doesn’t cure anything Slump like a big win. That’s exactly what Sonos wanted with the new Arc Ultra. Built on the bones of the already excellent Sonos Arc (9/10, WIRED Recommends), the Ultra is slimmer, clearer, bassier, and more immersive for just $100 more. This is the first product released with specs that Sonos claims are buggy. -Free app atmosphere.
Software bugs have plagued the app since the company revamped it earlier this year in conjunction with the release of its first headphones, the Ace (8/10, WIRED Recommends). This is a bug that keeps giving. During my review period, I discovered another issue where the bar disappeared from the app after linking a new pair of Sub 4 and Era 300 speakers (9/10, WIRED Recommends) in my surround system.
Thankfully, it looks like the problem has finally been resolved. I’ve experienced it working error-free for over a week with a simple power cycle, and when combined with the lack of similar reports online, I’m cautiously assuming the problem is resolved. The Ultra has been very stable and responsive for me, and its sonic skills rank it among the best soundbars I’ve tested all year.
slightly slimmed down
Sonos has always offered a luxurious unboxing experience, and the Arc Ultra continues that tradition. The minimalist packaging gives way to a sleek perforated matte tube of massive proportions that feels surprisingly familiar to the original Arc.
There are some obvious adjustments, including reducing the height by 3 inches to sit comfortably under the TV, and widening the stance to over 46 inches wide. The back plate vents the amplifier and Sonos’ latest touch controls, including play/pause, skip songs, voice controls, and a fine-grained volume slider for the in-app version. Like all Sonos speakers, the Ultra comes in traditional black or white.
Photo: Ryan Waniata
Inside the cylindrical shell are 14 individually powered drivers (three more than the Arc), including seven tweeters, six midrange drivers, and a new “Sound Motion” woofer for bass. It has been. You get support for all major Dolby audio formats, including lossless Dolby Atmos, as well as support for DTS surround (Sonos says this is not a “licensed decoder”), but it’s a 3D Atmos rival. Some DTS:X is not supported.
