I’ve been a big fan of Sonos’ signature sound for well over a decade. But I’ve never really enjoyed the bright and overly forward Beam or Beam Gen 2 soundbars. The Beam Ultra is a whole different story, offering more power, more bass, and dedicated upfiring drivers for Dolby Atmos height effects, resulting in much better and more immersive sound.
At $699, the Beam Ultra is pricey for a small soundbar, but it packs in tons of features and some of the best sound quality I’ve ever heard in a soundbar this size. Is this the Sonos soundbar to beat? Here’s how it all breaks down.
Skip the reading? Click play above or watch the Sonos Beam Ultra review on YouTube.
The Beam Ultra launches alongside new Sonos headphones, the Ace Ultra, and a sweeping new software update called Sonos 27 (S27). S27 brings multiple new features, including hardware upgrades like the ability to use Sonos Play and Move 2 portables as surround speakers with Arc and Beam soundbars (but not the original Beam), and sound swapping to and from the Ace Ultra over Wi-Fi with newer Sonos speakers. Software updates include new navigation options in the Sonos app and advanced features like the ability to add your own AI agent and, eventually, more conversational Sonos Voice Control.
Software aside, the Beam Ultra is well-appointed for a bar measuring just 2.56 inches high, 29.53 inches wide, and 4.13 inches deep. Inside are nine individually powered drivers, including four woofers and five tweeters. Sonos calls it a 7.1.2-channel configuration, but it measured more like 5.1.2 in my tests, and its sub-bass is naturally more limited than bars like the Arc Ultra without a subwoofer like the Sub 4. Even so, the bar provides better immersion and more mid-bass punch than you’d expect for its size.
On top are control keys for playback, volume, and Bluetooth pairing. Onboard beamforming microphones provide voice control and audio tuning via Sonos Trueplay. Inputs are limited to HDMI eARC and USB-C, with options like line-in and optical available via separate adapters. Streaming support includes Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and over 100 streaming services and stations within the Sonos app. Audio format support includes Dolby Atmos over Dolby TrueHD and DD+, as well as DTS 5.1, though DTS:X is still not included. As for smarts, Sonos continues to support Amazon Alexa alongside Sonos Voice Control.
Performance during my testing was excellent across the board. The soundbar sounds great on its own, with clear dialogue and better expansion with Dolby Atmos content than expected, including Dolby Atmos Music. Connecting a pair of Play speakers as surround sound speakers naturally upped the ante, and I was impressed by how easy it was to set up and connect the bar, speakers, and Ace Ultra headphones. I did have one issue in which the Play speakers disconnected, and one of the speakers fell off the network, but it reconnected after a few minutes and remained so for weeks of testing.
The Bottom Line
That momentary Play disconnection was the only app issue I experienced in multiple weeks of testing. Still, it brings up the same software stability questions folks have been asking about Sonos since the company’s app debacle in 2024.
What has never been in question for me is Sonos’ premium hardware and acoustic chops, which only seem to be improving. While there are other good small soundbars for less, like the Bose Smart Soundbar, none I’ve tested offer the same level of performance and versatility as the Beam Ultra.
The fundamental question is, are you ready to trust Sonos, and in particular its software, again? If so, the Beam Ultra is a no-brainer.
Pros
- Impressive detail and immersion
- Surprisingly big midbass for cinematic punch
- Sleek and compact design
- Loads of ways to stream
- Sonos multi-room and surround options
- Swift and breezy setup
Cons
- Baseline physical inputs
- Not much for accessories
- Lingering Sonos software questions
Our Ratings:
★★★★★★★★★★ Performance
★★★★★★★★★★ Build Quality
★★★★★★★★★★ Features
★★★★★★★★★★ Value
Where to Buy:
Sonos Add-ons:
- Sonos Ace Ultra (headphones) – $649 at Amazon | Best Buy | Sonos
- Sonos Play (surround speakers) — $299 at Amazon | Best Buy | Sonos
- Sonos Sub 4 (subwoofer) — $899 at Amazon | Best Buy | Sonos
Related Reading:
- Is the New Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar Worth The Upgrade or Just More of the Same?
- Three Great-Sounding Dolby Atmos Soundbars You Can Buy Today
- Sonos CEO Promises to Address App Fiasco: Will it Be Enough?
- Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar Review
