Designed to deliver premium sound for home theatres, Sonos has launched the Arc Ultra soundbar and the Sub 4 subwoofer.

Building on the success of the original Arc, these new models introduce new technology for enhanced audio performance while you immerse yourself in your favourite blockbuster.

Arc Ultra: a significant upgrade for home entertainment

The Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar is the first Sonos product to feature Sound Motion. A proprietary technology developed by Mayht whom Sonos acquired in 2022, this new system allows smaller drivers to deliver more power and richer sound.

Sonos describes Sound Motion as a “breakthrough in audio engineering” and claims it allows for clearer, more immersive sound from a slimmer soundbar design.

Boasting 14 drivers, the Arc Ultra delivers 9.1.4 surround sound (marking a significant upgrade over the original Arc’s 5.1.2 configuration).

Furthermore, the speaker array includes seven tweeters and six mid-range drivers with two up-firing tweeters to deliver overhead sound. As a result, Sonos’s new Arc Ultra delivers an expansive Dolby Atmos experience at home.

Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar. Credit: Sonos

Additionally, a built-in Sound Motion woofer enhances bass performance – promising double the bass of its predecessor.

Aside from a bigger speaker array, the new Sonos Arc Ultra promises a range of new features.

Firstly, improved speech enhancement allows you to adjust dialogue clarity directly from the Sonos app.

Another is Trueplay, room-tuning software that optimizes sound based on the acoustics of your listening space, which is now available on both Android and iOS devices.

Bluetooth connectivity, previously absent from the Arc, now comes part and parcel with the new speaker system. Consequently, it’s even easier to stream audio from your smartphone or computer.

Meanwhile, the Arc Ultra is more environmentally friendly than its predecessor. Designed with recyclable materials, reduced idle power consumption and improved serviceability, Sonos has emphasized the product’s long-term sustainability with less use of adhesives and incorporating more screws in its assembly.

Sub 4: depth, power, precision

To complement the Arc Ultra, Sonos has released the Sub 4. This is a next-generation subwoofer for home entertainment systems that delivers enhanced bass to any Sonos system.

Featuring dual custom woofers, the Sub 4 utilises a force-cancelling design whereby two drivers facing one another apply the same amount of sound pressure in two opposing directions. This means the Sub 4 delivers deeper, fuller, distortion-free bass.

Additionally, Sonos has equipped the Sub 4 with improved Wi-Fi connectivity and increased processing power for smoother integration with larger home audio setups.

Sonos Sub 4. Credit: Sonos

The Sub 4 maintains the familiar minimalist design of previous Sonos subwoofers but offers a more refined internal structure for better performance.

You can pair the Sub 4 with the Arc Ultra or any other Sonos system for an enhanced cinematic experience and a fuller sound.

Pricing and availability

The Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar is priced at $999 while the Sub 4 subwoofer is available for $799.

Sonos has made both products available in black and white finishes. The manufacturer is also offering a bundled package of the two for $1,618.

Pre-orders are open now, with shipping set to begin on October 29th.