Sonos has made a name for itself as an arbiter of chic superior sound. From its wireless speakers to its full surround sound systems, its devices have become status symbols - a marker as much of a tech-savvy audio aficionado as an interiors cognoscente.
‘Tis the hosting season, and no festive party is complete without the perfect soundtrack. Whether you’re streaming harmonic jazz to encourage guests to relax, disco for an uptempo singalong or electro house to energise the crowd with punchy beats and distorted bass, Sonos audio systems were created to deliver detailed sound and deep bass.
Its Arc Ultra, the new flagship soundbar, is the perfect embodiment of this. It’s an upgrade to the already hugely popular and lauded Arc that sees improvements in the bass with new Sound Motion technology.
Ahead of the Christmas party season, I put the soundbar through its paces as well as the newly unveiled Sub 4 to find out if it transformed my already Sonos high-performing listening experience. Here is what I thought.
Tech specs
Set-up
Much like the rest of the Sonos collection, the Ultra employs a plug-and-play approach to its setup. Out the box (which by the way, uses recycled paper and minimal packaging), it requires pairing to the app and either mounting on the wall or slipping inside an entertainment unit.
I am lucky enough to own a few Sonos speakers so syncing all of them up was a breeze but it’s just as easy for first-time users. The companion Sonos app is incredibly user-friendly and works through wireless connection.
Design
Packed in the signature sleek exterior that earned the brand its stellar reputation among interiors buffs, this speaker is a status symbol to electrify your playlist, complementing large TVs and thrumming in larger spaces.
The box may give the impression of a sizeable gadget but its slimline silhouette and matte finish blend into the space, whether you select the white or black colourway.
Features
The Arc Ultra is the first in the Sonos collection to harness the power of the brand’s trademarked Sound Motion engineering that has minimised the size of the transducer while maximising that of the bass. The soundstage has also been upgraded from the previous iteration of the Sonos Arc, bringing it from 5.1.2 to 9.1.4 for more room-pumping powerful sound.
Paired with the Sonos Sub 4 (£799), the soundbar delivers precise cinematic surround sound that can be customised for your space and was fine-tuned with the help of industry experts. Subtitle fans who find TV shows and films are getting increasingly hard to understand will appreciate that the Arc Ultra prioritises vocal clarity and features Speech Enhancement, which can also be tailored on the app. You can also alter the bass, treble and, of course, the volume via the latter. There is also the option of voice assistant.
The Sub 4 has been dubbed by the brand as the most powerful way to experience bass - and the dynamic duo of this subwoofer and the soundbar give full immersion, no matter the size of your space. No crackle. No buzz. No distortion. This is a full-body listening experience.
Verdict
Sonos Arc Ultra
‘Tis the hosting season, and no festive party is complete without the perfect soundtrack.
Whether you’re streaming harmonic jazz to encourage guests to relax, disco for an uptempo singalong or electro house to energise the crowd with punchy beats and distorted bass, Sonos audio systems were created to deliver detailed sound and deep bass. Its Arc Ultra, the new flagship soundbar, is the perfect embodiment of this.
Packed in the signature sleek exterior that earned the brand its stellar reputation among interiors buffs, this speaker is a status symbol to electrify your playlist, complementing large TVs and thrumming in larger spaces.
The box may give the impression of a sizeable gadget but its slimline silhouette and matte finish blend into the space, whether you select the white or black colourway.
The Arc Ultra is the first in the Sonos collection to harness the power of the brand’s trademarked Sound Motion engineering that has minimised the size of the transducer while maximising that of the bass.
Paired with the Sonos Sub 4 subwoofer (£799), the soundbar delivers precise cinematic surround sound that can be customised for your space and was fine-tuned with the help of industry experts. Subtitle fans who find TV shows and films are getting increasingly hard to understand will appreciate that the Arc Ultra prioritises vocal clarity and features Speech Enhancement, which can also be tailored on the app.
Buy now £999.00, John Lewis
