As an optimized version of the original Sonos Arc, launched in 2020, the new Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar promises an even more immersive experience thanks to the integration of new drivers for a three-dimensional Dolby Atmos reproduction over 9.1.4 channels. Its new woofer with Sound Motion technology promises even deeper bass without making the soundbar physically larger. With a price tag of €999, can this 2024 Sonos model become the new reference for Atmos soundbars?
A full range
In 2020, Sonos set a milestone in the world of soundbars with the launch of the Sonos Arc, its first Dolby Atmos-compatible model. It rapidly became a reference and received numerous accolades from the specialist press: What Hi-Fi? 5 Stars, ON-Mag 4 stars, Trusted Reviews Recommended… The awards are countless. This success was followed by the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), a more accessible version with virtual Dolby Atmos, and the Sonos Ray, the perfect solution for small spaces. Today, Sonos is consolidating its premium strategy with the Sonos Arc Ultra, which promises a more powerful and immersive sound experience.
Read: Sonos Arc review: a Dolby Atmos soundbar that becomes a wireless home theater system
Presentation
9.1.4-channel Dolby Atmos
While the Sonos Arc already managed to plunge us into the heart of the action with its 5.0.2 channels, the new Sonos Arc Ultra is even more ambitious, offering sound reproduction across 9.1.4 channels. To do this, it now features 14 drivers (compared to 11 previously) spread across the different sides of the soundbar to ensure an optimal diffusion of sound effects in the room. The Atmos channels benefit from dedicated drivers and tweeters positioned on the top of the Sonos Arc Ultra to properly reproduce vertical effects by reflection off the ceiling.
Another new feature for this 2024 version is a woofer with exclusive Sound Motion technology that promises to deliver powerful and deep bass while allowing the soundbar to be slightly smaller. To this end, the driver uses four motors and a dual membrane. This feat was most certainly made possible by Sonos’ recent acquisition of German start-up Mayht. As a reminder, the latter had a patented technology for a driver 10 times smaller than traditional models, but offering the same performance.
Each of the 14 drivers is paired with its own class D amplifier to increase dynamics and ensure a uniform reproduction of the various channels. The audio processor supports the main variants of the Dolby audio format, including Dolby Atmos and Atmos music tracks played via compatible services such as Apple Music and Amazon Prime Music. Sonos states that the soundbar still supports the DTS format, but no further details are provided. However, our tests revealed compatibility with the most common codecs of this standard, including DTS:X.
Design
Despite the integration of extra drivers and a true woofer, the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar is slimmer, with a height of only 7.5cm compared to 8.7cm previously. As a result, it can be more easily installed underneath a recent TV without hiding the bottom of the screen. It is 3cm longer, reaching 117cm to accompany televisions that are 55” and larger. If the TV is wall-mounted, the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar can be easily installed underneath using the optional wall bracket.
You quickly forget that the Sonos Arc Ultra is rather long thanks to its simple, elegant silhouette. Its design remains for the most part unchanged, with a polymer structure and exemplary assembly. The honeycomb grille, which extends across the front panel, now occupies the entire upper surface, cleverly concealing the multiple speakers. The matte black or white chassis has the advantage of reflecting very little light from the TV screen, thereby limiting glare.
The top of the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar now features a new touch-sensitive interface. At the center, three controls let you start and pause playback, and also skip tracks when listening to music (next and previous track). At the far right is a slightly recessed volume control borrowed from the Sonos Era 100 and Sonos Era 300 connected speakers. You lightly swipe the surface from left to right to increase the volume, and vice versa to reduce it. This approach is far more intuitive, especially in the dark or for the visually impaired.
Settings and calibration
Sold without a remote control, the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar can only be controlled using the capacitive touch interface, the remote control of a TV connected to the bar via HDMI, or the mobile app. Available for iOS and Android, the latter provides access to various settings to adjust the bass level, activate or deactivate the Loudness mode and optimize dialog clarity using the Speech Enhancement mode. A Night mode is also available to limit dynamic shifts so that you can use the soundbar in the evening without disturbing those around you. For even greater discretion, you can pair it with Sonos Ace headphones for a solo Dolby Atmos experience.
