The Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar Delivers Masterful Detail and Immersive Audio – Now with Rare $200 Off
It has Dolby Atmos and realistic surround sound, but is only on offer for a short while
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Twice a week
Homes&Gardens
The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.
Once a week
In The Loop from Next In Design
Members of the Next in Design Circle will receive In the Loop, our weekly email filled with trade news, names to know and spotlight moments. Together we’re building a brighter design future.
Twice a week
Cucina
Whether you’re passionate about hosting exquisite dinners, experimenting with culinary trends, or perfecting your kitchen's design with timeless elegance and innovative functionality, this newsletter is here to inspire
If you've ever even slightly stepped into the world of home audio, you'll know the Sonos Arc Ultra to be one of the most coveted soundbars money can buy. But because of its reputation, Sonos rarely drops the price on it, knowing audiophiles will invest in good quality sound.
But in a rare deal, Sonos has discounted the Arc Ultra by $200. It's part of Sonos' site-wide sale that is only running until February 16, so it won't be at this price for much longer.
The Sonos Arc Ultra Sounds Better Than Every Other Soundbar We've Tested
I could hear clear directions for every voice and sound effect when I tested the Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar in my home, pictured.
If your TV audio comes out flat or tinny – or, if you simply want to experience sound quality that's akin to a home cinema – the Sonos Arc Ultra is the soundbar to sort it.
Instantly, I was blown away by the detail in every sound, the power of the bass rumbling through the floor, and the fact that the soundstage was so realistic, it was as if I had speakers dotted around every corner of my room.
I've since tested 10 soundbars from bestselling brands – including the flagship Bose Smart Ultra and the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 – and the Sonos Arc Ultra still reigns supreme. In many ways, it is the gold standard of true audio from a single soundbar.
Soundbars (and speakers in general) can often excel in certain ways – like the Hisense AX5140Q's wall-vibrating bass or the Bose Smart Ultra's pleasant, airy sound – the Sonos Arc Ultra sounds excellent across the board.
So, you could be looking for high-impact sound effects, clear dialogue, thunderous action scenes, or gorgeous-sounding music – regardless, it always sounds brilliant.
During one of the hectic opening scenes of Avengers: Infinity War, I could hear deep, distant from the noises outside the room, then when the scene is taken outside, I could make out individual voices in a screaming crowd, that never drowned out the protagonists' dialogue or the bass-y undercurrent from the approaching spaceship.
And in a quieter, tenser moment in The Trial of the Chicago 7, without any loud background noise of an action scene, the dialogue was true to form. I could hear the directions each character was speaking from, the tremors in their voices, and there was never any confusion when vocals started overlapping.
This impressive sound quality is owed to the 14 built-in speakers (which is more than you'll find in almost every other single soundbar), including two up-firing speakers that create height and surround sound, by cleverly bouncing soundwaves off the ceiling to create a genuine spatial soundstage.
'TruePlay' adapts the sound to the size, shape, and acoustics of your room too, taking into account where you usually sit. With this information, it adapts the audio projection to optimize it to your ears; I tested the sound before and after turning it on, and the difference was impressive.
You can achieve similar setups by investing in a full-blown surround system, but not only is that expensive (often costing more than $2,000), it requires you to dedicate a significant portion of your living room to audio equipment, which, if you're meticulous about your living room design, might not be preferable.
The Sonos Arc Ultra is discounted to $899 until February 16.
More to Shop
For $200 less, you could get a full sound system with a dedicated subwoofer and two surround speakers. It takes up more space, but you can't beat the level of customization offered by positioning speakers around the room and adjusting the sound of each one. Read more in my full Samsung HW-QS750F review.
Also on offer are Sonos' more involved sound setups, including the Sonos Surround Set that includes two rear speakers, that would make the sound direction even more realistic than it is with the soundbar alone.
If the Sonos or Samsung premiums are still too high, this Yamaha soundbar delivers beyond its price point. Its two subwoofers are powerful, making the bass crash and reverberate through your room, and it can play Dolby Atmos titles that make sound come from different directions. Read more in my full Yamaha True X Bar 40A review.
While you can't achieve Sonos or Bose sound without spending a premium, you can still massively upgrade your home entertainment for a lot less. I use the Fire TV Soundbar Plus at home, and it adds a well-needed oomph to everything that I watch, and even at this low price, it can still create a limited surround sound experience. It doesn't connect to an app and has limited settings, but it is still a strong upgrade. Read more in my full Fire TV Soundbar Plus review.
If you're really on a budget, the Hisense HS2100 sounds pretty well-rounded and impactful considering it's the most affordable soundbar we've ever tested. Usually, soundbars at this price don't offer too much other than extra volume, but as it has a dedicated external subwoofer, it creates a more expansive sound. Read more in my full Hisense HS2100 review.
The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar produces sound that's delicate and spacious during quieter scenes, but roaring and impactful during the loud ones. I prefer the Sonos Arc Ultra (and right now, it's $100s cheaper), but the Bose Smart Ultra is ideal if you prefer a lighter sound. Read more in my full Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar review.
Next, check out the winners from our testing sessions of the best vacuums and the best video doorbells.
