Latest news with #SonosArcUltra
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
I tried the Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4, and here's why they are the peak of acoustic engineering
I still remember visiting one of my dad's friends when I was a kid. He had a big bungalow, and I was awestruck by his high-end, elaborate home theater setup. This was in the late '90s. Back then, setups like that were everywhere, even in high-street retail shops in Delhi. Cut to 2025: neither do we have big bungalows anymore, nor do we see home theater systems that require massive space. Today, with compact apartments and space being a luxury in metro cities, Sonos' Arc Ultra soundbar and Sub 4 seem like the ideal surround sound system for anyone looking to recreate a home theater experience in a modern living space. The Arc Ultra is Sonos' flagship soundbar and serves as a complete audio setup on its own. While the Sub 4 subwoofer is technically optional, the two work together to deliver a truly immersive home theater experience. I had the chance to review both over the course of a few weeks and here's what I found. What: Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4| Price: Rs 99,999 and Rs 84,999 I always tell my readers to visualise how speakers and soundbars will look and feel in their own homes, even while experiencing them at a store. After all, the demo units you see in stores are placed in controlled environments, which makes a big difference. The Arc Ultra carries Sonos' signature design language through and through. At first glance, it's almost indistinguishable from the original Arc I reviewed last year. The only notable differences are its larger size and the rectangular rear section that houses the ports. Compared to the original, the Arc Ultra is noticeably wider and heavier. That said, the soundbar is beautiful to look at…very minimalist, yet premium, much like an Apple product. You can place it on a TV stand or mount it on a wall, but since I had a reasonably large space, I preferred to keep it on a TV stand. Like all Sonos speakers, the Arc Ultra comes in classic black or white. It features a solid, premium build, with a grille on the front and top that covers a total of 14 drivers, including seven tweeters, six midrange drivers, and a new 'Sound Motion' woofer for bass. The rear houses the ports along with a set of physical controls, including Sonos' latest touch interface for play/pause, track skipping, voice activation, and a granular volume slider that mirrors the one in the app. The Arc Ultra supports all major Dolby audio formats, including lossless Dolby Atmos, and also offers DTS surround support, though notably, there's no support for DTS:X, the 3D Atmos rival. Additionally, you get an Ethernet port for network stability and a single HDMI eARC port (sorry, no extra HDMI input). While the single input might seem limiting, most people today use an external hub or rely on their TV, Apple TV, or PS5 for connectivity. The lack of a remote might not sit well with some users, but since it's Sonos, that's part of the trade-off. On the plus side, Bluetooth support is finally here, along with compatibility for Wi-Fi 6 and Apple AirPlay 2, allowing for multi-room audio setups. It's also compatible with the Sonos Ace headphones which, by the way, are my favorite pair of headphones. For me, the biggest difference between the original Arc and the Arc Ultra is that the latter produces noticeably richer, fuller bass. I used the Arc Ultra to stream content from Netflix, JioHotstar, and YouTube, and also listened to music on Apple Music. You may or may not check its specs but trust me, they don't matter when you are in front of the TV, watching something, and hearing the Arc Ultra in action for the first time. That experience itself is on another level. No matter where your couch is in the room, the sound reaches every corner, and not once did I feel that dialogue articulation dropped. I put the Arc Ultra through various tests, including watching Dolby Atmos content and it was impressive. You can feel the action, thunder, explosions, and cars zooming past as if you are sitting in a movie theater. The Arc Ultra is a major upgrade over the original Arc. It not only delivers an impressive soundstage but also brings out more nuanced and subtle audio details without losing the important ones something movie aficionados definitely don't want to miss. If you ask me, the Arc Ultra doesn't try to mimic actual ceiling speakers like those in a traditional home theater setup. Instead, it creates an intense, immersive environment that pulls you into the content and delivers the best experience one could ask for in a living room. I think it's the peak of acoustic engineering that makes the Arc Ultra so effective at what it does. This holds true especially when listening to dialogue: it maintains the original experience and stays true to the creator's intent. The new dynamic Speech Enhancement tool with four different levels (Low, medium, high and max) to choose from also helps the Arc Ultra shines. I also spent a lot of time listening to music on the Arc Ultra. The audio sounds rich and clean, with excellent stereo imaging and track separation. The big difference between listening to music on the Arc Ultra versus other speakers (including my Apple HomePod) is that it truly sets the mood, especially when you are playing a track like One Night Love Affair by Bryan Adams. That said, audiophiles still prioritise perfect stereo