Between the Beam Gen 2 and the Arc Ultra, the Sonos soundbar range left a gap: that of a compact model truly capable of projecting sound towards the ceiling. The Beam Ultra fills this role with a 7.1.2 configuration packed into 75 cm of width, nine speakers including two upward-firing units, and a reworked center channel for voices. It retains the Sonos wireless ecosystem and is controlled from the brand’s app.
Nine speakers for a 7.1.2 soundstage
The Beam Gen 2 operated in 5.0, without a physical height channel. The Beam Ultra moves up to nine drivers: five tweeters and four woofers, each powered by its own Class D digital amplifier. The center tweeter carries the information positioned at the center of the image. Two side tweeters radiate through waveguides to widen the soundstage and enhance left-right separation: this is where the surround channels originate, extended by sound reflecting off the room’s walls. Finally, two tweeters angled towards the ceiling send sound upward; after bouncing back, it descends towards the listening area and recreates the two Dolby Atmos height channels. The soundbar also delivers more bass than the Beam Gen 2. When the top of the soundbar is partially obstructed, a dedicated mode simulates height information, with the installation type configured in the app. In terms of formats, it decodes Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS Digital Surround, and both stereo and multichannel PCM streams.
A redesigned center channel for dialogue
Sonos redesigned the center speaker from the ground up: new waveguide, new mechanics, new acoustic tuning, and new digital processing. The goal can be summed up in one word: dialogue. An action scene loses its appeal if voices get lost in the effects. An AI-powered dialogue enhancement mode offers four boost levels, from a subtle lift to a pronounced increase in the midrange. Night Sound mode narrows volume differences to prevent bass from waking up the household in the evening. The equalizer provides control over bass, treble, and a Loudness function.
A 75 cm format beneath the screen
75 cm wide, 6.5 cm high, 10.5 cm deep, 2.88 kg: the Beam Ultra gains around ten centimetres over the Beam Gen 2 and remains far narrower than an Arc Ultra. Its low height allows it to fit beneath most TVs without intruding on the image, whether placed on furniture or wall-mounted. The perforated grille runs across the front and top, where touch controls manage playback, volume, and microphones. It is available in black or white, with a matte finish.
One HDMI cable, one USB-C port and Trueplay
Connection to the TV is via an HDMI eARC socket, using the cable supplied in the box. A USB-C port completes the connectivity: paired with separately sold Sonos adapters, it accepts an analogue source via a 3.5 mm mini-jack or a wired Ethernet connection. For a TV without an HDMI ARC socket, an HDMI-to-optical adapter is available separately. The soundbar responds to the TV remote control, avoiding the need to handle a second one. Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and AirPlay 2 enable network playback and streaming from a phone, all controlled through the Sonos app. Trueplay calibration measures the room’s acoustics and adjusts performance accordingly, on both iOS and Android. An array of long-range microphones handles voice commands and can be disabled with a physical switch when preferred. The soundbar can also send TV audio to Sonos headphones.
From the soundbar alone to 7.1.2 with subwoofer and rear speakers
On its own, the Beam Ultra already covers a medium to large living room. It can also serve as the first building block: a Sonos Sub or a Sub Mini handles deep bass, while two Sonos speakers placed behind the listener become true rear surround channels. These rear channels now support portable Sonos speakers, such as a Move 2 or a Play: placed behind the sofa, they take on the role of surrounds, with a software setting measuring their position. Each element is added wirelessly, according to budget, and joins the other speakers in the home in multiroom from the same app.
What the press says
Performance during my testing was excellent across the board. The soundbar sounds great on its own, with clear dialogue and better expansion with Dolby Atmos content than expected, including Dolby Atmos Music. [...] I did have one issue in which the Play speakers disconnected, and one of the speakers fell off the network, but it reconnected after a few minutes and remained so for weeks of testing.
The vocals felt clear, direct, and expansive, which immediately drew us into the track. [...] The first episode of Widow's Bay in Dolby Atmos showed off the bar's wide soundfield, as atmospheric choral singing and crashing waves surrounded the listener. [...] From our first listen, the bass was not the deepest, but the soundbar delivered refined and detailed lower frequencies that gave the demo scenes a strong foundation.
