From Engadget · Devindra Hardawar · · 1m 40s
Sonos Beam Ultra: $699 Atmos Soundbar Review
The $699 Sonos Beam Ultra delivers true Dolby Atmos with upward-firing speakers for premium sound without the Arc Ultra price tag.
In brief
The $699 Sonos Beam Ultra delivers true Dolby Atmos with upward-firing speakers for premium sound without the Arc Ultra price tag. True Dolby Atmos with upward-firing speakers for $699, ideal for small to mid-sized rooms with flat ceilings. Originally reported by Engadget.
What it is
The Sonos Beam Ultra is a compact soundbar that sounds like the high-end Sonos Arc but costs $699 instead of $999.
Key upgrade
Adds two upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers for true ceiling-bouncing sound, unlike the Beam's simulated Atmos.
Price point
Priced at $699, it's close to the original $799 Sonos Arc but significantly cheaper than the $1,099 Arc Ultra.
Best for
Ideal for small to mid-sized rooms with flat ceilings, especially for movies and music without needing a full home theater setup.
Sound quality
Delivers crisp dialogue in movies and rich, detailed music with deeper bass than previous Beam models.
Atmos limitations
Requires flat ceilings for true Dolby Atmos; otherwise, it uses simulated Atmos for better sound.
Connectivity
Connects via HDMI eARC to TVs, with optional HDMI to optical for older sets without Dolby Atmos.
Controls
Has capacitive buttons for play/pause and track skipping, but no advanced features for privacy.
Best use case
Perfect for home theater enthusiasts who want premium sound without the $1,099 Arc Ultra price.
Price comparison
Costs $699, making it more affordable than the Arc Ultra ($1,099) but pricier than the second-gen Beam ($499).
Music performance
Excels at detailed music playback, with clear vocals and rich bass even in small spaces.
Movie performance
Provides immersive sound for action movies with distinct rumbles and clear dialogue without muddiness.
What matters most
True Dolby Atmos with upward-firing speakers for $699, ideal for small to mid-sized rooms with flat ceilings.