separation, and the Arc Ultra may not reach that level. But for casual listening, it's more than good enough. Don't expect the Arc Ultra to deliver earth-shattering bass or overly dramatic effects, but every time I watched a movie, I found myself appreciating those Sound Motion woofers. They are super flat and compact, yet capable of deep excursion for maximum air displacement. That's Sonos for you. As I mentioned earlier, the Arc Ultra is a complete soundbar on its own: you don't need to add another speaker or a set of speakers to get that home theater feel in your living room. But the advantage with Sonos is that you can always add more speakers to enhance the experience even further. It's optional, of course, but if you can afford to invest in additional speakers, even without having a large space, it's always nice to have that extra depth and immersion. That's when you realise how much value the Sub 4 subwoofer brings, despite its price. While the Arc Ultra's Sound Motion technology is very effective, especially in producing better bass: it primarily operates in the upper bass and lower midrange region, around 250Hz and above. Simply put, the Sub 4 adds that extra muscle, delivering low-frequency reproduction that the Arc Ultra alone can't quite reach. It's also smaller and it doesn't take up much space. You can even slide it flat, if you want. Sonos has faced criticism for its app in the past, but things seem to be improving. I launched the app on my iPhone 16 Pro, and setting up the Arc Ultra and Sub 4 was a seamless process. As part of the setup, I connected the soundbar to my network and added it to my existing Sonos system. While the app's layout is still somewhat unintuitive, it's easy to control the speaker and explore its features. The app includes an EQ, but it's fairly basic: only allowing you to adjust bass and treble levels. However, it does let you set up Sonos' Trueplay technology, which uses built-in microphones to tune the audio to the specific acoustics of your room. The Arc Ultra also supports Sonos Voice Control and Amazon Alexa, both of which can be configured directly within the app. The Arc Ultra is the best soundbar Sonos has ever made and possibly one of the best soundbars currently on the market. I genuinely feel that way. It sounds magnificent and stands strong on its own without needing any additional speakers, not even the Sub 4. However, if you can afford the Sub 4, go for it. The integration between the subwoofer and the soundbar is seamless, and together they create an experience that only Sonos can deliver. It's an expensive soundbar: the Arc Ultra alone costs around Rs 1,00,000, and the Sub 4 adds another Rs 84,999. That's definitely pricey, but you are buying into the Sonos ecosystem for a reason. That level of experience doesn't come cheap and carries a premium price tag, for good reason. Anuj Bhatia is a personal technology writer at who has been covering smartphones, personal computers, gaming, apps, and lifestyle tech actively since 2011. He specialises in writing longer-form feature articles and explainers on trending tech topics. His unique interests encompass delving into vintage tech, retro gaming and composing in-depth narratives on the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. He covers major international tech conferences and product launches from the world's biggest and most valuable tech brands including Apple, Google and others. At the same time, he also extensively covers indie, home-grown tech startups. Prior to joining The Indian Express in late 2016, he served as a senior tech writer at My Mobile magazine and previously held roles as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. Anuj holds a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. You can find Anuj on Linkedin. Email: ... Read More
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Your next Sonos speaker is going to be more expensive — and it's because of tariffs
Sonos hasn't had a good time over the last couple of years. We've seen an app launch that's definitely not to be envied, hardware launches plagued with niggling issues, and sales drop after a loss of trust from consumers. Now, there's a new problem looming for the smart audio firm, and it looks like it's down to those pesky tariffs that are threatening the tech sphere at every crossroads. According to a report from Bloomberg, "Sonos Inc. will raise prices on some products later this year." The report adds that it "threatens to complicate its comeback attempt following a tumultuous 2024." Tumultuous is one way of describing the many highs and lows for Sonos in 2024, but it's no great surprise that it's happening now. The firm uses factories in Vietnam and Malaysia, two countries hit hard by President Trump's tariffs. We know that we can expect price rises, then, but by how much? While we don't know yet how much the price hikes will be, we know there will be increases to some of Sonos's products. If you're in the market for a Sonos Era 300 or Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar, now could be the best opportunity to get a unit before the price rises take effect. Beyond that, there's nothing really for the consumer to worry about as yet. Sonos has seen 5% growth over the last few months, which is always a positive for a company that's had as many worrying turns of fate as Sonos. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Don't Want to Spend Big Bucks for a Surround-Sound System? These Soundbars Are a Great Alternative.
