OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v2.0: technical specifications plus grades from 1,310 independent expert reviews and 1,704 video reviews, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v2.0

Sonos Arc Ultra Review | 109 Data compared

Avg. price:~£970N. of audio channels:9.1.4Audio output power:?HDMI ARC type:eARC

Sonos Arc Ultra Review: Compare 109 technical specifications and 117 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Sonos Arc Ultra
7.1/10

Overall score

Score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the soundbar's quality, based on technical analyses and grades from independent expert reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best soundbars on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 87% of models
Score components

95%

7.0

Technical score

5%

8.9

Reviews score ( 67 · 50)

Reviews score 5% · 8.9 · based on 117 independent reviews
Every model in this category gets the same split: reviews 5%, technical score 95%. This model has enough reviews, so its review score is the weighted average of their grades.
▲Better than 87% of soundbars
6.6

Value for money

Value for money
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 72% of models
Score components

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

5.4

Price

▼Worse than 72%
7.0

Technical score

Technical score
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 87% of models
Score components

25%

7.0

Audio

18%

7.3

Formats

16%

6.1

Connectivity

14%

8.6

Controls

12%

6.8

HDMI & Gaming

10%

7.5

Smart features

5%

4.5

Design

▲Better than 87%
8.9

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.9/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves.
Weighting: Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Share: Reviews are 5% of the overall score for every model in this category; each of the 2 needed reviews that is missing counts as 7/10.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 97% of models
Grades by review (117)
67 reviews: 42 with a printed score, 25 estimated from the review. 50 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Share in the overall score: 5%, the same for every model in this category.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
★Better than 97%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What owners say about the Sonos Arc Ultra

Based on 208 owners sharing their experience in online comments

58%positive13%mixed29%negative

Owners praise the rich, immersive sound and clearer dialogue, while app glitches and the system’s high cost frustrate many.

What owners dislike

  • Owners report the app being slow, unreliable at pausing or changing music, and older Sonos products cut off by new app versions.29
  • Owners say TruePlay tuning gives a different sound each time it runs, sometimes removes bass or makes highs harsh, and settings often need manual tweaking.15
  • Atmos is hard to notice for some owners, and rear speakers sound weak for music because Era 300 centre drivers switch off in surround.12
  • Speech enhancement can mute loud scenes, voices can sound too quiet against loud action, and Era 300 levels are hard to match.9
  • Some owners say voices still sound tinny or too quiet, so they raise the volume to hear dialogue.7
  • Some owners lose bass around 50–80 Hz after upgrading, which they link to TruePlay, and say bass feels weak in larger rooms.7
  • Pairing Era speakers as surrounds took several attempts for one owner, NFC pairing failed on some subs, and one needed a LAN cable.6
  • Some owners say the sound gain does not justify the cost and returned it after a short trial.4
  • Owners with Blu-rays say the Ultra cannot play DTS, DTS-HD or DTS:X tracks, so they must change Blu-ray player settings to PCM.4
  • With Ultra, Era 300 rear or side channels reportedly play from the upward height driver instead of the side, and only two drivers play.4

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

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Technical Specifications of soundbar Sonos Arc Ultra

Technical score
Technical score
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 87% of models
Score components:

25%

7.0

Audio

18%

7.3

Formats

16%

6.1

Connectivity

14%

8.6

Controls

12%

6.8

HDMI & Gaming

10%

7.5

Smart features

5%

4.5

Design

7.0
Reviews score
8.9
Value for money
Value for money
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 72% of models
Score components:

