The Sonos Beam Ultra is a wider, more powerful soundbar that delivers genuine Dolby Atmos through two upward-firing speakers, bringing it closer to the company’s high-end Arc range than the previous Beam. Its richer sound, deeper bass and stronger surround effects make it appealing to home cinema enthusiasts, but the $699 price is a significant jump and places it close to older premium models.

The Beam Ultra remains 2.5 inches tall and weighs 6.35 pounds, but its larger body contains five tweeters, four woofers and nine amplifiers. It is best suited to televisions of 55 inches or larger, requires a clear, flat ceiling for effective Atmos reflection, and can use simulated Atmos in enclosed spaces. Connectivity is unchanged, with HDMI eARC, an optical adapter for older televisions, voice assistants, Sonos Control and a microphone privacy switch.