Sonos, the renowned audio brand, has recently unveiled its latest additions to the Ultra family, the Beam Ultra soundbar and the Ace Ultra headphones. These new products not only enhance the Sonos ecosystem but also showcase the company's commitment to innovation and delivering an immersive audio experience.
Beam Ultra: Elevating the Soundbar Experience
The Beam Ultra takes the popular Beam soundbar to new heights, quite literally. By incorporating dedicated upward-firing drivers, Sonos has achieved a true 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos configuration. This means that the soundbar now delivers seven ear-level audio channels, one bass channel, and two height channels, creating an immersive surround sound effect.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the attention to detail Sonos has shown. Despite the addition of these drivers, the Beam Ultra still maintains a compact form factor, ensuring it can fit seamlessly beneath most TVs. This is a clever design choice, as it allows users to enjoy high-quality audio without sacrificing valuable cabinet space.
However, the upgrade does come at a cost. The Beam Ultra retails for AUD$1,099, a significant jump from the previous generation's price of AUD$799. Personally, I think this price increase is justified, as it offers a substantial hardware upgrade and a unique speaker configuration that sets it apart from its predecessor.
Ace Ultra: Connecting to the Sonos System
The Ace Ultra headphones address a long-standing issue with the original Ace model - its lack of connectivity with the Sonos system. With the Ace Ultra, Sonos has rectified this oversight, allowing users to seamlessly integrate their headphones into the Sonos ecosystem.
One of the standout features is the Headphone Linking capability. This feature enables users to press a button to switch audio between nearby Sonos speakers and the headphones, and vice versa. It's a convenient way to transition between different listening environments without the need for a phone or additional devices.
Additionally, the Ace Ultra supports TrueCinema, which uses room acoustics to tune the headphones' spatial audio. This ensures that the audio experience remains consistent, whether you're listening through the soundbar or headphones.
In terms of hardware, the Ace Ultra boasts a new 40mm driver designed by Sonos and an improved Adaptive ANC system with 10 microphones. Sonos claims this provides up to twice the noise cancellation of the original Ace, which is an impressive feat.
Sonos 27: Empowering Speakers with Intelligence
Alongside these new products, Sonos is also rolling out Sonos 27, an updated audio operating system. One of the most intriguing aspects of Sonos 27 is the Sonos Positioning Technology. This technology uses high-frequency sound to help speakers determine their placement and role within a room. It's a clever way to ensure that speakers adapt to their environment and deliver the best possible audio experience.
Furthermore, Sonos Fabric, another component of Sonos 27, allows Sonos products to sense their surroundings and adapt accordingly. This level of intelligence is a game-changer, as it reduces the need for manual configuration and allows the speakers to understand their role within the Sonos ecosystem.
Conclusion
The Beam Ultra and Ace Ultra are more than just audio products; they represent Sonos' vision for a connected, intelligent audio ecosystem. By enhancing the capabilities of its soundbars and headphones, Sonos is creating an immersive audio experience that adapts to its users' needs. With Sonos 27, the company is taking a bold step towards empowering its speakers with intelligence, ensuring they can figure out their place in the home and deliver an exceptional audio experience.
In my opinion, Sonos' latest offerings showcase its commitment to innovation and its understanding of the modern audio landscape. These products not only elevate the listening experience but also set a new standard for what we can expect from smart audio systems.