Read: Sonos Ace review: 3D Dolby Atmos sound with headphones
To ensure optimal sound performance in all living rooms, the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar is compatible with TruePlay automatic calibration. One positive development is that it is now available for Android smartphones, unlike the original Sonos Arc, which required the use of an Apple device (iPhone or iPad). Nevertheless, there are still a few differences. iOS users can perform advanced calibration by using the iDevice’s microphone to take measurements from the listening position. With the Android version of the app, calibration is performed exclusively using the Sonos Arc Ultra’s built-in microphones. However, both methods provided very good results in our test room.
HDMI eARC input
Like its predecessor, the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar is only equipped with an HDMI eARC input to connect to the television. This port lets the soundbar retrieve the soundtrack of the program you’re watching from any source connected to the TV, or from apps installed on the Smart TV. It is still possible to connect a television that isn’t ARC/eARC compatible thanks to the clever optical/HDMI adapter that comes with the soundbar. However, an HDMI connection is recommended to enjoy Dolby Atmos tracks.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming
If the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar is only equipped with a single HDMI ARC input, it’s because all the sources are connected to the TV, which serves as an HDMI hub. Furthermore, the main features are provided by its Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity. Once connected to the network, this soundbar offers the same options as other Sonos connected speakers. The Sonos app allows intuitive and comprehensive music control, providing access to files shared over the local network as well as the majority of streaming services such as Deezer, Spotify, Amazon Prime Music and Apple Music, and Hi-Res platforms like Qobuz or Tidal. For radio fans, TuneIn offers a varied selection of radio stations from around the world. Thanks to AirPlay 2 compatibility, Apple users can stream sound directly from their apps to the soundbar. A new feature for 2024, the Sonos Arc Ultra now incorporates Bluetooth, allowing you to stream music without connecting to the local network.
Wireless multi-room and home theater
Like the original Sonos Arc, the Sonos Arc Ultra fits seamlessly into the Sonos multi-room ecosystem, allowing you to stream music throughout the whole home or create a true wireless home theater system. It is possible to connect a pair of Sonos Era 100 speakers for the surround channels or, ideally, the Sonos Era 300 speakers which, in addition to the surround channels, also reproduce rear Atmos effects thanks to dedicated drivers. Bassheads can add a Sonos Sub Mini or the new Sonos Sub 4 to the system. Enough to create a genuine wireless home theater system!
Vocal assistants
Ease of use has always been at the heart of Sonos equipment. The new Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar is no exception and can be controlled vocally, in addition to using the touch-sensitive interface and mobile app. To do this, it uses the same microphones as those employed for TruePlay calibration. They ensure good voice pick-up, even when the soundbar is at a distance. Sonos has now decided to dispense with Google Assistant in favor of Amazon Alexa, but also the recent Sonos Voice Control, which guarantees greater user privacy.
Setting up the Sonos Arc Ultra
Sonos has always stood out for the ergonomics of its devices. The Sonos Arc Ultra follows this tradition, with quick and intuitive set-up. Once connected to the television, the Sonos app takes the reins and guides the user step by step. For newcomers to the Sonos ecosystem, the first step is to create a Sonos account. The app automatically detects the Sonos Arc Ultra and plays a chime to instantly establish the pairing. It’s then possible to rename the soundbar, specify the room in which it is installed, and access the many available settings.
If you want to create a wireless home theater system, the Sonos Arc Ultra can be easily connected to other Sonos equipment. To set up the surround speakers, you simply have to select their names from a drop-down menu and assign them a channel (left or right). Adding the subwoofer is just as simple. Once all the elements have been connected, the app lets you adjust the volume level of each surround speaker, as well as that of the subwoofer.
For this review, we first listened to the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar alone, then progressively added the Sonos Sub 4 subwoofer and Sonos Era 300 surround speakers to measure the real impact of this equipment. We used the LG OLED83G3 television, connected via HDMI eARC. We watched content on the Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video apps installed on the TV.
Listening impressions
Sonos Arc Ultra alone
The Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar boosts the performance of the first-generation model, with an even more efficient distribution of sound in space. The reproduction is more transparent, reproducing each effect clearly and ensuring very precise placement. In the second installment of the Guardians of the Galaxy in Dolby Atmos, the front scene was huge, with lateral effects that became almost palpable at both ends of the room. The channel separation was very clean, which contributed to dialog that was always well-centered and comprehensible, even when the soundtrack was at its most intense.