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." A soundbar is a must-have sound upgrade for almost any new TV. Due to their ultra-thin design, today's television sets can't physically accommodate large speaker units, frequently falling short in delivering a sound that's worthy of the beautiful visuals they provide. High-quality speakers need space, which, unlike old-school sets whose tube screen made them double as large pieces of furniture, modern TVs don't offer. Thankfully, a soundbar bring better sound for your onscreen content. These products' multiple speaker units and wireless connectivity also make them great for enjoying audio content without powering up your TV. Because ultra-thin TVs have long been the standard for mainstream consumers, today's market is jam-packed with soundbars in all price points—from affordable to premium. Between form factors, hardware specs, and audio capabilities, there's a lot to consider. To help you find the best soundbar for your needs and budget, I spent months testing high-rated models from leading brands. The Best Soundbars in 2025 Best Overall: Sonos Arc Ultra Best Value: Klipsch Flexus CORE 200 Best Budget: Polk Audio Signa S2 Best Compact: Bose Smart Soundbar Best for Audiophiles: Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 How I Tested Soundbars I've been testing audio gear, including soundbars, since 2011. To put the ones on this list through their paces, I spent weeks with each one as my primary source of home audio entertainment, connecting it to my TV. I streamed movies, series, and live sports, especially Dolby Atmos-enhanced content, from Netflix, Prime Video, Max, and Hulu, among other leading platforms. Of course, I also streamed an eclectic selection of music to every soundbar. In addition to scrutinizing the bass, treble, and mid-range audio capabilities of each product, I paid particular attention to its dialogue clarity. I looked for options to adjust both the sound and the voice delivery in each device. With all of the above in mind, enjoy better sound at home with one of the soundbars I vouch for Ultra $999.00 at The Sonos Arc Ultra—the audio brand's range-topping soundbar—is the best for most consumers, with exceptional audio performance across the board, straightforward setup, and intuitive controls. As a Sonos product, the Arc Ultra easily integrates into an existing setup of speakers from the same manufacturer. Better yet, linking the device to a Sonos Sub and a pair of rear Era 100 or Era 300 speakers can create a full surround sound system that rivals your local movie theater. Equipped with fourteen audio drivers, the Sonos Arc Ultra performed up to the heavy expectations set by its price tag. I was equally impressed by its powerful bass output, crisp treble, and dialogue clarity. I like that the soundbar can seamlessly connect to the excellent Sonos Ace headphones to deliver multi-dimensional sound without disturbing others. Using the app, I was also able to adjust the sound and treble intensity, as well as enhance the speech by choosing from four levels. Achieving the right placement for the speaker was intuitive as well. The Sonos app utilized my phone's built-in microphones to tailor the soundbar's sound for my living room. The process took only a couple of minutes. Sonos offers the Arc Ultra in black or white. The optional speakers for expanding the setup are available in matching CORE 200 $549.99 at The Klipsch Flexus CORE 200 is the best pick for buyers who want a soundbar for under $500. The product lacks Wi-Fi connectivity, unlike my pricier suggestions, which is a downside. Still, its agreeable price, stylish looks, and solid audio performance make it worthy of your attention. Sound-wise, the first thing that impressed me about the Klipsch Flexus CORE 200 was its thunderous bass, powered by a duo of 4-inch subwoofers. Their low-end output brought a welcome touch of excitement to any on-screen content, from films to video games, making it more engaging. Needless to say, I loved listening to bass-heavy downtempo tracks on the soundbar over a Bluetooth link. The Klipsch Connect companion app offers a robust selection of sound customization tools, including a graphic equalizer and an option to enhance scenes with dialogue. A night mode is also available, which tones down the bass to minimize disturbance to others. Given the low-end power of the Flexus CORE 200, the functionality is a welcome addition to its feature set. You can expand the Flexus CORE 200 into a surround sound system via an additional Klipsch subwoofer and surround sound speakers, all while keeping your budget in three-digit territory. The subwoofer features a 10-inch speaker that perfectly complements the soundbar's already powerful S2 $199.00 at The Polk Audio Signa S2 is the soundbar to get if you are looking for a TV audio upgrade on a tight budget. For roughly $200, it offers an impressively slim profile and great sound for the money. Unlike the rest of my picks, the affordably priced Signa S2 comes with a bundled wireless subwoofer, which adds value to the package. When it comes to audio performance, the Polk Audio Signa S2 predictably falls short compared