Sonos is facing a tough situation right now. While they’re still cleaning up the mess from their problematic May app update, whispers about a new flagship soundbar, the Sonos Arc Ultra, are starting to get louder. High-quality images of the unreleased soundbar surfaced on X (formerly Twitter), looking eerily similar to previously leaked, low-resolution images. This leak comes from Arsène Lupin (@MysteryLupin), a mysterious individual known for their accurate tech leaks.
Alongside the Arc Ultra, the leak also revealed a new Sonos Sub 4 subwoofer, appearing identical to the current Sub but with a sleek matte finish. Although Sonos hasn’t officially acknowledged the Arc Ultra, rumors have been swirling about it for some time. Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported on a new soundbar code-named “Lasso”, boasting improved performance compared to the existing Sonos Arc. Both Bloomberg and The Verge claim that Lasso will feature speaker technology developed by Mayht, a Dutch audio company acquired by Sonos in 2022.
The leaked images showcase a soundbar resembling the current Arc but potentially wider. It boasts new top-mounted controls nestled within a rectangular rear module serving as the base, allowing the soundbar to float gracefully when surface-mounted. A separate image depicts the soundbar wall-mounted with two Sonos Sub 4s, a truly immersive audio setup.
Lupin claims the Arc Ultra will retail for $999, just $100 more than the current Arc. However, The Verge’s Chris Welch suggests it could cost significantly more, possibly reaching $1,199, a price seemingly corroborated by an accidental listing on the Sonos website.
With the Arc Ultra potentially on the horizon, the question remains: will it be enough to salvage Sonos’s reputation? The company faces a critical challenge. Customers are still reeling from the app update fiasco and are likely to voice their frustrations on social media, potentially overshadowing the launch of a new product. Sonos will need to carefully navigate this situation and ensure that the Arc Ultra truly lives up to the hype, offering a compelling audio experience to win back disgruntled customers.
