plus a seamless Sonos ecosystem, it's hard to ask for more. There are minor flaws, but they're hardly deal-breakers.
Testing this soundbar has rekindled my enthusiasm for movies and music.
Sonos Arc Ultra: Specifications
Control | Touch, voice, app, TV remote |
Speakers | 14 |
Channel Configuration | 9.1.4 |
Dolby Atmos? | Yes |
Bluetooth? | Yes, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Supports | Sonos Voice Control, Amazon Alexa, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect |
Sonos Arc Ultra: Setup
Setup is straightforward, with the app guiding users through the Arc Ultra's features.
Setting up the Sonos Arc Ultra is quick and easy. You need:
- A TV with an ARC or eARC port (or optical audio adapter)
- The Sonos app (iOS 17 or Android 8.0 minimum)
Inside the box, the soundbar is wrapped in a soft sleeve, accompanied by a power cable and HDMI ARC cable.
Installation involves connecting the HDMI ARC cable to the TV, powering it on, and letting the Arc Ultra do the rest. For TVs with eARC support, it starts playing automatically, making it a smooth addition to your smart home.
Pairing with the Sonos app is essential, but the process is user-friendly, as the soundbar emits an audio pin for easy connection.
To enhance audio quality, Trueplay tuning allows the Arc Ultra to analyze your room's acoustics, optimizing playback based on size and layout. This setup takes under five minutes and makes a noticeable difference.
Sonos Arc Ultra: Design and Features
Features and settings available through the Sonos Arc Ultra app.
Sonos maintains a clean, minimalist design with the Arc Ultra. Measuring 46.38 inches, it suits TVs from 55 inches upwards while its slim profile ensures it doesn't overwhelm smaller screens.
No separate remote is necessary. The Arc Ultra can be fully controlled via the app or your TV remote for volume and input source adjustments.
Linking your TV and streaming services through the app allows centralized control of your entertainment. While touch controls are available on the soundbar, using the remote or app is generally more convenient.
Sonos designs the Arc Ultra to fit various home aesthetics. Night Sound minimizes loud noises while enhancing softer sounds, ideal for shared living spaces.
Speech Enhancement improves voice clarity during noisy scenes, adjustable from zero to four. Additionally, you can modify audio height, directing sound toward your seating area.
With 14 speakers, including seven silk-dome tweeters and six midwoofers, the Arc Ultra delivers impressive sound quality. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities allow for use without the TV, supporting high-definition audio formats like Dolby Atmos and lossless FLAC.
Sonos Arc Ultra: TV and Movies
With a wide sound stage and powerful bass, the Sonos Arc Ultra excels during action sequences.
The Sonos Arc Ultra produces impactful audio across various media. While it handles a wide range of sound effectively, there are minor issues.
Its powerful bass and expansive soundscape, thanks to 9.1.4 spatial audio, enhance dramatic moments. In scenes from Avengers: Infinity War, distant sounds are clearly audible amidst the action.
Whether it's the chaotic train fight in John Wick: Chapter 2 or the epic finale of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, action and effects are delivered with precision. Every sound is distinct.
Testing with TruePlay revealed significant improvements in audio depth and richness. With the soundbar positioned above the TV, its audio height and directionality were impressive.
However, during critical moments in Breaking Bad, some dialogue sounded scratchy. Despite adjusting EQ settings, the voices lacked authenticity but were still a noticeable upgrade from my previous setup.
In The Trial of the Chicago 7, a Dolby Atmos title, dialogue clarity was exceptional, even amidst overlapping voices. The Arc Ultra creates a realistic surround sound that immerses you completely.
Its precision and range shine in documentaries like Our Planet, where every ambient sound complements the narration without overpowering it.
One drawback is the volume inconsistency between loud and soft scenes, causing frequent adjustments. This may be an issue for those in shared spaces.
Sonos Arc Ultra: Music
The Arc Ultra's robust bass and clear highs create an invigorating music experience.
Every track I played, from jazz to rock, sounded lush and captivating. With various speaker brands in my collection, the Arc Ultra's clarity and impact reignited my love for familiar songs.
As someone who enjoys audio quality, hearing the difference is significant.
