Verdict
A genuine advance on the original , the Sound Motion woofer adds more detailed bass voice , but the intact soundscape is better , while dialogue is much clean and easier to here . There ’s still only an HDMI eARC stimulant , and only support for basic DTS , so this is a soundbar well for streamer or those locked into Dolby Atmos . Those limitations aside , this soundbar sounds phenomenal and can be expanded with up to two subs and wireless rear loudspeaker system .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Sonos Arc was a jump frontward for Sonos , repositioning the troupe as a serious player for abode movie theater , and making the most of its multi - way , multi - speaker capableness . While the Arc remains an telling soundbar , the Sonos Arc Ultra is a step up .
Sure , it has some of the same drawbacks as its harbinger ( where ’s DTS - HD Master Audio and DTS :X support , or the HDMI inputs ? ) , but more drivers and Sound Motion tech , producing a more balanced , impressive soundstage makes this a brilliant choice for any home .
Design
Unboxing the Sonos Arc Ultra , I could n’t immediately see the differences between this model and the original Arc . Both are uncommitted in black , which I have on review , and white . Like its predecessor , the Sonos Arc Ultra , is a long bar shroud in uninterrupted engagement .
It ’s an telling looking at soundbar , and feels heavy and chunky , too . There ’s no doubt in my mind that Sonos has n’t recede its optic for detail or desire to produce quality loudspeaker .
The Sonos Arc Ultra is a little longer than the previous model , so you ’ll either need a chunky Ab pedestal or go for the rampart - setting selection . If you go for the latter , the Sonos Arc Ultra does at least use the same wallmount as the original Arc . To set up the novel model all I had to do was lift the old model off , swap the ride screws and then drop the Arc Ultra into home .
In a recess , Sonos has housed the Ethernet embrasure ( not needed in wireless systems , and the Arc Ultra has Wi - Fi 6 work up - in ) , the HDMI eARC input and the Microphone switch .
A unmarried HDMI eARC comment is perhaps a touch dissatisfactory , particularly if you do n’t have a video or projector that supports this . While the Arc Ultra will function with standard ARC , and stream TV divine service do n’t exceed the bandwidth that ARC uses , eARC is require if you need lossless audio or multi - channel PCM from an external source . And , eARC is far better when it come to lip sync issues , in particular with a organization likeSky Q.
There areworkarounds if your TV does n’t have eARC , but it does mean buy supernumerary hardware and add an extra level of complexity .
birth a forcible mike switch is utilitarian if you do n’t want your soundbar to listen in , but plough this off and you ca n’t use the Trueplay flying tuning , and you wo n’t be able to use the Sonos or Alexa articulation assistants .
On the top of the soundbar are the redefined touching control . The Arc , like other Sonos speakers , used one set of control : drama / pause in the middle , volume on either side , and microscope slide actions to hop caterpillar tread . The Sonos Arc Ultra has redefined ascendency , with play / pause in the same place , but course omission buttons on either side of this .
mass controls have been moved to the right - deal side of the control panel and can be aerate with a swipe or a spigot .
Features
While the Sonos Arc Ultra may not appear that different on the exterior , the inside has been completely redesign . The Arc had 11 machine driver , the Arc Ultra has seven tweeter ( two kindle upward for tallness line ) , six midwoofers and a woofer , power by fifteen division - five hundred digital amplifier . All of this means the Arc Ultra is capable of 9.1.4 channel of audio frequency , compared to the 5.0.2 on the original Arc .
One significant modification is the addition of theSound Motionwoofer . Sound Motion uses a four - motor , dual - tissue layer woofer , to give deep bass in a matte , compact invention . It ’s quite an progress , and it should mean that the Arc Ultra can produce a realistic surround sound effect without any outside speakers necessitate .
That said , there are options . If you want to boost sound further , you’re able to pair a exclusive zep or , prefer for the new Sub 4 , and you’re able to have two . And if you want more positional sound behind you , a pair of any speakers can be supply to the system of rules to play as behind , with Sonos recommending theEra 300speakers .
