The Sonos Arc, the next generation soundbar from the California audio experts, will be arriving on June 10. This new flagship soundbar is ushering in Sonos’ new generation of home entertainment speakers, with the main headline being that Dolby Atmos is now supported.
In a post on Sonos Newsroom, it’s stated that the Arc has been “tuned in partnership with Oscar-winning mixing engineers” and “adjusts its sound profile through software, based on the home cinema set-up and what’s playing, whether stereo, Dolby Audio 5.1, or Dolby Atmos”. This will help to meet the demand of consumers who now have ready access to Dolby Atmos content through the likes of Netflix and Prime Video (though support can vary depending on the device the app is installed on).
The speaker will, of course, integrate into a smart home setup, being operational with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. It’s also Apple Airplay 2 compatible.
The Arc is loaded with 11 speakers, “including two that are upwards firing for 3D audio, [to] produce dramatic clarity, detail, and depth.” This 3D audio experience can be customised via the new app software, which autotunes the speaker’s audio profile to suit the room and entertainment set-up.
As a standalone item, Sonos intends Arc to bring an industry-leading “ultra-wide soundstage and impressive bass”. Consumers will have the chance to up the sound performance with the third generation of Sonos Sub and Sonos Five (replacing the Play:5), increasing the surround sound experience and freeing up the 11 speakers to focus on mids and high frequencies.
Sonos has an impressive record when it comes to home entertainment speakers, with the Sonos One and Sonos Beam proving hugely possible to this day. The CEO certainly seems to have every confidence that the new soundbar can up the previous offerings, stating that the Arc “illustrates our commitment to brilliant sound and premium design, and sets a new standard for soundbars.”
The Sonos Arc is available for pre-order through Sonos, Amazon, and John Lewis, priced at £799. Available in black and white.