Sonos Arc Extremely
MSRP $999.00
“The Arc Extremely improves near to each and every facet of Sonos’ flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar.”
Execs
Large, tough bass
Transparent and intelligible discussion
Immersive Dolby Atmos
Nice for tune and flicks
Numerous growth choices
Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay
Cons
No HDMI enter
No faraway
Highs may also be quite harsh
Sonos app remains to be buggy
Via any measure, it’s been a awful yr for Sonos. The corporate’s much-anticipated access into wi-fi headphones — the Sonos Ace — will have to had been a triumphant second (the Ace are superb). Sadly, the Ace’s debut used to be overshadowed by way of a botched app replace, which continues to canine the corporate regardless of a slew of patches that experience in large part (however now not completely) fastened the issues.
The app fiasco forged one of these pall over the corporate’s most often ebullient new product launches that Sonos introduced its new flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar — the $999 Sonos Arc Extremely — now not with a splashy in-person press tournament, however with a press unlock.
I do know that Sonos’ wounds are 100% self-inflicted, however I will’t assist feeling unhealthy for the oldsters who introduced the Arc Extremely into lifestyles as a result of, similar to the Sonos Ace, it’s a in reality just right audio product.
It’s now not absolute best — I’ll contact on a few of its weaknesses in a second — and it’s now not an enormous step up from the unique Arc (which it replaces), however there’s an simple development in sound high quality that makes the Extremely value the additional $100 — particularly when you’re already all-in on Sonos.
The Sonos Arc Extremely (left) and Sonos Arc Simon Cohen / Virtual Tendencies
If you happen to’re acquainted with the Sonos Arc, the Arc Extremely is just about similar. It comes within the two usual Sonos colours (black and white) and its dimensions make it exhausting to inform the 2 aside at a distance. At 46.3 inches in width, the Extremely is most effective about two inches wider than the Arc, and but it’s shorter, with a top of two.9 inches as a substitute of the unique’s 3.4 inches. The Extremely is even slightly shallower.
The Sonos Arc Extremely (left) and Sonos Arc Simon Cohen / Virtual Tendencies
The all-matte-plastic, cylindrical frame and built-in grille keep what’s arguably some of the best-looking soundbar designs. The place the general public will understand a distinction is the brand new central housing. It acts as a plinth, developing the impact — when noticed from the entrance — that the cylinder’s “wings” are floating a couple of millimeters above the outside.
That housing could also be the place you’ll in finding the contact controls. In step with Sonos’ most up-to-date audio system (the Technology 100, Technology 300, and Transfer 2), those now come with a devoted quantity slider, which some would possibly in finding more straightforward or extra intuitive than the former dual-function quantity/observe skipping controls. I didn’t thoughts the former structure, however having them at the very most sensible floor ended in a large number of unintentional touches. Thus far, that hasn’t been the case with the Extremely’s controls.
Simon Cohen / Virtual Tendencies
The specifications
Worth
$999
Channels
9.1.4
Sound codecs
Stereo PCM, Dolby Virtual, Dolby Virtual Plus, Dolby Atmos (Dolby Virtual Plus), Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos (True HD), Multichannel PCM, Dolby Multichannel PCM, DTS Virtual Encompass
HDMI inputs/outputs
HDMI ARC/eARC, no HDMI inputs
Networking
Ethernet, Twin-band Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Streaming protocols
Bluetooth (SBC, AAC), Apple AirPlay 2
Voice keep watch over
Sonos Voice Regulate, Amazon Alexa (Google Assistant/Siri well matched)
Expandable
Sure, with various Sonos audio system and subwoofers
Subwoofer integrated
No
Hello-res audio
Sure, as much as 24-bit/48kHz
Multiroom well matched
Sure
Faraway keep watch over
No
The Arc Extremely positive factors Bluetooth connectivity, one thing the Arc lacked. When buddies drop by way of, it’s a to hand characteristic that provides them the power to move to the speaker without having your Wi-Fi password or the Sonos app. Higher but, turning on Bluetooth and pairing a telephone doesn’t interrupt Wi-Fi options like the usage of the Sonos app or streaming by way of AirPlay — the 2 can coexist. Simply understand that Bluetooth streaming gained’t sound relatively as just right as streaming by way of the app.