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

5.4

Price

6.6
Brand name
Sonos
N. of audio channels
9.1.4
This soundbar offers 9.1.4 audio channels, more than 100% of soundbars.
Audio output power
?
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
40 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 40 Hz, lower than 74.4% of soundbars and equal to 7% of soundbars.
Show more
Dolby Atmos
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos. 79.8% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 10.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD. 83% of soundbars include this feature.
Lossless playback requires HDMI eARC.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 10.1% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby Digital Plus. 75.5% of soundbars include this feature.
Streaming Atmos uses Dolby Digital Plus on this model.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
0
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs, fewer than 32.5% of soundbars and equal to 67.6% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 68.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 6
This soundbar uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6, which is newer than that of 97.3% of soundbars and the same as that of 2.7% of soundbars.
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 3.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
5.3
This soundbar uses Bluetooth 5.3, which is newer than that of 88.1% of soundbars and the same as that of 11.9% of soundbars.
Show more
Smartphone app
yes
This soundbar has smartphone app. 65.4% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
no
This soundbar does not have remote control. 73.9% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 9.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
yes
This soundbar supports voice assistant compatibility. 69.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
yes
This soundbar has far-field microphones. 88.3% of soundbars offer this feature.
Show more
HDMI version
eARC
This soundbar uses HDMI eARC, which is newer than that of 73.9% of soundbars and the same as that of 17% of soundbars.
HDMI ARC type
eARC
This soundbar has eARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is more advanced than what 78.7% of soundbars and the same as what 21.3% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
yes
This soundbar supports HDMI-CEC. 37.4% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
none
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none, which is lower than that of 21.5% of soundbars and the same as that of 78.5% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 18.2% of soundbars and equal to 81.8% of soundbars.
Show more
AirPlay
yes
This soundbar supports AirPlay. 80.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 12.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
yes
This soundbar supports Spotify Connect. 77.1% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
yes
This soundbar supports native Amazon Music. 79.3% support native Amazon Music.
Available via the Sonos app.
Show more
Width
1,178 mm
Market range: <350 mm – >1.1k mm
This soundbar is 1,178 mm wide, wider than 94.7% of soundbars.
Height
75 mm
Market range: <50 mm – >100 mm
This soundbar is 75 mm high, taller than 73.3% of soundbars and equal to 3.7% of soundbars.
Thickness
110.6 mm
Market range: <60 mm – >135 mm
This soundbar is 110.6 mm thick, thicker than 78.6% of soundbars.
Weight
5,900 g
Market range: <500 g – >5.5k g
This soundbar weighs 5,900 g, more than 92.6% of soundbars and equal to 0.5% of soundbars.
Build material
plastic
This soundbar uses plastic for the build material, which is different from that of 4.8% of soundbars and the same as that of 89.4% of soundbars.
Metal grille.
Show more

