How to set up Sonos Arc Ultra

If you’ve just unboxed the Sonos Arc Ultra, you’re holding Sonos’ most immersive home theatre system yet. With support for Dolby Atmos, seamless integration with your existing Sonos ecosystem, and the ability to respond to your voice, Arc Ultra brings layered, three-dimensional sound into your living room with minimal fuss and maximum payoff.

Here’s how to get it all set up, dialled in, and ready to take your listening experience to the next level:

Before you begin, what you’ll need

Before powering anything on, download the Sonos app on your iOS or Android device. It’s your essential setup companion and control hub. Make sure your Arc Ultra is:

– Plugged into a power outlet
– Placed in your desired listening position, ideally centred below your TV
– Paired with the included HDMI cable, which you’ll use to connect to your TV

Once everything’s in place, launch the app. From here, the process is refreshingly straightforward.

Setting up Arc Ultra as a new Sonos system

If this is your first Sonos product, welcome aboard. The app will prompt you to set up a new system. 

Step 1: Launch the Sonos App
Open the app, select “Set up a new system”, and log in or create a Sonos account. Once your Arc Ultra is detected, tap “Add”.

Step 2: Follow the In-App Prompts
The app will guide you step-by-step, including, connecting Arc Ultra to Wi-Fi, calibrating it for your space, and helping you add music and streaming services. You’ll also be prompted to connect the HDMI cable to your TV’s HDMI-ARC or eARC port, which is key for unlocking Dolby Atmos playback. 

Already have a Sonos system?
Open the app, head to Settings > Add Speaker or Component, and follow the prompts to integrate Arc Ultra into your existing setup. 

Expanding your setup with surround speakers and sub

Arc Ultra is impressive on its own, but it truly shines when paired with rear surround speakers and a Sonos Sub.

Through the Sonos app, you can add compatible rear speakers and one or two Subs to create a more spacious, theatre-like setup. The pairing process is simple, and the app ensures everything is in sync, sonically and spatially.

ALSO READ: Sonos Arc Ultra and Sub 4 to bring cinematic sound to Indian living rooms

If you’re unsure about compatibility, refer to Sonos’ official surround setup guidelines. It outlines which products work best together and any limitations you should know before buying more gear.

Enabling Dolby Atmos on Arc Ultra

This is where the Arc Ultra earns its name. To experience Dolby Atmos, your Arc Ultra needs to be connected to your TV’s HDMI-ARC or eARC port. This allows it to receive the full object-based surround signal for spatial, height-aware sound, like raindrops overhead or aircraft flying past you.

When an Atmos signal is active, the Sonos app displays an Atmos badge in the “Now Playing” screen. You can also confirm audio formats under Settings > TV Audio Format.

If you don’t see the badge, double-check your TV’s audio settings, many TVs require you to enable passthrough or set the audio to “Bitstream” or “Auto.”

Adding voice control like Alexa or Sonos Voice

With Sonos Voice Control or Amazon Alexa enabled, Arc Ultra becomes even more hands-free.

You can say things like:

– “Turn the TV off”
– “Turn up the volume”
– “Play music from Spotify”

Just make sure your Arc Ultra is connected via HDMI (not optical), and that HDMI-CEC is enabled on your TV. Without these, voice control over power functions won’t work.

Voice assistant setup is also managed via the Sonos app, where you can choose your preferred assistant and link your services.

What if something goes wrong?

If your Arc Ultra isn’t appearing in the app or refuses to connect, don’t worry, this happens occasionally. Visit Sonos’ “Product Not Found” support article for helpful tips, including how to reset your device, check network settings, and ensure your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Sonos system.

Wrapping up

And that’s it… You’re ready to experience room-filling sound, crisp dialogue, and deep bass all from a single soundbar. Whether you’re watching a blockbuster in Dolby Atmos or casually streaming music, the Sonos Arc Ultra brings studio-quality sound into your home with minimal effort and maximum impact.

Now that your Arc Ultra is up and running, go ahead, invite some friends, queue up your favourite movie, and let the sound speak for itself.