Nothing cures a Falling like a big win. Exactly what Sonos needed from the new Arc Ultra. Building on the bones of the already great Sonos Arc (9/10, Wired recommends), the Ultra is slimmer, cleaner, bassier, and more immersive for just $100, and it’s the first product Sonos claims is a There is a bug. -Free app-mosphere.
The Sonos app has been plagued with software bugs since the company revamped it earlier this year with the release of its first headphone, the Ace (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It’s the worm that keeps on giving. Another issue I encountered during my review was where the bar disappeared from the app after linking the new Sub 4 and Era 300 speakers (9/10, WIRED Recommends) to a surround system.
Thankfully, the problems seem to be finally resolved. After a simple power cycle, I’ve experienced over a week of error-free operation which, combined with the lack of similar reports online, leads me to cautiously address my concerns. The Ultra is now stable and responsive to me, while its sound quality puts it among the best soundbars I’ve tested all year.
Thinned down properly
Sonos has always provided a luxurious unboxing experience, and the Arc Ultra remains intact. The minimal packaging gives way to a sleek, perforated matte tube of hulking proportions that looks eerily familiar to the original Arc.
A shorter 3-inch height for more comfortable seating under the TV, and a wider stand that extends to more than 46 inches are some of the telltale features. A plate on the backside vents for the amplifiers and Sonos’ latest touch controls, including play/pause, song skip, voice control, and a grained volume slider to match the app version. Like all Sonos speakers, the Ultra comes in traditional black or white.
Photo: Ryan Vanetta
Inside the cylindrical shell are 14 individually powered drivers (three more than the Arch), including seven tweeters, six midrange drivers, and a new “Sound Motion” woofer for bass. You’ll find support for all major Dolby audio formats, including lossless Dolby Atmos, and support for DTS surround (Sonos says it’s not a “licensed decoder”), but no DTS:X, the 3D Atmos competitor. .
