Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4 Review: Ultra-Premium Home Audio That Redefines Cinematic Sound

The flagship soundbar Arc Ultra and subwoofer Sub 4 from US-based audio company Sonos have been formally introduced in India, setting a new standard for upscale home entertainment. With a combined price tag of almost ₹1.8 lakh (₹84,999 for the Sub 4 and ₹99,999 for the Arc Ultra), this stereo pair is designed for true audiophiles. Is the ultra-premium cost justified, though?

Here's a thorough examination of the Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4's actual performance in real-world settings following two weeks of interactive testing covering everything from Netflix dramas to bass-heavy Punjabi hits to Test cricket.

Design: Powerful, Sleek, and Minimalist

With their distinctive matte black finish, Sonos' Arc Ultra and Sub 4 exude style and simplicity. With its powerful presence and ability to fit in with the surroundings, the Arc Ultra lies subtly beneath a typical TV. Before it begins to thunder with bass, the Sub 4's curving form and central cutout could easily be mistaken for a work of modern art.

Sonos' sleek and modern appearance is a perfect fit if aesthetics are a deciding factor in your purchase.

⚙️ Quick, Easy, and Intelligent Setup

The ease of setup of Sonos is one of its best qualities. Simply plug in the parts, open the Sonos app, and follow the easy-to-follow instructions. Particularly in living areas that are prone to echo or have unusual shapes, trueplay tuning, which modifies the sound according to your room layout, is revolutionary.

For such expensive equipment, it took less than 15 minutes from unpacking to immersive audio.

The audio experience is immersive, crisp, and cinematic.

Amazing depth and spatial accuracy are brought forth with the Arc Ultra's Dolby Atmos compatibility. The roar of the fans at Wimbledon or the crack of the bat during the Test series between India and England were examples of sounds that seemed genuinely three-dimensional.

The living room was transformed into a little movie theatre during a Panchayat Season 4 binge-watching marathon because to the crisp speech, background village noises, and subtly placed musical cues. A home theatre experience that was comparable to multiplexes was produced by the immersive soundstage.

🔊 Bass Performance: Restricted Power That Is Powerful

The Sub 4 is amazing when it comes to bass. Tested on powerful songs like Winning Speech (Karan Aujla) and Spaceship (AP Dhillon), the subwoofer produced clear, strong lows that rocked the room without warping.

There is no buzz or rumble, only pure low-end precision, and the bass is still snappy and tight even at loud settings.

📱 Clever Features: Lightweight Controls With a Few Restrictions

It is easy to switch between TV audio, music streaming, and fine-tuning settings with the Sonos app. A disadvantage for Android-heavy markets like India is that Google Assistant compatibility has been eliminated, leaving only Alexa and Sonos Voice Control.

The absence of an actual remote control may also be troublesome for those who prefer conventional controls to smartphone apps, and the lack of HDMI passthrough may be restrictive for users with various input sources.

✅ Conclusion: Pricey for the masses, but worth it for audiophiles

The Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4 provide an unmatched sound experience if you're getting a high-end, streaming-first home entertainment system. It is perfect for anyone who appreciate clear, crisp conversation, rich surround effects, and clean, deep bass—all of which are encased in a stylish, simple design.

The problem is that, at over ₹2 lakh, it is a luxury purchase in a market where affordable, high-quality competitors are available from Bose, Sony, and JBL.

In conclusion, if you want the best home audio system available and money is not an issue, this Sonos combination is among the most elegant and dramatic installations available in 2025.