to more expensive soundbars. The product lacks Dolby Atmos support and the upward-facing audio drivers required for a true spatial audio experience. That said, the device's four built-in audio drivers produce respectable, though less immersive, virtual surround sound that's infinitely more enjoyable than what other TVs' onboard speakers offer. The same goes for the entertaining bass rumble from the included subwoofer. I like the low-key design of the Polk Audio Signa S2 soundbar, as well as its compact and intuitive bundled remote control. The essential accessory's convenient buttons include dedicated keys for adjusting the bass and the voice Soundbar $549.00 at The Smart Soundbar by Bose is my top pick for small spaces. Measuring just a tad over 27 inches wide, the product has an impressively compact footprint without skimping on features and performance. Of course, the Smart Soundbar is also upgradeable into a surround sound system via an optional bass module and surround speakers. The device's five-speaker setup includes a pair of upward-facing units for multi-dimensional Dolby Atmos sound. Experiencing the latter while streaming enhanced content made me feel like I was using a bigger soundbar. Thanks to proprietary Bose technology, the soundbar made standard audio content sound more entertaining, if not quite as captivating as Dolby Atmos sound. In addition to impressing me with sound that belies its size, the Bose offering excelled at clearly reproducing scenes that included dialogue. Enabling a dedicated AI mode for voice enhancement in the Bose app helped significantly with this challenging task. The app also helped me customize the sound and connect more speakers to the Smart Soundbar. Another reason I recommend the Bose Smart Soundbar is its excellent set of wireless connectivity features. The Wi-Fi-enabled device can stream from any smartphone, computer, or tablet, thanks to Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, and Google Chromecast Theater Bar 8 $848.00 at Sony's Bravia Theater Bar 8 soundbar, in addition to providing cinema-grade sound to complement any TV, can also stream audio in lossless formats. This standout feature makes the product a particularly exciting upgrade option for audiophiles who plan to use their soundbar as a high-fidelity standalone speaker, rather than just an essential TV companion. The Bar 8 can even eke out more detail from lower-quality audio through sophisticated upscaling technology. Of all the soundbars I tested, the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 offered the highest level of detail, with 11 onboard speakers and spacial-mapping technology that mimics a surround-sound system setup. Plus, it was easy to optimize sound for my space via the app. Unsurprisingly, the Bravia Theater Bar 8 integrates particularly well with Sony's latest TVs. If you already own one, it's your best bet. Budget and space permitting, you can expand the Bar 8 into a surround sound system by adding a subwoofer and rear speakers. The pricier Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9 is an even better option for audiophiles. Its wider footprint and 13 integrated speakers bring an even more powerful sound that's worth the premium, especially if you set it up in a larger space. What to Consider Sound Dolby Atmos is the most important audio feature to look for in a soundbar. The spatial audio experience you'll get will make any Dolby Atmos-enhanced content you watch, from blockbuster movies to live sports, more lifelike. The audio standard is widely available on all streaming services, so don't skip it unless you are shopping on a super tight budget. Look for a soundbar with upward-facing audio drivers to get the best Dolby Atmos experience. Some lower-cost models can deliver virtual Dolby Atmos without the upward-firing speakers, but I really recommend spending a bit more to get a properly equipped option. The extra hardware makes a big difference. Speaking of hardware, the number of speakers a soundbar packs is also important to consider while shopping. More audio drivers naturally result in a bigger and more detailed sound with a wider soundstage. Don't settle for less than four audio drivers in a soundbar, even if you are shopping on a tight budget. The channel configuration of a soundbar, although undeniably technical, is also a crucial factor in making a purchasing decision. The essential spec is showcased via three numbers, separated by dots. The first number shows the number of front-facing speakers a soundbar has, the second one measures the downward-facing bass drivers, while the third displays the quantity of upward-facing units (if any). The more audio channels a soundbar has, the more immersive its sound will be. The channel count reflects the number of perceived directions the sound will reach you. Having experienced products across the price spectrum, I can confirm that more expensive soundbars with more audio channels sound noticeably more engaging. Size When not wall-mounted, soundbars should be placed right in front of a TV and underneath its screen, with the second option being the most commonly used setup among consumers. The width of