# Sonos Arc Ultra vs Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Sonos Arc Ultra (Sonos) and Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar (Bose) among soundbars. Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is the cheaper of the two at $299.

## Side by side

| Spec | Sonos Arc Ultra | Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $999 | $299 |
| Brand | Sonos | Bose |
| Released | 2024-11 | 2023 |
| Channels | 9.1.4 | 3.1.1 |
| Total watts | — | — |
| Dolby atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Dts x | No | No |
| Wireless sub | No | No |
| Rear speakers | No | No |
| HDMI earc | Yes | Yes |
| Voice assistant | Sonos Voice Control, Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |

## Key differences

- Channels: Sonos Arc Ultra 9.1.4 vs Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar 3.1.1
- Voice assistant: Sonos Arc Ultra Sonos Voice Control, Amazon Alexa vs Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

## What reviewers say

**Sonos Arc Ultra** — Verified two whitelisted hands-on reviews (Engadget, SoundGuys); all six quotes were re-confirmed verbatim on their pages and both cover the exact Sonos Arc Ultra model. Neither source published lab-measured values with units, so no measured-value cross-check was possible. Both praise the sound and bass performance while flagging the steep $999 price and the cost of expanding to a full surround setup. A previously listed 'sleek low-profile design' praise point was dropped as unsupported by any verified quote. (2 sourced reviews.)

**Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar** — Two whitelisted hands-on testers (Tom's Guide, What Hi-Fi?) reviewed this exact model; neither published lab bench measurements. Both praise the wide, immersive Dolby Atmos soundstage and solid build, but flag a congested/harsh midrange that undermines music and dialogue, and note the AI Dialogue mode can over-compensate. (2 sourced reviews.)

## Sources

- Sonos Arc Ultra: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/sonos-arc-ultra-review/ (digitaltrends.com, verified 2026-06-15)
- Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar: https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/speakers/smart-speakers/bose-smart-ultra-soundbar.html (bose.com, verified 2026-06-15)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/soundbars/sonos-arc-ultra-vs-bose-smart-ultra-soundbar/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Sonos Arc Ultra ($999) vs Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar ($299) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/soundbars/sonos-arc-ultra-vs-bose-smart-ultra-soundbar/
License: CC BY 4.0.