The catch
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
It has no separate HDMI inputs and no video passthrough.
Side by side
Bose Smart Ultra vs Sonos Arc Ultra: Neither starts with a subwoofer or rear speakers, and Bose fits under lower screens
Quick verdict
A lower screen or a shorter TV stand points to the Bose Smart Ultra. The Sonos Arc Ultra is the better fit if Sonos expansion and Trueplay from your phone matter to you. Both have upward-firing drivers, and neither comes with a subwoofer, rears or an HDMI source input.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A low screen can settle the choice quickly
Bose stands about 22.4% lower than the Arc Ultra.
Where this comes from
The calculation: (2.95 − 2.29) ÷ 2.95. If your measured gap is 2.5 inches, the Arc Ultra cabinet is out before sound preferences even come into it.
The catch
Sonos Arc Ultra
Separate HDMI inputs are missing, so a console or disc player cannot plug in.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
- Why pick it
- A bar lower than 2.95 inches is what your TV requires.
- The stand cannot take a 46.38-inch-wide bar.
- The catch
- It has no separate HDMI inputs and no video passthrough.
Sonos Arc Ultra
- Why pick it
- Sonos speakers already handle your music.
- Trueplay from a supported iOS or Android phone appeals to you.
- The catch
- Separate HDMI inputs are missing, so a console or disc player cannot plug in.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money
What this page compares
Two Ultra soundbars, compared on TV clearance, room calibration and expansion. Neither one fixes a shortage of HDMI source inputs.
Settle on the cabinet and setup method that suit your room before you pay for an ecosystem you might never expand.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Just 2.5 inches under the screen
It covers cabinet height and leaves out the acoustic clearance that is required.
- Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
- Better fit
- Sonos Arc Ultra
- Not suitable
Sonos music setup already owned
Staying with one ecosystem you already own simplifies daily control.
- Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
- Depends
- Sonos Arc Ultra
- Better fit
Wanting additional HDMI source connections
Neither model has any.
- Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
- Not suitable
- Sonos Arc Ultra
- Not suitable
A TV with only optical and no adapter to buy
The Arc Ultra means buying an adapter.
- Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
- Better fit
- Sonos Arc Ultra
- Caution
In practice
Differences you will notice
A low screen can settle the choice quickly
Bose stands about 22.4% lower than the Arc Ultra.
How we worked this out
The calculation: (2.95 − 2.29) ÷ 2.95. If your measured gap is 2.5 inches, the Arc Ultra cabinet is out before sound preferences even come into it.
Calibration is part of living with the bar
Hold on to the Bose ADAPTiQ headset in case you move the bar or rearrange the room.
How we worked this out
With Sonos, make sure your phone works with the Trueplay method on offer. Calibration hardware and phone compatibility are practical differences. They are not audio-quality scores.
The Ultra name does not bring a video switch
Neither has any separate HDMI source inputs.
How we worked this out
A four-HDMI TV gives one port to the soundbar and keeps three for sources. A bar with two source inputs addresses a different connection need.
Plug in your numbers
Is there room for the soundbar under your TV?
Measure the clear space under your TV. Count only the devices you will plug into the soundbar. Leave out the ones already connected to the TV. The numbers below are placeholders until you enter yours.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
Fails these checksWith 0 separate HDMI source inputs, it cannot take the 1 device you want to plug into the bar.
Sonos Arc Ultra
Fails these checksWith 0 separate HDMI source inputs, it cannot take the 1 device you want to plug into the bar.
Measure the top of an open shelf. This check does not cover enclosed cubbies. Detachable speakers count toward the docked width. Leave extra depth for cables and the TV stand. This checks size and port count only. Dolby Atmos, 4K/120Hz passthrough and the audio formats your TV supports are outside it.
Option A
Bose, 882963-1100
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
If your TV sits low and you want room calibration that does not depend on an iPhone, the Smart Ultra is a good match. The cabinet is low but still needs more than 41 inches of width, and every video source has to connect through the TV.
- Best for
- A low-sitting TV, and one calibrated bar to start with
Facts we checked
- The cabinet is 41.14 × 2.29 × 4.21 inches.
- Inputs are HDMI eARC and optical audio, and there is no separate HDMI source input.
- Dolby Atmos playback is supported by physical upward-firing speakers.
- Room calibration through the ADAPTiQ headset is included.
- Support covers Wi-Fi music, Bluetooth and dialogue enhancement.
Option B
Sonos, Arc Ultra
Sonos Arc Ultra
The Arc Ultra suits you if you want to start with one bar and keep the option of adding a Sonos subwoofer and rear speakers down the road. Plan for nearly 47 inches of cabinet width, and note that your TV handles the source switching.
- Best for
- A roomy TV stand, plus a surround system you assemble piece by piece
Facts we checked
- The cabinet is 46.38 × 2.95 × 4.35 inches.
- It connects over HDMI eARC or ARC and has no separate HDMI source inputs.
- Height output for compatible Dolby Atmos content comes from upward-firing drivers.
- Support covers Wi-Fi music, Bluetooth audio, Speech Enhancement and Night Sound.
- Supported iOS and Android devices can run Trueplay tuning.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar | Sonos Arc Ultra | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 41.14 inches | 46.38 inches | Bose takes 5.24 inches less of the stand. |
| Height | 2.29 inches | 2.95 inches | Under the screen, Bose leaves 0.66 inch more clearance. |
| Calibration | Included ADAPTiQ headset | Trueplay on supported phones | One calibrates with a wearable microphone that is supplied, the other through a supported phone setup. |
| Included surround hardware | Standalone soundbar | Standalone soundbar | Going to full surround adds cost with either one. |
| Optical-only TV | Native optical connection | Requires separately sold optical adapter | For an older TV, Bose requires fewer additional parts. Optical still cannot carry Atmos. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
- The Bose bass module and surround speakers are extra purchases.
With Sonos Arc Ultra
- You pay extra for a subwoofer and rear speakers.
Decision guide
How to decide
A low screen can settle the choice quickly
Bose comes out about 22.4% lower than Arc Ultra, using (2.95 − 2.29) ÷ 2.95. A 2.5-inch measured gap rules out the Arc Ultra cabinet, and that happens before sound preferences come into the decision.
Calibration is part of living with the bar
If you expect to move the bar or rearrange the room, hold on to the Bose ADAPTiQ headset. With Sonos, confirm that your phone supports the Trueplay method on offer. The calibration hardware and the phone compatibility are practical differences and say nothing about audio quality.
The Ultra name does not bring a video switch
Neither has any separate HDMI source inputs. A four-HDMI TV that spends one port on the soundbar has three ports left for sources. A bar with two source inputs meets a different connection need.
What this page can’t tell you
- This comparison rests on manufacturer specifications and package contents rather than a controlled listening test. How a bar sounds also depends on room shape, placement and source content.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the soundbars we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 6 of the 31 models checked meet every need here: “The stand sits right under my screen” and “I plan to buy rear speakers later”.
6 models fit, out of 31 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “The stand sits right under my screen” and “I plan to buy rear speakers later”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar |
|
|
|
| Sonos Arc Ultra |
|
|
|
Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
A bar lower than 2.95 inches is what your TV requires.
See price & reviews on AmazonSonos Arc Ultra
Sonos speakers already handle your music.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money