Sonos has introduced two new products that are now shipping: the Beam Ultra soundbar ($699) and the Sonos Ace Ultra headphones ($449). Both arrived alongside Sonos 27, the latest version of Sonos’ software platform. Here’s what’s new and who each one is for.
Beam Ultra: Real Dolby Atmos in a Compact Soundbar
The original Beam has long been our go-to recommendation for smaller living rooms and bedrooms. The Beam Ultra keeps roughly the same footprint but is redesigned inside. It now has nine drivers, four more than the Beam (Gen 2), including two up-firing drivers that bounce sound off the ceiling. That means true 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos height effects instead of the virtual processing the previous Beam relied on.
Highlights include:
- Clearer dialogue: A redesigned center channel plus four levels of AI Speech Enhancement and a night mode for late-night watching.
- Tuned to your room: Trueplay measures your space and adjusts the sound to match.
- Room to grow: Add a Sonos Sub or Sub Mini for deeper bass, or rear surrounds. Sonos also says compatible Sonos portable speakers can serve as surrounds.
- Connectivity: HDMI eARC to your TV, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and Apple AirPlay 2.
- Finishes and mounting: Available in black or white, with an optional wall mount sold separately.
Sonos positions the Beam Ultra for TVs up to about 65 inches. It sits between the Beam (Gen 2), which stays on sale at $499, and the flagship Arc Ultra. One thing to know: like other Sonos soundbars, it has a single HDMI eARC port with no passthrough, and it doesn’t support DTS:X at launch.
Sonos Ace Ultra: Headphones That Join Your Sonos System
The second-generation Sonos Ace brings a new driver and next-generation adaptive noise cancellation, which Sonos says is significantly stronger at blocking low-frequency noise than the original Ace.
The bigger change is Headphone Linking. The Ace Ultra can connect to your Sonos system over Wi-Fi, so it works alongside your other Sonos speakers rather than as a standalone Bluetooth headset. Paired with a compatible Sonos soundbar, you can also send the TV audio to your headphones for quiet late-night viewing, and TrueCinema tunes the headphone sound to mimic your room. Note that Headphone Linking is launching as an early-access feature and requires a compatible Sonos product.
The Ace Ultra also supports lossless listening via aptX or USB-C, a 3.5mm wired connection, and Dolby Atmos with dynamic head tracking.
Is an Upgrade Right for You?
If you have a smaller room and want real Atmos height effects without stepping up to an Arc Ultra, the Beam Ultra is a strong option. If you already own a Sonos soundbar and often watch while others are sleeping, the Ace Ultra’s ability to pull TV audio straight from your system is a real convenience.
Thinking about adding either one to your home? We can help you choose the right setup, mount and calibrate your soundbar, and make sure everything works together on your network. Contact us or call (716) 295-0521.
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