Sonos Unveils Arc Ultra Soundbar and Sub 4: Premium Wireless Home Cinema
Intended to blend seamlessly into modern living spaces, the Arc Ultra features a distinctive curved profile and matte finish. Its wrap-around grille allows sound to travel in all directions, enveloping the listener.
Alongside the Arc Ultra, Sonos unveiled the Sub 4, the next generation of its instantly recognizable subwoofer. The Sub 4 features a refreshed design and internal upgrades for deeper, more dynamic bass.
"We've always aimed to revolutionize home audio with products that are both aesthetically pleasing and high-performing," said Patrick Spence, CEO of Sonos. "Sound Motion™ breaks new ground by delivering extraordinary sound from a smaller footprint. The Arc Ultra is a reimagined soundbar that leverages this technology to offer an unparalleled listening experience."
Arc Ultra: A New Standard
The Arc Ultra is built with 14 custom-engineered drivers, including the Sound Motion woofer and tweeters equipped with waveguides. This configuration creates a 9.1.4 spatial audio experience that immerses listeners in their content. Trueplay tuning technology, now available for both iOS and Android, optimizes sound for any room.
An enhanced center channel design maximizes vocal clarity, making dialogue easier to follow. Users can also adjust dialogue levels with the new Advanced Speech Enhancement feature in the Sonos app.
Sonos collaborated with industry veterans like Chris Jenkins and Onnalee Blank to fine-tune the Arc Ultra for Dolby Atmos content, ensuring a studio-quality experience at home.
Setup is straightforward with an HDMI eARC connection. Control options include the TV remote, the Sonos app, Sonos Voice Control, or Amazon Alexa. Touch controls are discreetly placed on a ledge behind the soundbar to minimize distractions. The inclusion of Bluetooth line-in offers additional streaming flexibility.
Committed to sustainability, the Arc Ultra uses fewer adhesives and more screws for better serviceability. It features halogen-free PCB materials and reduced silicon usage. The packaging is fully recyclable and 18% smaller in volume, improving shipping efficiency.
Sub 4: Enhanced Bass Performance
Dual custom woofers generate deep, dynamic low frequencies without buzz or rattle, thanks to a force-canceling design that neutralizes distortion.
Internally, the Sub 4 boasts increased processing power, memory, and upgraded Wi-Fi for reliable wireless connectivity. The design maintains the elegant, sculptural shape of its predecessor with an updated matte finish. Sustainability efforts have led to reduced material use and nearly 50% lower idle power consumption.
When paired with the Arc Ultra, Arc, or Beam soundbars, the Sub 4 enhances the audio experience with deeper lows. Users can also pair two subwoofers for maximum bass impact. The Sub 4 also works with previous generations of the Sonos Sub.
Sonos App Updates
Coinciding with the product launches, Sonos is updating its app to improve performance and reintroduce legacy features. The update aims to surpass the previous app in key metrics like system identification, device setup, and grouping. For existing customers, 90% of missing features will return, with more enhancements planned.
"We've worked diligently to address critical app issues and bring back the most requested features," said Spence. "We are committed to making the Sonos experience better than ever."