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• Sonos’ premium soundbar is, without a doubt, among the top options, but requires one additional device to reach perfection.

Sonos is among the most prominent and highly regarded brands in the audio technology sector. From its wireless speakers to its newly launched productsAce Bluetooth headphones (which we have tested and evaluated), the brand has a strong presence in the technology retail sector.

For several years, the product that served as its top-tier high-end soundbar was the Sonos Arc, released in 2020, which ranked at the top of many publications’ lists as a highly acclaimed audio accessory forhome theater systems. So, when the brand quietly stopped producing the product and introduced a nearly identical one, but with a slightly different name called theSonos Arc UltraMany people were fascinated — including me.

Eager to find out if it lived up to its reputation as one of the top soundbars available, and to compare its performance with its now-discontinued predecessor, I obtained one and subjected it to a series of evaluations.

My results were intriguing and somewhat expected, in both favorable and contradictory aspects.

Sonos Arc Ultra

Our Verdict

One fact is clear: the Arc is the top-performing Sonos soundbar currently available. For individuals who already have Sonos devices incorporated into their living spaces, this soundbar would be an ideal addition that will connect effortlessly with their existing setup.

After testing the original Sonos Arc soundbar several years back, I can confidently state that this updated version of the brand’s high-end home theater speaker is not a coincidence. In fact, it offers some impressive upgrades when compared to its predecessor.

It definitely stands several levels higher than some of its competitors in terms of audio quality for films, TV shows, and music. Overall, it’s a top-tier product for individuals seeking a Dolby Atmos sound system that delivers strong performance with a well-considered mix of deep bass and exceptionally clear dialogue.

The Arc Ultra, however, though expertly designed, falls just a little short when intense, action-packed scenes are involved. Combining it with its built-in subwoofer (theSub 4) nearly compensates for this weakness, yet still makes you wish for a bit more, particularly considering the majesty of the original Arc, which doesn’t lag behind the Ultra in certain performance aspects.

The soundbar truly excels in its well-rounded mid-range, which presents movie dialogue in a remarkably clear and entirely unobstructed manner.

For casual movie watchers looking for a bigger, more impactful sound in their home theater setup, the Sonos Arc Ultra will certainly provide that — but only when used with the Sub 4.

These two products create an amazing combination, yet they should each be capable of excelling on their own. Alone, the glass is nearly full, but still leaves a little space for hope.

How we test

We subject all our products to arigorous testing processand televisions are no different. We evaluate each television’s image quality, luminance levels, contrast ratio, input delay, audio performance without considering external speakers, and other factors.

User-friendliness and cost-effectiveness are also key aspects we evaluate to decide if a television is worth suggesting to our audience.

You may find more information abouthow we evaluate technological products on our dedicated page.

Why trust us

Although establishing and maintaining a comprehensive testing procedure is crucial for creating accurate and thoroughly researched content, we also recognize the importance of experience. That’s why every one of our testers is a specialist in their area.

Moribahas been evaluating and testing technology products for more than six years, and develops the testing approaches and criteria used in our technology, men’s clothing, and travel reviews and purchasing guides.

His critiques are truthful, balanced, and straightforward, not hesitating to point out both the positives and negatives to assist you in making the best possible purchasing choice.

Sonos Arc Ultra review

Design and controls 

The Sonos Arc UltraIt doesn’t deviate significantly from the original design that gained popularity with the Arc. It features a slim, cylindrical body and slightly textured perforated grilles on both the front and sides of the device.

The difference from the original soundbar lies in its rear appearance. On the back of the device, there is now a narrow rectangular part that extends slightly. There, you will see the inputs located at the bottom, the controls positioned at the top right, and the virtual assistant button situated at the top left.

The control functions (play, pause, back, forward, volume adjustment, and virtual assistant) do not extend from the panel as typical buttons would. Rather, they feature a textured and nearly touch-responsive design that contributes to a smooth, integrated look that appears as a single solid unit. A status indicator light is located at the front center of the soundbar, but because it is incorporated into the grille, it remains invisible unless the light is activated (you can disable it via the Sonos app for a more streamlined and cohesive appearance).

