Did you think that with the Arc Sonos had already shown all of its soundbar know-how? This was without taking into account the Arc Ultra (1,000 euros), a model which seems very similar at first glance, but in reality has a new feature which has all the makings of a lethal weapon.
Buy the Sonos Arc Ultra
What justifies the Price difference of 200 euros between the latest and its eldest now positioned at 800 euros? A priori not much when you look at it in detail for the first time. Still as minimalist, it sports the same oblong profile and remains covered with a single matte aluminum grille (available in black and white) perforated with thousands of holes to guide the sound of the 14 onboard speakers. Even the dimensions are almost identical: barely longer, but thinner by just over a centimeter (117.8 X 7.5 x 11.06 cm); while the weight loses a few grams (5.9 kg against 6.25 kg).
Always limited connectivity
The connectors are still hidden in a discreet recess at the back of the device. There is an Ethernet port (for those who prefer to use it wired rather than Wi-Fi), the power socket and a single HDMI port. Always a little stingy on the part of Sonos, we would have liked an additional copy of the latter to fit a few more different configurations. Two buttons are also found in this small niche: one for Bluetooth pairing (5.3) and a switch allowing you to electrically deactivate the microphone dedicated to voice assistants.
On this point, the Arc Ultra is obviously compatible with Sonos Voice Control (effective, but limited to musical control) and Alexa, much more efficient when it comes to using the device as a real control for your home connected. As usual, Apple reserves Siri for its own terminals, while Google Assistant is no longer available on the brand’s speakers since their legal disputes.
HDMI ARC ou eARC indispensable
Often compared to Apple for the ease of use of its solutions, Sonos once again lives up to its reputation. Installation and first configuration take around ten minutes at most, well guided by the application. In terms of compatibility, the Santa Barbara manufacturer once again demonstrates minimalism, even simplism. To benefit from a Dolby Atmos signal, the television must be equipped with an HDMI eARC or ARC socket. Of course, it is possible via an optical to HDMI adapter (not supplied) to connect an older, non-compatible model. But in this case, only stereo and 5.1 will be supported by the Arc Ultra.
The controls on the speaker are very limited (microphone activation, play/pause, track change, volume), but we won’t really hold that against it. We rarely get up from our sofa to control this type of device, especially since the volume can be changed thanks to compatibility with television remote controls.
An application with newfound performance
It is rather on the side of the Sonos application that you will have to look to control everything else; and on this point it now proves to be completely reliable. After having experienced a lot of turbulence since its major update last spring, it is finally reaching maturity and no longer displays any bugs. Better, it has regained all of its functionalities And they are very complete regarding the Arc Ultra: management of the optional subwoofer, verticality of the audio signal, synchronization of dialogues, equalization, loudness, Trueplay calibration, etc. In addition to these settings that we will touch relatively infrequently, the application also allows you to manage multiroom and audio playback on a daily basis. Of course, we can also play music directly from any AirPlay 2 compatible Apple terminal. Which makes us regret that Google Cast is still not implemented to do the same with Android devices.
Among these possibilities allowed by the application, we still appreciate Trueplay which calibrates the audio signal according to the acoustics of the room. To do this, two ways are proposed. The first – simpler is less effective – is to let the speaker do it alone, which analyzes its layout using its internal microphone. But we much prefer the second which takes less than five minutes and is much more efficient. iPhone in hand (Android smartphones are not compatible), simply move it up and down across the room while the speaker beeps. The final adjustment thus best fits the characteristics of the living room.
Other sound adjustment possibilities are also given, such as loudness which amplifies bass and treble at low volume to prevent the signal from being too flat. A night mode is offered to reduce the significant differences in dynamics that we feel when watching a film (often an action film) and avoid disturbing the rest of the home or, even worse, our neighbors. Voice enhancement is also possible at three different intensity levels to make them more intelligible.
A well-inspired Sound Motion system
But let’s finally come to the hardware configuration of the Arc Ultra, which hides the most important new feature of this soundbar. First of all, there are 14 speakers which are arranged throughout the enclosure – including two towards the top and two others on the sides – powered by 15 class D amplifiers. Seven silk dome tweeters, 6 mid-woofers and especially the woofer with a new architecture called Sound Motion. Responsible for low frequencies, this speaker is directly inherited from Sonos’ acquisition of the Dutch company Mayht in 2022 for $100 million. That year, it caused a sensation at CES by presenting a completely new type of transducer like this Sound Motion. Rectangular and composed of a double membrane, it is powered by no less than four motors arranged at each corner. Without a vent for a bass reflex system or passive radiator, Sonos still promises to double the bass volume compared to the first Arc. All this in almost the same size, since this Arc Ultra only has a slight protrusion at the back.
And suffice to say that this mini internal subwoofer keeps all its promises! The gain compared to the Arc in the low frequencies is undeniable and all the more surprising by retaining more or less the same form factor. In home cinema use, this immerses us even more in the action by physically feeling the scenes of explosions or shooting. In musical use, this Sound Motion also provides a powerful foundation, all the more impressive when the music lends itself to it, such as hip-hop or electronic music. Its Dolby Atmos compatibility is also very appreciable in this case. Thanks to the width of the soundbar, we obtain beautiful spatialization, even on titles mixed in classic stereo. We are always slightly disappointed by the mids being a little too light to fully provide the necessary warmth to the vocals.
We can even do without Sub 4
This is all the more surprising since in home cinema use, voice processing is precisely one of the Arc Ultra’s strong points. In terms of spatialization, the device produces an astonishing score on Dolby Atmos content. Despite the physical limitations of the soundbar, you feel completely absorbed in a sound bubble where effects come from everywhere. Despite its two vertical speakers, however, it lacks the impression that certain sounds really come from above, but it is difficult to ask for a performance as precise as a cinema room where speakers are placed in the ceiling. The Arc Ultra does justice to the 9.1.4 signal, even more so thanks to impressive dynamics between calm and action scenes.
Those with a taste for more can even add the new Sub 4 subwoofer that we were able to test in parallel. Imposing, but with a discreet design (38.9 x 40.2 x 15.8 cm and 11.89 kg), it uses the same design principle as its predecessor. The two 6- and 8-inch elliptical speakers — powered by two Class D amplifiers — are placed opposite each other. This “push push” arrangement allows in particular a force cancellation effect to best eliminate distortions. The system is very effective and provides fine support for the Arc Ultra, knowing how to be discreet when necessary and thunderous when necessary. However, this time it does not prove essential to the Ultra Arc, unlike the Arc. Very well endowed with bass thanks to its new Sound Motion system, it can completely stand on its own. Finally, the Sub 4 is only useful if the room in which the soundbar is installed has a surface area that is too large for its power.
Where to buy it?
The Sonos Arc Ultra is available for 999 euros from many resellers or on the official Sonos website.
Buy the Sonos Arc Ultra
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