a soundbar is particularly important in such scenarios, so be sure to measure your TV unit to confirm it fits before making a purchase. I learned the importance of this task the hard way a while back. Full-size soundbars measure around 50 inches in width, making them perfectly suitable for a big-screen TV with a 65-inch or larger panel, including 75- and 85-inch options. Smaller ones would suffice if your TV has a 55-inch or smaller screen, or you don't want to overspend on an upgrade. Connectivity HDMI is the default wired connectivity option for all soundbars, regardless of their price tag. Connecting them to a TV is as easy as plugging their bundled cable into its eARC HDMI connector. Fancier soundbars at higher price points feature HDMI 2.1 passthrough connectivity, which allows consumers to connect, say, a high-powered gaming console directly for a more enjoyable sound experience. Wi-Fi connectivity is mandatory for a high-end soundbar. It allows the product to stream higher-quality audio and link with other speakers in a multi-room setup. Soundbars with Wi-Fi also support Apple AirPlay 2 and/or Google Chromecast wireless protocols, making it super easy to stream audio from a phone, tablet, or computer. Additional Features A companion app is standard for most new soundbars. Only budget-friendly ones lack one, but their lower cost makes up for the omission. An app makes setting up a soundbar, customizing its sound, and keeping it up to date with updates easy. I prefer using an app to control a soundbar over a bundled remote control. The essential accessory is curiously not included with Sonos soundbars, but I didn't miss it. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Tom's Guide
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I just tested these incredible stereo speakers — and they're better than any soundbar I've ever tested
Look, I love the best soundbars as much as the next person. They're a great solution for making sure that your movies and music sound massive without taking up too much space in your living room. There's a Sonos Arc Ultra that sits in my living room for Dolby Atmos movies — I am not entirely averse to soundbars. But the ever-present allure of a pair of stereo speakers is often just too much to take. The musical abilities of even the most expensive soundbars often leaves a lot to be desired, and there are times when even clever Dolby Atmos virtual mixes pale in comparison to actual, real stereo separation. The KEF LSX II have long been a pair of speakers that I've wanted to test out. The brand is my favorite — the Blade speakers are my 'money is no object' dream speakers, my LS50 Metas have powered my HiFi for a long time, and the interesting-looking 'Uni-Q driver' that dominates their speaker fronts appears often in my sleeping moments. So what are they like to use? The KEF LSX II are the smaller option in KEF's wireless speaker range. They sound amazing not just for their size, packing in big speaker performance to a small package. They're not cheap, but they're well worth their high asking price. The KEF LSX II are a pair of connected smart speakers that the brand might call its 'luxury low-end' price point. They cost $1,499, or about $500 more than the Sonos Arc Ultra will set you back before you add a subwoofer. They're going up against similar models for Technics and other HiFi brands, and they're also angled at potential soundbar customers. To that end, they've got an HDMI port on the back so that you can connect a TV without needing a weird dongle. It also means they can be controlled with a TV controller, which is always helpful. The speakers themselves feature KEF's Uni-Q drivers, which house a tweeter and the main driver in the same unit. Not only do they look really cool, but they also allow for the brand's signature detail and excellent sonic timing. There are two units, and unlike some speakers at this format and size, they both need power. That's because they both contain amplifiers. Only one speaker has inputs and outputs, however, while the other has a socket to plug the other speaker in and a pairing button. Why a pairing button? These speakers can be hooked up to one another wirelessly, which avoids some cables trailing around the floor. Instead, you can mount them on stands and have the power cables routed down the legs — that'll look pretty delicious indeed. I'm not going to tell you these are the best-looking powered speakers around — that honor goes to anything that's made by Bang & Olufsen — but they're a very handsome option that sits next to your big-screen TV. The front is dominated by the Uni-Q drivers in a contrasting color to the main unit, and then a logo and a small status light sit above and below. From the front they look like smaller versions of my LS50 Meta, which is pretty cool. The sides of the grey model that I tested are covered with fabric, which lends some extra texture to proceedings, but other colors have an all-over resin finish. I'd recommend sticking them on speaker stands or even using some wall mounts for the speakers to finish the look — they're a minimalist speaker, and I think they deserve to sit on their own rather than on