Sadly, the location of the Bluetooth button is awkward. In contrast to the similar buttons at the Technology 100, Technology 300, and Transfer 2, which might be situated for simple achieve on the most sensible of the speaker’s rear floor, it’s nestled in the similar small rear hollow space that homes the HDMI and gear connections, in addition to the Ethernet port and bodily microphone transfer. The Sonos-supplied HDMI cable is thinner and extra versatile than maximum, which would possibly assist with the crowding, but when your setup calls for a third-party cable, issues may get tight. It’s a just right factor you most effective wish to press it when pairing a brand new instrument — navigating that area blind is difficult.
Simon Cohen / Virtual Tendencies
If you happen to wall mount the Extremely (which you’ll do with an authentic Arc wall mount when you’re upgrading), it’s more straightforward to get to these controls — the hollow space has a backside opening designed for doing so.
It will be nice if Sonos added no less than one HDMI enter to its flagship soundbar, however the corporate is obviously antagonistic to doing so. To be truthful, there are most effective two causes for in need of an HDMI enter: Your TV’s last 3 HDMI inputs aren’t sufficient to deal with your choice of attached units, and/or you desire to ship a sign without delay on your soundbar as a result of your TV is older and will’t passthrough codecs like Dolby Atmos. If you happen to don’t fall into those classes, transfer alongside — not anything to peer right here.
Simon Cohen / Virtual Tendencies
Within the field, you’ll in finding the soundbar, an influence cable, and an HDMI cable — necessarily the entirety you want to get going. What you gained’t in finding is the optical-to-HDMI adapter that used to send with the Extremely. Sonos nonetheless sells them, but it surely reckons (rightly I think) that the majority other folks gained’t want one. But even so, when you use an optical connection, you’ll fail to see Dolby Atmos.
In spite of the new complications with the Sonos app, I arrange the Extremely simply as briefly and painlessly as another fresh Sonos product. The app identified the speaker virtually once I plugged it in.
Inside of a couple of mins, it added it to my Wi-Fi, carried out the primary tool replace, and gave me a short lived excursion of its options. It then inspired me to accomplish Sonos’ TruePlay room tuning and gave me the choice of enabling one or each non-compulsory voice assistants (Sonos Voice Regulate and Amazon Alexa).
Google lovers bear in mind: In contrast to the Sonos Arc, the Extremely doesn’t be offering Google Assistant for direct voice keep watch over, alternatively, it’s nonetheless controllable from Sonos’ older Google Assistant-compatible merchandise. You’ll additionally keep watch over it by way of Apple’s Siri.
Sonos app struggles
It’s been seven months because the new app design rolled out. System faults apart (oh, such a lot of system faults), my largest complaint is that I nonetheless have hassle navigating its interface.
The app used to have separate tabs that can help you soar between what you have been taking note of, what you have been in search of, and a view of the Sonos audio system in your house. To start with, I didn’t thoughts their absence, however the extra I exploit it, the extra I leave out them.
Now, those previously separate purposes slide over each and every different, layering one view over some other. Up to now, even though you’d by no means used the Sonos app, it’s essential intuit your means thru it. The brand new design has a steeper studying curve that rewards memorization, now not instinct. I nonetheless fight with it, as does my circle of relatives.
I convey this up for 3 causes. First, Sonos has all the time made just right wi-fi audio system. But it surely used to be the tool that made them nice. It made the doubtless daunting process of managing and controlling more than one audio system and tune resources simple. This new app design is a step backward, and it makes Sonos merchandise slightly more difficult to suggest consequently.
2nd, the Arc Extremely doesn’t include a faraway keep watch over. The Sonos app is the faraway.
With the exception of for energy, quantity, and muting, which may also be managed by way of your TV’s faraway, all different settings will have to be executed with the app. The app could also be the one technique to verify the sound structure the Extremely is enjoying. You might imagine you’re taking note of Dolby Atmos content material, however until you notice the Atmos emblem within the Sonos app, there’s no different affirmation.
In the end, if you wish to get the most efficient sound high quality from the Extremely when streaming tune, you will have to use the Sonos app. The speaker helps Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay, and whilst each are handy, each are lossy connections. You’ll additionally play without delay from Spotify and Tidal apps, however once more, those aren’t top of the range streams. For lossless audio, hi-res, or Dolby Atmos Tune, you will have to upload your subscription carrier to the Sonos app.
OK, I’m executed selecting at the app. But even so, when you’re already a Sonos proprietor, I’m preaching to the choir.
Now for the actual explanation why you’re right here: the sound.
