Sonos Arc Review: The Ultimate Dolby Atmos Soundbar for Home Theater
Do you remember the days when you bought a surround system with a bunch of speakers to get that immersive sound found in movie theatres in your den, entertainment room, or maybe a man cave? Then, soundbars came around to offer a new audio experience in your home that compliments the sound from your large-screen smart TV. But over the past few years, I have seen soundbars evolve into surround sound systems without all the wiring and speakers. Just one bar you put in front of your smart TV that automatically provides the superior audio quality that a 5.1 surround system uses. I found one new smart soundbar that does all of this and, if you want, allows users to add wireless speakers that can take your audio to an entirely new level. It's Sonos' Arc Soundbar with Dolby Atmos. Check out what I learned from testing this new smart soundbar over the past few months.
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What is the Sonos Arc Soundbar?
The Sonos Arc soundbar is a premium audio device that delivers a rich, immersive home theater experience with exceptional sound quality. It's more than just a traditional soundbar—it's a smart sound system that supports Dolby Atmos for 3D surround sound, integrates seamlessly with popular voice assistants, and connects wirelessly to other Sonos speakers for a whole-home audio setup. Whether watching movies, playing games, or streaming music, the Sonos Arc elevates your audio experience with precision-tuned sound, intuitive features, and elegant design.
Features That Set the Sonos Arc Apart
Immersive Dolby Atmos Sound
One of the standout features of the Sonos Arc is its Dolby Atmos support, which creates an immersive soundscape by delivering audio from all directions—including above you. This is made possible by the two height channels in the soundbar, which direct sound upward, giving you a true 3D audio experience. Whether it's the sound of rain falling or an airplane flying overhead, the Arc's spatial audio capabilities bring these elements to life, putting you right at the center of the action.
Superior Audio Quality
The Sonos Arc is built with 11 Class-D digital amplifiers, three silk-dome tweeters, and eight elliptical woofers, all working harmoniously to produce crystal-clear highs, balanced midranges, and deep, booming bass. This combination ensures that dialogue is crisp, background sounds are rich, and music plays with high fidelity, whether you're watching a blockbuster movie or listening to your favorite playlist.
Voice Control and Smart Integration
The Sonos Arc integrates seamlessly with popular voice assistants, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Sonos Voice Control. This means you can control playback, adjust volume, and manage your connected smart home devices—all with simple voice commands. The Arc also supports Apple AirPlay 2, allowing you to stream audio from your Apple devices and control your soundbar using Siri.
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Seamless Music Streaming
The Sonos Arc transforms into a high-quality music streaming device when your TV is off. You can stream from services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music in the highest resolution. The Sonos app makes it easy to control music, create playlists, and adjust sound settings, giving you full control over your listening experience.
Customizable Sound with Trueplay
The Sonos Arc uses Trueplay tuning technology, automatically calibrating the soundbar's audio output to match your room's acoustics. This ensures optimal sound quality no matter where the soundbar is placed. Trueplay uses your iOS device to analyze the room's size, layout, and furniture to adjust the audio settings accordingly, delivering the best possible sound tailored to your space.
Multi-Room Audio and Expandability
The Sonos Arc isn't just limited to your living room. It can be integrated with other Sonos speakers to create a whole-home sound system. Whether you want to add a Sonos subwoofer for deeper bass or connect rear speakers for a more immersive surround sound experience, the Arc can easily expand to meet your needs. The system also supports multi-room audio so you can play the same music throughout your house or different songs in different rooms.
Setting Up the Sonos Arc Soundbar
Setting up the Sonos Arc is straightforward and takes only a few steps. Here is a step-by-step guide to setting up the Arc soundbar:
- Unbox:Ensure you have all the pieces and cords that connect with the Arc.
- Position the Soundbar: Place the Arc on your TV stand or mount it on the wall using the Sonos Arc Wall Mount. Positioning is essential for achieving the best sound. If you're mounting it on the wall, use the designated mount for secure installation.