a TV stand. They're nice and small though, which makes them more flexible than some of the other options. KEF has filled the LSX II with some seriously cool features. My favorite is the Wi-Fi connection, which means I can stream my favorite tunes from the best music streaming services without worrying about some kind of cable to make things work. That also means I can slip them into my Roon server, so that I can stream tracks from my home music streaming setup, which is always a massive bonus. The App connects over the internet as well, which opens up even more features. From there you can select the HDMI eARC system, which is helpful, or between the other inputs. There's a Bluetooth connection, as well as an optical port, and a 3.5mm aux for older devices. You can plug them into the network as well to make for a more stable connection. All of the features work pretty well, although I did run into a couple of problems with the HMDI eARC. Sometimes I had to turn the speakers on separately when I turned on my TV, and sometimes I didn't. It wasn't the worst problem in the world, but it was irritating. Not enough to dampen my experience with the speakers. So the KEF LSX II don't look all that big. That's because they're not — each unit is about the same size as a HomePod 2. You might expect that they'd only be good for smaller rooms as a result, but I'm not sure it's entirely possible to be more wrong. Thanks to some impressive power being fed to the drivers by their individual amplifiers, they're able to pump out some seriously impressive sound. I was able to fill a large living room with the LSX II situated either side of my TV, with a massive bass body that didn't need to stretch itself to fill the space. Given how smaller speakers have really struggled in my space before, I was taken aback immediately by the sound of the LSX II. I knew they were going to be good, my experience with KEF gear already told me as such. I knew there'd be some incredible detail mixed with spectacular instrument separation, but I didn't know they'd be able to do it when they had to bring sound to my living room. But, boy, did they bring the noise. The depth of the guitars in Watain's They Rode On was enough that I could get lost within. The vocals were crystal clear, cutting through the thick, molasses-like instrumentation, matched by the impressive detail as the rest of the ensemble joined the fray. The drums were impactful, the bass guitar meaty, and the electric guitar edged like a terrifying sacrificial knife. It was leagues above my Sonos Arc Ultra's music performance. It mostly comes down to the stereo separation as much as it does the sonic capability of the speakers themselves. Music likes to be spread apart physically so that you can appreciate each different element of the track, while also serving to extend the soundstage. The LSX II are the perfect example of what happens when you give music space to breathe. Controversially, I will take a properly separated stereo mix over a virtual surround mix any day of the week. The tiny drivers loaded into a soundbar can only do so much in making a mix sound bigger than it actually is, and even the best soundbars pale in comparison to the wizardry that goes on when the soundstage is physically widened. With more space for the drivers to do their dirty work, you'll immediately notice more space. Even then, the dialog sits in the center of the mix, while sounds come from all around you. It's not as impressive as having 11 speakers dotted around the room, of course, but add in a KEF subwoofer and you'd be hard-pressed to tell me whether you prefer the sound of the Sonos Arc Ultra or the KEF LSX II when it comes to watching your favorite blockbusters. The opening scene of "Top Gun: Maverick" tells me all I need to know. The planes fly alongside you as chains and ropes whip around in the melee on board the carrier. The soundtrack sounds impeccable. You miss some of the spatial imaging of the multi-channel soundbar, but the sound is altogether more pleasing to the ear. It lacks the slightly synthetic edge of a soundbar, and gives you more sonic body overall. I'm not saying everyone should go and replace their soundbar with a pair of the KEF LSX II — but I am saying you should think about it. Hard. I am a HiFi faithful. I like my systems separated into different components so I can better control the sonic output. There's still something cool about having a stack of devices plugged in together, flanked by a big pair of speakers rippling with drivers and tweeters. But it would be remiss of me not to admit that I'm slightly stuck in the past. The mid-range HiFi system could well be on the way out, replaced by the likes of the KEF LSX II. Rather than spending $1,500 on an amplifier, a streamer, a Bluetooth dongle and some speakers, you can buy it all at once and get something that sounds just as good and plugs into your TV. I don't think the really high-end stuff needs to worry — but I will be keeping an eye on systems like this more. After all, not everyone has enough space for a HiFi setup like mine, but they still want epic musical sound. the KEF LSX II might just be the best way to get it.
