| Product Description: | Sonos Arc Premium Smart Soundbar, White/Black
The Sonos Arc Premium Smart Soundbar lets you enhance your display’s audio, interact with the Google Assistant or Alexa, and expand your Sonos ecosystem. Up and side-firing drivers work with Dolby Atmos to create an immersive 3D soundstage with your TV and content. This soundstage will make you feel like it’s moving around you for clearer, more detailed, and deeper audio. Plus, the Arc’s processing produces five phased-array channels. Arc soundbars feature enhanced Trueplay tuning, too. And to give you vivid detail and amplified bass, the soundbar features an 11-driver design. Arc premium soundbars also enable content streaming from your favorite services via the Sonos app or Apple AirPlay 2. They even have Alexa and the Google Assistant built-in for voice control. You can pair the Arc with your iOS device as well to interact with Siri. This premium soundbar will also blend right in your home theater. Mount your Arc to the wall with optional hardware or place it under the TV. Arc soundbars are expandable, too. Enjoy more immersive listening by pairing them with a SUB and One SL speakers, or multi-room listening via other Sonos speakers. Automatic EQ adjustment, HDMI eARC, and more features are also available.
Cinematic Sound.
Bring all your entertainment to life with the extraordinarily realistic sound of Arc, the premium smart soundbar for TV, movies, music, and more.
Dolby 3D Sound.
Experience shows, movies, and games with the precise and immersive sound of Dolby Atmos on Arc. The upward-firing drivers create a multi-dimensional soundstage that moves around you, rendering every whisper and explosion with dramatic clarity, detail, and depth.
Immerse Yourself In The Music.
Stream music, radio, podcasts, and more from your favorite services with the Sonos app or Apple AirPlay 2 when the TV is off.
A Realistic Listening Experience.
Arc's advanced processing creates five channels that masterfully deliver sound to your ears from all directions at the exact right moment.
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Top Comments
I came from a Pioneer Elite SC-77 from 2013. It was driving a 5.1 setup with two PSB Imagine T2s for fronts, a pair of Image B5s for the rears, a PSB I can't remember (maybe an Alpha 2?) for center and a REL T5 for the sub. It was loud. It was amazing. It was overkill and when I had a kid, it became a fun toy for him to try to knock over. The amp also didn't support Atmos and despite multiple efforts, I found the dialogue to be muddy no matter what source (Blu-rays on a PS4, Rokus, later Apple TV); I even had the problem with some vinyl on a Rega RP-1. It always sounded like was a constant low-level drone right in the vocal range. In retrospect, it could've been a power issue in the apartment, but I gave up after twiddling with it for five years and lived with it for almost nine years.
I downsized to the Beam 2 and a pair of Play:1s I had lying around and it instantly sounded much clearer. It sounded better still once I did a proper tune. I wanted to say here that separation is not as pronounced, but thinking back, actually, yeah, the separation is really that good. I'm sure it's better on the Arc, but the real improvement is the processing on the rears — they're actually closer to the sofa than I had the B5s, but I hear things whizzing more distinctly from left to right and vice versa. Height remains a problem, but I think short of a pair of actual height speakers, this will always remain the case. And I finally added a Sub Mini to the whole setup (sitting next to my sofa) and holy crap, the whole system is even better — the Beam is delegating all the low-levels to the Sub and after a re-tune it's as much fun as the old setup.
As to unsupported, I'm not really sure what you mean. Yes, there is a bifurcation in the app and officially there are no updates to functionality for about ten devices that have been discontinued for over a decade. This does not, as far as I can tell, affect what you can play on newer or older systems — I can use the older S1 controller for every one of the services offered on the new system. Sure I could use the PSBs, but I'm astonished when the receiver is supported for more than a year with updates; these older devices got at least a decade, in some case nearly two decades, of updates. I'd say that's a fair amount of time for a speaker to be supported. And this is a current device. I think you can reasonably expect 5+ years of support, which will likely be 4+ years more support than your receiver will get.
So yeah, sure, you're right they've got loyalists — but it's earned loyalty. We accept that we might not be getting the experience someone who has spent $10k on their audio system, but damned if the $1950 Arc/One/Sub set doesn't get 95+ percent of the way there with less hassle and longer system support.
Not everything appeals to everyone. But there's a reason they're a leading premium sound company with excellent hold on the market. All the marketing in the world wouldn't matter if the products didn't live up to the hype.
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64 Comments
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I'd recommend going to a store and listening to yourself. I personally use Klipsch the fives and they will have superior stereo separation because the speakers are further apart. Also the bass is fantastic and surprisingly competent. I will be adding a subwoofer down the line but I'm not sure if it's necessary.
I would have purchased the sonos if it was better priced but it doesn't go on sale often enough and honestly, I'm not convinced it's worth the asking price. Sonos has discontinued support for their older products, and this device can suffer the same fate. Where as a regular speaker will always work.
Not everything appeals to everyone. But there's a reason they're a leading premium sound company with excellent hold on the market. All the marketing in the world wouldn't matter if the products didn't live up to the hype.
I came from a Pioneer Elite SC-77 from 2013. It was driving a 5.1 setup with two PSB Imagine T2s for fronts, a pair of Image B5s for the rears, a PSB I can't remember (maybe an Alpha 2?) for center and a REL T5 for the sub. It was loud. It was amazing. It was overkill and when I had a kid, it became a fun toy for him to try to knock over. The amp also didn't support Atmos and despite multiple efforts, I found the dialogue to be muddy no matter what source (Blu-rays on a PS4, Rokus, later Apple TV); I even had the problem with some vinyl on a Rega RP-1. It always sounded like was a constant low-level drone right in the vocal range. In retrospect, it could've been a power issue in the apartment, but I gave up after twiddling with it for five years and lived with it for almost nine years.
