Sonos Arc Premium Smart Soundbar

The Sonos Arc is a standalone soundbar built for home cinema and multi-room audio playback. According to Sonos, the soundbar features eleven Class-D digital amplifiers driving eight woofers and three tweeters, configured to direct audio around and above the listener to reproduce Dolby Atmos soundtracks. Measuring 1,142 mm wide and weighing 6.25 kg, it is scaled to sit below or be wall-mounted beneath larger televisions. Connection to the television runs primarily through an HDMI eARC port to deliver uncompressed multichannel sound formats, though Sonos also supplies an optical audio adapter for older displays lacking ARC capability. For music streaming, the Arc integrates directly with the Sonos app, Spotify Connect, and Apple AirPlay 2.

Who it suits

The Sonos Arc suits movie and television viewers with screens measuring 55 inches or larger who want Dolby Atmos audio without running cables to separate surround speakers. It is a practical fit for homes already invested in the Sonos platform, as it can link with other Sonos units for whole-home audio or pair wirelessly with Sonos Sub units and Era surround speakers. It also suits households using Apple AirPlay 2 or those relying on hands-free commands through Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Sonos Voice Control.

However, buyers seeking direct Bluetooth music playback from mobile phones or portable audio players should look elsewhere, as Sonos notes that onboard Bluetooth is restricted to initial device onboarding. It is also less suited to compact media furniture or smaller screens, where its 1.14-metre length can overhang shelves or block lower television bezels. Furthermore, households that only have Android smartphones should note that the Trueplay acoustic calibration feature requires an Apple iOS device.

Australian notes

According to Australian retail specifications, the Sonos Arc ships with an Australian 240V power cord and an internal 100–240V universal power supply. Because it connects via a standard domestic three-pin socket, no specialised electrical installation is required. For wireless connectivity, Sonos states that the Arc operates on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks (802.11b/g/n) or via a wired 10/100 Ethernet port, meaning dual-band home routers must have their 2.4 GHz band enabled. Purchases from Australian retailers are covered by the consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law alongside the manufacturer's warranty; the ACCC explains what those guarantees cover.