It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Sonos over the past few months, starting with the underwhelming launch of their redesigned app. The app’s premature release caused ripples, overshadowing the highly anticipated launch of the Ace headphones and forcing Sonos to shift priorities. Since then, the company has been in recovery mode, focusing on regaining customer trust and revisiting its product roadmap.
Despite the delays, it seems Sonos has something exciting in store. After four solid years as the brand’s flagship soundbar, the Sonos Arc might soon have a successor—the rumored Arc Ultra. Thanks to a slip-up by Best Buy, we now have a clearer idea of what to expect.
TechRadar’s Matthew Bolton spotted the now-removed Arc Ultra listing on Best Buy’s website, giving us a first glimpse of the potential new design and features. The listing highlighted a premium, low-profile design with a matte finish, following the sleek and curved aesthetic Sonos is known for. While the page was quickly pulled down, it didn’t stop the details from spreading.
A Potential Price Reveal
What’s possibly more interesting is the price Best Buy listed—$999 USD, a $100 bump from the current Arc’s price tag. While Sonos hasn’t confirmed this, the rumored price is in line with previous reports, which suggested the Arc Ultra could hover around the $1,000 mark. If true, this positions the new soundbar squarely as a premium offering in Sonos’ lineup.
Feature Upgrades: Bluetooth Connectivity and More
The leaked listing also hinted at some new features. One of the standout additions appears to be Bluetooth connectivity, a feature that was noticeably absent in the original Arc. This aligns with recent trends across Sonos’ product range, including the Move 2 and Roam 2, both of which offer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi options. The Arc Ultra could continue this trend, making it even more versatile for various home setups.
Another improvement expected is in the sound technology. Sonos acquired the tech company Mayht in 2022, and they’ve been working on advanced speaker technology that allows for smaller designs without sacrificing audio quality. If this innovation makes its way into the Arc Ultra, we could be looking at a soundbar that not only delivers high-end sound but also reduces vibrations and enhances clarity.
The Big Picture
The original Sonos Arc set a high bar with its 11-speaker setup and Dolby Atmos capabilities, but the Arc Ultra could take things even further with more speakers and improved sound output. Best Buy’s early listing, combined with the recent tech developments at Sonos, suggests that the Arc Ultra might be ready for launch sooner than later. While there’s still a chance this could be a retail error, the frequency of these leaks indicates otherwise.
As we await an official statement from Sonos, it’s clear that the Arc Ultra is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the home audio landscape. Stay tuned to Gadgets Insights for updates on this and more breaking tech news!
