The original Sonos Arc has been one of the best soundbars around for some time now. It’s smart, sounds great, and the slick Sonos design language makes sure that it slips effortlessly into any kind of home decor. Now, four years after the release of the first model, Sonos has unleashed the new Arc Ultra upon the world, and it comes with some big updates that make it a massive upgrade for Arc users — and the perfect starting point if you want to build a Sonos TV surround sound system in 2024.
While you can tell that it’s the successor to the Arc, the design has been updated inside and out. It now features 9.1.4 virtual Dolby Atmos surround, for example, rather than the 5.1.2 setup of the old model. There’s a new control bar on the back, straight off the Era 300 and Era 100 smart speakers, and there’s a Bluetooth connection for fresh ways to connect. Inside, there’s a new ‘sound motion’ driver for deeper, more impactful bass, and more speakers for that massive, spacious surround sound effect.
