Sonos Beam Ultra first listen: strong Dolby Atmos, launch set for Sept. 29

The Verge's Cameron Faulkner, who attended the event, described multiple in-person demos where the Beam Ultra was placed about six feet from the press. Playing Atmos content from Widow’s Bay, the soundbar handled subtle details like walkie-talkie chatter and swelling score elements without losing clarity. Faulkner said the sound was surprisingly punchy for a relatively small soundbar, thanks to its side- and top-firing drivers, though he noted the demo room was carefully chosen to bounce audio effectively.

Sonos also wirelessly paired two Play portable speakers as rear channels for a scene from the film Sinners. According to Faulkner, this setup provided enough volume for a small living room and let the Beam Ultra deliver balanced, full sound with better directional audio than its predecessor, the Beam Gen 2, which relies on virtualized spatial audio because it lacks side- and upward-firing drivers.

Faulkner expressed caution about evaluating audio at press events, where professional setup and ideal conditions can flatter a product. He said the presence of Sonos subwoofers and extra speakers in the demo room was tough to ignore, even though Sonos staff said they were not used. He is curious how the Beam Ultra will perform in a home environment, especially when it is the only Sonos speaker in use.

The Beam Ultra is positioned between the $499 Beam Gen 2 and the $1,099 Arc Ultra, offering a true Atmos experience without approaching $1,000, and it stays within the Sonos ecosystem. The soundbar launches September 29, with preorders available now from Best Buy, B&H Photo, Sonos, and Amazon. A full review by The Verge's John Higgins is expected later.