- Connect to Your TV: Use the included HDMI eARC/ARC cable to connect the Arc to your TV's HDMI port. If your TV doesn't have an HDMI eARC or ARC port, you can use the provided optical audio adapter. An eARC connection is ideal for full compatibility with Dolby Atmos and other high-definition audio formats.
- Download the Sonos App: The Sonos app (available for iOS and Android) is essential for setting up and controlling your Arc. Follow the in-app instructions to connect the soundbar to your home Wi-Fi network and link it to your Sonos account.
- Sync with TV Remote: The Arc syncs with your TV remote through its built-in infrared (IR) receiver. This allows you to control the soundbar's volume and playback with the same remote you use for your TV.
- Customize Settings: Once connected, use the Sonos app to adjust the EQ settings (bass, treble, and loudness) to match your preferences. You can also enable Trueplay tuning to calibrate the Arc's sound output to your room's acoustics.
- Integrate with Voice Assistants: If you want to control the Sonos Arc using voice commands, follow the app's instructions to connect the soundbar to your preferred voice assistant, whether it's Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Sonos Voice. Note that the Sonos Arc works with Apple AirPlay 2.
Tips on Setting up and Running Sonos Arc
Here are some tips that will help you with setting up and running your Sonos Arc soundbar:
To get the best sound experience and a clean setup, consider mounting your Sonos Arc using the Sonos Arc Wall Mount. This ensures a secure fit and positions the soundbar perfectly for optimal audio performance in your room.
Enhance your home theater experience by pairing the Sonos Arc with compatible speakers like the Era 300, Era 100, Sonos One, Move 2, or other products. You can also use a Sonos Amp to power passive in-wall or in-ceiling speakers for an even more immersive surround sound setup.
Connect the Sonos Arc to a TV that supports HDMI eARC for the best sound quality. However, you can also use ARC or optical outputs. Remember that the Dolby formats supported, such as Dolby Atmos, will depend on your TV's specific capabilities.
You don't necessarily need a subwoofer to enjoy Dolby Atmos with the Sonos Arc. The built-in height channels already provide an impressive 3D audio experience. However, adding a subwoofer will enhance the bass, giving you a deeper, more powerful sound.
How much does Arc Soundbar cost?
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The price is competitive when comparing the Sonos Arc's $899 MSRP to other premium soundbars on the market, such as those from Samsung, Polk Audio, LG, Vizio, Sony, and Bang & Olufsen. Still, it depends on the features you prioritize. Many soundbars in this price range offer impressive sound quality. Still, the Sonos Arc stands out with its Dolby Atmos support, built-in voice assistants, and seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem. While brands like Samsung and Sony offer soundbars at similar or even slightly lower prices, the Arc's multi-room audio capabilities and superior ease of use with other Sonos products make it a strong value for those already invested in the Sonos ecosystem or looking for excellent home theater sound in a simple, user-friendly setup. Compared to more luxury brands like Bang & Olufsen, which often charge significantly more, the Sonos Arc offers a more affordable yet high-end audio experience.
Testing Results for Arc Soundbar
After testing the Sonos Arc Soundbar over the past few months in a typical home environment, I found it delivers exceptional sound quality across various uses. We tested the Arc on a smart TV using both the HDMI eARC port and the optical port, and while there was a noticeable improvement in sound quality with eARC, the difference wasn't as significant as expected. Most non-audiophiles likely won't notice the subtle nuances between the two ports. The Dolby Atmos feature was impressive, providing a true spatial audio experience that elevated our movie and music sessions.
A highlight of the Sonos Arc is its ability to pair seamlessly with other Sonos speakers and devices. We connected an Era 300 speaker through the app—without wires—and the surround sound was excellent, enhancing the immersion for movies, sporting events, and music. The setup was incredibly easy, and I appreciated the flexibility of placing the Arc on a shelf or mounting it on the wall. Despite its size and weight, which requires secure wall mounting, its wireless surround sound capabilities make it far less cluttered than traditional systems.
When compared to our Bose Surround System with a subwoofer, the Arc held its own in providing deep, rich bass. While adding a subwoofer could enhance the sound further, enjoying Dolby Atmos or a complete audio experience is unnecessary. However, during testing, we encountered issues connecting the Arc to our TV remote, so we relied on Sonos Voice Control to adjust the volume, which worked smoothly.
