The Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4 is out now and is a fantastic combination that is a testament to Sonos’s commitment to delivering premium home audio experiences. This dynamic duo truly elevates your home entertainment setup, offering a blend of immersive sound, sleek design, and seamless integration.
I’ve been running a Yamaha Sound Projector for many years now and felt it was time for an upgrade, so after looking at the rest of my home setup and then testing various speakers I finally landed on the Sonos Arc Ultra. This was down to 3 key factors, clarity, style and integration.
The main feature to highlight is that precision of clarity, working in and around an audio industry my entire life I’ve found Sonos really deliver on that vocal clarity in particular, and when listening to music or watching movies it’s the wonderful separation of instruments in music and action on screen that is a real pleasure to your ears. Let’s talk more about that.
Sound Quality: A Cinema in Your Living Room
The Sonos Arc Ultra is a marvel of audio engineering, boasting a rich, detailed soundscape that fills the room with precision and clarity. The addition of Dolby Atmos support creates a truly immersive experience, placing you in the heart of the action. Whether you’re watching a blockbuster movie, listening to your favourite music, or gaming, the Arc Ultra delivers an unparalleled audio experience.
You can run the Arc Ultra without a subwoofer and it will sound great, but for a true enhancement of the experience you’ll want the Sub 4 which complements the Arc Ultra perfectly, adding depth and dimension to the sound. Its powerful bass response adds a visceral impact to explosions, soundtracks, and gaming effects, without overwhelming the overall audio balance. The result is a seamless, cohesive soundscape that immerses you in the audio experience. If you really want, pair your ARC Ultra with two Sub 4’s.
The ARC Ultra has had a big update on the original ARC giving you a true theatre experience when watching movies and an incredible symphony while enjoying your favourite music.
The Sonos app allows the setup to be seamless and using TruePlay to allow the system to automatically adjust the volumes using the mic in your phone means you don’t need to have an intricate knowledge of sound to be able to enjoy the best possible experience.
This was highlighted when I watched my first movie with the new setup. If you haven’t seen it yet then check out Dune 2. I watched this movie in the cinemas as it has the best soundscape I’ve ever heard in a film, the thumping of the devices that call the sandworms are just epic when running through a decent system.
Features like “Speech Enhancement” have had a massive update as well. The sensitivity can be set via your app and it is a game changer you didn’t know you needed. Imagine you are watching a movie but the voices are hard to hear, so you turn it up, this turns everything up meaning that when you hit a large piece of action or music score the entire street knows about it. This feature just enhances the dialogue itself. A great feature that lets you immerse yourself in the content rather than worry about constantly playing with your remote to set volumes.
Design and Build Quality: Elegance Meets Functionality
The Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4 are a visual treat, boasting a sleek, minimalist design that blends seamlessly with any home decor. The Arc Ultra’s slim profile and premium materials make it a stylish addition to your entertainment setup, while the Sub 4’s compact design matches your speakers and allows for flexible placement options.
I have always gone with black devices until I recently got the Sonos Ace headphones and decided to opt for the white version of the Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4. This is a decision I am extremely happy with as it blends perfectly with the surroundings while still looking superb. The sub 4 has an internal black accent that gives it a nice modern look.
Both devices are built to last, with obvious high-quality materials that you notice in both look and to touch. The robust construction ensures that these speakers will provide years of listening pleasure.
Ease of Use and Setup: Simplicity at Its Best
I mentioned already that setting up the Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4 is a breeze and that is thanks to the intuitive Sonos app. The app has had a recent update that fixes some of the issues users had with the previous version while maintaining the vision that led to the improvement in the first place.
You are easily guided through the setup process step-by-step, ensuring a hassle-free experience in minutes. The only thing I needed to really do was try to keep the kids quiet while it was doing its thing as it requires the room to be quiet so it can use the mic in your phone to listen. This used to be a feature exclusive to iPhone but is now available if you have an Android device instead.
Once set up, the app allows you to easily control your audio experience, adjust settings, and access your favourite music streaming services like iHeart. Download the free app and crank this playlist up!
The device features WiFi and AirPlay for quick access however the ARC Ultra is enhanced on the previous version with the addition of Bluetooth and Spotify connect options.
The Sonos ecosystem also offers seamless integration with other Sonos speakers, allowing you to create a multi-room audio system that fills your entire home with music.
Value for Money: An Investment in Premium Audio
The Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4 combination is a premium audio solution that comes at a fairly premium price. However, the exceptional sound clarity, elegant design, and seamless integration make it a worthwhile investment for those who demand the best in-home audio. For me the option to add to the setup later is great, you don’t need to buy everything all at once allowing you to start with one speaker and add to it as you save up for the next one, discovering your sound needs along the way.
Total Integration: Gotta Catch Them All
Sonos integration is a massive part of choosing to go with the brand. Each device you add seems to unlock new features. For example, the Sonos Ace Headphones that were released this year, pairing them with the Sonos Arc Ultra speaker means you can seamlessly switch between the two. So imagine you are enjoying the cinema experience after the kids go to bed, simply switch it to your headphones to continue the high-quality sound experience without waking up the family. It’s as easy at pressing the content button on the side of your headphones to swap back and forth (or using the app).
Final Verdict: A Symphony of Sound and Style
The combination of the Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4 is a testament to Sonos’ commitment to delivering premium home audio experiences. The blend of immersive sound, sleek design, and seamless integration is sure to elevate your home entertainment setup. If you’re looking for the best in-home audio with unmatched clarity, the Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4 are a worthy investment.
Pros:
- Immersive sound quality with Dolby Atmos support
- Sleek, minimalist design
- Easy setup and intuitive controls
- Seamless integration with other Sonos devices
Cons:
- Premium price point
Overall, the Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4 combination is a top-of-the-line audio solution that delivers an unparalleled listening experience. If you’re serious about sound quality and design or want it without needing to know anything about how to set it up, this dynamic duo is sure to impress.
