Between the Arc (original) and Arc Ultra, the Arc (original) comes out ahead in several specs, while the Arc Ultra wins on several specs. Overall, the Arc (original) scores 68.3 and the Arc Ultra scores 68.3 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are evenly matched on the broad strokes; the decision sits on which individual spec advantages weigh more for your use.
The Arc (original) does not pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec-table groups rather than the headline advantages.
The Arc Ultra similarly does not carry a headline advantage on the popular specs — look at the full table for category-specific deltas.
Both ship with comparable total power, dolby atmos, earc, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity says both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Which should you buy: Sonos - Arc (original) or Sonos - Arc Ultra?
The two products are effectively tied on the current Mars Score.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare the highlighted specifications against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Sonos - Arc (original) if…
Sonos - Arc (original) does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
Choose Sonos - Arc Ultra if…
Sonos - Arc Ultra does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Sonos - Arc (original) wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why Sonos - Arc Ultra wins
- No decisive advantages.
Spec comparison
Audio
| Spec | Sonos - Arc (original) | Sonos - Arc Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Channels | 5.0.2 | 9.1.4 |
| Total power | 0 W | 0 W |
| Dolby Atmosⓘ | true | true |
| DTS:X | false | false |
Connectivity
| Spec | Sonos - Arc (original) | Sonos - Arc Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI inputs | 1 | 1 |
| eARCⓘ | true | true |
| Subwoofer included | false | false |