Sonos actually wanted an awesome product proper now.
2024 can be remembered because the 12 months that Sonos almost torpedoed its model with the haphazard, untimely rollout of an overhauled cellular app. This led to an unprecedented outcry from loyal prospects who confronted myriad bugs, diminished system efficiency, and different points. Many known as for CEO Patrick Spence to step down. That didn’t occur, however Sonos has spent the vast majority of this 12 months on the again foot with apologies, turnaround plans, and assurances {that a} setback of this magnitude won’t ever occur once more.
It’s below these undesirable circumstances that Sonos has launched the briefly delayed Arc Ultra soundbar. The $999 Ultra is designed to enhance on what was already a really succesful Dolby Atmos soundbar. After many hours testing the Ultra, I can say it resoundingly succeeds. Software missteps apart, Sonos can nonetheless ship on {hardware}. The Ultra is a notable enchancment in mainly each regard, and a worthwhile improve — for those who’re able to belief Sonos once more.
The authentic Arc arrived throughout a excessive level for the corporate that its executives should desperately miss, again when demand for its merchandise was hovering amid the covid-19 pandemic. The Arc was a robust performer that delivered a formidable degree of immersion from a single soundbar, although some prospects skilled a loud popping sound attributable to a bug that took the corporate far too lengthy to repair.
The Arc had different weaknesses, with bass response on the high of that checklist. Unless you paired the Arc with a Sub (or the Sub Mini that got here later), the soundbar didn’t have sufficient low-end chew to make you are feeling the booms and reverberating explosions in Hollywood blockbusters. It’s a draw back shared by many soundbars and an inevitable tradeoff that comes with the shape issue.
In 2022, Sonos spent $100 million to try to overcome that by buying a small firm known as Mayht Holding, which had developed a “revolutionary method to audio transducers” that allowed them to be smaller and lighter with out compromising on sound. The Arc Ultra is the primary time we’re seeing that know-how in an precise product. It’s getting used for a brand new “SoundMotion” woofer constructed into the soundbar that produces twice as a lot bass as the unique Arc. It’s a cool-looking factor, and right here’s a TL;DR on the way it works from Sonos’ press equipment:
– Distributed light-weight motors displace extra air for added bass.
– Aerospace-grade aluminium ribs join the motors for mixed energy, permitting a smaller enclosure.
– Four pairs of opposing magnets energy 4 voice coils for larger sound in a smaller enclosure.
– Reinforced force-cancelling cones decrease vibration for clearer sound.
This compact, comparatively flat woofer design freed up sufficient house for Sonos to cram much more drivers (14 in whole) contained in the Arc Ultra. The authentic Arc had 11. Such an arsenal of audio system is sweet sufficient for the Ultra to ship a 9.1.4 encompass expertise. That’s what Sonos’ advertising claims, a minimum of. Don’t get hung up on the numbers; a number of of these are virtualized phantom channels, and that is nonetheless a soundbar on the finish of the day. What’s objectively true is that the Arc Ultra produces a soundstage that’s noticeably wider and extra dynamic than its predecessor. And it does so in a cylindrical enclosure that’s related in measurement and general design to the unique, although this one’s a bit shorter — good in case your TV is on a stand like mine — and barely longer.
The contact controls have been relocated to an upward-facing panel on the rear of the soundbar, with the Arc Ultra now sharing the identical button format because the Era 100 / 300 and Move 2. Hands-free voice instructions additionally stay, although Google Assistant is not accessible. You can use Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control, or each concurrently.
One welcome improve is a Trueplay characteristic known as Quick Tune. Like different current Sonos audio system, the Ultra can use its built-in microphones to tune itself to your setting — with out requiring the guide Trueplay technique of shifting across the room whereas waving your iPhone round. This means Android customers can lastly make the most of Trueplay, or a minimum of this quicker model of it, which wasn’t doable on the primary Arc. iPhone homeowners nonetheless have the choice of doing a extra thorough tuning like earlier than. I didn’t discover a significant distinction between the 2, however you may, relying in your room format.
