I forgot to review this… - Sonos Arc Soundbar Review

The Sonos Arc review starts by challenging the common perception of soundbars, emphasizing how the Arc surprised the reviewer by delivering a compelling experience that actually made him want to watch and listen rather than just set up a device. The video highlights the Arc’s design as a clean, modern piece that blends into the living room rather than standing out, allowing the TV and space to take center stage. However, the initial software experience is criticized heavily: the push to upgrade to the S2 app creates anxiety about compatibility with older Sonos devices, and the absence of built-in HDMI inputs is flagged as a significant limitation for a premium product. The reviewer compares the Arc to older setups and notes that the lack of inputs reduces flexibility, even as the app enables fine-tuning of tonality, audio sync, and some practical controls like disabling touch features or turning the IR repeater on or off. Despite the rough start with software and inputs, the Arc rapidly proves its value with impressive dialogue clarity and an engaging overall sound profile, which in some segments even edges out more complex, multi-component systems that require more space and wiring. The in-depth testing includes a detour into how the Arc handles low-end performance and whether adding a Gen 2 sub justifies the expense, ultimately finding that the Arc’s core performance is strong enough to stand on its own for many users, while the subwoofer can extend bass for those seeking more impact in movies and music. In conclusion, the Arc earns a strong recommendation for those who want a compact, aesthetically pleasing setup with clear dialogue and good overall sound while acknowledging trade-offs like limited inputs and the ongoing debate over whether a full home-theater system is worth the additional cost and complexity.

Topics · consumer electronics · audio · home theater · technology review