The Sonos Beam Ultra is a compact, single-bar Dolby Atmos soundbar that adds dedicated up-firing drivers and a larger, more expansive presentation than Beam Gen 2. At $699 on Sonos’s US product page on October 2, 2026, it makes the most sense for listeners who want a relatively small Sonos bar and value music as well as movies. It is less compelling if you need HDMI passthrough or DTS:X, and its subwoofer and rear speakers cost extra.
What is the Sonos Beam Ultra?
Announced on September 1, 2026, Beam Ultra is positioned between the older Beam Gen 2 and the larger Arc Ultra in Sonos’s soundbar range. Sonos describes it as a 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos bar built around nine custom drivers, including two dedicated up-firing drivers. A redesigned center channel and four adjustable levels of AI Speech Enhancement are among its headline changes. These are manufacturer specifications, not a standardized comparison with other brands. Sonos’s launch announcement describes its design and features.
The US listing showed a $699 price, with black and white finishes, when checked October 2, 2026. The bar measures 29.53 inches wide, 2.56 inches high and 4.13 inches deep (750 × 65 × 105 mm), and weighs 6.35 lb (2.88 kg). The package includes the soundbar, power cable, HDMI cable, setup guide and legal and warranty information; it does not include a Sub or rear speakers. See the Sonos US product page for listed specifications. Price and availability can change.
How does Beam Ultra sound?
Reviews describe a meaningful upgrade over Beam Gen 2 in scale and immersion, but listening impressions are subjective and depend on the room, content and setup.
#1 Best Overall
- 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos with upward-firing drivers.
- Clear dialogue and AI-powered Speech Enhancement.
- Low-profile design blends into the room.
- Wider soundstage with clearer separation.
- Trueplay tunes sound for your room and setup.
Movies and TV
TechRadar’s September 22, 2026 review reports one week of testing with a Samsung R95H TV connected over HDMI, Atmos 4K UHD Blu-rays played on a Panasonic DP-UB820, and Tidal Connect over Wi-Fi. The reviewer praises the bar’s immersive, expansive presentation, bass and dialogue, and directly compares it with Beam Gen 2. Read TechRadar’s review for its test context and judgments.
What Hi-Fi? likewise calls Beam Ultra a significant step up from Beam Gen 2, citing a weightier, more detailed and more expansive sound. Its review also finds that movie dialogue can project less directly than on some rivals, while Arc Ultra remains ahead in authority and sophistication. That is a useful caveat if clear, front-and-center speech matters more to you than a broad presentation. What Hi-Fi?’s review covers its movie and music listening impressions.
Rank #2
- 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos with upward-firing drivers.
- Clear dialogue and AI-powered Speech Enhancement.
- Low-profile design blends into the room.
- Wider soundstage with clearer separation.
- Trueplay tunes sound for your room and setup.
Music
What Hi-Fi? reports compelling music reproduction, making the bar more than a TV-only choice. It is still a soundbar rather than a substitute for every dedicated stereo setup; whether its presentation suits you is best judged by listening in your own room where possible.
What connections and formats does it support?
The TV connection is HDMI eARC. The bar also supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, Trueplay room tuning, TV-remote compatibility, touch controls, voice features and a physical microphone switch. Sonos says its app guides TV setup and that an existing TV remote works automatically. TechRadar identifies Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 and USB-C among the connectivity details, but the TV audio link remains eARC.
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- Enrich your entertainment experience with vibrant bass, crystal clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage.
- Experience a 3D surround sound effect with Dolby Atmos.
- Stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services when the TV is off.
- Control with the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and your voice.
- Effortless setup with only two cables and smart Trueplay tuning.
Sonos lists Dolby Atmos, Atmos via Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Atmos via Dolby TrueHD, Multichannel PCM, Dolby Multichannel PCM and DTS Digital Surround. Sonos cautions that its DTS Digital Surround listing is not an indication of a licensed decoder. TechRadar reports that Beam Ultra does not support DTS:X. Confirm that your TV and source devices can pass the formats you use; the format list should not be read as a promise of universal compatibility.
Does it have HDMI passthrough?