Bluetooth audio playback can be supported on the Ultra after being MIA on the unique Arc. There’s a pairing button in the back of the soundbar beside the ethernet jack and microphone mute swap. AirPlay 2 continues to be on board, and the Ultra makes the leap to Wi-Fi 6 for extra reliable wi-fi efficiency. Something Sonos hasn’t addressed is the shortage of HDMI passthrough. Other premium soundbars allow you to plug in a sport console or disc participant with out sacrificing one other HDMI port in your TV, however Sonos clearly favors simplicity right here.
I examined the Arc Ultra in three completely different setups: first by itself; then with the also-new Sub 4 ($799); and lastly with the Sub 4 and a pair of Era 300 audio system as rear surrounds. Even by itself, the enhancements over the unique Arc are apparent and plentiful. The Sound Motion woofer delivers on its promise, giving the soundbar extra oomph and a thicker low finish that can probably be greater than sufficient for those who’ve acquired a small to medium-sized lounge or reside in an residence with individuals beneath you.
Putting bass apart, the Ultra merely has larger readability, dimensionality, and depth than the Arc. The peak results are extra convincing, and all the pieces sounds extra expansive with out getting skinny or too dispersed. I used to be as captivated by The Wild Robot at dwelling as I used to be seeing it at an Alamo theater. The Ultra beats out the Arc for music, too. Whether it’s Atmos tracks like Kacey Musgraves’ “Sway” or common stereo, Sonos’ Sound Motion tech and the added drivers make a distinction. I nonetheless do most of my music listening elsewhere given the selection, however for stress-free on the sofa, this does the trick.
Dialogue readability can be implausible and the opposite main cause to contemplate upgrading from the Arc. Even with out enabling the speech enhancement characteristic, which now has three ranges to decide on between, the middle channel is extra impactful. I may clearly hear Christian Bale’s voice over the roar of engines in Ford v Ferrari. Guy Ritchie’s Snatch is an previous favourite (and good take a look at for dialogue intelligibility), and it posed no issues for the Arc Ultra. Bringing within the Sub 4 ranges up the bass from good to stellar. This configuration additionally permits the soundbar to focus on treble and midrange frequencies, whereas the devoted subwoofer takes care of rumbling bass.
And sure, for those who throw within the pair of Era 300 audio system, you get the total Sonos Dolby Atmos expertise. It’s blissful and will be downright mesmerizing, which is what I’d hope for from a bundle that prices over $2,500. If you’re desirous about digging into frequency response charts, try Andrew Robinson’s nice YouTube evaluate. Whether used solo or as a bundle, Sonos has a winner on its arms that may outshine the most effective from Samsung and different manufacturers.
But none of that issues for those who can’t depend on the software program that controls all the pieces. So, what in regards to the beleaguered new app? My expertise throughout this evaluate was surprisingly headache-free. None of my audio system randomly vanished from the system, and controlling the Arc Ultra was responsive and labored as meant. Adding the Sub and surrounds went off with no hitch. It was all very encouraging, however I absolutely perceive that some individuals are nonetheless having a irritating time with the app.
And new issues proceed to come up: early on, there was a Trueplay bug with the Arc Ultra that nerfed bass response. That’s since been resolved, however Sonos must preserve the efficiency enhancements and bug fixes coming into the brand new 12 months and nicely past. Just lately, I’ve seen quite a few complaints a couple of bug that’s badly hampering the Era 300’s encompass sound efficiency — and this impacts homeowners of the unique Arc, too.
The Arc Ultra is a superb product and a vital step in the suitable route. It’s a big enchancment over the unique and simply in rivalry for the most effective all-in-one soundbar you should purchase. But this is just one step, and no matter comes subsequent would be the true indication of simply the place Sonos is headed. If the rumors of a video streaming field are true, Patrick Spence and Co. higher have a compelling justification for shifting past Sonos’ core audio enterprise. The injury from the app episode can be lasting, and it has already led to layoffs and rendered the Ace headphones all however forgotten in lower than a 12 months.
After going by way of this ordeal, I wouldn’t blame anybody for holding off on the Arc Ultra till Sonos proves it’s able to making good selections once more. The firm isn’t out of the woods but. Not even shut. But it nonetheless is aware of tips on how to make a rattling good speaker, so there’s hope.
Photography by Chris Welch / The Verge
