The Sonos Arc Ultra offers several enhancements over the original Arc soundbar. It features a 9.1.4 channel configuration with 14 drivers, including seven tweeters, six midrange drivers, and a dedicated ‘Sound Motion’ woofer, delivering richer bass and a more immersive Dolby Atmos experience compared to the Arc’s 5.0.2 setup with 11 drivers. The Arc Ultra also introduces Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for more versatile streaming options, whereas the original Arc relies solely on Wi-Fi. Additionally, the Arc Ultra provides improved dialogue clarity through advanced Speech Enhancement technology and supports Trueplay tuning for both iOS and Android devices, enhancing its adaptability to various room acoustics. While both soundbars share a similar sleek design, the Arc Ultra is slightly more compact and lighter.
Specs Comparison
Taking a quick look at the specs of both soundbars, the Sonos Arc Ultra features a 9.1.4-channel configuration with 14 drivers, including seven tweeters, six midrange drivers, and a dedicated ‘Sound Motion’ woofer, aiming to deliver a more immersive Dolby Atmos experience. In contrast, the previous Sonos Arc offers a 5.0.2 setup with 11 drivers. The Arc Ultra also introduces Bluetooth connectivity, expanding streaming options beyond the Arc’s reliance on Wi-Fi.
As mentioned above, the Arc Ultra supports Trueplay tuning for both iOS and Android devices, whereas the Arc’s Trueplay is limited to iOS. Dimensionally, the Arc Ultra is slightly wider at 118 cm compared to the Arc’s 114.2 cm, but it’s less tall at 7.5 cm versus 8.7 cm, potentially reducing the chance of obstructing the TV screen when placed in front. Weight-wise, the Arc Ultra is lighter at approximately 5.9 kg, whereas the Arc weighs around 6.25 kg.
Table Comparison
| Feature | Sonos Arc | Sonos Arc Ultra |
| Audio Channels | 5.0.2 | 9.1.4 |
| Amplifiers | 11 Class-D digital amplifiers | 15 Class-D digital amplifiers |
| Drivers | 11 drivers: 3 tweeters, 8 midrange | 14 drivers: 7 tweeters, 6 midrange, 1 built-in subwoofer |
| Power Output | Not specified | Not specified |
| Frequency Response | Not specified | Enhanced bass, double the bass at 50Hz |
| Connectivity | HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2 | HDMI eARC 2.1, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, Apple AirPlay 2 |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control |
| Trueplay Tuning | Available for iOS only | Available for iOS and Android |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 114.2 x 8.7 x 11.6 cm | 117.8 x 7.5 x 11.06 cm |
| Weight | 6.25 kg | 5.9 kg |
| Power Consumption (Idle) | 4.3 Watts | 4.6 Watts |
Sound Performance
The Sonos Arc Ultra and Arc each delivered noticeably different sound experiences when I tested them by watching two films: Dune (2021) and Blade Runner 2049. While using the Sonos Arc, the atmospheric details from Dune felt spacious and immersive (especially scenes involving sandstorms), though at times I sensed that subtle bass frequencies lacked depth. Dialogue was clear and well-defined even amid intense action sequences. However, during quieter scenes in Blade Runner 2049, the Arc occasionally struggled to highlight the more delicate audio nuances, making the listening experience good but not exceptional.
Switching over to the Sonos Arc Ultra provided a clear upgrade. Watching the same scenes in Dune, the Ultra’s additional drivers (especially the built-in subwoofer) created a richer soundscape that genuinely enhanced the intensity of the sandstorm sequences. I could physically sense more of the low-frequency effects without needing an external subwoofer. Dialogue clarity also improved notably, likely due to the Ultra’s broader channel arrangement (9.1.4 versus the Arc’s 5.0.2), helping speech remain crisp even amid complex sound mixes.
Finally, while viewing Blade Runner 2049, the Ultra’s expanded channel configuration significantly enhanced spatial accuracy. Subtle ambient sounds (rainfall, distant echoes) felt more realistic and better defined, immersing me deeper into the movie’s bleak futuristic setting. Though the Ultra didn’t completely redefine my expectations, it provided a genuinely more engaging and satisfying audio experience overall compared to the original Arc—particularly noticeable in scenes demanding dynamic range and spatial precision.
Design Comparison
The Sonos Arc and Arc Ultra share similar build quality, both having a sleek minimalist design that complements modern home entertainment setups. Each soundbar uses a perforated plastic grille that wraps around the entire body which gives it a clean and unobtrusive look. The build quality of both models feels solid with dense high-quality plastic that gives the impression of durability.
In terms of dimensions, the Arc measures approximately 114.2 cm in width, 8.7 cm in height and 11.6 cm in depth while the Arc Ultra is slightly wider at 117.8 cm, shorter at 7.5 cm in height and has a depth of 11.06 cm. This slight reduction in height for the Arc Ultra made it a bit easier to place in front of my TV without interfering with the screen. The Arc weighs about 6.25 kg whereas the Arc Ultra comes in a little lighter at 5.9 kg which made both simple to reposition during setup.
A small but noticeable design change in the Arc Ultra is the position of the touch controls. On the original Arc they sit on the top surface which is easy to reach when it’s on an open shelf. With the Arc Ultra the controls are now located on an upward-facing panel toward the rear which mirrors the layout found on newer Sonos products like the Era series. This shift didn’t affect usability much in my case but I could see it making a difference depending on how the soundbar is set up in the room, so you need to plan the soundbar placement carefully to match your room acoustics.
The Verdict?
After spending time testing and listening to both the Sonos Arc and the Arc Ultra, I think the Arc Ultra is better in a few technical aspects that made a real difference for me. The expanded 9.1.4 channel setup and additional drivers gave movie soundtracks more depth and dimension, especially when watching something like Dune or Blade Runner 2049. The built-in woofer in the Ultra added weight to low-end effects without needing a separate subwoofer, and dialogue clarity felt more consistent across different types of content. I also appreciated the addition of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 6, which gave me more flexibility with streaming and made the Ultra feel more future-ready. The fact that it supports Trueplay tuning on Android was a welcome change too, since I don’t use iOS devices.
Design-wise, both soundbars are clean and modern but the Arc Ultra’s slightly shorter profile made it easier to position under my TV. I didn’t find the new control placement to be a major advantage, but it matched the look of newer Sonos products nicely. Personally, I would go with the Arc Ultra—not because the Arc is lacking, but because the upgrades across sound, connectivity and compatibility made the experience feel more complete. If you’re spending a considerable sum for the Sonos Arc, I think spending just slightly more for the Sonos Arc Ultra is worth it for the overall performance and flexibility it offers.