Best Sonos Arc Ultra Setups for Every Room Size & Budget (2025)

Level up your Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar with these expert picks

Sonos Releases - Updated 25th June 2025

Best Sonos Arc Ultra Setups for Every Room Size & Budget (2025)

Written By

Elliott Peeters-Vanstone

The Best Sonos Arc Ultra Home Cinema Setups, Tested and Rated

Wondering how to get the most from your Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar or what the best Sonos Arc Ultra setups for you are? Whether you're building a home cinema system from scratch or levelling up your current setup, this guide will help you choose the perfect option for your space.

Jump Ahead...

1. Key Arc Ultra Features You Need to Know
2. Sub or Rears First?
3. Best Rear Speaker Options
4. Best Subwoofer Options
5. Our Top Recommended Setups by Space & Budget

Sonos Arc Ultra: Need To Knows

Before we get into rears, subs, and full surround setups, let’s start with what you need to know about the soundbar itself. The Sonos Arc Ultra is Sonos' top-tier soundbar, and it's designed with mid- to large-sized rooms in mind. Ideally, it suits TVs that are 55 inches or larger.

At a glance, the Arc Ultra might look pretty similar to the original Sonos Arc, but Sonos has given this soundbar a serious upgrade under the hood:

14 drivers (compared to 11 on the original Arc)
7 tweeters and 6 mid-bass drivers for wider audio dispersion
SoundMotion™ bass woofer, Sonos' latest innovation, delivering up to double the bass output from a similar form factor
Enhanced front soundstage with improved Dolby Atmos clarity

All of this means the Arc Ultra has a wider, more dynamic soundstage and significantly improved bass performance, while also being able to simulate a 9.1.4 surround sound setup on its own with no need for any extra gear.

Plus, thanks to its speech enhancement update, dialogue clarity has taken a major step up too, making everything from fast-paced action scenes to whispered conversations easier to follow without constantly reaching for the remote.

Shop Sonos Arc Ultra

Want to dive deeper? Check out our full Sonos Arc Ultra Review for the complete lowdown.

Sonos Arc Ultra: Should You Add Rears or a Sub First?

One of the biggest decisions when building out your Arc Ultra setup is where to start: should you add rear speakers or go for a subwoofer first?

As always, the right answer depends on your room layout, your listening habits, and the kind of experience you're aiming for.

However, because the Arc Ultra already handles bass better than before, rear speakers are often where we’d suggest starting. That extra sense of surround detail really lifts content and helps deliver a more immersive feel overall, and it's likely where you’ll notice a bigger jump up in performance.

That said, if you're more into deep bass you can feel, whether it's for those big action sequences or music listening, then a sub might give you more of what you're looking for.

We’ll dive into specific rear and sub options shortly, but here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

Go for rears if...

You want to expand the soundstage
You're after a more cinematic surround effect
Your room layout allows speakers behind the seating area

Go for a subwoofer if...

You love deep, rumbling bass in films and music
You want the full-body feel of a subwoofer with every scene

Best Sonos Arc Ultra Setup: Rear Speaker Options

Rear speakers can make a huge difference to your setup, and Sonos gives you a solid range of options to suit different rooms, priorities and preferences.

Whether you’re going for a discreet install, full-on Atmos immersion, or powerful rear audio for music as well as movies, there’s a solution here that pairs brilliantly with the Arc Ultra.

2x Sonos Era 100

RRP: £398 (See Latest Pricing)
Best for: Small to mid-sized rooms where space and budget matter

The Era 100s are the most budget-friendly rear speaker option in the Sonos lineup and, for a lot of people, the smartest starting point. They offer a solid boost in clarity and rear channel definition, helping surround effects feel more immersive without overwhelming smaller rooms.

While they don’t offer the height effects you get with the Era 300s, they still make a big impact alongside the Arc Ultra, especially if you want a clean, simple setup that sounds bigger than it looks.

Read More: Sonos Era 100 Review

Pros:
✓ Compact Rear Option
✓ Wide Stereo Sound
✓ Versatile Placement
✓ Great For Most Spaces

Cons:
✖ No upwards firing drivers
✖ Less immersive for larger rooms

2x Sonos Era 300

RRP: £898 (See Latest Pricing)
Best for: Larger spaces and those looking for the most immersion

The Era 300s are the go-to choice if you’re after the most immersive rear speaker experience with the Arc Ultra. They add true rear height channels that blend beautifully with the Arc Ultra’s front-firing ones, giving you that dome-like effect where sound travels above and around you.

