The Sonos Arc Soundbar has quickly become a go-to option for home theater enthusiasts, audiophiles, and those simply looking to elevate their TV-watching experience. Positioned as Sonos’ premium soundbar, it’s packed with features like Dolby Atmos, Trueplay tuning technology, and integration with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. This Sonos Arc review will help you decide whether this high-end soundbar lives up to its hype.
Overview of Sonos Arc Soundbar
Released in 2020, the Sonos Arc is a premium offering designed to deliver immersive, cinematic audio through advanced sound processing. With a sleek design that complements modern homes, the soundbar is meant to sit below your TV or be mounted on the wall. It supports 5.0.2 surround sound, delivering audio from all directions for a 3D experience, thanks to its 11 drivers.
Key Features:
- Dolby Atmos support for 3D soundscapes
- 11 custom drivers, including elliptical woofers and silk-dome tweeters
- Integrated with Sonos multi-room audio system
- Voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant
- Trueplay Tuning for optimal sound adjustment
- HDMI eARC compatibility
Let’s dive deeper into these features to explore why the Sonos Arc is one of the most popular soundbars on the market.
Design: Modern and Minimalistic
The Sonos Arc impresses right off the bat with its modern, understated design. Available in black or white, the soundbar measures 45 inches wide, making it ideal for TVs that are 55 inches or larger. The soundbar’s curved grille is designed with acoustics in mind, allowing sound to be directed in multiple directions to envelop the room.
Unlike many competing soundbars, the Sonos Arc is designed to be a seamless addition to any room. Whether mounted on the wall or placed on a console, its minimalist aesthetic won’t clash with your home decor. Plus, at just under 7 pounds, it’s easy to install.
Design Highlights:
- Dimensions: 3.4” H x 45” W x 4.5” D
- Weight: 6.25 lbs (2.81 kg)
- Wall-mount compatible with a separate bracket
The clean look of the Sonos Arc may be understated, but the engineering inside is anything but. It houses 11 high-performance drivers, including custom elliptical woofers for deeper bass and angled side speakers to maximize spatial audio. Every detail is meticulously designed to ensure it provides a rich listening experience, regardless of where you’re seated.
Sound Performance: Immersive and Detailed
When it comes to performance, the Sonos Arc truly shines. It offers a stunning, immersive audio experience, largely thanks to Dolby Atmos support. Dolby Atmos adds height channels, meaning sound not only moves around you but also above you, creating a 3D sound field.
For those watching movies, this transforms the living room into a mini-theater, as sounds of overhead helicopters, rainfall, or explosions are accurately reproduced.
Sound Test Results:
- Cinematic Experience: If you watch a movie like Mad Max: Fury Road, you’ll notice how the Sonos Arc captures every detail, from roaring engines to subtle background noises.
- Dialog Clarity: Sonos also includes Speech Enhancement to ensure dialog comes through crystal clear, even during action-packed scenes.
- Bass Performance: Though it lacks a dedicated subwoofer, the Arc’s custom woofers do a solid job of delivering rich, deep bass. For bass enthusiasts, pairing it with the Sonos Sub can further enhance the experience.
Even in standard stereo mode, the Sonos Arc provides excellent clarity, whether you’re listening to music or watching TV shows. The Trueplay tuning system further fine-tunes the audio based on the room’s acoustics, making the sound experience tailored specifically to your space.
Key Takeaway: If you’re after crisp, cinematic sound with impressive spatial dynamics, the Sonos Arc delivers. However, for maximum bass, you may want to consider adding the Sonos Sub.
Dolby Atmos: The Game Changer
One of the biggest selling points of the Sonos Arc is its Dolby Atmos support. Dolby Atmos allows for a more immersive sound experience by simulating overhead sounds. The soundbar features upward-firing speakers that bounce sound off your ceiling to create the illusion of height, a crucial element in 3D audio experiences.
However, to truly experience Dolby Atmos, you’ll need a TV that supports HDMI eARC, as it can transfer the high-quality audio needed for Atmos. TVs that support regular HDMI ARC may not deliver the full Dolby Atmos experience, as ARC has bandwidth limitations.
