Sonos Arc Ultra Review
In 2020, Sonos made a big splash with the Arc soundbar. Its introduction marked the debut of the more advanced S2 platform. Now, the Arc Ultra is here as a thoroughly updated successor.
by Klaus Laumann
Sonos is known for the high quality and long lifespan of its multiroom audio products. Because of this, it’s not surprising that it took over four years for a new, revised version of the Dolby Atmos–capable “Arc” soundbar to arrive.
Back in 2020, the Arc represented a major shift in the Sonos lineup. The high data rates required by object-based 3D formats like Dolby Atmos pushed the older platform—limited to 16-bit—beyond its limits. Sonos decided to move on from full backward compatibility and introduced the more powerful S2 platform alongside a new app. This updated system supports 24-bit music streaming (though still at a maximum of 48 kHz). In terms of home theater formats, it goes up to Dolby Atmos in TrueHD, and it also handles classic DTS 5.1 tracks. However, DTS:X—the less common competitor to Atmos—is not supported.
Fortunately, compatibility concerns are minimal. Most Sonos devices work with the current Sonos app. Only very old models like the ZonePlayer, Bridge, the first Connect generation, or the original Play:5 run solely on the older “Sonos S1 Controller” app. As a result, those older units can’t seamlessly combine with products released from mid-2020 onward.
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New Configuration
The new “Arc Ultra” is exactly what its name suggests—a notably upgraded version of the original Arc. The sleek design and overall shape of the soundbar worked well before, so Sonos kept them largely intact.
At a nominal level, the Arc Ultra is 350 grams lighter and around one centimeter thinner, but it’s about four centimeters wider than the original, reaching a total length of 1.18 meters. As before, this size suits TVs of at least 55 inches. Inside, however, there are far bigger changes: Sonos has updated the flagship soundbar’s hardware by adding a total of 14 drivers, compared to the Arc’s 11. These include seven directional tweeters, six midrange drivers, and a newly developed “Sound-Motion” woofer unit.
“Arc Ultra is a new interpretation of our best-selling soundbar.”
Patrick Spence, CEO of Sonos
This new woofer system is somewhat like a compact subwoofer built into the soundbar. It uses two opposing, stadium-shaped membranes and a mechanism driven by four magnet coil assemblies on the sides. Splitting the usual large woofer into two separate parts frees up space and offers more design flexibility. Sonos claims the Arc Ultra has double the bass performance of the original Arc. Such marketing claims should be taken with caution, but lab tests show the Arc Ultra really does pack a punch. Like its predecessor, it plays down to about 40 Hz, which is excellent for a stand-alone soundbar. It means you don’t necessarily need an external subwoofer.
Excellent Tuning
In typical Sonos fashion, the Arc Ultra doesn’t come with a dedicated remote control. Instead, you can program your TV’s remote to operate it. Everything else is set up and run through the Sonos app, which can still feel a bit involved for first-timers, though there is a helpful setup wizard. The fuss caused by the big mid-2024 app update has mostly subsided by now.
Key new features include Bluetooth input—something Sonos has started adding to all recent models—and the fact that the automatic Trueplay calibration now works on Android devices. Aside from a Night Mode that dampens loud sounds and a Speech Enhancement feature, there are no special sound presets. This points to the soundbar’s very well-balanced tuning, which delivers impressive surround effects for movies and a refined yet lively sound for music.
Sonos Arc Ultra (solo or paired with Sub 4) Performance Measured
The graphs show frequency response at low (green) and high (red) volume, along with any distortion (black). The top graph is the Arc Ultra by itself; the bottom one includes the Sub 4. It extends down to about 43 Hz at higher volume, which is quite impressive. With neutral mids and highs and a slight bass boost, the overall balance is well-judged. Peak levels above 100 dBSPL are achievable, with distortion in the 1–6% range and some compression at the extremes. Adding a dedicated subwoofer steadies the bass at higher volumes and extends the low end to about 33 Hz. Power draw for the soundbar is about 1 W in standby and 6 W in use; the sub uses around 3 W in standby and 10 W in operation.
Technical Data
| Model | Sonos Arc Ultra |
| Distributor | Sonos Europe B.V., Hilversum, NL (0800 7234915) |
| Website | sonos.com |
| Warranty | 2 Years |
Dimensions and Weight
| Soundbar | 117.8 × 7.5 × 11 cm / 5.9 kg |
| Subwoofer | (optional) |
| Satellites (Size/Weight) | (optional) |
Connections
| HDMI In/Out | – / 1 (eARC) |
| Digital In (opt./coax.) | 1 (via 25 Euro adapter) / – |
| Analog In (2.0/5.1) | – / – |
| LAN / WLAN / Bluetooth | • / • / • |
| Other | Airplay 2 |
Features
| Soundbar Design | 5.1.2 |
| Subwoofer Design | (optional) |
| Sound Modes | Night Mode, Speech Enhancement |
| Sound Adjustment | Bass, Treble, Loudness |
| Room Calibration | Trueplay |
| Audio Formats | Dolby up to Atmos (TrueHD), DTS: Digital Surround 5.1 |
| Remote Control | – |
| On-Screen Menu | – |
| Configuration App | Sonos (from Android 8.0/iOS 16.0) |
| Setup Assistant | • |
| Included Accessories | Various cables |
| Special Features | Deactivatable far-field microphones for voice control (Sonos, Amazon), multiroom-capable (Sonos) |
CONCLUSION
The Arc Ultra is one of the best all-in-one soundbars Sonos has to offer—and it boasts strong value for the money. It only becomes pricey if you decide to expand it into a multi-speaker home theater setup with additional Sonos components.
Pro & Con
- + Excellent sound quality
- + Room calibration
- + Expandable with additional speakers
- – Limited connection options
Test Results
| Sound | 93 → 9.3/10 |
| Features | “Sehr gut” → ~9/10 |
| Operation | “Sehr gut” → ~9/10 |
| Build Quality | “Überragend” → ~9.5/10 |
Overall Benchmark
| Total Score | 93 Points → 9.3/10 |
| Price/Performance | “Überragend” → ~9.5/10 |
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