Sonos Beam Ultra black

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.

Technical specifications

Audio

• Amplification: 9 Class D digital amplifiers
• Speakers: 5 tweeters and 4 low-profile woofers
• Audio configuration: 7.1.2 channels
• 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