Audio
Sonos Arc Ultra Review: The Critics’ Honest Verdict
"A huge upgrade on the still-very-good original Arc" — What Hi-Fi?
No single aggregate score — here's what the reviewers agree on, below.
The short version
Critics broadly agree that the Sonos Arc Ultra is a major sonic upgrade over the original Arc. Dialogue is clearer, bass is deeper and more controlled, and Dolby Atmos presentation is more precise and immersive. It is also especially strong with music. The trade-offs are blunt: it costs $999, has no HDMI passthrough, and Sonos app reliability remains a concern. CNET also found the older Arc more expansive and entertaining for movies, so existing Arc owners should not treat this as an automatic upgrade.
What reviewers loved
- Clearer dialogue and a more precise, spacious Dolby Atmos presentation than the original Arc, according to WIRED, What Hi-Fi? and PCMag.
- The new Sound Motion woofer produces deeper, tighter and more tuneful bass without requiring a separate subwoofer.
- Music playback is a standout strength, with What Hi-Fi? praising its crispness, detail and ability to keep vocals focused.
- Bluetooth joins Wi-Fi, AirPlay and Spotify Connect, making the Arc Ultra more flexible than the original Arc.
- Its shorter three-inch height makes the wide soundbar easier to position beneath a TV.
What held it back
- There is no HDMI passthrough, a notable omission on a flagship $999 soundbar.
- CNET found it less room-filling and less fun for movies than the discounted original Arc and Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar.
- Sonos app problems have not disappeared completely: WIRED encountered a setup issue, while What Hi-Fi? also noted continuing app concerns.
- Format support has limits: WIRED reports no DTS:X, while What Hi-Fi? lists the lack of DTS support among its cons.
Buy it if you want an excellent all-in-one Sonos soundbar with clear dialogue, controlled bass, strong music playback and convincing Dolby Atmos sound.
Skip it if you already like your original Arc, need HDMI passthrough, or want the most expansive movie performance for the money.
What the reviewers say
WIRED rated the Arc Ultra 9/10 and described it as slimmer, clearer, bassier and more immersive than the original Arc. What Hi-Fi? reached a similar conclusion, praising its clean, precise and three-dimensional presentation, expressive bass and unusually high level of detail. PCMag called it an outstanding all-in-one solution, reporting better dialogue, deeper bass and stronger immersion than the Arc.
The consensus is not absolute. CNET thought the Ultra sounded more refined and clearly preferred it for music, but found the original Arc more expansive and enjoyable with movies. That matters while the older model remains heavily discounted. Reviewers also agree that the missing HDMI passthrough and lingering Sonos app concerns are difficult to overlook at this price.
The competition
Sonos Arc
CNET recommends the discounted original for cinema fans because it sounds more expansive and fun with movies. The Ultra is clearer, bassier and better for music according to the wider review consensus.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
CNET found the Bose more room-filling than the Arc Ultra, making it worth comparing if movie scale matters more than Sonos integration.
Should you buy it?
Yes, if you are starting a premium Sonos home-theater setup and want one soundbar that performs well without an immediate subwoofer purchase. Critics report meaningful gains in dialogue clarity, bass control, detail and Dolby Atmos immersion, while music performance is a particular strength. Existing Arc owners have a harder decision: PCMag says an upgrade is not essential, and CNET actually prefers the older model for movies. The $999 price, absent HDMI passthrough and lingering app concerns also mean this is not the default choice for every buyer.
Sources
RightWei aggregates and summarizes independent reviews — we link to the original hands-on tests so you can go deeper. We don't test units ourselves.