Whether it’s a helicopter flying overhead or subtle elements in a film soundtrack, they create a sense of space that will elevate what you’re watching. Yes, they’re bigger and pricier than the Era 100s, but for Atmos content, they really come into their own.

Read More: Sonos Era 300 Review

Pros:
✓ Most Immersive Rear Option
✓ Dolby Atmos Enabled
✓ Upward-Firing Drivers

Cons:
✖ Needs Room to Breathe
✖ Larger physical footprint

2x Sonos Five

RRP: £1,098 (See Latest Pricing)
Best for: Large rooms with high-output needs

Using a pair of Sonos Fives as rears gives you serious power and depth, particularly if you're in a large, open-plan space or want rear channels that can double up for high-quality music playback.

They offer excellent clarity and stereo separation, but they don’t include height channels like the Era 300s. That said, for fans of music-heavy films or those building a hybrid music and movie setup, the Fives make a compelling case.

Read More: Sonos Era 300 vs Sonos Five

Pros:
✓ Most Powerful Rear Option
✓ Bold, Deep Bass
✓ Dual Orientation

Cons:
✖ No upwards firing drivers
✖ Overkill in smaller spaces
✖ Large physical footprint

Sonos Amp & In-Ceiling

RRP: £1,398 (See Latest Pricing)
Best for: Minimalist spaces, integrated home installs

If you want rear speakers that blend into your decor or disappear entirely, using a Sonos Amp with a pair of in-ceiling speakers is a great solution. It delivers solid surround performance while keeping your room clutter-free.

However, the sound comes from above rather than behind, so while it’s clean and convenient, you won’t get quite the same immersive rear field as you do with freestanding rears.

Pros:
✓ Most Discreet Rear Option
✓ Available in 6-inch or 8-inch sizes
✓ Clean cable-free look

Cons:
✖ Requires custom installation
✖ Sound comes from above rather than behind

If you’re done weighing up your options, don’t miss our guide: Adding Sonos Surround Speakers – Our Top 3 Tips for practical advice before you buy.

Best Sonos Arc Ultra Setup: Subwoofer Options

What about subwoofers then? This part’s a little more straightforward, since Sonos only offers two models to choose from: the more compact Sub Mini and the larger, more powerful Sub 4.

Sonos Sub Mini

RRP: £429 (See Latest Pricing)
Best for: Smaller spaces and those with neighbours nearby

The Sub Mini is an easy, affordable way to deepen the Arc Ultra’s low-end without overpowering your space. With the original Arc, we didn’t often recommend pairing it with the Sub Mini, as it struggled to keep up in bigger rooms or more demanding setups. But thanks to the Arc Ultra’s upgraded bass performance, it’s now a bit of a killer combo.

The Sub Mini fits neatly into smaller rooms and complements the Arc Ultra’s bass really well, adding that extra bit of punch and depth for action scenes and music without dominating your space.

Read More: Sonos Sub Mini Review

Pros:
✓ Compact dimensions
✓ Controlled, tight low-end boost
✓ Perfect complement for Arc Ultra’s built-in bass

Cons:
✖ Must be stood upright
✖ Can’t pair two Sub Minis together

Sonos Sub 4

RRP: £799 (See Latest Pricing)
Best for: Bass lovers, large rooms & premium setups

The Sub 4 is Sonos’ flagship subwoofer, and it’s a serious upgrade if you want deep, high-impact bass to match the Arc Ultra. While both the Sub Mini and Sub 4 drop as low as 25 Hz, the Sub 4’s larger drivers and more powerful design deliver a much more commanding performance. It hits harder, stays tighter at high volumes, and feels more in control, ideal if you watch a lot of action-heavy content or listen to bass-heavy music.

It’s a bit of a jump up in price and size, but you do get more flexibility. You can stand it vertically or lie it flat, which means you can tuck it under a media unit or sofa if floor space is limited. And if you really want to go all out, you can run two Sub 4s together. It won’t be for everyone, but in the right space, it’s a great option to have.

Pros:
✓ Big and powerful bass
✓ Flexible placement (vertical or flat)
✓ Option to run dual subs for smoother bass coverage

Cons:
✖ Larger physical footprint
✖ Higher price tag

Best Arc Ultra Setups: Our Recommendations

Still not sure which setup is right for your space, needs, or budget? We’ve done the testing, so you don’t have to. Below are our top Sonos Arc Ultra setup recommendations whether you’re just getting started or building a full-blown home cinema.

