Beam Ultra guide: where the new soundbar fits
Published 2026-09-18
Product and rollout details checked 18 September 2026.
A compact soundbar with a new role
Beam Ultra gives the TV-room shortlist another option. Our planning advice is to start with the furniture, listening distance and connections, then decide how much of the budget belongs in the soundbar. A more expensive bar will not fix a poor location.
What Sonos has announced
Sonos lists Beam Ultra at £699 in the UK, with preorder shipping estimated for 29 September 2026. It has upward-firing Dolby Atmos drivers, AI Speech Enhancement, Bluetooth and USB-C line-in with a separate adapter. Its dimensions are 750 × 65 × 105 mm. These are announced specifications, rather than our own listening-test results. See the official Beam Ultra page for current availability.
Check the TV before ordering
Sonos specifies compatible HDMI eARC and Atmos content for the Dolby Atmos experience. Check the TV manual and the settings on your streaming device before budgeting for an upgrade. Make sure the bar fits below the screen without blocking the picture; allow room above it for the upward-firing drivers.
Beam, Beam Ultra or Arc Ultra?
For our planner, Beam Ultra occupies the middle ground between Beam (Gen 2) and Arc Ultra. We use a medium-room range as a planning estimate, rather than a manufacturer coverage guarantee. Keep a working Beam if dialogue and everyday viewing already satisfy you. Shortlist Beam Ultra when you want a compact Atmos setup; compare Arc Ultra when the room and budget allow a larger system. Our Beam and Arc Ultra comparison explains the room factors.
Build the system in stages
Live with the soundbar before deciding whether bass or rear effects need more attention. Beam Ultra supports adding a Sub and surrounds; a matched pair of Sonos Play or Move 2 speakers can provide portable surrounds. Read our portable surround guide and use the planner to budget for the whole room.
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