Setup is via the S2 app , which has recently gone through a disastrous and confusing overhaul . Sonos is slowly ready the issues , and the app is experience good ( well , back to how it used to be ) . As with other Sonos loudspeaker system , the Arc can dissemble like any other medicine player in the system , playing music stand - alone or in part of a mathematical group .
We ’re all used to sending sound from our phones to Speaker , and that ’s possible here with Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2 . However , there ’s a estimable reason to use the Sonos app instead , as doing so means that you could apply a individual streaming service story ( Apple Music , Spotify and so on ) , and recreate unlike music in different room at the same clip .
Beam euphony from your phone , and you could spiel the same euphony in multiple room or a single room , but that ’s your bound . This does make Sonos more powerful , and potentially cheaper to use , than its competition .
Via the app , I was asked to habituate TruePlay to tune the system . This can be the flying option , which use the onboard mike to mechanically tune sound , or the Advanced option , which uses your phone ’s microphone for tuning , localise where you usually sit to watch TV . The latter becomes the only choice if you add together extras , such as a Sub or environ effectual speakers .
Whichever route you go down , it ’s very of import to use TruePlay , as it makes a huge difference and check that your Arc Ultra is decently tune up for your room and listening locating .
Dolby Atmosis supported , via either Dolby Digital Plus or Dolby TrueHD , the latter of which requires HDMI eARC and a desirable root , such as an Ultra HD Blu - beam of light participant ; steaming service of process all use the lossy Dolby Digital Plus format .
Basic DTS support is useable , but there ’s still no support for DTS - HD MA or DTS : X. I get that Sonos is primarily purport this speaker at those who stream contentedness , but it ’s expensive enough that Sonos should just give the license fees and volunteer sustenance for a blanket selection of audio formats .
The lack of mellow - end DTS backup is peculiarly annoying if you have a lot of physical media , as many Blu - shaft and Ultra HD Blu - ray discs use DTS - HD MA ( both 5.1 and as the transport for Virtual :X ) .
A workaround for regular DTS - HD MA is to set your Blu - ray player to output the audio recording as multi - channel PCM ; that does require an HDMI eARC output . practical :X soundtracks can be convert to multi - channel PCM , but they lose summit information and become standard 5.1 audio frequency .
Of course , the Sonos Arc Ultra is compatible with theSonos Aceheadphones . With the headphones you may transmit audio from the soundbar to your ears , with a virtual environment effect , as detailed in our Sonos Ace review . Functionally , there ’s no difference between using the Sonos Ace headphones with the original Arc and the Arc Ultra .
If you do n’t have headphone , then the Night Mode option , available from the playback silver screen , helps balance audio so you do n’t get peaks and gutter between tatty and still parts of a soundtrack .
The playback screen also gives you volume control , but the Arc can also have its bulk controlled via an IR remote control or through your TV ’s remote control via HDMI CEC .
Sound Quality
Perhaps one of the biggest changes with the Sonos Arc Ultra is in its address pitch , with the meat epithelial duct optimised to surrender exculpated dialog . It definitely does . There would be times with the old Arc where I ’d struggle to hear some act of a film or a telecasting serial , and the Arc Ultra is perceptibly cleaner and clearer .
It ’s a elusive alteration , too . It ’s not as though Sonos has just pushed vocal frequencies at the expense of cohesion ; the Arc Ultra deliver clearer negotiation without tip over the balance .
That ’s true to the point where I did n’t feel the pauperization to habituate the Speech Enhancement option from the app ( conveniently available in the playback control projection screen , along with a presentation that shows the current audio format ) . This feature now has three levels , so if you do need Speech Enhancement , you could at least tune up it to exercise for you .
The listening experience is much improved here over the Arc , and that ’s largely down to the basso . It ’s not , per se , that the Arc Ultra is necessarily capable of much mystifying basso , but it is capable of more precision .
The Arc ’s basso was a bit of a free-spoken tool , in comparing : rumbly and gimcrack , but also quite distinct . With the Arc Ultra , the bass melds into the soundstage , so there are smooth passage from humiliated - frequency to high - frequence . It sound like a incorporated chopine , rather than decided bits of audio .