Sonos Arc Ultra vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMI & GamingSmart featuresControlsDesign
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (9.1.4 vs 2). The average soundbar has 2.0 audio channels.
    9.1.4 vs 2.0
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby TrueHD
    This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD, the average soundbar does not.
    Lossless playback requires HDMI eARC.
  • 10 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (14 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    14 vs 4
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
    This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby Digital Plus
    This soundbar supports Dolby Digital Plus, the average soundbar does not.
    Streaming Atmos uses Dolby Digital Plus on this model.
  • Automatic room calibration
    This soundbar supports automatic room calibration, the average soundbar does not.
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (9.1.4 vs 2). The average soundbar has 2.0 audio channels.
    9.1.4 vs 2.0
  • 10 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (14 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    14 vs 4
  • Supports upfiring speakers
    This soundbar supports upfiring speakers, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports wireless rear speakers
    This soundbar is compatible with wireless rear speakers, the average soundbar is not.
  • 1 more sound modes
    This soundbar offers more sound modes than the average soundbar (5 vs 4). The average soundbar offers 4 sound modes.
    5 vs 4
  • 12 Hz lower min frequency
    This soundbar has a lower minimum frequency than the average soundbar (40 Hz vs 52 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 52 Hz.
    40 Hz vs 52 Hz
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby TrueHD
    This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD, the average soundbar does not.
    Lossless playback requires HDMI eARC.
  • Supports Dolby Digital Plus
    This soundbar supports Dolby Digital Plus, the average soundbar does not.
    Streaming Atmos uses Dolby Digital Plus on this model.
  • Broader music format support
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (HE-AAC, AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, M4A, MP3, MP4, OGG, WAV, WMA vs MP3).
    HE-AAC, AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, M4A, MP3, MP4, OGG, WAV, WMA vs MP3
  • 9 more supported audio formats
    This soundbar supports more audio formats than the average soundbar (11 vs 2). The average soundbar supports 2 audio formats.
    11 vs 2
  • 1 more supported Bluetooth codecs
    This soundbar supports more Bluetooth codecs than the average soundbar (2 vs 1). The average soundbar supports 1 Bluetooth codecs.
    sbc, aac
    2 vs 1
  • AAC support
    This soundbar supports AAC, the average soundbar does not.
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
    This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity, the average soundbar does not.
  • Bluetooth multipoint
    This soundbar supports Bluetooth multipoint, the average soundbar does not.
  • Newer Bluetooth version
    This soundbar uses 5.3 for Bluetooth version, while the average soundbar uses 5.0.
    5.3 vs 5.0
  • Supports AirPlay
    This soundbar supports AirPlay, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Spotify Connect
    This soundbar supports Spotify Connect, the average soundbar does not.
  • Multiroom ecosystem support
    This soundbar supports multiroom ecosystem support, the average soundbar does not.
    Sonos multi-room ecosystem. AirPlay 2 multi-room support.
  • Native Apple Music support
    This soundbar supports native Apple Music, the average soundbar does not.
    Available via the Sonos app.
  • Native Amazon Music support
    This soundbar supports native Amazon Music, the average soundbar does not.
    Available via the Sonos app.
  • Supports Deezer
    This soundbar supports Deezer, the average soundbar does not.
    Available via the Sonos app.
  • Automatic room calibration
    This soundbar supports automatic room calibration, the average soundbar does not.
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • App EQ customization
    This soundbar supports eQ customization (app), the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports voice assistants
    This soundbar supports voice assistant compatibility, the average soundbar does not.
  • Manual audio delay adjustment
    This soundbar supports manual audio delay adjustment, the average soundbar does not.
    Adjustment available in the brand app.
  • Night mode
    This soundbar supports night mode, the average soundbar does not.
  • Far-field microphones
    This soundbar has far-field microphones, the average soundbar does not.
  • 3 years newer release
    This soundbar is newer than the average soundbar (2024 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.
    October 29, 2024
    2,024 vs 2,021
  • No optical audio input
    This soundbar does not have optical audio input, the average soundbar does.
    No (Optical adapter sold separately)
  • No remote control
    This soundbar does not have remote control, the average soundbar does.
  • No USB audio input
