Sonos Arc Ultra review: the best one-box Dolby Atmos soundbar for the price, with one grating flaw
TechRadar's video version of its written review, covering the sound upgrade and the missing HDMI passthrough.
Sonos · 2024
Sonos Arc Ultra
A one-box Dolby Atmos soundbar with strong dialogue and bass, held back mainly by its single HDMI port.
Where to buy
List $999
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The verdict
Reviewers consistently rate the sound quality very highly for a single bar, especially dialogue clarity and the Atmos effects. It is easiest to recommend if your TV has a spare HDMI input for your other devices, or if you mostly use the TV's built-in apps. If you need passthrough HDMI ports or DTS support, look at rivals instead.
The Arc Ultra is Sonos's flagship soundbar, with 14 drivers and a compact Sound Motion woofer that lets it make deeper bass than the original Arc. It supports Dolby Atmos (marketed as 9.1.4), Speech Enhancement for dialogue, Trueplay room tuning and AirPlay 2. It suits people who want a single, tidy bar that can grow into a Sonos surround system later. The main caveat is a lone HDMI eARC connection with no passthrough and no DTS:X.
Strengths
- Reviewers praise clear dialogue, with an AI-based Speech Enhancement mode that has four levels.
- Dolby Atmos effects are described as wide and convincing for a single bar, with real height.
- Compact Sound Motion woofer gives tighter, deeper bass than the original Arc without a separate subwoofer.
- Works as a full Sonos music speaker over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 when the TV is off.
- Can be expanded later with a Sonos Sub and rear speakers such as the Era 300.
Weak spots
- Only one HDMI connection (eARC) and no HDMI passthrough, so it uses up an HDMI port on the TV.
- No DTS:X support, and DTS decoding is limited; TV or player must convert DTS to PCM.
- No optical or USB input; an optical adapter is sold separately.
- Reviewers still reported some Sonos app quirks, and a full surround system gets expensive.
Great for
- Buyers who want one tidy bar with excellent dialogue clarity
- People who may add a Sonos Sub and rear speakers over time
- Households already using Sonos or AirPlay 2 for music
Skip if
- Anyone short on HDMI ports who needs passthrough
- Owners of DTS:X discs or content who want native decoding
Full specifications
From the manufacturer unless noted. Shown for this model.
Sound
- ChannelsWritten as bar.sub.height, or total channels. 5.1.2 means five main channels, a subwoofer and two overhead “height” channels.
- 9.1.4 (Dolby Atmos)
- Subwoofer included
- Nosource
- Rear speakers included
- Nosource
- Room correction
- Trueplay (iOS and Android)
- Dialogue enhancementA setting that lifts voices above music and effects, useful if dialogue is hard to follow.
- Speech Enhancement (four levels), Night Sound
Audio formats
- Dolby Atmos
- Yes
- DTS:X
- Nosource
- Dolby TrueHD
- Yes
Connections
Wireless
- Wi-Fi
- Yes
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Apple AirPlay
- Yes
Size & placement
- Bar width
- 1,178 mm
- Bar heightIf a soundbar sits in front of a low TV stand, its height can block the bottom of the picture or the remote sensor.
- 75 mm
- Bar depth
- 110.6 mm
- Bar weight
- 5.9 kg
- Wall mountable
- Yes
Primary source: sonos.com
Setup notes
- Connects to the TV through the single HDMI eARC/ARC port; a 4.9 ft HDMI cable is included.
- Dolby TrueHD and Atmos via TrueHD need an HDMI eARC connection, per Sonos.
- Not compatible with CCFL-backlit TVs made between 2004 and 2012, per Sonos.
Video reviews
Each video was checked to exist and to be about the Sonos Arc Ultra.
Sonos Arc Ultra - 9.1.4 Soundbar Review
A home theater hobbyist's review of the Arc Ultra as a 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos soundbar.
Sonos Arc Ultra - Long Term Review
An owner's long-term review of living with the Arc Ultra after the initial launch coverage.
What reviewers found
Summaries in our own words. Follow the link to read each review in full.
Recommends the bar for full sound, clear speech and convincing Atmos height, but says the missing HDMI passthrough and lack of DTS:X decoding limit who it suits.
Read the originalCalls it a spectacular performer with a wide soundstage, clear dialogue and strong Atmos, and says the Sonos app now works well. Notes that building a full set with extras gets costly and that there is only an HDMI connection, with no USB or optical.
Read the originalFinds it a major step up from the original Arc, with precise, spacious sound and expressive bass. Criticises the lack of HDMI passthrough, absent DTS support and remaining app problems.
Read the original
What owners are saying
From Reddit and forums, paraphrased with a link to the original discussion. Community reports are anecdotal.
An owner says the Atmos height effect did not work for them: even with the level raised, sound still seemed to come from the bar rather than overhead.
Read the originalTried the Arc Ultra with an LG C6 but returned it for a Samsung Q990F at a similar cost, which they found better, showing it is not the only choice at this level.
Read the originalSwapped a high-end Samsung bar that kept dropping its connection for an Arc Ultra, which has run without problems since setup.
Read the original
Questions
Does the Sonos Arc Ultra have HDMI passthrough?
No. It has one HDMI eARC/ARC port that connects to the TV and no input for other devices. Reviewers flag this as its biggest drawback for people who use many HDMI sources.
Does the Arc Ultra support DTS:X?
No. Reviewers report that DTS:X is not supported and that DTS decoding is limited. Dolby Atmos is the only spatial format.
Do I need a subwoofer with the Arc Ultra?
Not necessarily. Its built-in Sound Motion woofer gives fuller bass than the original Arc, but Sonos sells the Sub separately for more weight, and Tom's Guide describes the pairing as a solid step up.
Can the Arc Ultra play music without the TV on?
Yes. It connects over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.3 and supports AirPlay 2, and it can be grouped with other Sonos speakers in the app.
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Sources for this page
Last reviewed Nov 9, 2026. Released October 2024. Spotted an error? Tell us.