Nothing cures a slump like a big win. That’s exactly what Sonos needed from the new Arc Ultra. Built on the bones of the already great Sonos Arc (9/10, WIRED Recommends), the Ultra is slimmer, clearer, bassier, and more immersive for just $100 more, and it is the first product launched in what Sonos claims is a bug-free app-mosphere.
Software bugs have plagued the Sonos app since the company revamped it alongside the release of its first headphones, the Ace (8/10, WIRED Recommends), earlier this year. This is the bug that keeps on giving. In my review period I found another issue where the bar disappeared from the app after linking the new Sub 4 and a pair of Era 300 speakers (9/10, WIRED Recommends) in a surround system.
Thankfully, the woes finally seem to be resolved. After a simple power cycle, I’ve experienced over a week of error-free operation which, when combined with a lack of similar reports online, leads me to cautiously call my troubles settled. The Ultra is now stable and responsive for me, while its sonic skills place it among the best soundbars I’ve tested all year.
Subtly Slimmed Down
Sonos has always provided a luxe unboxing experience, and the Arc Ultra abides. Minimalist packaging gives way to a sleek, perforated matte tube of hulking proportions that looks strikingly familiar to the original Arc.
There are some telltale tweaks, including a shorter 3-inch height to sit more comfortably below TVs, and a wider stance that stretches to over 46 inches across. A plate at the backside hosts venting for the amplifiers and Sonos’ latest touch controls, including play/pause, song skip, voice control, and a granular volume slider to match the in-app version. Like all Sonos speakers, the Ultra comes in traditional black or white.
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
Within the cylindrical shell are 14 individually powered drivers (three more than the Arc), including seven tweeters, six midrange drivers, and a new “Sound Motion” woofer for bass. You’ll get 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 rival.