Sonos Arc vs Arc Ultra: Is the Upgrade Worth $100?
Based on RTINGS measurements, What Hi-Fi? reviews, and real user experiences from AVS Forum and the Sonos Community
The short answer: The Arc Ultra wins decisively with double the bass, better Dolby Atmos immersion, and improved dialogue clarity—all in a smaller, lighter design. At $999 vs the discontinued Arc's $899, the $100 premium is absolutely worth it for anyone buying new. But existing Arc owners shouldn't rush to upgrade unless bass was their biggest complaint. Sonos Arc Ultra on Amazon for $999 →
The Fighters
| Sonos Arc | Sonos Arc Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899 (discontinued) | $999 on Amazon |
| Best For | Budget Sonos ecosystem | Best single-bar Atmos |
| Speaker Config | 5.0.2 (11 drivers) | 9.1.4 (14 drivers) |
| Bass Output | Good | Double the Arc |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes (5.3) |
The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner
We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!
Round 1: Bass Performance
This is the Arc Ultra's headline upgrade. What Hi-Fi? reports the new Sound Motion woofer delivers "up to double the bass output of Sonos Arc within the same slim form factor."
The Sound Motion technology came from Sonos's acquisition of Mayht and represents genuine acoustic innovation. TechRadar calls the result "a punchier, more controlled low-end" that delivers "the best bass performance from a standalone soundbar of this size."
The original Arc had respectable bass for a soundbar, but movie explosions and music tracks simply hit harder on the Ultra. Many users report this was the biggest difference they noticed immediately.
| Sonos Arc | Sonos Arc Ultra |
|---|---|
| 6/10 | 9/10 |
Round 1 Winner: Arc Ultra — Sound Motion woofer doubles the bass without needing a sub.
Score after Round 1: Arc 6 | Arc Ultra 9
Round 2: Dolby Atmos & Spatial Audio
The Arc Ultra's 9.1.4 configuration versus the Arc's 5.0.2 isn't just marketing—it's 14 drivers versus 11, including additional height channels for more immersive overhead effects.
RTINGS confirms: "The new acoustic architecture results in an improved frequency response, with a better bass extension and articulation." The result is more convincing height effects and a wider soundstage.
TechRadar describes the Atmos experience as having "convincing Dolby Atmos positioning and layering of 3D sound, with great width and excellent height."
The original Arc does Atmos well—it was groundbreaking when launched—but the Ultra raises the bar for single-bar Atmos performance.
| Sonos Arc | Sonos Arc Ultra |
|---|---|
| 7/10 | 9/10 |
Round 2 Winner: Arc Ultra — More drivers, more channels, more immersion.
Score after Round 2: Arc 13 | Arc Ultra 18
Round 3: Dialogue Clarity
Both soundbars have Speech Enhancement, but the Arc Ultra's reconfigured driver array pays dividends here. Smart Home Sounds reports that "users who upgraded from the Arc to Arc Ultra have reported the center channel audio is truly improved, with dialogue audible without turning on Speech Enhancement."
The new midrange performance means voices come through "with more weight and clarity, especially in action-heavy films." This matters more than you'd think—clear dialogue is the number one complaint about TV audio.
The original Arc's dialogue was already good, but the Ultra's improvements are noticeable, especially in quiet-loud-quiet scenes where actors mumble between explosions.
| Sonos Arc | Sonos Arc Ultra |
|---|---|
| 7/10 | 9/10 |
Round 3 Winner: Arc Ultra — Better center channel makes movie dialogue effortless.
Score after Round 3: Arc 20 | Arc Ultra 27
Round 4: Design & Size
Surprisingly, the Arc Ultra is smaller despite packing more drivers. What Hi-Fi? notes it's "18 per cent smaller by volume, and weighs in at a slightly lighter 5.9kg versus the original Arc's 6.3kg."
Both share Sonos's minimalist aesthetic in black or white with hard plastic grilles. The Ultra features relocated touch controls on a ledge at the back and adds a Bluetooth pairing button.
