Overview
The Sonos Beam Ultra is a compact smart soundbar designed to give your television a more engaging and detailed sound presentation without taking up much space. Its 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos configuration uses dedicated upward-firing drivers alongside forward- and side-firing speakers to create a broader sense of sound around the listening position.
Dialogue is a particular focus. AI Speech Enhancement lets you adjust voice clarity through the Sonos app, while Night Sound reduces the intensity of louder sounds and brings quieter details forward when you are watching later in the evening.
Despite its compact proportions, the Beam Ultra can form the starting point for a larger Sonos system. You can add compatible Sonos speakers for surround sound or a subwoofer for additional low-frequency depth at a later stage.
The white finish and 750mm width make it a practical choice for customers looking to improve TV audio while keeping the soundbar relatively discreet.
Sound Quality & Comfort
The Beam Ultra is built around nine Class-D digital amplifiers, five tweeters and four low-profile woofers. The speaker arrangement is designed to handle high and mid-range frequencies clearly while producing the low frequencies needed for films, television and music.
For Dolby Atmos content, two upward-firing tweeters direct sound towards the ceiling to create a sense of height as well as width. This supports the 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos presentation, with compatible content and a suitable HDMI eARC connection required for Dolby Atmos formats that use eARC.
The soundbar also supports Dolby Atmos Music, allowing compatible music content to make use of its spatial audio capabilities.
Trueplay uses your room’s acoustics to fine-tune the EQ, helping the Beam Ultra adapt its sound to the space in which it is installed. Bass, treble and loudness can also be adjusted through the Sonos app.
For television viewing, AI Speech Enhancement provides four adjustable levels designed to make human voices easier to hear. This can be particularly useful when background action or music makes dialogue harder to follow.
Night Sound takes a different approach, reducing the intensity of loud sounds while making quieter details easier to hear. It is useful when you want to watch television without large changes in volume disturbing other people in the home.
Features That Matter
Dolby Atmos and 7.1.2 sound
Dolby Atmos adds a sense of height to compatible films, programmes and music. The Beam Ultra’s upward-firing drivers work alongside its other speaker drivers to create a more three-dimensional presentation than a conventional front-facing soundbar.
AI Speech Enhancement
AI Speech Enhancement detects human voices and lets you adjust dialogue clarity through the Sonos app. With four levels to choose from, you can set the amount of speech enhancement to suit your preference and the programme you are watching.
Trueplay room tuning
Trueplay measures the acoustics of your room and adjusts the EQ accordingly. It is compatible with iOS and Android devices, helping the Beam Ultra take account of the space rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all sound setting.
HDMI eARC and ARC
The Beam Ultra connects to a compatible television through its HDMI eARC/ARC connection, with an HDMI cable supplied. HDMI eARC is required for certain supported high-bandwidth audio formats, including Dolby Atmos from Dolby TrueHD.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Wi-Fi 6 provides the network connection needed for the Sonos experience, while Bluetooth 5.3 allows audio streaming from compatible Bluetooth devices. Apple AirPlay 2 is also supported on compatible Apple devices.
Voice and app control
Sonos Voice Control is supported, while the Sonos app provides access to sound settings, music and features such as Trueplay, Speech Enhancement and Night Sound. Capacitive touch controls on the soundbar provide another way to adjust volume, playback and other functions.
Everyday Benefits
The Beam Ultra is designed to simplify the move from built-in television speakers to dedicated audio. Connect it to a compatible TV and the Sonos app guides you through setup, while your existing TV remote can be used to control the soundbar.
Its 65mm height makes it suitable for positioning beneath many televisions, while the 750mm width gives it a relatively compact footprint for a Dolby Atmos soundbar.
For evening viewing, Night Sound can reduce the impact of louder effects without making quieter details difficult to hear. Speech Enhancement is useful when dialogue is the priority, particularly during films, dramas and programmes where voices can otherwise be lost beneath music or effects.
Music is also part of the Beam Ultra’s role. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay 2 give you several ways to play compatible audio through the soundbar when you are not watching television.
Who Is It Ideal For?
The Beam Ultra is well suited to customers who want a significant step up from built-in TV speakers without moving straight to a separate multi-speaker home cinema system.
It is particularly suitable for:
- Compact and medium-sized living spaces, where a full-size home cinema setup may be impractical.
- Film and TV viewers, thanks to Dolby Atmos and dedicated dialogue-enhancement features.
- Customers who value clear speech, with adjustable AI Speech Enhancement.
- Music listeners, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay 2 support.
- Sonos owners, who may want to integrate a soundbar into an existing Sonos system or expand it over time.
Why Choose This Product?
The Beam Ultra combines a compact physical design with a speaker arrangement designed for Dolby Atmos sound. Its upward-firing drivers provide height effects, while side- and forward-firing drivers help broaden the soundstage.
It also gives you control over how the sound is presented. Trueplay can tune the sound to your room, Speech Enhancement can bring greater focus to dialogue and Night Sound can make late-night viewing less disruptive.
Another benefit is the ability to start with a single soundbar and expand later. Compatible Sonos speakers and a subwoofer can be added separately, allowing the system to grow rather than requiring you to purchase a complete setup from the outset.
What’s Included
- Sonos Beam Ultra soundbar
- Power cable
- HDMI cable
- Set-up guide
- Legal and warranty information
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Sonos Beam Ultra work with my television?
The Beam Ultra connects to a compatible TV through HDMI eARC or ARC. It is not compatible with CCFL-backlit TVs manufactured between 2004 and 2012.
Does the Beam Ultra support Dolby Atmos?
Yes. The Beam Ultra supports Dolby Atmos and uses dedicated upward-firing drivers as part of its 7.1.2 speaker configuration. Compatible Dolby Atmos content and an appropriate HDMI connection are required.
Does it come with a subwoofer?
No. The Beam Ultra is supplied as a standalone soundbar. A compatible Sonos subwoofer can be added separately if you want to expand the system.
Can I add rear speakers later?
Yes. Compatible Sonos speakers can be added to create a more extensive surround system.
Can I stream music through the Beam Ultra?
Yes. It supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 and Apple AirPlay 2, giving you several ways to play compatible music and audio.
Does it work with my TV remote?
Yes. The Beam Ultra is designed to work with your existing TV remote.
Is the Beam Ultra suitable for a smaller living room?
Its 750mm width and 65mm height give it a relatively compact footprint, making it suitable for customers looking for Dolby Atmos sound without a large soundbar.
Why Buy from Snelling Gerald Giles?
At Snelling Gerald Giles, we are an independent electrical retailer with experienced teams who can help you choose the right audio equipment for your television and listening space.
Our Norwich and Blofield showrooms give you the opportunity to compare selected audio products and discuss your requirements with a knowledgeable team. We also offer local delivery and ongoing after-sales support, helping you feel confident both before and after your purchase.
Audio products are also covered by our Price Match Promise, giving you additional reassurance when comparing prices.
For customers who prefer to discuss their options in person, our team can help you consider the Beam Ultra alongside your television, existing Sonos products and plans for future system expansion.