Sonos is making an attempt to regain a few of its shine with the Arc Extremely soundbar — and from what we have seen to date, it goes a great distance in direction of restoring the model’s picture.
Not too long ago, Sonos has been underneath hearth for the horrible rollout of its new cell app. It had profound bugs, and lacked a number of options that the earlier variations provided.
We cannot even get into how dangerous the corporate’s response was to complaints.
Anyway, this monumental gaffe has put a uncommon unfavorable highlight on the audio powerhouse. That app fiasco was rumored to have been the reason for the delayed launch of the Arc Extremely.
So, there’s numerous floor for the Arc Extremely to make up. It was formally launched in November, 2024 alongside the refreshed Sub 4.
The late 2024 supported Sonos lineup is now the Ray, Beam Gen 2, Arc, and the Arc Extremely.
The Arc 4 awkwardly nonetheless stays in that lineup, regardless of their comparable pricing. Fortuitously, late product cycle reductions makes them extra aggressive with each other.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: Excessive-level specs
The Arc Extremely is 46-inch soundbar. It is barely wider than the unique Arc which seems fantastic on the rising dimension of front room TVs.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: The Arc (left) versus the brand new Arc Extremely (proper)
It is a bit of extra compact too, due to the brand new Sound Movement know-how. We’ll speak a bit extra about that in a second.
It helps Dolby Atmos and digital 3D encompass sound. It is now a 9.1.4-channel configuration, up from the 5.0.2 of the unique arc.
It comes with an influence cable plus an HDMI cable for eArc connection. It is also Wi-Fi and – for the primary time – helps Bluetooth.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: Forged audio through Bluetooth or AirPlay
For Apple customers, it’s also possible to simply forged audio through AirPlay. It reveals up as an audio vacation spot just like a HomePod.
One other change with this mannequin is up to date controls. The unique Arc had controls positioned within the heart whereas this new one, relocated them to the again.
For instance, you might have the media management centered within the again and the amount on the precise. We like the brand new quantity slider loads and its extra according to the opposite current Sonos audio system.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: Half of a bigger ecosystem
As many know, you may pair different audio system with the Sonos soundbars. You should use them standalone, however you may pair a pair of Sonos period 100s or Period 300s because the rears.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: The Period 300s will be paired with the Sonos Arc Extremely, like different Sonos audio system
This could dramatically enhance the spatial audio and total sound of your speaker. As a result of our listening setting, rear audio system aren’t possible.
We primarily examined the Arc Extremely by itself, with out rear audio system. The aforementioned Sonos Sub 4 was additionally wirelessly related.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: The brand new Sonos Sub 4
If you pair a sub with the Arc Extremely — whether or not it’s the Sub 4 or Sub Mini — what’s good is that it frees up a few of the drivers to deal with the mids and highs as an alternative of the decrease finish. You get total higher, balanced sound.
In fact, by the point you’ve got added rears and a sub, your setup is getting fairly dear. A kitted out system can run you as a lot as $2,700 pre-tax.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: New Sound Movement know-how
As we talked about on the inset, the Arc Extremely options Sonos’ recently-acquired Sound Movement know-how. Whereas not visible, it is a fairly spectacular setup.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: Sound Movement know-how permits for smaller parts
The high-level is that’s mainly permits them to have the identical, or higher, audio high quality, from smaller parts. That is what in the end issues.
Drivers and woofers will be shrunk, with none influence on audio high quality. The Arc Extremely is extra compact than earlier than, but it has higher, extra exact sound.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: Exploded view of the Sonos Arc Extremely internals
Inside it has 15 class-d amplifiers, up from 11 within the Arc. There are 7 tweeters and 6 midwoofers, from 3 tweeters and eight midwooders earlier than.
It is probably not flashy and possibly required numerous work throughout improvement, however this may definitely present up in all future Sonos audio system.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: Audio high quality
Turning to audio high quality — the Sonos Arc Extremely sounds superb. It’s extremely spectacular.
What might be one of many extra spectacular points is how good it sounds even with out rear audio system. Customers who choose to not add them will nonetheless have an especially immersive audio expertise.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: The Sonos Arc Extremely has nice Spatial Audio
In case you have a Sonos Arc with rear audio system, it does not sound that dissimilar from the Arc Extremely with rear audio system. These rear audio system are the identical, minimizing the general enhancements.