The Sonos Arc Ultra is available in both black and white — a choice that is uncommon in the home theater audio market.

Remember, however, that if you intend to attach this bar to your wall, you will need to buy themounting kitindependently for an extra $79.

Performance tests

This speaker system delivers up to 9.1.4 channels of Dolby Atmos immersive audio (check outour soundbar explainer pieceto find out more about what this signifies). The final digit in this decimal system indicates the four upward-facing drivers that project sound toward your ceiling. When combined with the nine speakers located in the left, center, and right sections of the soundbar, this creates a full-room audio experience that moves both downward toward you and above your head.

During my trials, I discovered that the audio quality was significantly more balanced and engaging than I had anticipated. I evaluated the sound using particular action sequences in theAvengers: Endgamefilm, as it features a Dolby Atmos sound track and includes intense action sequences that shake the room, along with soft-spoken dialogue that can highlight the Arc Ultra’s full capabilities.

The audio was so expansive that I occasionally glanced around to make sure that the sound effects, which were once nearly undetectable from my TV’s built-in speakers, weren’t originating from outside my window but were actually coming from this device.

This is also achievable due to the Arc Ultra’s new Sound Motion feature. It is basically an internal subwoofer made up of front, side, and upward-facing drivers, all contained within this slim, elongated unit. These components work together to provide rich, uninterrupted bass — significantly deeper bass compared to the original Sonos Arc.

What’s even more remarkable is that this was achieved without increasing the hardware’s size. In fact, theArc Ultrais shorter than the original Arc.

When used in conjunction with the Sub 4, the powerful bass becomes even more impressive, reaching a level that cannot be achieved by the soundbar alone. Keep this in mind when evaluating your preferences and movie-watching requirements.

Another internal speaker setup has been introduced, significantly enhancing midrange performance and vocal clarity. Combined with the updated Sonos Speech Enhancement feature, this results in clearer and more pronounced dialogue, proving beneficial during scenes with soft whispers and low-pitched voices.

A few extras

This device, like all Sonos audio products, does not include a separate physical remote. Rather, all controls are managed through the Sonos app, which is not without its flaws.

Although the application is aesthetically pleasing, it is often unreliable in certain situations — many of which occur without any issue from the user’s side. I once observed that my soundbar system was not appearing in the app and then later showed up by itself.

The appeal of the app lies in its ability to be tailored. It includes personalization options such as Trueplay (a function that enhances audio performance based on your room’s acoustics for an optimal listening experience), an equalizer that lets you modify the bass and treble settings of your Arc Ultra, the aforementioned Speech Enhancement feature, and additional options.

Within the application, you will also have the option to integrate a voice assistant such as Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, allowing you to manage your soundbar’s functions through voice commands.

Value for money

So, is the Sonos Arc UltraIs the soundbar a good purchase? In brief, it depends. If you already have the original Sonos Arc, this is certainly not a required upgrade. Although this updated model offers a broader performance improvement compared to the original Arc, you probably won’t notice a significant difference if you switch to this new model, especially given its high cost.

Individuals who either do not have a soundbar or are looking to upgrade their existing basic system should definitely take the Arc Ultra into account, provided their budget allows. Above everything else, this soundbar focuses on clear, sharp audio, powerful bass, and versatile features such as the capability to wirelessly connect the device to your phone via Bluetooth for secondary use as a wireless speaker.

FAQs

Is the Sonos Arc Ultra larger than the Sonos Arc?

The Sonos Arc Ultra is broader and a bit deeper than the original Arc (because of the slightly extended rear panel). Nevertheless, it is 12mm shorter than the original model, which makes it particularly suitable for flat-screen televisions.

Has the Arc soundbar been discontinued by Sonos?

Yes, Sonos has stopped selling the original Arc soundbar. In January 2025, the company marked the product as a “Last Chance” item on its website for customers.

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