    This soundbar does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
    N/A (No USB port for audio; connectivity is via HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, or Optical with a separate adapter)
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
    USB-C line-in requires an adapter; no native AUX input.
  • 416 mm wider width
    This soundbar is wider than the average soundbar (1,178 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    1,178 mm vs 762 mm
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    This soundbar has fewer USB ports than the average soundbar (0 vs 1). The average soundbar has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
    N/A (No USB-A/C ports for storage)
  • 3,900 g heavier weight
    This soundbar is heavier than the average soundbar (5,900 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    5,900 g vs 2,000 g
  • 10.21x more expensive
    Sonos Arc Ultra is more expensive than the average soundbar (£970 vs £95).
    £970 vs £95
  • 2.1% worse value for money
    Sonos Arc Ultra has worse value for money than the average soundbar (6.61 vs 6.7).
    6.61 vs 6.75
  • No optical audio input
    This soundbar does not have optical audio input, the average soundbar does.
    No (Optical adapter sold separately)
  • No USB audio input
    This soundbar does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
    N/A (No USB port for audio; connectivity is via HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, or Optical with a separate adapter)
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
    USB-C line-in requires an adapter; no native AUX input.
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    This soundbar has fewer USB ports than the average soundbar (0 vs 1). The average soundbar has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
    N/A (No USB-A/C ports for storage)
  • No remote control
    This soundbar does not have remote control, the average soundbar does.
  • No auto power-off
    This soundbar does not support auto power-off, the average soundbar does.
  • 416 mm wider width
    This soundbar is wider than the average soundbar (1,178 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    1,178 mm vs 762 mm
  • 3,900 g heavier weight
    This soundbar is heavier than the average soundbar (5,900 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    5,900 g vs 2,000 g
  • 8 mm higher height
    This soundbar is taller than the average soundbar (75 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    75 mm vs 67 mm
  • 24.6 mm thicker design
    This soundbar is thicker than the average soundbar (110.6 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    110.6 mm vs 86 mm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.5
Eamonn Reviews
≈ estimated
12/06/2026
Hands-on review · movies, sound and app setup
Verdict
Sonos Arc Ultra has crystal-clear sound that satisfies on its own, and it is the reviewer's soundbar of choice.
9.0
GAMINGTREND
≈ estimated
29/05/2026
Hands-on review · a few weeks of use and comparison to first-gen
Verdict
Sonos Arc Ultra is an excellent start to a modular system, with better dialogue, though HDMI passthrough is missing.
9.0
HiFi Brothers
≈ estimated
15/03/2026
Upgrade review · tuned setup and movie test
Verdict
Sonos Arc Ultra is worth the upgrade from the original Arc, with an exceptional home theatre experience.
9.0
PureReviews
≈ estimated
02/01/2026
Hands-on review · features, audio and usability
Verdict
Sonos Arc Ultra is a premium soundbar well worth checking out for movies and music.
9.5
Spencer
✓ explicit
15/12/2025
Hands-on review · a week of use in a multi-room setup
Verdict
Sonos Arc Ultra is a clear step up for dialogue over the original Arc.
9.0
Geek Street
≈ estimated
05/09/2025
Hands-on review · sound tests and comparison with Arc
Verdict
Sonos Arc Ultra has exceptional sound and is a strong upgrade if you can afford the full setup.
9.0
AV NIRVANA – Home Theater and AV FORUM
≈ estimated
01/09/2025
Long-term test · 8 months of daily use with family
Verdict
Sonos Arc Ultra is expensive, but its sound and overall experience make it an easy recommendation.
9.0
Vladimir Kostek
≈ estimated
08/08/2025
Long-term review · configuration advice and app notes
Verdict
Sonos Arc Ultra is a favourite home theatre upgrade and the best pick for a standalone soundbar setup.
8.0
ShortCircuit
≈ estimated
05/07/2025
Hands-on review · sound, app and setup tests
Verdict
Sonos Arc Ultra is a worthy upgrade for original Arc owners, though the subwoofer and price need weighing.
8.0
GearUP with Aaron
≈ estimated
17/01/2025
Hands-on review · sound, app and sub tests
Verdict
Sonos Arc Ultra is hard to pass up despite the price and limited connections, and it is best paired with the sub.
8.0
Get There Faster
≈ estimated
04/12/2024
Hands-on review · three weeks of daily use
Verdict
Sonos Arc Ultra is a clear upgrade over the old Arc and a strong standalone bar, but pricey and not essential for everyone.
9.0
H T Hobbyist
≈ estimated
03/12/2024
Hands-on review · sound tests, app setup and comparison with Beam and Arc
Verdict
Sonos Arc Ultra is recommended for its clear sound and bass, though adding a subwoofer is worth it for cinema-style low end.
More graded video reviews (12)
creator’s own scoreestimated by us

