Sonos Arc Ultra + Sub4 Review: 8 Months Later… Still Worth $1,800?
AV NIRVANA – Home Theater and AV FORUM
A long-term look at living with the Arc Ultra and Sub 4 together after eight months, asking whether the pair is still worth buying.
Sonos · 2024
Sonos Sub 4
Sonos's flagship wireless sub: dual force-cancelling woofers rated to 25Hz, but reviewers see little gain over the Sub 3.
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The verdict
Worth considering for a large room or a high-end Sonos setup such as the Arc Ultra, Five or Era 300, where reviewers found it adds deep, well-integrated bass; SoundGuys suggests keeping the sub level in check so it does not dominate. Owners of a Sub 3 have little reason to upgrade, and Trusted Reviews points smaller rooms toward the Sub Mini.
The Sub 4 is Sonos's full-size wireless subwoofer, launched in October 2024 alongside the Arc Ultra. Two inward-facing 5 x 8 inch elliptical woofers cancel each other's vibration inside a ported cabinet that Sonos rates down to 25Hz. It connects over Wi-Fi 6 or Ethernet, can stand upright or lie flat under a sofa, and is tuned to the room with Trueplay. Reviewers find it powerful, smooth and well balanced, especially with the Arc Ultra, but Trusted Reviews sees little difference from the Sub 3, and it only works with Sonos speakers.
Strengths
- Trusted Reviews calls it powerful, smooth and well balanced, adding warmth and depth even to the bass-capable Arc Ultra.
- Two inward-facing woofers cancel each other's vibration, which Sonos says virtually eliminates buzz and rattle.
- Can stand upright or lie flat under a sofa, and Trueplay tunes the bass for the room.
- Connects over Wi-Fi 6 or Ethernet, and the Arc Ultra can run two subwoofers, including a Sub 4 alongside a Sub 3.
- New matte black or white finish, which Trusted Reviews prefers to the fingerprint-prone gloss of the Sub 3.
Weak spots
- Expensive, and Trusted Reviews found it not much different from the Sub 3.
- Works only with compatible Sonos speakers, and not with older models such as Play:1, Play:3, Play:5 (Gen 2), Connect:Amp, Playbar or Playbase.
- SoundGuys found it tricky to set just right, with bass that can take over at higher sub levels.
- Sonos does not publish amplifier power figures.
Great for
- Arc Ultra, Arc or Beam owners with medium to large rooms
- Sonos music systems built around Five or Era 300 speakers
Skip if
- Anyone without a compatible Sonos speaker or soundbar
- Sub 3 owners hoping for a big upgrade
- Small rooms, where Trusted Reviews suggests the Sub Mini
Full specifications
From the manufacturer unless noted. Shown for this model.
Sound
- Enclosure
- Ported
- Low-frequency extension
- 25 Hz
- App control / room EQ
- Sonos app (bass, treble and loudness settings, Trueplay room tuning)
Wireless
- Wireless option
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax, 2.4/5 GHz) link to a paired Sonos product; 10/100 Ethernet port
Size & placement
- Width
- 402 mm
- Height
- 389 mm
- Depth
- 158 mm
- Weight
- 11.79 kg
Primary source: sonos.com
Setup notes
- Pairs only with compatible Sonos products such as Arc Ultra, Arc, Beam, Ray, Five, Era 300 and Era 100, and needs the latest Sonos app, per Sonos.
- Not compatible with Play:1, Play:3, Play:5 (Gen 2), Connect:Amp, first-generation SYMFONISK speakers, Playbar or Playbase, per Trusted Reviews.
- The Arc Ultra supports two subwoofers, and a Sub 4 can be combined with a Sub 3, per Trusted Reviews.
- Connects over Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax, 2.4 or 5 GHz) or a 10/100 Ethernet port, with an internal 100-240V power supply.
- Can stand upright, lie on its side or sit under a couch; Trueplay adjusts the sound for its placement, per Sonos.
Video reviews
Each video was checked to exist and to be about the Sonos Sub 4.
Sonos Sub Gen 4 Vs Gen 3: Is It REALLY Worth the Upgrade?
Compares the Sub 4 with the previous Sub 3 to judge whether moving up a generation is worthwhile.
The BOSS of BASS Just Got Better! Sonos Sub 4 Review
An enthusiastic review presenting the Sub 4 as an improvement on Sonos's earlier subwoofers.
What reviewers found
Summaries in our own words. Follow the link to read each review in full.
A small step on from the Sub 3 that makes little sense for anyone who already owns a Sonos Sub, but a forceful, smooth and well-integrated way to add low end to a large room or a bigger system such as the Arc Ultra. Placement is flexible since it can stand or lie flat.
Read the originalTested as a pair with the Arc Ultra, the Sub 4 gave action scenes real physical weight and filled out the sound, but getting the level right took effort: turned up, the bass could overwhelm, and it sometimes lacked a sharp punch. The pairing is costly and takes up space.
Read the original
Questions
Does the Sonos Sub 4 work with non-Sonos soundbars or receivers?
No. Sonos lists a compatible amplified Sonos product, such as the Arc Ultra or Era 300, as a requirement, and the Sub 4 links to it over Wi-Fi.
Is it worth upgrading from a Sub 3 to the Sub 4?
For most owners, no. Trusted Reviews found the Sub 4 slightly lighter and a little more powerful but not much different in use, and recommends it mainly for new buyers with larger rooms or more powerful Sonos speakers.
Can I use two Sonos subwoofers?
Yes, with the Arc Ultra, which supports two subs. Trusted Reviews notes that a Sub 4 can be paired with a Sub 3 if you already own one.
Should I get the Sub 4 or the Sub Mini?
Trusted Reviews suggests the Sub 4 for larger rooms and more powerful speakers such as the Five or Era 300, and the smaller Sub Mini for smaller rooms and speakers.
More subwoofers
Sources for this page
Last reviewed Nov 10, 2026. Released October 2024. Spotted an error? Tell us.