The bass can sometimes be overpowering, particularly in hip-hop and electronic genres, but can be adjusted within the app to avoid disturbing neighbors.
Tracks like Daft Punk's Phoenix demonstrate the soundbar's capability to balance bass without losing impact, even at lower levels.
Subtle details, often missed on lesser speakers, come through vividly, enhancing the listening experience. The Arc Ultra excels when you need extra power for gatherings.
On Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know, the layered instrumentation is beautifully rendered, showcasing the soundbar's capabilities. Adjusting treble settings makes vocals shine.
Likewise, the trebles are impressive. Whether it's Cocteau Twins' Pitch the Baby or Playboi Carti's Location, every element from synths to brass is sharp, filling the space with sound.
It's akin to experiencing live performances, with the sound enveloping you, thanks to the four up-firing speakers.
The midrange could be more pronounced, but this is a minor issue, easily adjusted with EQ settings.
With tracks like Big Thief's Simulation Swarm, tweaking the bass or treble ensures a more balanced sound profile.
Moreover, the Arc Ultra captures every detail in recordings, immersing you in the sound quality of both modern and classic tracks.
When using Night Sound, while it highlights softer sounds, some elements may feel hollow. However, this remains a minor concern compared to the overall experience.
Sonos Arc Ultra: Price
At $1,099 at Sonos (or £999 in the UK), the Arc Ultra is a worthy investment compared to other premium soundbars.
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 retails for $1,499.99 or £999 in the UK, offering 13 speakers and similar features but at a higher cost.
The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is slightly cheaper at $999, featuring fewer speakers but similar smart enhancements.
Should You Buy the Sonos Arc Ultra?
If it's in your price range, absolutely. The Sonos Arc Ultra meets almost all its promises, delivering thrilling action, engaging dialogue, and remarkable music quality.
While the midrange could be stronger and some voices may seem off, these are common issues with soundbars.
This soundbar is a future-proof choice, promising excellent audio for movies, music, and TV as technology evolves.
How I Tested the Sonos Arc Ultra
I tested the Sonos Arc Ultra in my largest room, positioning it above the TV to maximize the impact of the up-firing speakers.
To ensure consistency, I used a standard list of scenes and songs for testing across various soundbars:
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 – A mix of intense action, dialogue, and emotional score.
- Avengers: Infinity War – Ideal for testing spatial audio with its varied sound dynamics.
- John Wick: Chapter 2 – Fast-paced action and background noise.
- Breaking Bad (season five, episode nine) – Intimate dialogue with emotional transitions.
- Arrested Development (season one, episode one) – Casual dialogue with varied pitches.
- Princess Mononoke – Emotional sequences with rich soundscapes.
- Our Planet II – Wide-ranging nature sounds and narration for testing audio range.
To assess music quality, I listened to tracks across genres and eras, focusing on different frequencies and instrumentation. Here's my playlist:
- Angel by Massive Attack – Trip-hop with layered percussion.
- Phoenix by Daft Punk – Electronic with a strong bass line.
- Oh My God by A Tribe Called Quest – Hip-hop with intricate vocal layering.
- Didn't Cha Know by Erykah Badu – Neo-soul with rich instrumentation.
- Feel No Pain by Sade – Smooth soul with varied audio range.
- Three Drums by Four Tet – Electronic with layered instrumentals.
- Simulation Swarm by Big Thief – Folk with strong midrange.
- Suzanne by Leonard Cohen – Classic with a low-fidelity charm.
- Ramble On by Led Zeppelin – Rock with dynamic pacing.
- Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) by Marvin Gaye – Jazzy with overlapping vocals.
- The Sea by Morcheeba – Emphasized midrange with vocal highs.
- Robber by The Weather Station – Soft pop with intricate details.
- An Ever-Changing View by Matthew Halsall – Jazz with varied percussion.
- What If Nile Rodgers And Fela Kuti Were Friends by All Day Breakfast Cafe – Funk with energy shifts.
- Pitch the Baby by Cocteau Twins – Dream pop with airy treble.
- Set Fire to the Rain by Adele – Pop with powerful vocals.
- Location by Playboi Carti – Hip-hop with intricate layering.
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