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

7.7
rtings.com
✓ explicit
28/11/2024
Lab test · All-in-one soundbar
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra is a balanced all-rounder for dialogue and music, but it has no graphic EQ and no HDMI In port.
10
whathifi.com
✓ explicit
16/10/2025
Test-room review · Soundbar upgrade
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra is a clear upgrade over the original Arc, with precise, spacious sound and deep bass, though it lacks HDMI passthrough and DTS.
9.0
pcmag.com
✓ explicit
12/11/2024
Hands-on review · All-in-one soundbar
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra is an all-in-one soundbar with deeper bass and clearer dialogue, suited to Sonos owners and single-box buyers, though deep bass needs a subwoofer.
8.0
techradar.com
✓ explicit
09/11/2024
Hands-on test · All-in-one soundbar
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra is a compact all-in-one soundbar with full bass, clear speech and convincing Dolby Atmos, but the missing HDMI passthrough limits setups with many devices.
8.0
empireonline.com
✓ explicit
26/01/2026
Two-month test · Flagship soundbar
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra is a strong, immersive all-in-one choice for films and series, with rich bass and clear dialogue, though its single HDMI port is a limitation.
9.0
avforums.com
✓ explicit
13/11/2024
Home cinema review · Soundbar
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra is a deep-sounding Dolby Atmos soundbar, well built and suited to simple setups, though its single HDMI socket and lack of DTS:X hold it back.
9.6
mashable.com
✓ explicit
19/02/2025
Hands-on test · Home cinema soundbar
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra gets close to cinema sound at home, with quick setup and big bass, though its speech boost sounds less balanced than the Bose soundbar.
10
homesandgardens.com
✓ explicit
19/09/2025
Real-world test · Living-room soundbar
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra fills a room with tight bass and detailed sound, suiting action films and music, though dialogue doesn't always sound natural.
9.0
cnn.com
≈ estimated
19/01/2026
Weeks-long test · Soundbar upgrade
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra sounds great for films, music and TV in a smaller, lighter body, but full surround means buying extra Sonos speakers and a subwoofer.
9.0
businessinsider.com
≈ estimated
11/12/2024
Hands-on test · Stand-alone soundbar
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra is a strong all-in-one soundbar for movie fans with limited space, with punchy bass and clear dialogue, though sound from behind never quite convinces.
8.0
digitec.ch
✓ explicit
21/11/2024
Hands-on test · Sound Motion
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra delivers subwoofer-like bass from one bar and suits larger TVs, though real overhead sound needs ceiling speakers.
8.0
theverge.com
✓ explicit
10/12/2024
Hands-on test · Solo and surround
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra is a big step up from the Arc for bass and music, but its missing HDMI passthrough is a real limit.
8.1
cnet.com
✓ explicit
30/04/2025
Hands-on review · Music and movies
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra is the stronger pick for music and bass, but cinema fans may prefer the original Arc, whose movie sound fills the room more.
10
t3.com
✓ explicit
03/07/2025
Long weekend test · Single-box soundbar
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra is among the best-sounding single-box soundbars, with a clear bass upgrade, but its lone HDMI port may rule it out for some.
8.0
hothardware.com
✓ explicit
28/03/2025
Hands-on test · Premium soundbar
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra is a clear step up from the Arc, with fuller bass and clearer dialogue, though it lacks HDMI passthrough and DTS.
9.0
gq-magazine.co.uk
≈ estimated
23/12/2024
One-week test · Premium soundbar
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra suits people with a high-end 4K TV and Dolby Atmos streaming, offering fuller bass, clearer voices and a simple setup.
9.0
sound-advice.online
≈ estimated
05/11/2024
Expert review · Bass and clarity
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra has bass unlike most soundbars, with clear voices and crisp treble, but it has only one HDMI socket and no DTS:X support.
9.0
hifi.be
✓ explicit
26/11/2024
Hands-on review · All-round soundbar
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra is an all-rounder with clearer dialogue and better music than before, but it has no extra HDMI inputs and no DTS:X.
9.0
techfi.nl
✓ explicit
29/11/2024
Hands-on review · Premium soundbar
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra gives clearer voices, more spatial sound and deeper bass than the Arc, but it has no extra inputs for consoles or players.
9.0
id.nl
✓ explicit
08/01/2025
Five-week test · Premium soundbar
Verdict
The Sonos Arc Ultra suits TV and music best alongside other Sonos speakers, but full Trueplay tuning needs an iPhone or iPad.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sonos Arc Ultra

  • Exceptional sound quality with a wide and immersive Dolby Atmos soundstage
  • Significant bass improvement over the original Arc thanks to 'Sound Motion' technology
  • Superior dialogue clarity with three-level adjustable speech enhancement
  • New Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity for versatile streaming options
  • Quick and intuitive setup via the Sonos app
  • Sleek and sturdy design that fits well under most 55-inch or larger TVs
  • Seamless integration with existing Sonos multi-room ecosystems

What customers don't like about Sonos Arc Ultra

  • Lacks HDMI passthrough, limiting connections to a single eARC port
  • High premium price point compared to some all-in-one competitors
  • No support for DTS:X or high-end DTS formats
  • Ongoing reports of occasional stability issues or bugs within the Sonos app
  • Removal of Google Assistant support compared to the original Arc
  • Stand-alone unit struggles to mimic genuine rear-channel surround effects

Verdict

The Sonos Arc Ultra is a flagship 9.1.4-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar featuring 14 custom-engineered drivers—including seven tweeters and six mid-woofers—powered by 15 Class-D amplifiers. Its standout characteristic is the proprietary Sound Motion™ technology, which utilizes a four-motor, dual-membrane woofer to deliver up to double the bass output of the original Arc within a slimmer 75mm x 1178mm x 110.6mm frame. Key pros include exceptionally clear AI-powered speech enhancement, a massive 3D spatial audio soundstage, and versatile connectivity via WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and HDMI eARC. However, notable cons include the lack of a dedicated HDMI-in port for passthrough, no support for certain DTS surround formats, and the absence of a graphic EQ for manual fine-tuning.

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