Sonos Arc Ultra and Sonos Sub (Gen 4) | Crutchfield

The Sonos Arc Ultra features some nice upgrades over the already-great Arc sound bar, while keeping its popular design intact. Paired with the new Sonos Sub (Gen 4), it's a powerful centerpiece for your home theater and your Sonos system.

Is it worth the upgrade when you consider the *Sonos Arc Ultra vs the Arc?* While the Arc Ultra looks a lot like its older sibling, it has some new stuff going on inside that adds up to a lot. First, there are three more speakers packed in there, and the overall acoustic architecture has been refined. Audio processing is more powerful, and a new AI-powered speech enhancement makes all dialogue come through crisp and clear.

Like all Sonos gear, the Arc Ultra is easy to set up. HDMI eARC to your TV, plug into the wall for power, and then just follow the steps in the Sonos control app to add it to your system. Once connected, you can use your smartphone to measure the sound at your listening position and the Arc Ultra will adjust the sound to suit your particular room.

The Sonos Arc Ultra uses a 9.1.4 configuration to play Dolby Atmos soundtracks with overhead effects, and plays satisfying if not super impactful bass. The bass is there, but for maximum impact we'd recommend adding the Sonos Sub, which really takes movie and music sound to another level.

You can add Sonos Era 100 or Era 300 speakers as rear surrounds, which takes the system up a notch:

The Sonos Sub has been updated also, and it's now in its 4th generation. The Sub (Gen 4) still has that interesting boxy design, and it hits harder than ever. It puts out the kind of bass you can really feel, and adds a real presence to anything you play on the Arc Ultra. The Sub (Gen 4) improves on the Gen 3 with better wireless connectivity, and more processing power under the hood.

0:00 What is the Sonos Arc Ultra?
0:29 Fit and finish
0:49 Physical differences from the Arc
1:15 Connections
1:36 More speakers inside
2:13 9.1.2 surround sound built in
3:02 Easy to set up
3:20 Requires a Sonos account
3:46 Dialing in your sound using the Sonos control app
5:06 How does the Arc Ultra sound?
6:07 Not really for critical music listening
6:28 Makes movie soundtracks come to life
7:49 You can add Sonos Era speakers as rear surrounds
8:03 Makes all TV shows sound better, not just surround
9:00 Sonos Sub (Gen 4)
10:41 Recap and contact info

[crutchfield]

We've just learned that a recent update has enabled native 9.1.4 processing for the Arc Ultra. It happened after we shot this video, where we describe it as 9.1.2.

[jhrome]

I picked mine up today and just set it up. I have an original Arc with two era 100’s with a sub. I can tell you the sound out of the new Arc Ultra is clearer fuller and the speech dialogue is much much clearer than the original Arc. That was the one draw back from the original Arc it sounds great but the speech dialogue seemed to get lost while watching movies. Not the Arc Ultra very clear, definitely worth the upgrade!!!

[JeffHeon]

Well presented and the home decor is really nice!

[reynaldogaytu]

This is like reading an answer from chat gpt WTF

[jerrygeorgopolis]

Excellent ! Love the add on of rear speakers and the sub ! Thanks for the video.. !

[Jakeznk]

Video quality and apartment are so nice

[TheBierfust]

Thank you for the video. I like the Apple style images and the cosy living room. However, I am still waiting for a more technical review. How much difference will the Sonos Arc Ultra make in a setup with two subs and two Era 300 as surround speakers? How much better is the Dolby Atmos experience in this setup? And do you get good value for money when upgrading?

[ariyoraji]

Great video! Just to clarify, does the Sonos Arc Ultra deliver an excellent listening experience and immersive surround sound on its own? Also, would adding the additional speakers (e.g., the Sonos Sub or surround speakers) make a noticeable difference? I’m curious if starting with just the Arc is enough for a great experience.

[Rigue]

Sonos ARC Ultra 10/29/24

My setup

1. Living room is an open concept living room
2. Arc Ultra / 2 ERA 100’s / Gen Sub 3

The Arc Ultra right out the box it sounded very mellow acoustic very surreal no need to increase volumes. Once EQ was adjusted to personal preference just amazing sound quality.

Once again I will say that I have an open living room concept (not like most videos on YouTube most if not all of you are in closed room).

True Play - no need for it as for the open room concept.

Future wishing - Sonos once you allow the users of the ERA 300’s to activate the center speaker while in TV surtound sound usuage you will have a good portion of Sonos users maybe considering to purchase the ERA 300. Why! Easy for open concept living spaces it will allow to fill the void if not being able to bounce sounds of walls for the illusion.

Special shout out to the main YouTube who post and bring the original thoughts on Sonos products. Much Respect

✌️

[w]

How did you do fabel management of the sonos era 300?

[jokaskrr]

Getting my Ultra tomorrow. Can't wait

[GOLFADDICT]

I am gonna get the ARC ULTRA so since the bass is better should i go with the rears before the sub ? can only afford either or for now was thinking of the ERA 100's or the mini sub or is it crucial i get the ERA 300's and the GEN 4 Sub room is 12x14 feet 7 foot ceiling i watch alot of sports and movies so your thoughts are appreciated great review by the way thx cheers from Vulcan Canada

[GOLFADDICT]

what are your thoughts ? BOSE SMART ULTRA vs SONOS ARC ULTRA which is the better investment for adding a surround sound of speakers to ? great video thx cheers from Canada

[giacintorenta]

Is it worth upgrading from Arc in a system already with dual sub and Era 300 as surrounds?

[mohamedahmed]

Forcing use of the app is an immediate dealbreaker. It's one thing to have an app but to basically make the device a paperweight without it is crazy.

[Gerrit-gc]

My experience with a configuration of the "old" Arc, 2x Gen 3 and 2 Era 300 the Era's outperforms the Arc. The front sound stage is relatively small where as the Era create an impressive immersive wide soundstage from the back. There is on this aspect an unbalance between front and back. It is still not possible yet but my ideal system with Sonos would be having a configuration with 4 Era 300 and 2 GEN 3 or 4 subs both for movies and Apple Music Spatial Audio.
How is this with the Arc ultra? Does it create a wider soundstage on the front and is there an improvement noticeable in the balance with the Era's?

[genarolopez]

I'll replace my Sonos Playbar for this new Arc Ultra, also I have 2 One SL and a 3rd Gen sub, Roam and a Move speaker. Love SONOS.

[ysh]

Excellent video, thank you for that !
For my part, I want to buy them, however I'm struggling to choose the color. I'm hesitating between full black OR full white OR black Arc + Sub and white Era 300 x2 in the back. (At the moment, the last one seems most likely)
I watch TV mostly during night and I heavily use Hue Light behind the TV. That's one of the main reason I feel like black in the front might be wiser to avoid reflections on the Arc and Sub.
would be glad if you could give me your opinion ^^

[kmz]

Been looking to Upgrading from a playbar😅 this came at a great time

[Irritategaming]

Great Video! I dont think ive seen a soundbar be able to product 9.1.2 on its own. is this the first of its kind?