On first listen, the Sonos Beam Ultra sounds great
ThinkingNews Desk · how this was written
Sonos unveiled the Beam Ultra 7.1.2 soundbar and Ace Ultra headphones, pricing the soundbar at $699 and the headphones at $449. The Beam Ultra delivers loud, clear, bass-rich audio with Dolby Atmos separation even without a subwoofer, and can add Play speakers as rear surrounds via Sonos Fabric. The Ace Ultra can capture the soundbar’s output for headphone listening, and both products are supported by a new app update and the Sonos 27 operating system.
Written from all 3 reports below, not from any single one.
How it was reported
- Wired·Sonos Ace Ultra, Beam Ultra, Sonos Fabric, and a New App: Everything Sonos Just Announced
Sonos unveiled the Sonos 27 audio operating system, delivered via a revamped app that adds generative-AI voice control, customizable AI agents, and improved navigation, but the AI features are limited to the newer S2 app and compatible hardware. The company also introduced the Ace Ultra soundbar, Beam Ultra soundbar, and its second over-ear headphones, positioning itself as an audio platform rather than merely a speaker maker.
- Engadget·Sonos unveils new Beam Ultra soundbar with 'true 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos'
Sonos announced the Beam Ultra soundbar, priced at $699 and shipping on September 29, featuring nine drivers—five tweeters (including two upward-firing) and four woofers—to deliver true 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos without relying on software-only virtualization. The unit supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI eARC, and includes AI Speech Enhancement with four selectable dialogue-clarity levels, while integrating with other Sonos speakers for rear-surround channels.
- Engadget·The Sonos Ace Ultra headphones and Beam Ultra soundbar are smarter than I expected
Sonos unveiled the Ace Ultra headphones and Beam Ultra soundbar, demonstrating that the Beam Ultra delivers loud, clear, bass-rich audio with impressive Atmos separation even without a subwoofer, and that adding Play speakers as rear surrounds automatically enhances immersion via Sonos Fabric. The Ace Ultra can capture the soundbar’s output for headphone listening, while the new Sonos 27 OS introduces an updated natural-language voice assistant and AI-driven contextual features.
- The Verge·On first listen, the Sonos Beam Ultra sounds great
Sonos introduced the $699 Beam Ultra, a 7.1.2 soundbar designed for TVs up to 65 inches and available in black, alongside $449 Ace Ultra headphones and upcoming app updates. In a private demo, the Beam Ultra delivered clear Dolby Atmos performance, with the opening segment of “Widow’s Bay” showcasing its immersive soundstage.