Introduction: two soundbars, one ambition
Choosing a premium soundbar is a major investment for your living room. At Sonos, two models compete at the top: the Sonos Arc, proven reference since 2020, and the Sonos Arc Ultra, newcomer that pushes the limits of spatial audio. In Morocco, our Smart Living clients constantly ask: should we invest 9,899 MAD in the Arc or 11,899 MAD in the Arc Ultra?
This exhaustive comparison gives you all the keys to make the right choice for your room, uses and budget.
Sonos Arc: the Dolby Atmos reference
Essential technical specs
- Price in Morocco: 9,899 MAD
- Drivers: 11 transducers (8 elliptical woofers, 3 tweeters)
- Dolby Atmos: Yes, via ceiling reflection
- Connectivity: HDMI eARC, WiFi 5, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth (via update)
- Dimensions: 114.2 × 8.7 × 11.6 cm
- Trueplay: Yes (calibration via iPhone)
Launched in 2020, the Sonos Arc revolutionised the soundbar market by offering real Dolby Atmos in an elegant format. Its 11 drivers, including upward-facing tweeters, create an enveloping sound bubble. Trueplay calibration adapts the sound to your room's acoustics — a major advantage in Moroccan living rooms with reflective surfaces (tiling, marble).
Arc strengths
- Convincing Dolby Atmos for films and series
- Clean design that fits under any TV
- Complete Sonos ecosystem (multiroom, grouping)
- More accessible price than the Ultra
- Years of track record: mature and reliable product
Known limitations
- Limited bass without additional subwoofer in large rooms
- Atmos effect dependent on ceiling height and material
- No Sound Motion technology
Sonos Arc Ultra: the new reference
Essential technical specs
- Price in Morocco: 11,899 MAD
- Drivers: 14 transducers including 7 Sound Motion
- Dolby Atmos: Yes, improved with dedicated vertical channels
- Connectivity: HDMI eARC, WiFi 6, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth 5.0
- Dimensions: 117.5 × 8.6 × 11.7 cm
- Trueplay: Yes (calibration via iPhone, soon Android)
The Arc Ultra is Sonos's answer to those who wanted more of everything: more bass, more immersion, more power. The star here is Sound Motion technology, a revolutionary transducer developed in-house by Sonos.
Sound Motion technology explained
Unlike traditional cone speakers, Sound Motion uses a flat-membrane motor that moves bidirectionally. Result: bass up to 3× deeper in the same volume. This innovation allows the Arc Ultra to produce convincing bass without an external subwoofer.
Smart Living tip: In a living room of 25 m² or less, the Arc Ultra alone can suffice for immersive home cinema. Beyond that, adding a Sub Mini (5,799 MAD) or Sub 4 (10,999 MAD) is still recommended.
Arc Ultra strengths
- Spectacular bass without external sub thanks to Sound Motion
- Even more immersive Atmos with better spatial separation
- WiFi 6 for more stable streaming
- Increased power for large rooms
- Premium build and finishes
Direct comparison: Arc vs Arc Ultra
Sound quality
In listening, the difference is notable. The Arc offers rich, detailed sound, excellent for cinema and music. The Arc Ultra steps up a notch with more visceral bass, a wider soundstage and more precise Atmos effect. Vocals are better separated from the mix, and surround effects are more convincing.
For music, the Arc Ultra excels particularly on bass-demanding genres (hip-hop, electronic, R&B) while the Arc is ample for jazz, classical and pop.
Dolby Atmos: what's the practical difference?
Both bars support Dolby Atmos, but execution differs. The Arc creates Atmos via ceiling reflection — meaning your ceiling height and material influence the result. The Arc Ultra, with its Sound Motion transducers dedicated to vertical channels, offers more consistent Atmos regardless of room.
Expert tip: For true 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos home cinema, pair your Arc or Arc Ultra with a pair of Sonos Era 300 as surround satellites and a Sub 4. The Era 300 natively supports spatial audio, making them ideal surround satellites. Smart Living offers this complete setup in the Sonos Home Cinema Pack.
Price and value
With a 2,000 MAD gap (9,899 vs 11,899 MAD), the value question is legitimate. If you planned to add a Sub Mini (5,799 MAD) to the Arc, the Arc Ultra alone costs less and offers comparable bass. The Arc Ultra is paradoxically more economical for those seeking deep bass.
Which model to choose? Our recommendation
Choose the Sonos Arc if…
- Your budget is limited to 10,000 MAD
- Your living room is under 20 m²
- You plan to add a Sub later
- You mainly listen to music and watch films occasionally
- Your ceiling is flat and under 3 m (optimal for Atmos reflection)
Choose the Sonos Arc Ultra if…
- You want the best possible sound without compromise
- Deep bass is essential for you
- Your living room is large (25 m²+) or open-plan
- You don't necessarily want to buy a Sub
- Your ceiling is high (3 m+) or vaulted — the Ultra compensates better
- You're a demanding cinephile
Installation and calibration: our tips
Optimal placement for Dolby Atmos
Whether you choose the Arc or Ultra, placement is crucial:
- Centre the bar under your TV, at ear height when seated or just below
- Clear space above the bar — no furniture should block upward-facing drivers
- Distance from wall: leave at least 5 cm between bar and rear wall
- Wall mount: if your TV is wall-mounted, use the dedicated Sonos wall bracket for perfect alignment
Trueplay calibration: essential in Morocco
Moroccan interiors often have highly reflective surfaces (tiling, marble, large bay windows). Trueplay calibration is therefore particularly important for us. The process takes 2 minutes with an iPhone: the Sonos app uses your phone's mic to analyse acoustics and adjust the bar's 200+ DSP filters.
Smart Living tip: Re-run Trueplay calibration after any major change in your living room (new rug, new sofa, rearrangement). These elements modify acoustics and Trueplay will adapt. It's free and takes 2 minutes.
Surround setup with Era 300
For the ultimate home cinema experience, add a pair of Sonos Era 300 as surround speakers. Place them slightly behind and above your listening position. The Era 300 natively support Dolby Atmos, creating a complete 7.1.4 system with dedicated height channels at front AND rear.
Conclusion
The Sonos Arc remains an excellent soundbar that will satisfy the vast majority of users, especially if a Sub is planned. The Sonos Arc Ultra targets audiophiles and cinephiles who want the ultimate in spatial audio, with bass that impresses without extra accessories.
At Smart Living we offer both models with free delivery across Morocco, professional installation (on separate quote) and technical support via WhatsApp. Contact us for personalised advice based on your living room and habits.
