What would you like to see from a second-generation Arc soundbar? Is there any area where you think positive changes could be made? Let us know in the comments below. This product does not have any user-serviceable parts. Do not open or disassemble or attempt to repair it or replace any components. Refer all servicing to Sonos qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cable or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped. Experience shows, films, and video games with the precise and immersive sound of Dolby Atmos on Arc. The upwards-firing drivers create a multi-dimensional soundstage that moves around you, rendering every whisper and explosion with dramatic clarity, detail, and depth. For yet another year, the Sonos multi-room system remains the best all-rounder.” ’What Hi-Fi?’ 2023 Product of the Year. Bring all your entertainment to life with the brilliantly realistic sound of Arc, featuring Dolby Atmos. Enjoy control with your remote, the app, your voice, and Apple AirPlay 2.

Connecting the Arc is easy. Simply connect to the mains then plug in your TV via HDMI. An optical digital input is also standard. For streamlined control, an Infrared sensor syncs with your TV’s remote, giving one-remote convenience. The Sonos Arc is generally repairable, but for devices that need significant maintenance the firm typically replaces speakers with new or refurbished products to speed up the return.A woofer in each end of the soundbar provides a wide soundstage. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Although the native resolution of the Arc isn’t public knowledge, it is currently capable of dealing with audio files up to 16bit/48kHz resolution - that may rise to 24bit when the S2 update drops. Most soundbars do a good job of reproducing TV and movie audio, but fall down on music. The Arc is simply fantastic as a music speaker, sounding far better than any other soundbar I have tested, including the Beam, and many dedicated music systems. Prices valid in stores (all including VAT) until close of business on 29th November 2023. (Some of these web prices are cheaper than in-store, so please mention that you've seen these offers online.) Using ARC makes it simple to connect but invites the same infuriating lipsync issues that can plague other soundbars, particularly with TV services such as Sky and Virgin in the UK.Find the right music for every moment on Spotify. Search any artist or song, create and share playlists, and get personalized recommendations. Listen on Sonos and control the music with your voice, the Spotify app or the Sonos app. With four, far-field microphones on board, Arc can hear you – even from the other side of the room. (Spotify Premium account required for full features).

The Sonos Arc soundbar was subject to a price increase. (Image credit: Future) Sonos Arc: price and availability Playing the bombing run scene from Unbroken and we’re immediately transported to within the fuselage of the B-24 Liberator. Our listening room is filled with wind noise and the whirr of the plane’s engines, and the incidental creaks and rattles are placed in specific spots, including right in the top corners of the wall we’re sitting against. This precision is matched by the three silk dome tweeters that deliver particularly crisp highs with an impressive level of control. We were particularly taken by the unit's ability to deliver soundscapes that distinguished sound from individual instruments during particular arrangements without feeling disjointed.Siri: you’ll need the Apple Home app. Add your AirPlay2-compatible Sonos speakers to the Apple Home app and then use an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV to ask Siri to play music (currently limited to Apple Music). Learn more Bass and treble can also be adjusted in the Sonos app, although you're unlikely to feel the need, and the Loudness function can be disabled here, too. There's also a Night Sound feature that flattens dynamics and reduces bass, ideal for when you don't want to wake the rest of the household, while Speech Enhancement aims to project dialogue more clearly.

You can perform True Play tuning, waving an iPhone or iPad about your room listening to what sounds like loud alien blasters. The Sonos app listens to the sound to optimise the Arc for your particular room. Sadly the feature isn’t available for Android devices because of the variances in microphone quality. So while we were able to experience excellent height and left/right soundscape movement, we definitely didn’t get the same surround sound experience as a multi-speaker array.

The Arc uses its array of speakers to bounce sound off your walls and ceiling to create a 3D audio effect, and the soundfield is once again tailored to your room using Sonos' Trueplay technology. Despite the extra audio plane, the process is identical to that of other Sonos speakers: the soundbar outputs a series of test sounds that are measured by your iOS device (Android devices still aren't supported), first from the listening position and then from around the room. We tested it in a room with a 20 foot (6 meter) vaulted ceiling and a nib wall behind the sofa, which makes it essentially impossible to bounce audio around behind you. With three, precisely angled, silk dome tweeters, the Arc spreads the sound widely. Using a left/centre/right configuration, you get a ‘wall of sound’ for enveloping audio. Weightier more bassy sound. It's already best in class or top 2. As with every Sonos iteration, the bass always improves and I'm sure it will here too. But the current Arc is already excellent as a stand alone sound bar. Stream music, radio, podcasts, and more from your favourite services with the Sonos app or Apple AirPlay 2 when the TV is off.