By WiFi HiFi
Sonos has introduced the latest audio products in its family for 2020, headed up by the Arc, a premium smart soundbar that offers smart and adaptable cinema-quality sound, support for Dolby Atmos, and compatibility with popular voice assistants.
Powered by Sonos’ new sound experience platform, Arc comes equipped with 11 high-performance drivers, including two that are upward firing for 3D audio. Tuned in partnership with Oscar-winning mixing engineers, Arc adjusts its sound profile through software, based on the home theatre set-up and what’s playing, including stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, and Dolby Atmos.
Sound can be refined in the Sonos app with features including Speech Enhancement to further
clarify vocals, Night Sound to temper loud explosions, and an update to Sonos’ Trueplay tuning technology, adjusting Arc’s acoustic profile based on the room, accounting for horizontal and vertical sound that comes with 3D sound.
Arc, available in matte black and matte white, features a 270-degree rounded plastic grille and a seamless exterior. It can be set up in front of a standing TV or mounted to the wall with a separate custom-designed wall mount. A simple connection through HDMI eARC or ARC keeps set-up simple.
Arc can be controlled using the Sonos app and the next-generation S2 software platform, as well as with an existing TV remote, or by voice via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. It can also be controlled through Apple AirPlay 2.
Arc replaces Playbar and Playbase in the Sonos line-up and is available globally on June 10 for $999.
Alongside Arc, Sonos introduced two updates for premium sound in the home: Sonos Sub (Gen 3) and Sonos Five, replacing Play:5 (Gen 2), bring increased memory and faster processing power while delivering the same sound experiences.
The new Sub brings the same design and bass and will come in both black and white for $899 starting June 10.
Sonos Five ($599; June 10) delivers the same sound and acoustic architecture as Play:5, and like its predecessor, can be used as a standalone speaker horizontally, or pair two Fives in the upright position for stereo separation. Use the line-in to connect to a record player for playback on Sonos. It will come in black with a black grille and, for the first time, white with a white grille.
Starting June 8, Sonos customers will be able to download the new Sonos app, delivering an upgraded software platform that will power the next generation of products and experiences from Sonos, including Arc, Five, and the third generation Sub. The three new products will run exclusively on the new app.
This new generation app features support for higher resolution audio technologies, evident with the Dolby Atmos experience on Arc, as well as increased security and improved design for easier use. User interface updates make it even simpler for customers to search for content, control sound, and personalize the experience with new features starting with saved room groups. Customers will download the new app and easily transition their system to the new platform. All favourites, services, and settings will be saved.