No HDMI passthrough is reported by TechRadar. Beam Ultra connects to the TV by eARC, so it is not a soundbar with an extra HDMI input for routing another source through the bar. If you have several source devices and need that arrangement, compare a model with HDMI input and passthrough before buying.
Rank #4
- Enrich your entertainment experience with vibrant bass, crystal clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage.
- Experience a 3D surround sound effect with Dolby Atmos.
- Stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services when the TV is off.
- Control with the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and your voice.
- Effortless setup with only two cables and smart Trueplay tuning.
Does it support DTS:X?
No: TechRadar says Beam Ultra lacks DTS:X. The DTS Digital Surround format listed by Sonos does not establish DTS:X support or a licensed DTS decoder.
Do you need a subwoofer or rear speakers?
No extra speakers are required to use Beam Ultra as a soundbar, but Sonos’s listed 7.1.2 configuration does not mean a separate subwoofer or rear speakers are included. Sonos presents the system as expandable with a Sub and compatible surrounds, including Play or Move 2 portable speakers as rear surrounds. TechRadar also names Era 100 as a compatible surround example. Check Sonos’s current compatibility information for the exact model you plan to add. Each add-on increases the total system cost.
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Best Value
- All-new acoustic architecture with Sound Motion technology fills every inch of the room and precisely place sounds all around you
- Unparalleled 9.1.4 spatial audio experience with Dolby Atmos
- Ultra-clear dialogue plus Speech Enhancement, powered by AI, detects the human voice to clarify every word
- Elegant design looks great in your home and won’t distract from your entertainment
- Control with your TV remote, the Sonos app, the touch controls, Sonos Voice Control, and Amazon Alexa
Trueplay can tune the sound to the room. Night Sound and four levels of AI Speech Enhancement offer ways to adjust playback for quieter viewing or dialogue clarity, though neither removes the importance of placement and room acoustics.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Will Beam Ultra fit under your TV?
At 29.53 inches wide and 2.56 inches high, it is designed as a compact bar, but measure the available shelf or cabinet rather than relying on the word “compact.” Allow clearance for the bar’s depth of 4.13 inches and ensure it does not block the TV’s infrared receiver or screen. Sonos lists an optional wall mount and an M5 × 0.8 mm, L6.5 mm threaded specification. The mount is not included in the box.
Beam Ultra vs Beam Gen 2 and Arc Ultra
| Choice | What the evidence indicates | Best reason to consider it |
|---|---|---|
| Beam Ultra | Sonos specifies nine drivers, two up-firing drivers and 7.1.2 Atmos; US listing was $699 on October 2, 2026. Sub and surrounds are extra. | You want a compact Sonos bar with Atmos and room to expand. |
| Beam Gen 2 | Both TechRadar and What Hi-Fi? report Beam Ultra as a substantial upgrade in scale and immersion; the supplied reviews do not state a current Beam Gen 2 price. | You already own one or find it at a price that better suits your budget. |
| Arc Ultra | What Hi-Fi? says Arc Ultra remains ahead in authority and sophistication; no comparable current price is stated here. | You want Sonos’s higher-tier bar and are willing to consider a larger system. |
| Samsung HW-Q800F | TechRadar describes it as a larger, multi-box alternative with a separate sub, HDMI input/passthrough and DTS:X; its review’s regional prices are not current live quotes. | You prioritize passthrough or DTS:X and accept a separate subwoofer and larger setup. |
| Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar | TechRadar identifies it as another 5.1.2 option; no comparable current price or review verdict is stated here. | You want to compare another Atmos soundbar rather than decide on Sonos by default. |
These options are not directly interchangeable: the right choice depends on room size, the formats and ports you need, included hardware, ecosystem and total system spend.
Is the Sonos Beam Ultra worth it?
Beam Ultra is a strong candidate if you want a compact Sonos soundbar, value music and movies, and are comfortable using eARC without DTS:X or HDMI passthrough. The reviews agree that it offers a notable step up from Beam Gen 2 in presentation, while What Hi-Fi? places Arc Ultra ahead for authority and sophistication. At the US list price observed on October 2, 2026, the decision is also about whether you want a single-bar setup or plan to spend more on a Sub and surrounds. Neither the reviewer impressions nor Sonos’s channel specification alone can settle that for every room.
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