The smaller footprint matters for TV stands where space is tight. One reviewer noted they "had to move their TV to the back edge" to fit the original Arc—the Ultra would have been easier.
| Sonos Arc | Sonos Arc Ultra |
|---|---|
| 7/10 | 8/10 |
Round 4 Winner: Arc Ultra — More power in a smaller, lighter package.
Score after Round 4: Arc 27 | Arc Ultra 35
Round 5: Connectivity Features
The Arc Ultra finally adds Bluetooth 5.3—something users have requested for years. This means you can stream from any device without WiFi, useful for guests or quick phone audio.
Both soundbars include HDMI eARC for high-quality TV audio, WiFi for multiroom Sonos integration, and support for Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, Tidal Connect, and voice control.
However, TechRadar laments that "the Sonos Arc Ultra keeps the original's biggest flaw, which is not having any HDMI passthrough port." Neither supports DTS:X either. These are disappointing omissions at this price point.
| Sonos Arc | Sonos Arc Ultra |
|---|---|
| 6/10 | 7/10 |
Round 5 Winner: Arc Ultra — Bluetooth 5.3 adds welcome flexibility.
Score after Round 5: Arc 33 | Arc Ultra 42
Round 6: Value for Money
Here's where it gets interesting. The Arc was $899 before discontinuation; the Ultra is $999. That's $100 more for double the bass, better Atmos, improved dialogue, Bluetooth, and a smaller design.
For new buyers, this is a no-brainer—the Ultra is worth every penny of that premium.
But what about existing Arc owners? Gear Patrol's review is titled "Should You Upgrade to the Sonos Arc Ultra? It's Complicated." If your Arc works fine and bass wasn't a complaint, the upgrade is nice-to-have rather than essential.
Note: The original Arc is now discontinued, so for new purchases, this question is moot.
| Sonos Arc | Sonos Arc Ultra |
|---|---|
| 7/10 | 8/10 |
Round 6 Winner: Arc Ultra — $100 more for significantly better performance.
Final Score
| Product | Total Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Sonos Arc Ultra | 50/60 | WINNER |
| Sonos Arc | 40/60 |
The Winner: Sonos Arc Ultra
The Arc Ultra wins decisively because it's better in every measurable way. What Hi-Fi? summarizes: "It's been a long time in the making but the Arc Ultra was worth the wait—this is a huge upgrade on the still-very-good original Arc."
TechRadar calls it "the best-sounding one-box soundbar you can buy today for the price," noting "seriously impressive bass for something so compact; superbly balanced sound with clear dialogue; and convincing Dolby Atmos positioning."
The 30-40% performance improvement over the original Arc, combined with the smaller footprint and Bluetooth addition, justifies the $100 premium. With the original Arc discontinued, the Ultra becomes the obvious choice for anyone entering the Sonos ecosystem.
Ready to buy the winner? Get Sonos Arc Ultra on Amazon →
When the Original Arc Makes Sense
The Sonos Arc might still be worth considering if:
- You find one heavily discounted: Discontinued stock may appear at significant markdowns. At $600 or less, the original Arc remains excellent.
- You're buying used: A well-maintained Arc delivers 90% of the experience at potentially half the price.
- Bass isn't a priority: If you're pairing with a Sonos Sub anyway, the Arc's main weakness becomes irrelevant.
Find Sonos Arc deals: Check Sonos Arc on Amazon →
Frequently Asked Questions
Should existing Arc owners upgrade?
Only if bass bothered you. The improvements are real but not transformative if your Arc already meets your needs. Gear Patrol notes the upgrade decision "isn't straightforward" for current owners.
Does Arc Ultra need a subwoofer?
Less than the original Arc. The Sound Motion woofer delivers genuinely impressive bass standalone. For most users, the Ultra eliminates the need for a Sonos Sub—though adding one still improves movie impact.
Why no HDMI passthrough?
Nobody knows. It's the Arc Ultra's most criticized omission, especially when competitors at this price include it. You'll need your TV to have enough HDMI ports for all sources.
Is the Arc Ultra worth $999?
Yes. TechRadar declares it "the best one-box Dolby Atmos soundbar for the price." If you want premium single-bar Atmos in the Sonos ecosystem, this is it.