Sonos has introduced the Beam Ultra soundbar and Sonos Ace Ultra headphones, alongside the release of its updated Sonos 27 audio operating system.
The Beam Ultra retains the compact form factor of the existing Beam while adding true 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos. The new mid-size soundbar features nine custom drivers, including two dedicated up-firing drivers, alongside a redesigned centre channel intended to improve dialogue clarity.
Four levels of AI Speech Enhancement are available, together with Night Sound for lower-volume listening. Beam Ultra can also be expanded with a Sonos Sub and rear surrounds, with compatible Sonos portable speakers now able to perform surround duties.
“Beam Ultra and Sonos Ace Ultra are physical manifestations of what we mean when we say ‘sounds like Sonos’ – they combine next-gen innovation, acoustic design and audio engineering into something only decades of learning in real homes can create,” says Tom Conrad, CEO of Sonos.
The Sonos Ace Ultra is the company’s latest premium over-ear headphone, featuring a Sonos-designed 40mm driver, Adaptive ANC using ten microphones and up to 35 hours of battery life with ANC enabled.
Ace Ultra is also the first Sonos headphone to feature Headphone Engine 2. Available initially through Early Access, the technology allows the headphones to link directly with a Sonos system. Users can transfer whatever is playing on their Sonos system to the headphones with one press and return playback to the system with another, without requiring a phone to be in range.
Both products take advantage of Sonos 27 and the wider Sonos ecosystem. Trueplay can be used to tune Beam Ultra to its room, while TrueCinema provides similar optimisation for Ace Ultra when receiving audio from a compatible Sonos soundbar.
Beam Ultra supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and HDMI eARC connectivity, while Ace Ultra also offers USB-C and 3.5mm connections.
Beam Ultra and Sonos Ace Ultra are available for pre-order from September 1, priced at $699 and $449 respectively, with general availability from September 29.
