Hands-On With the Sonos Arc Ultra

Back in October, Sonos ended its moratorium on new product launches and introduced the Arc Ultra, a new version of its popular Arc soundbar. We thought we'd check out the Arc Ultra to see if it's worth picking up as Sonos still struggles to overcome negative perception of its app.


Priced at $999, the Arc Ultra brings an upgrade in sound quality compared to the original Arc. It can be paired with the Sub 4, which is also new, for added bass. The Sub 4 isn't required, and the Arc Ultra sounds great even without it. For audiophiles, the Arc Ultra has 9.1.4 spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, and it is able to produce sound that feels like it's coming from all around you.

In terms of design, the Arc Ultra has a lower profile than the prior version, but it is a bit longer. It otherwise looks similar, with an HDMI port for eARC, a power button, a Bluetooth button for pairing, Ethernet, and a slider to turn the microphone for the voice assistant on and off. Power and volume can be controlled via a TV remote, but the app is required for other features.

With the Sonos app, you can use TruePlay to fine-tune sound, and there are different levels of speech enhancement for you to select from. Sonos held off on introducing new products after the criticism that it received over its May app overhaul. When the Ultra launched, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence said that the company felt that the app had been improved enough to allow for new hardware.

Sonos has committed to regular app updates, and released an update alongside the new products. The app worked well with the Arc Ultra for setup, but if you're not a fan of the redesigned layout and the navigation issues that come alongside it, nothing has changed. It is also worth noting that some users have run into a problem with surround sound and TruePlay, which Sonos is working on.

In the Apple ecosystem, the Arc Ultra serves as an AirPlay 2 device so you can use it alongside other ‌AirPlay‌ 2-enabled speakers.

If you're all-in with Sonos products or if you're looking for a new soundbar, the Arc Ultra is worth checking out.

Tag: Sonos

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Top Rated Comments

HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
16 weeks ago
At a combination Apple tech-loaded household with Sonos speakers, I'll simply preface the impending 300+ bash-a-rama posts to follow by saying that I have no trouble whatsoever with the updated app AND, for the majority of the time, Apple people don't even have to use the app at all: Mac app is still the same old one, Airplay works just fine, E-arc connection to a TV means the TV controls the system (or AppleTV by proxy), etc.

I know some people have had issues, so my "just fine" experience is not entirely representative of everyone... but what is about to follow is also not representative of everyone.

Unlike the HPs-or-bust mentality/defense, Sonos already has full home theater setups, fully worked out. This bar + twin 300s for surround + maybe the Sub if you want deep bass is a highly-rated, wireless surround sound setup (check objective sources) that actually puts "surround" sound behind you (your ears can certainly tell) and delivers deep bass. Arc can deliver left & right stereo like HPs PLUS center channel too... which is very important for dialogue in a surround sound setup. HPs have no such options, nor are there even any rumors of any such things.

Sonos already also works with about everything ('https://support.sonos.com/en-us/services') (including Apple Music and Siri via HomeKit ('https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/use-siri-to-control-sonos-speakers')) vs. being heavily locked down. Airplay "just works" too ('https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/stream-airplay-audio-to-sonos').

I'd passionately argue for the Receiver + dumb speakers setup- which is still the only option to deliver TRUE ATMOS in any room- over this... but this setup for the "must own a soundbar" crowd definitely yields a great sounding system without having to route speaker wires that are required in the traditional setup. I've set up a few of these for friends and have consistently been impressed with the audio quality... far better than ANY set of just 2 physical speakers that I've heard. Myself: traditional Receiver-based, with wires and "dumb speakers"... but I choose to use Sonos speakers in places that others use HPs, like rooms where I want music but do not already have speaker wire runs at the ready.

Now open the umbrella, because here comes the endless rain. ☔
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mdriftmeyer Avatar
16 weeks ago
9.1.4 Spatial Audio is glorified Binaural Audio on a channel strip. Without actually spatial placing speakers in and around the perimeter volume of a room you will not capture actual Spatial Audio. What you are capturing his is algorithmic delayed audio attempting to interpret how the mind will compensate and generate a synthetic version.

Then there is the absurd price.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mnsportsgeek Avatar
16 weeks ago
I love the irony of putting the word audiophile in a review for a soundbar.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GDF Avatar
16 weeks ago

At a combination Apple tech-loaded household with Sonos speakers, I'll simply preface the impending 300+ bash-a-rama posts to follow by saying that I have no trouble whatsoever with the updated app AND, for the majority of the time, Apple people don't even have to use the app at all: Mac app is still the same old one, Airplay works just fine, etc.

I know some people have had issues, so my "just fine" experience is not entirely representative of everyone... but what is about to follow is also not representative of everyone.

Unlike the HPs-or-bust mentality/defense, Sonos already has full home theater setups, fully worked out. This bar + twin 300s for surround + maybe the Sub if you want deep bass is a highly-rated, wireless surround sound setup (check objective sources) that actually puts "surround" sound behind you (your ears can certainly tell) and delivers deep bass. Arc can deliver left & right stereo like HPs PLUS center channel too... which is very important for dialogue in a surround sound setup. HPs have no such options, nor are there even any rumors of any such things.

Sonos already also works with about everything ('https://support.sonos.com/en-us/services') (including Apple Music and Siri via HomeKit ('https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/use-siri-to-control-sonos-speakers')) vs. being heavily locked down. Airplay "just works" too ('https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/stream-airplay-audio-to-sonos').

I'd passionately argue for the Receiver + dumb speakers setup- which is still the only option to deliver TRUE ATMOS in any room- over this... but this setup for the "must own a soundbar" crowd definitely yields a great sounding system without having to route speaker wires that are required in the traditional setup. I've set up a few of these for friends and have consistently been impressed with the audio quality... far better than ANY set of just 2 physical speakers that I've heard. Myself: traditional Receiver-based, with wires and "dumb speakers"... but I choose to use Sonos speakers in places that others use HPs, like rooms where I want music but do not already have speaker wire runs at the ready.

Now open the umbrella, because here comes the endless rain. ☔
Great post. Same here. I have had 0 issues with the updated app. In fact, like you said I rarely use it, as an Apple everything user.

Love the new Ultra. Have it paired with two rear 300’s and a Gen 3 Sub. Also - purchased a Gen 4 sub, but have not tried it yet. May keep it as a second sub.

Think the Arc Ultra is a great update over the Arc and glad I purchased it. Good job Sonos!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macmyworld Avatar
16 weeks ago
Bought one of these and love it. Dialog is much improved over the previous Arc.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lefkonj Avatar
16 weeks ago
Our Sonos system works amazing. Didn't even notice the app changes because we don't use it. The TV is what controls the arc, sub and rear speakers. On anything else it is streamed via the Spotify or other similar apps.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)