Sonos officially announced the highly anticipated Arc Ultra soundbar today, along with the introduction of a new subwoofer called the Sub 4. This release follows the launch of the Sonos Ace Headphones in May and showcases Sonos’ commitment to innovation following the challenges of a recent software update.
These two new devices were likely delayed due to the software issues earlier this year, and both will be available for purchase starting on October 29.
Let’s delve into the features of these new products:
The Sonos Arc Ultra
Priced at $999, the Sonos Arc Ultra boasts a 9.1.4 setup with spatial audio and a groundbreaking transducer technology called Sound Motion. This innovation delivers enhanced bass in a compact design, offering superior sound quality compared to its predecessor, the OG Arc. Users can customize the sound using Sonos’ TruePlay feature on iOS and Android devices.
The Arc Ultra features a new center channel architecture for improved dialog clarity and introduces a speech enhancement function to adjust the spoken word’s clarity level. Sonos collaborated with industry experts like Chris Jenkins and Onnalee Blank to optimize the sound profile for Dolby Atmos content.
In addition to standard features like Bluetooth, touch controls, and Apple AirPlay 2 support, the Arc Ultra includes a microphone for voice control via Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Control.
Technical specifications include 15 Class-D amplifiers, a unique four-motor, dual-membrane woofer setup, and six midwoofers for handling middle frequencies. The Arc Ultra also supports Sonos’ TV audio swap feature when paired with Ace headphones.
The device offers 2GB of RAM and 8GB of nonvolatile memory, contrary to previous leaks that suggested a different configuration.
The Sonos Sub 4
Priced at $799, the Sonos Sub 4 is the fourth-generation subwoofer featuring a redesigned interior and exterior. Equipped with two 8-inch woofers facing inward for a force-canceling effect that eliminates distortion, the Sub 4 offers improved connectivity with new Wi-Fi radios while operating wirelessly.
In addition, the Sub 4 consumes 50% less power in idle mode for energy efficiency. Users can pair multiple Sub 4 units for enhanced bass or combine them with older Sonos Sub models. Compatibility extends to various Sonos products, including the Arc, Sonos Beam, Ray, Sonos Five, and Sonos Era 100 and 300 speakers.
The Sub 4 delivers a frequency response down to 25Hz and weighs approximately 26 pounds.
