- Manufacturer & Model
- Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar and Sub 4 Wireless Subwoofer
- MSRP
- $1,798 (combined MSRP)
- Highlights
- Flagship soundbar system featuring a 9.1.4 channel layout with built-in subwoofer. Includes the new Sub 4 with dual elliptical woofers and force-canceling design. Trueplay room tuning available on iOS and Android, enhanced by app-based control over EQ, sub level, height channels, and dialogue clarity. Features Dolby Atmos support via HDMI eARC, 30Hz–20kHz system response, and sleek industrial design with matte finish in black or white. Streamlined setup with auto pairing, multi-room capability, Apple AirPlay 2, and Alexa/Sonos Voice support. System designed for everyday ease of use, smart home integration, and immersive living room performance.
- Summary
- The Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4 combo delivers a polished, immersive audio experience that rivals component-based systems in both performance and convenience. Over eight months of continuous real-world testing revealed rich bass extension, clear dialogue, and a detailed soundstage with strong vertical imaging. With features like Trueplay tuning, adjustable EQ, voice assistant support, and intuitive app-based control, Sonos makes high-performance audio accessible and enjoyable for users of all tech levels. Visually refined and sonically impressive, this premium package is easy to recommend for enthusiasts seeking a low-clutter, high-impact home theater solution.
When we talk about premium soundbar systems, expectations are naturally high. Sonos is well aware of that reality, and their latest offering—a two-piece combo featuring the Arc Ultra soundbar and the wireless Sub 4—is built to satisfy enthusiasts who want elevated performance without the complexity of a traditional home theater setup.
Rather than offering early impressions after a few days of testing, this review leans into real-world experience with a Sonos review system that's been fully integrated in a living room setup for more than eight months, experiencing daily use across a wide range of content. Movies, sports, news, documentaries, music—you name it. Nothing was off the table. Even members of the household who normally avoid tech products have used the system regularly, which speaks volumes about its ease of use.
The Arc Ultra features a native 9.1.4 audio configuration with a blend of forward-firing, side-firing, and upfiring drivers. It also harnesses the power of a unique onboard bass driver, delivering impressive depth for its size. The Sub 4, meanwhile, offers powerful bass performance in a design that blends in rather than standing out. Together, they form a highly capable and visually unobtrusive sound system.
Beyond discussing elements like unboxing, setup, and True Play room correction, our review includes in-room measurements that demonstrate how this system performs in a large, open-concept space, providing context for the kind of performance you can expect in a real-world environment.
Of course, no product is perfect. One minor quirk emerged during testing, which we call out. But on the whole, this system impressed, delivering natural dialogue, wide sound dispersion, immersive height effects, and deep, musical bass. It even managed to pull this reviewer out of the dedicated theater space and into the living room for a few movie nights.
Want to see how it measures up and whether it earns a recommendation at its $1,800 price point?
Click the video below to watch the full review.
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- Buy the Sonos Arc Ultra in Black on Amazon: https://amzn.to/46FWQsI
- Buy the Sonos Arc Ultra in White on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mxsbUo
- Buy the Sonos Sub 4 in Black on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mtpDql
- Buy the Sonos Sub 4 in White on Amazon: https://amzn.to/42K8n8Y
Sonos Arc Ultra Specifications
Audio
- Fifteen Class-D digital amplifiers, precision-tuned to the Arc Ultra’s acoustic architecture
- Seven silk-dome tweeters deliver crisp highs and clear dialogue, including two upfiring height channels
- Six midwoofers provide accurate midrange performance
- Sound Motion four-motor, dual-membrane woofer delivers tight, compact bass
- Far-field microphone array enables voice control and Trueplay tuning, with beamforming and echo cancellation
- Adjustable EQ (bass, treble, loudness) via Sonos app
- Trueplay tuning adapts sound to room acoustics using iOS or Android devices
- Speech Enhancement with four user-selectable vocal clarity levels
- Night Sound mode reduces loud peaks and enhances quiet passages for nighttime viewing
- Supported audio formats: Stereo PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos (Digital Plus and TrueHD), Dolby TrueHD, Multichannel PCM, DTS Digital Surround**
*HDMI eARC required for select formats
**DTS support is not through a licensed decoder
- Height: 2.95 in (75 mm)
- Width: 46.38 in (1,178 mm)
- Depth: 4.35 in (110.6 mm)
- Weight: 13.01 lbs (5.9 kg)
- Colors: Black or White
- Finish: Matte
- Mounting: M5 x 0.8 mm thread pitch, 6.5 mm depth
- Controls: Capacitive touch controls for play, pause, volume, skip, voice assistant toggle, and grouping
- Bluetooth Button: Press to initiate pairing
- Mic Switch: Toggle hardware switch to disable microphones
- LED Indicators: Show connection status, mic activity, mute, and error states
- WiFi: Compatible with WiFi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
- HDMI: One HDMI eARC port (cable included)
- Optical: Supported via separate optical-to-HDMI adapter
- Bluetooth: Version 5.3
- Voltage: 100–240V, 50/60Hz internal power supply
- CPU: Quad-Core 4x A55 at 1.9GHz
- Memory: 2 GB SDRAM, 8 GB NV
- Voice Assistants: Sonos Voice Control and Amazon Alexa (availability may vary)
- Apple AirPlay 2: Supported on iOS 11.4 or later via WiFi
- TV Compatibility: Not compatible with CCFL-backlit TVs manufactured between 2004 and 2012
- Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar
- HDMI Cable (72 in)
- Power Cable
- Quick Start Guide and Warranty Info
- TV with HDMI ARC or eARC
- Internet connection for setup
- Sonos app for iOS or Android
Sonos Sub 4 Specifications
Audio
- Dual Class-D digital amplifiers tuned specifically for the Sub 4's internal architecture
- Two 5" x 8" elliptical woofers positioned face-to-face for a force-canceling effect that minimizes cabinet vibration and distortion
- Ported cabinet design enhances low-end extension and depth
- Frequency response reaches as low as 25 Hz
- Audio settings automatically adjust to balance the Sub 4 with paired Sonos products
- EQ adjustments for bass, treble, and loudness available through the Sonos app
- Trueplay tuning uses room measurements to optimize bass performance with supported iOS and Android devices
- Height: 15.31 in (389 mm)
- Width: 15.83 in (402 mm)
- Depth: 6.22 in (158 mm)
- Weight: 25.99 lbs (11.79 kg)
- Colors: Black or White
- Finish: Matte
- Join Button: Press once during setup to wirelessly connect Sub 4 to your Sonos system
- WiFi: Connects to any 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz broadcast-capable router
- Ethernet: 10/100 port available for wired networking
- Voltage: 100–240V 50/60Hz internal power supply
- CPU: Quad-Core 4x A55 at 1.9GHz
- Memory: 512 MB DDR4, 4 GB eMMC
- Operating Temperature: 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C)
- Sonos Sub 4
- Power Cable
- Quick Start Guide and Warranty Info
- At least one amplified Sonos product
- Internet connection for initial setup
- Sonos app for iOS or Android