Its means to position sound in 3D area is simply too cool when listening to Dolby Atmos content material. There are these instances once you’re watching a film and also you hear a noise behind you and rapidly spin round.
We observed it rapidly watching films just like the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World collection. These dinosaurs actually tried to sneak up on us.
Whereas watching, it is the ambient, background noises that get you probably the most. It pulls you into the film.
Environmental noises like cities or rain sound like they arrive from throughout you. There’s much more element that may come out chances are you’ll not choose up with a smaller soundbar or with out spatial audio.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: Allow dialogue enhancement within the Sonos app
Talking of particulars popping out, Sonos has a brand new dialogue enhancement mode. It is referred to as speech enhancement and it helps you hear dialogue extra clearly.
When in comparison with the Arc, the easiest way we are able to describe it’s that it sounds just like the Arc, however you may decrease the general quantity. Elevating the general quantity on the Arc will get you comparable quantity on the middle channel with the outdated speech enhancement enabled.
Apple truly the same impact constructed into the Apple TV, however you need to have an Apple TV to make use of it. Plus, what you are watching has to make use of the native video participant.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: Apple TV has its personal dialogue increase
In case your streaming app makes use of its personal participant and interface, it will not have that dialogue increase. Having it on the soundbar straight provides you this characteristic regardless of the supply or machine.
It really works very nicely and I feel is an enormous cause to purchase the Arc Extremely versus competing soundbars.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: App updates proceed
We have now to at the least rapidly contact on the Sonos app when reviewing the Arc Extremely. How a lot you employ the app will in the end decide how vital it’s to you.
As primarily Apple customers, we not often tapped into the Sonos app. It provides issues like sleep timers, pairing, and a number of music providers to stream from.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: The Sonos app has continued to get updates
We choose simply to forged audio utilizing AirPlay or utilizing the choices on our Apple TV. For us, the app debacle has largely been background noise.
If nonetheless you depend on it recurrently, as many, many do, it may be make or break. Nonetheless, the app is improved drastically.
Sonos has continued to launch bi-weekly updates, fixing bugs and restoring options that had been initially omitted. The app feels way more strong than earlier than, although some work continues to be left to be carried out.
We aren’t eager to imagine manufacturers after they make guarantees, however Sonos has very a lot been following by with its updates and schedule in the case of this app.
Must you purchase the Sonos Arc Extremely?
There are two questions across the Arc Extremely.
One: do you have to purchase it when you have the Arc. Two: if you can purchase it in any respect.
In case you have the Arc, it is in all probability not well worth the splurge. It is higher, however not well worth the price ticket for a considerably small improve.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: The Arc Extremely is a unbelievable premium speaker
You get Bluetooth, improved design, higher sound, higher dialogue, and higher spatial audio. All nice, however not a considerable sufficient leap over the nonetheless distinctive Arc.
When you’re coming from one other speaker although, we will not advocate the Sonos Arc Extremely sufficient as a premium answer, particularly in comparison with a pair of Apple HomePods.
It is really easy to arrange and get going. You might have a myriad of playback choices from the Sonos App, to AirPlay, to Bluetooth, to something by your TV.
The spatial audio is simply too cool and we will not return to watching strikes with out it. There’s such a drastic distinction too going from our different TV with a Sonos Beam.
The soundstage is a lot larger it feels extra cinematic. As people who loves films however do not need to take care of a piecemeal wired spatial encompass setup, you may’t ask for way more than the Arc Extremely.
Sonos Arc Extremely overview: ProsBest soundbar for Dolby Atmos
Fast and simple setup
Optionally pair wi-fi subwoofer and rears for even higher sound
Sound, clear, highly effective with even higher dialogue separation
New look is better-suited for contemporary TVs
Controls are a lot improved
Bluetooth can be utilized on high of different inputs
eArc for easy connectivitySonos Arc Extremely overview: ConsSmall improve over similarly-priced Arc
App continues to be not 100% there
Can get costly with a full setupSonos Arc Extremely score: 4 out of 5Where to purchase the Sonos Arc Extremely
You should buy the brand new Sonos Arc Extremely in white or black from Adorama, B&H, or Amazon for $999.