Tom's Guide
14-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
I tested out Sonos' new features, but one surprised me more than the others
About a year and two months ago, I was watching an interesting briefing about the Sonos Ace headphones. There was palpable excitement about the new product — the (botched) app update hadn't yet come to the table, and Sonos was riding high after years of excellent hardware releases. There was one big takeaway from the meeting about the headphones. Replaceable parts, and a software update pathway that would help them last a long time. That's a big promise to make, given the often throw-away nature of even expensive flagship headphones. Yet, here we are, a full year later, with new features coming in a software update. This approach has rung true for the Sonos Arc Ultra as well. There are new features for the soundbar designed to make it more useful for every user. But just how good are these new features, and what do they say about the potentially tumultuous future for Sonos? So this deal has somehow stuck around since Prime Day. A $150 saving to bring them down to their lowest price ever — although I can't see it sticking around for much longer now that the sale is over. You get a great pair of headphones out of the deal as well, with great ANC and a comfortable fit. The new Sonos features have now been around for a month or so, and I've been thourougly road testing them to see what they're all about. The Sonos Ace has always had some form of audio swap feature that plays your soundbar's audio in your headphones when you don't want to wake up the rest of your house. This updated feature is supposed to make the mode sound more like your own setup, so that it's less jarring when you switch over. Does it work, though? Yes, it does — and very well too. Since the update, I've found the spatial mix for movies and TV a lot more spacious, with objects much easier to place in the environment. Helicopters flying overhead, or cars flying past you. There's still some degree of "I wish my soundbar actually sounded like that" given how much easier it is to make a surround bubble with headphones that are right next to your ears as opposed to a soundbar at the end of the room. It does a great job of acoustically matching your space, though, and as a result, feels more convincing. I'd already say that the Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos playback were excellent reasons to buy the Sonos Ace, but this gives even more incentive to Sonos soundbar users to upgrade their headphones. SideTone is something that loads of headphones have, but you still might not have heard of it. The idea is that your voice is pumped into the headphones when you're calling someone so that it feels more natural. I've never been a huge fan of the technology, and things aren't all that different now. I've become so used to hearing my headphone-muffled voice when speaking that SideTone (whether it's here on the Sonos Ace or with another pair of the best headphones) it feels pretty jarring with the switch over when I initiate a call. Despite my reservations, however, the Sonos' Ace's new SideTone works very well. Your voice sounds good, and fairly natural. It just takes a moment to get used to hearing your voice like you're whispering into your own ear. TV Audio swap has always been one of my favorite Sonos Ace features, and now it's even better. It's a simple update this one. Instead of just one person using the TV swap feature and watching surround sound movies all on their lonesome at 3am, now you can watch your Dolby Atmos content with two pairs of headphones. It works! It's TV swap for two people. Perfect if the kids have gone to bed and you really need to get that annual rewatch of Predator 2 going at 11 PM. Finally, and one of the best updates to the Sonos Ace, are the noise canceling improvements. The ANC of the Sonos Ace was already good, I need to make that clear. It was up there with Sony for noise blockage, and when music is playing it can completely silence an office. But the improvements are many. It's not really about blocking more noise, but making the ANC more consistent amongst a variety of use cases. That means the ANC has been reworked so that it can work around stuff like long hair or a hat so that the ANC is still good without a perfect seal. To test it, I wore the headphones with a baseball cap and with my hair down over my ears. I wanted to test it with a wintery bobble hat, but there where two problems; my head is too big for the headphones to fit over the bobble hat, and I suspect my melon may well have melted in the summer heat. The update has worked very well indeed — the noise canceling pre-update when wearing a hat was not as good as it is now. It's seems to do a better job when reading the enviroment and adapting the ANC to compensate. The result is more consistent ANC — which is always a good thing. As good as the Sonos Arc Ultra is, it can't negate the dreadful surround mixes from the likes of Netflix and Disney Plus. You know the ones — when you have to turn up the volume to hear what the characters are saying, and then turn it down the moment there's an action scene with loads of loud noises. Except, now it can negate those dreadful surround mixes. The speech enhancement mode now built into the Sonos Arc Ultra experience has been a game changer for movie buffs like me. I'm now able to hear what characters are saying when I watch movies on Netflix, without having to constantly adjust the volume. I was watching Chef over the weekend, and I was surprised by how clear the dialogue was — it never had been before. I turned off the speech enhancement feature, and quickly discovered the same old woeful muffled dialogue. It's very clever, and uses AI to boost the volume and clarity of dialogue. There are even more extreme modes for those who are hard of hearing, making it even easier to make out what characters are saying on screen. I don't think I could live without Speech enhancement anymore as a result — it's easily my favorite new Sonos feature of the bunch.