Simon Cohen / Virtual Tendencies
All about that bass (and treble)
Beneath the grille is a wholly new motive force association. The Arc’s 5.1.2-channel, three-tweeter/eight-woofer/11-amp configuration has been changed with a seven-tweeter/six-mid-woofer/13-amp combo, plus the superstar of the display, Sonos’ new Sound Movement dual-membrane, quad-motor, bi-amped woofer.
It’s a exceptional little bit of tech. Even supposing the Extremely is shorter and shallower than the Arc, and has extra drivers taking on its inner room, it produces way more low-end. Position your hand in entrance of the speaker grille (simply to the left of the amount controls) and you’ll really feel the air being driven out by way of that motive force, even at reasonable quantity ranges.
It’s now not simply louder or extra tough — it’s extra articulate, too. With the Sound Movement motive force taking the lead on lows, the mid-woofers center of attention their power at the midrange, one thing the Arc’s woofers have been by no means loose to do. This steadiness creates an audible development in precision and readability.
With this point of bass on faucet, the Arc Extremely turns into a real all-in-one soundbar, becoming a member of the ranks of the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus and Sony’s Bravia House Theater Bar 8. You’ll nonetheless considerably fortify bass efficiency by way of including a subwoofer (or two), but it surely’s now not obligatory. In truth, I’m positive a large number of other folks — particularly the ones with smaller rooms or apartment dwellers — will query whether or not they want a sub in any respect.
Simon Cohen / Virtual Tendencies
I’ll admit, I mentioned one thing identical in my evaluation of the unique Arc, when it debuted in 2020. On the time, I feel it used to be a good overview — few soundbars again then may strengthen at the Arc’s bass with out the assistance of a subwoofer. Within the 4 years since, alternatively, soundbar bass has stepped forward so much — and the Extremely signifies that Sonos has stored tempo.
The Extremely’s greater collection of tweeters produces a noticeable distinction in readability, particularly for discussion. The all-important middle channel is cohesive and voices are extra intelligible, even with out experimenting with the Extremely’s new three-level Speech Enhancement settings.
Prior to my Extremely evaluation unit arrived, my spouse and I watched Netflix’s Kaos— a unusual, Jeff Goldblum-led reimagining of Greek gods in trendy occasions — the usage of the Sonos Arc. However I had a difficult time figuring out a lot of Dionysus’ traces. As is regularly the case, a mix of accessory and audio high quality had me attaining for my Apple TV faraway to do the “what did he say?” trick the place it repeats the previous couple of traces with subtitles grew to become on.
Going again to the similar problematic traces with the Arc Extremely used to be like pulling away layers of gauze — unexpectedly there used to be readability.
Simon Cohen / Virtual Tendencies
Turning on Speech Enhancement will most likely assist those that want higher separation of voices from background sounds, however you would possibly not like what it does to the remainder of the soundtrack, particularly at its absolute best point. That is the place Sonos may take pleasure in a bodily faraway. It will be to hand to briefly transfer Speech Enhancement on or off (or exchange the extent) with out attaining for my telephone.
Multichannel and Dolby Atmos are each stepped forward at the Arc Extremely. The brand new motive force association supplies a extra outlined sense of width, intensity, and top, plus higher precision for person sound results. However as soon as once more, the additional bass from the Sound Movement motive force stuck my consideration.
Operating thru my standard check clips, I totally loved the extra affect — actually. Within the iconic first set piece from No Time To Die, the place James Bond sits frivolously inside of his antique Aston Martin as the automobile is slowly become Swiss cheese by way of a hail of bullets, you’ll really feel each and every shot viscerally.
There’s a in a similar way exciting vibe to the roar of engines in Mad Max: Fury Highway and Ford v Ferrari.
Simon Cohen / Virtual Tendencies
There’s no query that the Extremely can procedure 9.1.4-channel audio — I ran it thru a sequence of check tones to make sure — however you will have to most probably mood your expectancies in this entrance. As with all single-speaker setup, quantity is your pal. The louder the Extremely will get, the extra colourful and immersive the enjoy.
The Extremely, just like the Arc sooner than it, does a good task of top channel copy, but it surely’s nonetheless now not as completed at recreating a way of width and intensity because the Bose Extremely Sensible Soundbar (in the past referred to as the Bose Sensible Soundbar 900) or the Sony Bravia House Theater Bar 8.
