Replacing the original Sonos Arc can't have been a simple task (it's in the What Hi-Fi? Hall of Fame for very good reason) but, after literal years of rumors, the said replacement is finally here – and it's exceptionally good, as you could see.
Similar... But More Elegant
The Arc Ultra looks very similar to its predecessor, but it's slightly less thick, which means it's even less likely to obstruct the bottom of your TV's image, and the new 'ledge', which houses most of the touch controls, is a stylish new touch.
Crucially, this reduction in profile wasn't achieved through compromise; rather, it necessitated a complete overhaul of the internal acoustic architecture.
The Arc Ultra now utilizes custom-designed neodymium drivers—a move typically reserved for high-end passive speakers—that deliver greater excursion and power from a smaller physical space.
The overall driver complement has been subtly upgraded to 13 precision-angled drivers (up from 11), including an optimized array of side-firing and dedicated up-firing transducers to maximize the height and width channels necessary for immersive audio formats.
Sonos Known For Simplicity
As has always been the case with Sonos soundbars, simplicity is key. There's no remote or display – you just connect it to your TV via HDMI eARC and it takes over from your TV's speakers.
For many people, that's ideal, but for others, the Arc Ultra will seem limited – particularly in its lack of dedicated HDMI inputs.
While the minimal inputs simplify cable management, forcing users to rely entirely on the television for source switching is a notable friction point for complex home theater setups involving games consoles, 4K players, and streaming boxes.
A Minor Sonos Setback...
The lack of DTS:X support will bother some people, too, and it's fair to say that the Sonos app, while better than it has been, is still a little bit buggy.
However, Sonos has addressed the calibration experience with the introduction of Trueplay 2.0.
This advanced room-correction technology uses the microphones in a paired smart device to map the listening environment with unparalleled precision, optimizing the timing and equalization of every beam-formed sound channel.
This level of granular tuning is vital in ensuring the highly directional nature of Atmos sound is accurately reflected, regardless of room size or furniture placement.
Overlook The Flaws
Those flaws are worth overlooking if you're able to, though, because the sound quality is superb. The delivery is so crisp, clean and precise that it makes the original Arc sound a bit vague in comparison.
The vocal clarity is particularly standout; dialogue cuts through dense action sequences with startling realism, eliminating the need to constantly adjust volume levels. Moreover, the low-end performance has seen a significant boost.
While it cannot rival a dedicated Sub, the Arc Ultra provides bass that is deeper, tighter, and far more controlled, exhibiting less of the "port chuffing" sometimes audible in its predecessor when pushed to high volumes.
Sonos Ultra Arc: Better in Spite of Flaws
It's also vastly superior in terms of how much it fills the room and how accurately it places and tracks effects in three-dimensional space.
A soundbar system that includes wireless surrounds and a sub, such as the Samsung HW-Q990D, will be even better in this regard, but the Atmos effect that the Arc Ultra delivers is deeply impressive by the standards of a solo soundbar, and you can always add surrounds and a dedicated subwoofer to the Arc Ultra at a later date if you have the appetite - and plenty cash.
This modularity remains the greatest long-term strength of the Sonos ecosystem. The transition from a 5.0.2 solo setup; and this is provided by the Ultra.
It aims to a full 5.1.4 system with a Sub and a pair of Era 300s is seamless, offering a clear upgrade path that unlocks a powerful, room-shaking cinematic experience without requiring complex wiring or configuration, preserving the core promise of simplicity while delivering audiophile-grade performance.
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