Sonos unveils Beam Ultra soundbar and Ace Ultra headphones

The Beam Ultra retains the familiar aesthetic of previous models, though the chassis now features perforated top panels to accommodate upward-firing drivers. During a controlled demo featuring clips from Widow’s Bay, the device managed complex soundscapes, balancing subtle background effects like walkie-talkie chatter against a swelling orchestral score. Its ability to handle Dolby Atmos content suggests a significant performance leap, provided the room geometry allows the side- and top-firing drivers to bounce audio effectively.

Beyond standalone performance, the company tested the system's modularity by wirelessly pairing two Play portable speakers as rear channels. While the demo environment was optimized for performance, the integration of these satellite speakers created a cohesive surround experience for the film Sinners. These hardware releases arrive as Sonos attempts to recover from a difficult two-year period defined by app-related controversy and shifting consumer sentiment.