## Sonos Arc Ultra Review: A Worthy Upgrade With Some Caveats
Sonos has had a rough year, with the much-anticipated release of their wireless headphones, the Sonos Ace, overshadowed by app issues. Despite numerous patches, the app remains a point of contention for many. However, amidst the turmoil, Sonos has released a new flagship soundbar – the $999 Sonos Arc Ultra – which, like the Ace, is an excellent audio product.
While the Arc Ultra isn’t a revolutionary leap from its predecessor, it boasts undeniable improvements in sound quality, particularly in the bass department, making it worth the extra $100, especially for dedicated Sonos users.
### Design and Features: A Familiar Yet Refined Look
Visually, the Arc Ultra closely resembles its predecessor. It comes in the standard black and white color options, and its size is almost identical to the Arc. The matte plastic body and integrated grille, which are among the best-looking soundbar designs, remain unchanged. The key difference lies in the new central housing, which acts as a plinth, creating a floating effect for the cylinder’s “wings.” This housing also accommodates the touch controls, now including a dedicated volume slider, offering a more intuitive interface compared to the previous dual-function controls.
One notable addition is the inclusion of Bluetooth connectivity. This allows friends to stream music to the soundbar without needing your Wi-Fi password or the Sonos app. The Bluetooth functionality coexists with other Wi-Fi features, allowing you to use the Sonos app or stream via AirPlay simultaneously. However, the Bluetooth button’s placement is somewhat awkward, nestled in the same small rear cavity housing other connections. While the Sonos-supplied HDMI cable is flexible, using a third-party cable might lead to crowding.
### Sound Performance: A Significant Leap in Bass and Clarity
The Arc Ultra features a revamped driver arrangement. The three-tweeter/eight-woofer/11-amp configuration of the Arc has been replaced with a seven-tweeter/six-mid-woofer/13-amp combo, along with Sonos’ new Sound Motion dual-membrane, quad-motor, bi-amped woofer. This addition delivers a remarkable improvement in bass performance, offering more articulate and powerful lows, even at moderate volume levels. The mid-woofers, freed from handling the bass, focus on the midrange, resulting in improved precision and clarity.
With its impressive bass performance, the Arc Ultra becomes a true all-in-one soundbar, capable of competing with the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus and Sony’s Bravia Home Theater Bar 8. While adding a subwoofer can enhance the bass further, it’s not mandatory. The Arc Ultra’s increased number of tweeters also contributes to clearer dialogue, with a cohesive center channel and more intelligible voices.
The multichannel and Dolby Atmos performance is also improved. The new driver arrangement provides a more defined sense of width, depth, and height, along with enhanced precision for sound effects. The increased bass adds a thrilling impact to action-packed scenes, making the experience truly immersive.
### App Woes: A Step Backwards
While the Arc Ultra shines in terms of sound, the Sonos app remains a major concern. The new app design, despite numerous fixes, is still cumbersome and lacks the intuitive nature of the previous version. Its layering of functions instead of separate tabs makes navigation more challenging, particularly for those unfamiliar with the app. This is problematic, as the app is the primary control interface for the Arc Ultra, including volume, mute, and even confirming the sound format being played.
### Conclusion: A Great Soundbar With Some Flaws
The Sonos Arc Ultra is undoubtedly a worthy upgrade over the original Arc, offering better sound quality, especially for bass and clarity. However, its lack of an HDMI input, app issues, and the absence of a physical remote may be deal-breakers for some. If you’re already invested in the Sonos ecosystem, the Arc Ultra makes a great addition to your TV setup. However, if you’re new to Sonos, it’s worth considering the ongoing app troubles and waiting for potential improvements before committing to this expensive soundbar.