The Atmos channels were also more pronounced with this model than with the second generation. In Mad Max: Fury Road, the car chase through the sandstorm was incredibly immersive. As the vehicles hurtled through the windswept desert, we could feel the swirls of sand and debris all around us. Although the surround effects were a little more muted, we were still transported into the heart of the storm, with effects from all sides. The roar of engines and the crash of explosions were reproduced with new dynamism and power. The vertical effects, however, remained at the front of the stage, positioned just above the TV.
The Sonos Arc Ultra also impressed us with its ability to deliver powerful bass without a separate subwoofer. Still with Mad Max: Fury Road, it injected true sonic impact into the action scenes, which it reproduced with incredible intensity for a soundbar. By turning up the volume, explosions and collisions were reproduced with an intensity and power that spread throughout the room. The woofer with Sound Motion technology kept the bass clean and distortion-free, even at high volume.
Sonos Arc Ultra + Sub 4
Adding the Sonos Sub 4 subwoofer resulted in even deeper bass, especially in large rooms. We enjoyed greater extension and almost physical sound. With the film Dunkirk, every detonation and explosion was dramatically amplified, creating intense resonance that literally shook the room. The explosions had such weight and depth that the experience felt very realistic.
The Sonos Sub 4 is also very skilled at balancing the sound at low volume. Where the soundbar’s integrated woofer needs a higher volume to fully unleash its potential, the subwoofer brings depth and substance to the bass, even at low volume.
Sonos Arc Ultra + Sub 4 + Era 300
By activating a pair of Sonos Era 300 surround speakers, we were immediately placed in a sound bubble and transported to the center of the action. Atmos effects were much more consistent and not only confined above the television. In Top Gun: Maverick, high-speed flight scenes took on a new dimension. We could actually feel the planes flying over us, passing right overhead before disappearing behind us. Surround effects were also enhanced, with greater presence and more precise placement. Total immersion!
Sonos Arc vs Sonos Arc Ultra
Few range renewals bring such drastic changes as the new Sonos Arc Ultra. The American manufacturer has completely revised its formula to offer an even more immersive experience, with sound that is more precise and pronounced in all directions. Soundtracks are now much more convincing, especially in the front stage, which offers a flawless three-dimensional reproduction. The low frequencies are another major asset of this 2024 edition, with significantly deeper and more powerful bass, making it entirely possible to use the soundbar without a separate subwoofer.
Who is this 2024 soundbar for?
The Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar is ideal for users who want to enjoy a highly immersive cinema experience at home without cluttering up their living room with multiple devices. It manages to distribute sound effectively in space, with a three-dimensional soundstage that ensures the listener is right at the heart of the action. Thanks to its new woofer, it can easily be used without a separate subwoofer, as long as the volume is turned up. However, for listening sessions at low volume, but also for large living rooms (over 35/40m²) or for deep bass lovers, the addition of the Sonos Sub 4 subwoofer (or Sonos Sub Mini for smaller rooms) is highly recommended. Finally, users looking for the ultimate experience can add a pair of surround speakers, ideally the Sonos Era 300, to create a true sound bubble.
Conclusion
With the new Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar, the American manufacturer has renewed its flagship model to provide an experience that is more immersive than ever before. There is greater extension, ensuring a more precise placement of sound effects in the soundstage. The front stage is immense, its only limit being the walls of the room. The Atmos effects have now been liberated, giving the impression of real speakers on the ceiling. They still remain focused at the front of the stage, but the addition of Sonos Era 300 surround speakers provides a bubble effect worthy of the best conventional systems. Last but not least, we must highlight the outstanding performance of the new woofer, which can pack a punch and add impact to action scenes, provided the volume is turned up. The Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar is therefore an essential reference for an enveloping, progressive sound experience, with the ease of installation for which the brand is renowned.
We liked:
- The easy installation
- The wide spatial imaging
- The precision of the front Atmos effects
- The power of the bass (at higher volumes)
We would have liked:
- More pronounced surround and Atmos sound effects
but there app still stinks