Positionally , the Sonos Arc Ultra is better than its predecessor , too . Watching the opening of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny , as the bomber comes overhead , it sounds as though it ’s just above you .
determine the bridge fight scene in Black Panther Wakanda Forever , the spears swoop up and dash around the level-headed stage , and you sense every impact . What the Arc Ultra is n’t so near at is mimic rearward channel . The gunshots in the background do n’t fathom like they ’re fall from behind , but they do sound like they ’re off in the distance somewhere you ca n’t quite place .
In that regard , then , the Sonos Arc is fully immersive and it pulls you into what you ’re watch , while its equalizer , range and poise fork out everything from subtlety to impactful basso .
add together in a pair of surround speech sound speakers , and the alteration is detectable . I ’ve get a couple ofOne SLspeakers , and they help fill in the gap in the soundstage , pushing sound all around . That ’s great for general result , but they also add positional information . That bridge fight in Wakanda Forever , for representative , sees the off - camera gunfire move the back - right .
I ’m less taken with the idea of adding a U-boat into the mix . I used a Sub 4 for some examination . As Sonos knows the audio visibility of all of its loudspeaker system , the Sub 4 and Arc Ultra are mechanically tune up for volume and crossover voter .
While the Sub 4 adds some surplus cryptic impact , really grounding out the lower frequencies , it ’s a more subtle addition to the mix . I do n’t think you necessarily need it ( or two of them ) , whereas the rear speakers really do tot up something .
Move away from cyclosis and break out an Ultra HD Blu - ray with Dolby Atmos delivered via the lossless Dolby TrueHD , and the Arc Ultra is arguably even unspoiled . I ascertain the fireworks picture in Lord of the Rings : The Fellowship of the Ring , and it ’s unbelievable . The fireworks erupt around you , and then the flying lizard sweeps down and towards the hind end .
The Arc Ultra is equal to of travel to very eminent audio levels : too loud for most rooms to comfortably handle . It does this without distortion or getting too bright . Similarly , at low volumes , the soundbar manages to maintain its balance and impact .
I also listened to medicine on the Sonos Arc Ultra . After all , this is as much a multi - room music player as any other Sonos verbaliser . It deal all genre of music well .
Listening to the bass heavy This Too Shall Pass by OK Go , many speakers will distort at the introduction , but the Arc Ultra pushes out every strike from the bass drum , percipient and specify . Enough distance by the Foo Fighters afford with a beautiful swirling guitar that broom around the room without drop off clarity .
For subtlety , the Arc Ultra excels . Listening to Simon and Garfunkel ’s The Sound of Silence , the soundbar can represent the racetrack in its haunting beauty , wield the harmony , while able to intelligibly present both Simon and Garfunkel ’s item-by-item voices .
If you want to listen to music , then you definitely do n’t need to have another music thespian in the same room as this soundbar .
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Should you buy it?
cryptical bass , well-defined audio and a 9.1.4 environs experience , this soundbar has assuredness , clarity and detail .
You ’re mostly determine to Dolby Atmos , with canonical DTS thrown in . If you need DTS :X or DTS - HD MA support , this soundbar is not for you .
Final Thoughts
Beautifully designed , part of the Sonos ecosystem , and with range and poise , the Sonos Arc Ultra is a heavy step up from the olderSonos Arc , particularly when it number to base and dialogue clarity . It ’s also relatively good value , although you may require to factor in the price of surroundings when cost the organisation .
If you mostly swarm depicted object and are happy to populate in a Dolby Atmos world , then this soundbar is excellent . If you need wider format financial support or at least one unmediated input , then take a look at the list ofbest soundbars .
Trusted Score
How we test
We try every soundbar we refresh thoroughly over an extended period of clock time . We use diligence received tests to equate feature properly . We ’ll always separate you what we find . We never , ever , take money to review a product .
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FAQs
Yes , it support canonical DTS , but not the lossless DTS - HD Master Audio or DTS : X.
Yes , you’re able to use the same wall mount and switch the old Arc for the newfangled Arc Ultra .
