Hands-On With the Sonos Arc Ultra

[MacRumors]

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.

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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.

Article Link: Hands-On With the Sonos Arc Ultra

 

[mdriftmeyer]

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.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

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 (including Apple Music and Siri via HomeKit) vs. being heavily locked down. Airplay "just works" too.

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. ☔

 

[philrock]

I wish there was some viable competition in this space. Sonos has served me well for years, but, like many, I have had issues since the app redesign. Makes me hesitant to purchase more and upgraded products.

 

[CrysisDeu]

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.

The new atmos experience is actually very decent on the ultra.
But 9.1.4 is just marketing gimmick. They don’t even have that many speakers groups

 

[Obioban]

Nope, no more Sonos products for me. They've taken enough from me.

 

[CrysisDeu]

There are bugs with their home theater setup.. which makes me doubt whether Trueplay is actually legit or just some random bad algorithm tweaking some random things

 

[mnsportsgeek]

I love the irony of putting the word audiophile in a review for a soundbar.

 

[Armada2]

Buy a Samsung Q990D Q-Series instead

​

 

[macmyworld]

Bought one of these and love it. Dialog is much improved over the previous Arc.

 

[wbeasley]

Buy a Samsung Q990D Q-Series instead

​

I have the 990B and there is so little tweaking to the C or D... there really isnt much more you can do to push the current device forward. It's loud, it's clear, it handles most sound really well. The six speakers in the rear could do with a little more power at times but work surprisingly well a lot of the time, even with stereo music. the processing is smart enough to pull parts out and move them around.

 

[CrysisDeu]

Bought one of these and love it. Dialog is much improved over the previous Arc.

Partially because the center channel’s volume is too high compared to the surrounds. They might fix this bug?

 

[capamac]

Haven't tried this particular system. But we had a Sonos system at work and it was flakey/unreliable, and the app had an exceptionally poor UI. Would not recommend. Get a wired system is what I'd do myself.

 

[TTTedP]

My Arc is a glitchy SOB. Not buying another one.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Have ya'll used sonos soundbars before? Mine is incredible, no issues to speak of. Just set as eARC output and forget it.

 

[TwinCitiesJHawk]

Buy a Samsung Q990D Q-Series instead

​

Grabbed one when woot had it for $900 a month ago and its been fantastic! Sold off my arc, sub and era 300s and so happy with the samsung over sonos since.

 

[danny1305]

Buy a Samsung Q990D Q-Series instead

​

Why would anyone want to downgrade that much? These aren’t even in the same stratosphere quality wise

 

[3Rock]

Have ya'll used sonos soundbars before? Mine is incredible, no issues to speak of. Just set as eARC output and forget it.

My original arc with a sub mini has served me well for over a year and I’m not quite sure I would even upgrade for a small 20% 25% improvement. Unless of course, my system hits the dust, I will be keeping mine until it does, which will be a very long time. Then I will consider the ultra. No issues with the app with just the arc and sub mini.

 

[Armada2]

I have the 990B and there is so little tweaking to the C or D... there really isnt much more you can do to push the current device forward. It's loud, it's clear, it handles most sound really well. The six speakers in the rear could do with a little more power at times but work surprisingly well a lot of the time, even with stereo music. the processing is smart enough to pull parts out and move them around.

I have the 990D that is why I said it

 

[GDF]

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 (including Apple Music and Siri via HomeKit) vs. being heavily locked down. Airplay "just works" too.

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!

 

[ProbablyDylan]

My original arc with a sub mini has served me well for over a year and I’m not quite sure I would even upgrade for a small 20% 25% improvement. Unless of course, my system hits the dust, I will be keeping mine until it does, which will be a very long time. Then I will consider the ultra. No issues with the app with just the arc and sub mini.

Same here. No issues to speak of, and no itch to upgrade. Unless I win the lotto or something, in that case all bets are off.

 

[redmac]

Buy a Samsung Q990D Q-Series instead

​

If you want a set of big-ass ugly black boxes covered with dust collecting cloth, from a great-at-nothing brand like Samsung, go for it. It has all the specs, but again, it's big, ugly, and it's Samsung.

Just like Apple, Sonos doesn't give you all the specs, but it gives you great sound, great esthetics, and simplicity.

 

[SR71]

Partially because the center channel’s volume is too high compared to the surrounds. They might fix this bug?

Nope, the clearer/louder center channels isn't a bug. The Ultra has 6 midwoofers which significantly improves the clarity and loudness of vocals and dialogue. Also, the trueplay bug doesn't affect everyone (it worked fine with the Ultra at my house). Bass from the sub is deep and punchy and combined with Era 300's as surrounds it really is a significant upgrade over my previous Arc.

Another thing worth noting is that sound bubble produced by the Ultra + Era 300's is perfectly balanced between all of the speakers now, to the point where I can't easily tell where sound is coming from. The old Arc always sounded noticeably underpowered compared to the 300's, but now it just sounds like one cohesive bubble of sound that's all around you. It sounds seriously amazing with Atmos content.

 

[TVreporter]

I stopped reading and decline to watch as soon as I saw $999.

 

[wbeasley]

I have the 990D that is why I said it

i was agreeing with your answer... the Samsung top bars are really good and reasonably priced (especially when on sale you save significant amounts and end of model too).