Touch controls were responsive, but a child lock feature would be a useful addition, especially for homes with young children. In our setup, the soundbar was placed low enough for my grandchildren to access, and the lack of a child lock was a concern. That said, the Apple AirPlay 2 feature came in handy, especially in a household of Apple users. We found Siri to be an easy way to control the volume on the Arc, which was a nice bonus.
Additionally, the Arc includes Amazon Alexa built-in, allowing it to act as a hub for smart home devices. You can easily control any Alexa-compatible device with voice commands, and the Arc also supports Google Assistant, offering even more flexibility for voice control. If you already have an Alexa-enabled device in the same room, I'd recommend muting the microphone on the Arc to avoid redundancy. The Arc's built-in Alexa is more than sufficient to handle voice commands, so having additional Alexa devices nearby might be overkill.
The Arc requires a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection, which could be a limitation for users who prefer 5 GHz networks. However, it works well with dual-band routers as long as it stays connected to the 2.4 GHz signal.
One standout feature is Seamless Device Switching, which I tested using Sonos Ace headphones. This feature allowed me to switch audio from the Arc to the Ace headphones with just a button press, which was particularly useful when my wife took phone calls during a hockey game. Once she was finished, I easily switched back to the Arc without missing a beat. I'd love to see this feature extended to other Sonos speakers in the future.
As for the price, the Sonos Arc is positioned at the premium end of the market, with an MSRP of $899. This places it in the same range as other high-end soundbars from brands like Samsung, Bowers & Wilkins, JBL, Bose, LG, and Bang & Olufsen. However, if you're comparing the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) to the Arc, the additional cost of the Arc is justified by its dedicated height channels and more immersive sound experience. For users who prioritize this, the Arc is well worth the investment.
What are users saying about Sonos Arc?
After reviewing many user reviews on other sites, we found users praise the Sonos Arc soundbar for its exceptional sound quality, rich bass, and immersive Dolby Atmos support, making it ideal for movies, music, and TV shows. They highlight its easy setup, wireless expandability with other Sonos speakers, and smart assistant integration with Alexa and Google Assistant. The sleek design and multi-room audio capabilities also receive positive feedback. However, some users note its high price, limited support for DTS, occasional audio delay with projectors, and concerns over privacy and mandatory app usage. Despite these drawbacks, the Sonos Arc is widely regarded as a top-tier soundbar for home theater systems.
Based on my tests, the Sonos Arc is an excellent addition to any Sonos user's collection and a solid option for those looking to build a high-quality, wireless sound system with voice control and easy setup. Yes, it is expensive when comparing it to other soundbars. But, whether upgrading or just starting to build your home audio system, the Arc delivers premium sound quality, smart features, and versatility, making it a top contender in the smart soundbar market even at its current price point. I highly recommend the Sonos Arc if you want a premium soundbar to expand and quickly create your ultimate smart home theater.
Summary
Over the past few years, we have tested many Sonos smart speakers and understand how they work well. The Sonos Arc is a feature-packed soundbar that delivers exceptional audio quality, whether watching movies, gaming, or streaming music. With Dolby Atmos, Trueplay tuning, and smart assistant integration, it stands out as one of the best soundbars on the market. Its ability to sync with other Sonos speakers for a complete home audio experience and its intuitive, easy setup make it a versatile addition to any home theater system. If you're looking for a premium soundbar with high-quality sound, flexible expansion options, and smart features, the Sonos Arc is an excellent choice and one of GearBrain's top home entertainment choices.
Pros:
- Exceptional Sound Quality and Dolby Atmos Support
- Easy Setup with Wireless Expandability
- Smart Assistant Integration (Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, and Sonos Voice)
- Multi-Room Audio
Cons
- Price
- No DTS Support
- Limited Compatibility with Non-Sonos Products
- TV Remote Compatibility
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Remember to check out The GearBrain; our compatibility find engine. It makes it easy to find any smart or connected device for your smart home. It can also help you find compatible connected devices that work with your existing devices or Google Home or Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.
