The Sonos Arc soundbar perfectly adjusts to your living room - and it's gorgeous

The Sonos Arc soundbar perfectly adjusts to your living room - and it's gorgeous

Sonos is making a style statement with its new $799 Sonos Arc soundbar. As its name suggests, the Arc's 270-degree C-shaped grille promises the brand's signature audio quality for hi-fi formats and a perfectly tuned entertainment experience.

Announced today (May 6), the Sonos Arc replaces the Sonos Playbase as the company's flagship home entertainment model. The curved perforated grille and oval shape break away from the rounded rectangular design and fit the company's new look; the Arc is available in matte black and white finishes, and most people will find one or the other appealing.

Here's everything you need to know about the Sonos Arc.

Eleven high-performance drivers (two of which are upward-firing) are supported by three tweeters. Arc also has eight custom elliptical woofers, four firing forward, two reflecting upward at the ceiling, and one firing sideways from each end.

Playbase, our top pick for best soundbar, has only six midrange drivers, three tweeters, and one woofer. Needless to say, the Arc is a beast in comparison.

The Sonos Arc has two software-based tuning features: phasing rays and time alignment TruePlay. The Arc is a beast in spaces with high ceilings or where the entertainment system is off-center, and it can be used in spaces where the ceilings are high or the entertainment system is off-center. Arc adjusts the room by allowing audio waves to reach the ceiling and walls simultaneously, even in spaces where the ceiling is high or the entertainment system is off-center.

However, tuning tests using Arc's four far-field microphones require the use of the Sonos app; Arc does not support the Auto TruePlay feature that we praised in our Sonos Move review.

However, the Move's aesthetic is employed. The curved perforated grille and oval shape are a departure from the rounded, rectangular look that fits Sonos' new look; the Arc is available in matte black and white finishes, either of which will appeal to many.

When paired with a TV, the Arc offers a 3D soundscape that supports Dolby Atmos audio and hi-fi formats. Setup is also possible with an ER channel and a single cord. It can be connected to a TV or cable remote for streamlined control.

And for hands-free users, Arc's built-in microphone can be used to call up Alexa or Google Assistant. while soundbars are not on the best list of Alexa-compatible devices or Google Home-compatible devices, Arc certainly trying to make its presence felt in the smart home arena.

Sonos also announced hardware updates to its Sonos Sub subwoofer and Play 5 stereo; the $699 third-generation Sonos Sub has improved internals, more memory, and improved Wi-Fi radio.

All three of Sonos' new speakers are available for pre-order and will be available on June 10; on June 8, Sonos will launch the Sonos 2 (S2) app with a redesigned design and new speaker support. The app will automatically retrieve home system information and settings from the original app, and will continue to support the old app for users who prefer it.

The Playbar, 2nd generation Sonos Sub, and Play 5 are not currently included in the trade-up program, but Sonos is offering bundled discounts: $1,498 for the Arc and new Sub together; $1,856 for the Arc, new Sub, and two Sonos One SL The Arc, the new Sub, and two Sonos One SLs are $1,856.

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