# 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.
- Title: Sonos Beam Ultra: $699 Atmos Soundbar Review · Engadget
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: sonos, beam ultra, dolby atmos, soundbar, home theater, sonos arc, atmos speakers, tv stand, premium audio, dolby, sound quality, Beam
- Source: Engadget — https://engadget.com/2265077/sonos-beam-ultra-review
- Author: Devindra Hardawar
- Published: 2026-09-22T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sonos, beam ultra, dolby atmos, soundbar, tv, home theater, sonos arc, atmos speakers, tv stand, premium audio, dolby, sound quality
## 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.
## Key takeaway

True Dolby Atmos with upward-firing speakers for $699, ideal for small to mid-sized rooms with flat ceilings.