Best Starter Setup: Sonos Arc Ultra + 2x Sonos Era 100

Total Setup Cost (RRP): £1,397

If you’re just getting started, this setup is a brilliant first step into home cinema. You get the Arc Ultra’s dynamic front stage and clarity, with a real sense of surround added by a pair of compact Era 100s.

Great for: Small to medium rooms
Why it works: Delivers a proper surround sound feel without taking over your space
Bonus: The Era 100s are easy to repurpose in other rooms if you upgrade later

It’s a noticeable upgrade in immersion for a relatively modest extra outlay. And it sets you up nicely if you decide to upgrade and add a Sub Mini or Sub 4 later down the line.

Shop Arc Ultra + Era 100 Bundle

Best Single Component Upgrade: Sonos Arc Ultra + 2x Sonos Era 300

Total Setup Cost (RRP): £1,897

If you’re all about immersion, this is the one. Adding a pair of Era 300s to your Sonos Arc Ultra gives you the benefits of rear-height effects, which means sound wraps around and even above you.

Great for: Larger rooms and Atmos fans
Why it works: Rear height channels complete the Atmos dome effect
Bonus: Thanks to the Arc Ultra’s punchy low end, these could be all you need for ultimate immersion.

If you’re only adding one component to the Arc Ultra, this is our top recommendation. It’s a massive step up in immersion and the best you’ll find in the Sonos rear speaker lineup.

Shop Arc Ultra + Era 300 Bundle

Best All-Rounder: Sonos Arc Ultra + 2x Era 100 + Sub Mini

Total Setup Cost (RRP): £1,826

If you're after a setup that balances surround immersion with solid bass without going too big on budget or space, this is a great option. You get the immersive rear performance from the Era 100s, while the Sub Mini fills out the bottom end with just enough rumble to make movies and music feel more dynamic and engaging.

Great for: Most mid-sized rooms
Why it works: It covers all the core elements: immersive surround and well-controlled low end without overcomplicating things
Bonus: The Sub Mini is compact enough to fit neatly beside furniture or under a sideboard, and the Era 100s can be easily moved to another room if you upgrade rears later

It’s an ideal middle-ground setup for anyone who wants a big step up from just the soundbar but isn’t quite ready to go all-in on a flagship bundle. You get great performance across the board and room to build on later if you ever fancy it.

Shop Arc Ultra + 2x Era 100 + Sub Mini Bundle

Best Sonos Arc Ultra Home Cinema Setup Overall – Sonos Arc Ultra + 2x Era 300 + Sub 4

Total Setup Cost (RRP): £2,696

This is the setup we always come back to, and for good reason. It nails that big, cinematic sound with full Dolby Atmos immersion, deep, punchy bass, and a balanced, expansive front stage that just pulls you into whatever you're watching.

Great for: Those building a dedicated cinema room or who want a showpiece setup
Why it works: Unrivalled combo of surround, height, and low-end impact
Bonus: You can add a second Sub 4 if you really want to push the limits

If you're the type of person who doesn't want to compromise and wants a home cinema setup that genuinely rivals a wired home cinema, this is about as good as it gets from Sonos.

Shop Arc Ultra + 2x Era 300 + Sub 4 Bundle

Our Verdict: What’s the Best Sonos Arc Ultra Setup for You?

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Finding the best Sonos Arc Ultra setup really depends on your room, your budget and what kind of experience you’re after. But based on everything we’ve tested, here are our general rules:

Rear speakers are usually the best first upgrade.
The Arc Ultra’s bass is already pretty strong, so adding rears (like Era 100s or 300s) tends to make the biggest difference straight away.

If you’re after deeper bass, add a sub next.
Whether it’s the Sub Mini or the bigger Sub Gen 4, bringing in a sub takes the low end up a notch, which is great for movie nights or music that needs a bit more punch.

Want the full works?
Go all-in with the Era 300s and the Sub 4 for the most immersive home cinema setup Sonos offers. Alternatively, a pair of Era 100s as rears makes a great compromise if you’re looking to keep costs down.

Remember, these are just general tips based on what we’ve seen work best for most people. Every space is different, so if you’re not sure what’ll suit your room, contact us and one of our Tech Guides will be more than happy to help you get it right.

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