By itself, it doesn’t exchange a discrete speaker house theater gadget or perhaps a multispeaker soundbar bundle just like the Samsung HW-Q990D. For that roughly efficiency, you’ll want a set of Sonos Technology 300 as rear audio system and a Sonos Sub.
Including those to the combination creates that lacking sense of width and intensity, improves top results, and delivers tough ranges of bass. It’s a very good setup, but it surely’s a long way from a budget-friendly funding at $2,696.
Simon Cohen / Virtual Tendencies
My one critique of the Extremely’s sound is that it has a tendency to show off some harshness and sibilance within the upper frequencies. It’s maximum noticeable when enjoying Atmos content material — each for motion pictures and tune. My unscientific trust is that the usage of tweeters for each the up-firing and side-firing drivers (as a substitute of the Arc’s full-range/tweeter combo) signifies that some sounds that want extra midrange aren’t getting it.
My check case for that is the very good Atmos mixture of The Doorways’ Riders at the Typhoon. A few of Jim Morrison’s lyrics are echoed ethereally by way of the peak channels. It’s meant to sound just like the eerie whispers of disembodied voices, however as a substitute, they sound shrill … like caricature ghosts looking to scare you.
You’ll mitigate this slightly the usage of the EQ settings (transferring the treble slider into the adverse values), however since this additionally impacts the remainder of the combination, it’s a less than perfect answer.
That is partly as a result of Atmos Tune is a hit-and-miss structure. There’s an Atmos model of Diana Ross’ I’m Coming Out that sounds loopy just right at the Extremely. If I didn’t know higher, I’d say it used to be combined for the Arc Extremely: no hint of sibilance, the snare and cymbal hits are tight, and the horns (plus Ross’ unique voice) are very transparent. It’s now not unexpected that Sonos really useful it as a pattern observe for Arc Extremely reviewers.
I additionally didn’t stumble on any harshness when the Extremely rendered stereo. The place the Arc’s tuning liked colourful highs and deep lows — reasonably undermining its musicality — the Arc Extremely has extra nuance and element in the course of the mids and creates a herbal, at ease sound. It’s a balancing act you’ll recognize when you use the Extremely for extra than simply TV audio.
Simon Cohen / Virtual Tendencies
One fast word on the usage of the Sonos Ace headphones with the Arc Extremely by way of TV Audio Switch. Identical to with the Arc, the Ace can obtain an absolutely rendered Dolby Atmos combine from the Extremely, along side head monitoring to assist with the realism of listening to audio system in a room. Then again, the Extremely doesn’t mimic its personal 9.1.4 processing for the Ace’s combine. As an alternative, it will get the similar 7.1.4 combine because the Arc delivered. That’s rarely an issue. It sounds simply high-quality and I’m now not positive I’d have the ability to distinguish some other two channels within the combine.
Additionally, we’ll most probably listen a larger development when Sonos releases its TrueCinema characteristic for the Ace, which makes an attempt to imitate your room’s real-world acoustics. When it introduced the Ace, Sonos mentioned TrueCinema used to be coming later this yr (2024). However that used to be sooner than the corporate needed to reassign nearly all of its engineering ability to the epic process of changing the damaged Sonos app.
My most effective gripe is that Sonos doesn’t be offering a lot flexibility when the usage of the Ace and Arc Extremely. “Switch” is precisely what occurs — you industry soundbar audio for headphones audio. That’s now not useful when you wish to have to look at in a gaggle atmosphere, however one consumer wishes headphones. And, for now, whilst you’ll arrange a couple of Sonos Ace to do TV Audio Switch with the Extremely, just one set of headphones at a time can obtain the sign.
The long run is Extremely
Now that it’s been changed by way of the quite dearer Arc Extremely, the Sonos Arc will most effective stay to be had whilst provides final. If you’ll rating a large cut price — say 30% or extra — it’s nonetheless an ideal soundbar. However the Arc Extremely is best in virtually each and every means that counts.
With new Bluetooth streaming, clearer discussion, extra precision and element, and that further punch of low-end bass, it’s a greater speaker for TV audio and tune.
The loss of an HDMI enter (particularly now that Sonos is calling $999) or a bodily faraway are small, however notable drawbacks. The true reason for hesitation, particularly when you’ve by no means owned a Sonos product, is the corporate’s ongoing app woes. It’s possible you’ll need to look ahead to issues to strengthen sooner than taking the plunge. However when you’re already all-in on Sonos, the Arc Extremely makes an ideal addition on your TV setup, whether or not it’s your first Sonos soundbar or an improve.