While Dolby Atmos is widely praised, not all content is mixed for Atmos. Major streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video do offer content in Atmos, but it’s worth checking if your favorite movies and shows are supported.
Dolby Atmos Highlights:
- Immersive sound from all directions, including overhead
- Enhanced depth and detail for supported content
- Works best with HDMI eARC and compatible content
Smart Features and Connectivity
The Sonos Arc comes with Alexa and Google Assistant built in, allowing for hands-free voice control. You can use voice commands to play music, check the weather, control smart home devices, and more. It’s also compatible with Apple AirPlay 2, so you can stream directly from your iPhone or iPad.
HDMI eARC ensures a stable, high-quality audio connection between your TV and soundbar. If your TV doesn’t have eARC, the Arc also supports optical audio, though it’s less ideal for Atmos content.
Additionally, the Sonos Arc integrates seamlessly with other Sonos speakers for multi-room audio. If you already own Sonos products, adding the Arc to your system allows you to expand your audio experience throughout your home.
Connectivity Features:
- Wi-Fi enabled for streaming and updates
- HDMI eARC for high-fidelity sound transmission
- Ethernet port for wired network connections
- Optical adapter for non-eARC TVs
Trueplay Tuning: Tailored Audio for Your Space
One of the standout features of the Sonos Arc is Trueplay Tuning technology. Using the microphone on an iOS device, Trueplay analyzes your room’s acoustics and adjusts the soundbar’s output to match. It accounts for factors like wall reflections, furniture, and room layout to optimize sound quality.
It’s important to note that Trueplay is only available with iOS devices, so Android users will miss out on this feature.
Trueplay fine-tuning makes a noticeable difference, particularly in rooms with awkward shapes or clutter. It’s a step ahead of the calibration features on many other soundbars, offering a more personalized audio experience.
Pros of Trueplay:
- Customizes sound based on your room’s layout
- Easy setup using your iPhone or iPad
- Helps ensure the best possible sound quality, regardless of room configuration
Sonos App: Easy Control at Your Fingertips
The Sonos App is user-friendly and allows you to manage your entire Sonos system in one place. From the app, you can adjust the soundbar settings, connect other Sonos speakers, and set up multi-room audio.
The app also gives you access to Sonos Radio, a free streaming service with curated playlists and exclusive content. You can also connect to your preferred music services like Spotify, Apple Music, or Tidal.
Key Features of the App:
- Adjust EQ settings for personalized sound
- Control volume and audio balance for connected speakers
- Seamless integration with music streaming services
Limitations of the Sonos Arc
While the Sonos Arc delivers on many fronts, it’s not without its limitations:
- Price: At around $899, the Sonos Arc is a significant investment. While the sound quality is top-notch, it may be too expensive for casual users.
- No Bluetooth: Surprisingly, the Sonos Arc doesn’t support Bluetooth, a common feature in many soundbars. All streaming must be done via Wi-Fi or Apple AirPlay.
- No HDMI Inputs: Unlike some premium soundbars, the Arc lacks multiple HDMI inputs, meaning it can’t function as a central hub for other devices like gaming consoles.
- Limited Bass: Without the Sonos Sub, the bass may not be deep enough for some users, particularly in larger rooms.
Conclusion: Is the Sonos Arc Worth It?
The Sonos Arc Soundbar is one of the best premium soundbars available today, especially for users seeking immersive sound quality with Dolby Atmos support. It offers exceptional clarity, balanced sound, and a sleek design that complements modern home decor.
While it’s priced on the higher end, the advanced features like Trueplay Tuning, seamless integration with other Sonos products, and voice assistant compatibility make it a solid investment for serious audio enthusiasts.
However, if you’re a casual listener or on a tight budget, the Sonos Arc might be overkill. The lack of Bluetooth and limited bass without the Sonos Sub may also be drawbacks for some users.
Final Rating: 4.5/5
For those who value top-tier sound quality and smart home integration, the Sonos Arc is a great choice for creating a cinematic audio experience at home. Just be prepared to pay a premium for this level of performance.