I downsized to the Beam 2 and a pair of Play:1s I had lying around and it instantly sounded much clearer. It sounded better still once I did a proper tune. I wanted to say here that separation is not as pronounced, but thinking back, actually, yeah, the separation is really that good. I'm sure it's better on the Arc, but the real improvement is the processing on the rears — they're actually closer to the sofa than I had the B5s, but I hear things whizzing more distinctly from left to right and vice versa. Height remains a problem, but I think short of a pair of actual height speakers, this will always remain the case. And I finally added a Sub Mini to the whole setup (sitting next to my sofa) and holy crap, the whole system is even better — the Beam is delegating all the low-levels to the Sub and after a re-tune it's as much fun as the old setup.
As to unsupported, I'm not really sure what you mean. Yes, there is a bifurcation in the app and officially there are no updates to functionality for about ten devices that have been discontinued for over a decade. This does not, as far as I can tell, affect what you can play on newer or older systems — I can use the older S1 controller for every one of the services offered on the new system. Sure I could use the PSBs, but I'm astonished when the receiver is supported for more than a year with updates; these older devices got at least a decade, in some case nearly two decades, of updates. I'd say that's a fair amount of time for a speaker to be supported. And this is a current device. I think you can reasonably expect 5+ years of support, which will likely be 4+ years more support than your receiver will get.
So yeah, sure, you're right they've got loyalists — but it's earned loyalty. We accept that we might not be getting the experience someone who has spent $10k on their audio system, but damned if the $1950 Arc/One/Sub set doesn't get 95+ percent of the way there with less hassle and longer system support.
I understand that soundbars have a market. I also understand that a grand speaker system isn't for everyone. However, I've seen so much SONOS shilling in the past few years that it honestly just seems like astroturfing. No one offers comparisons. They always go "omg it's the bestest" without any frame of reference.
Maybe one day I'll try it, and I will gladly eat my words. I don't have much issues with my The Fives but I did have to adjust the EQ to make the dialogue better.
Not everything appeals to everyone. But there's a reason they're a leading premium sound company with excellent hold on the market.
I have not seen this level of audio fanaticism since Bose. So I think my cynicism is warranted.
No one's quick as Sonos
No one's neck's as incredibly thick as Sonos.
1. They are wireless - I didn't want to deal with wires, and many people do not and are willing to sacrifice other things for this
2. If you are an audiophile, there are probably better options. For someone who just wants good sound for their living room with minimal effort these are great. If you have an iOS device you can use trueplay to tune them to your room. An audiophile with good equipment could do better tuning, if I had great equipment I could never tune it as well by ear.
3. The tuning options are limited - if you like to have access to every little audio option you don't get that here. You can set treble/bass, turn loudness on/off, etc.
4. You can control all rooms with the same app - for my non technical wife I only needed to teach her one app for controlling both the TV setup and the stereo speakers in the family room for music. You can stream the same music to all rooms which was nice at the holidays.
For the comments about gear going end of life and being worthless, that's not very true. The old gear still works, it doesn't get the features of the new stuff and doesn't integrate with it. You also need the older app on your phone. It still works and no features have been removed that I know of. I'm guessing your average Joe who bought it to watch some TV every now and then never even noticed.
So - if you are looking for good (but not audiophile) quality speakers that setup quickly, don't need wires, and can be tuned by people without an ear for it then these are for you.
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Took a leap on black Friday and never looked back. Ended up using an amp to get them fired up. And never looking back. After getting the account setup adding speakers and devices was a breeze. Even the ikea speakers are sweet to use as surrounds.
No more fumbling to find remote. Alexa enabled makes it easy peazy. Would be perfect if the Moves can be used as surrounds.
Only downfall is I can't find the white subs.
I'd recommend going to a store and listening to yourself. I personally use Klipsch the fives and they will have superior stereo separation because the speakers are further apart. Also the bass is fantastic and surprisingly competent. I will be adding a subwoofer down the line but I'm not sure if it's necessary.
I would have purchased the sonos if it was better priced but it doesn't go on sale often enough and honestly, I'm not convinced it's worth the asking price. Sonos has discontinued support for their older products, and this device can suffer the same fate. Where as a regular speaker will always work.
Stereo separation according to you the further apart the better…
…. I would of bought a lexus if it where better prices like my Toyota…
You have to depend on your latest tv or a processor for the klip and that is what they will do …
Try putting your klip speakers around the house connected to your WiFi ….the wireless part ..
I have owned both they are not the same and you always get what you pay for
Klips are where you start before you want not need better sound and end up spending more $$ just to get up to the sonos
I guess your 1995 computer is still running strong with all the updates that they support
Come on man !
I have not seen this level of audio fanaticism since Bose. So I think my cynicism is warranted.
They have developed the best software and ease of use AND SOUND that is hard to beat ALL things considered
You cannot move forward without leaving some things behind
Electronic s is one of the best examples
If not car tech… computers… typewriters… home phones that we all still have …?
Move 1 step forward not 2 steps back …
As I'm firmly embedded in the ecosystem, I picked up a bunch of Ports to connect to existing in-wall speakers (through multi-room amp) and a main amp in family room. Those work great to get the Sonos functionality on non-Sonos speakers. Also have a Port attached to a Line Magnetic Amp + Davone speakers in living room, and can also stream my turntable anywhere else in house.
Yeah, I have gone a bit overboard, but had a bunch of in-wall speakers inherited with house and made use of them.
Sonos is a bit closed off like Apple is. And it's pricey. But it's great software - that you can actually use without their hardware (to some degree) - and make work for your setup. Especially with all the money saved via other Slickdeals.
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This is definitely a good price if you missed out on any of the Black Friday sales.
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