Sound quality:
Sonos's Arc Ultra has very good overall sound quality - although it has some noticeable sonic quirks, this model reproduces music and dialog very well. The bass has good impact and goes deep, but is somewhat tubby and prominent. Midrange is somewhat congested, hazy a bit dark and a touch grainy. Treble is fairly extended, but is somewhat subdued, smeared and a bit sizzly. Does a decent job recovering room ambience of recordings, but is a somewhat congested. The two channel sound field extends somewhat above and not much to the sides of the speaker array and not much of a sense of depth. Individual instruments and voices are easy to identify but are somewhat two-dimensional.
The Speech Enhancement and Night sound mode settings had a noticeable effect on the sound.
Multi-channel
When Dolby Digital 5.1 channel program material is played back the width and height of the sound stage expands, and depending on the program material extends well beyond the width and speakers and up to the ceiling of a typical room. Individual instruments and voices are easy to identify but are somewhat two-dimensional.
Sound Modes (Multi-channel)
The Voice Enhancement - default medium, (Low/Med/High modes available) and Night sound mode settings had a subtle but noticeable effect on the sound.
Dolby Atmos
When playing Dolby Atmos material the width and height of the sound stage expands and depending on the program material can fill the front end of the room; audio imaging can extend to the sides and up and above from the front of the room to almost directly overhead depending on the program material, but there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front. Individual instruments and voices are easy to identify but are somewhat two-dimensional.
The Voice Enhancement - default medium, (Low/Med/High modes available) and Night sound mode settings had a subtle but noticeable effect on the sound.
TV ease of use: excellent overall.
Features ease of use: excellent overall.