Simulated overhead sound: optimization of vertical effects according to installation
Audio formats and technologies
Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos
Spatial music: Dolby Atmos Music
Compatible home theater formats: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, stereo PCM, multichannel PCM, DTS Digital Surround
Sound processing
Equalization: bass and treble adjustment, and Loudness function
Acoustic calibration: Trueplay, compatible with iOS and Android
Dialogue enhancement: AI processing with 4 adjustment levels
Night Sound mode: yes
Connectivity
HDMI eARC
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
Apple AirPlay 2
Compatible with the TV remote control
Transfer TV sound to Sonos headphones
Controls and microphones
Touch controls
Voice controls
Long-range microphone array
Beamforming and multichannel echo cancellation
Physical microphone disable switch
Expandability
Can be expanded into a home theater system with a subwoofer and surround speakers
Dimensions
Width: 75 cm
Height: 6.5 cm
Depth: 10.5 cm
Box contents
Sonos Beam Ultra
Power cable
HDMI cable
Setup guide
Legal and warranty documentation
Frequently asked questions
What distinguishes the Beam Ultra from the Arc Ultra?
+
The Beam Ultra fits within 75 cm and targets a 7.1.2 soundstage. The Arc Ultra, significantly wider, reaches a 9.1.4 configuration with four height channels. The Beam Ultra retains the vertical dimension of Dolby Atmos in a cabinet that fits beneath a medium-sized TV.
Should you add a subwoofer to the Sonos Beam Ultra?
+
The four low-profile woofers deliver sufficient bass for music and most films in a medium-sized room. For deeper, more physical bass, a Sonos Sub or Sub Mini connects wirelessly and relieves the soundbar of the lowest frequencies.
How do I connect the soundbar to a TV without an HDMI eARC port?
+
The connection is via HDMI eARC, and an HDMI cable is included. On a TV with a standard HDMI ARC port, the soundbar works, but higher-bitrate streams such as Dolby TrueHD do not pass through ARC; Dolby Atmos carried via Dolby Digital Plus, however, works without difficulty. The box does not include an optical adapter.
Does the Sonos Beam Ultra support DTS:X?
+
Supported DTS formats are limited to DTS Digital Surround. DTS:X is not listed among the recognized formats. For height effects, Dolby Atmos is decoded.
Can the Beam Ultra's microphones be disabled?
+
Yes. A physical switch disconnects the microphone array. Once disabled, the microphones no longer pick up anything for voice commands, a useful feature for those who value their privacy.
Can you listen to music in Dolby Atmos on the Beam Ultra?
+
Yes. The soundbar plays spatial music in Dolby Atmos Music format in addition to classic stereo. Playback is via the Sonos app, AirPlay 2 or Bluetooth, and the two height speakers then help extend the musical soundstage upward.
User reviews
Andrea
Excellent, really a big step up from the Beam 2 I had. The Era 300s I use as surrounds along with a sub mini have come alive… I recommend buying from this store. Very prompt shipping. Andrea
Comment from 19 October 2026 — Experience from 8 October 2026
Automatically translated — Show original (Italian)
Ottimo veramente un bel salto rispetto alla Beam 2 che avevo.
Gli Era 300 che uso come sorround assieme a un sub mini hanno preso vigore…
Consiglio l’acquisto su questo store.
Puntualissimi nella spedizione.
Andrea
To better understand our visitors, measure marketing effectiveness and personalise ads, we and our partners use cookies and mobile advertising identifiers on your device. This data makes it possible to display personalised and non-personalised ads and measure their performance. Some cookies, which are technically necessary, are exempt from consent. You can accept those that require your consent, refuse them by clicking “Reject”, or customise your choices via “More options”.
To find out how Google uses the data collected once you have given your consent, see Google’s Business Data Responsibility site (opens in a new window).
You can change or withdraw your consent at any time via the “Cookies” link. Your choices will apply on our site for 12 months.
