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

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...

Top Rated Comments

HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
2 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
2 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
2 weeks ago
I love the irony of putting the word audiophile in a review for a soundbar.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GDF Avatar
2 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
2 weeks ago
Bought one of these and love it. Dialog is much improved over the previous Arc.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lefkonj Avatar
2 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)