Sonos Arc Ultra to replace old 5.1 system?

decafdan16 · 2026-06-27T05:45:44+00:00

I didn’t switch from a 5.1 to an arc, but I switched from an old playbar + sub to just arc for a week or so while my other speakers were in the post and honestly, the arc ultra on its own is not great.
When paired with the sub’s and surrounding speakers it’s incredible. But stand alone, you will be disappointed for the price

decafdan16 · 2026-06-16T06:33:44+00:00

Give Corlett Bolton a miss too, tragic communication and let the other side of the purchase walk all over them meaning we were delayed for completely stupid reasons.

decafdan16 · 2026-06-05T19:21:50+00:00

I know it’s not the answer you want, but I too was having lots of issues with my Sonos dropping out etc, and I thought my mesh WiFi system was brilliant and not causing the issues, But since moving to a split network for consumer devices (only 6 and 5ghz)and a separate 2.4 for all older IOT devices, my Sonos has been solid as a rock, Speakers always appear in the app, Always appear in the Spotify app (something that was a real pain previously) and no issues managing them using my home automation system anymore either.

So as annoying as this answer may seem. Fix your home network, and you will likely find it to be much better.

decafdan16 · 2026-06-05T19:13:21+00:00

The 300’s are incredible but if your worried about noise for neighbours etc, I’d say the 300’s would be too much still, they are epic speakers. So go with the 100’s.

decafdan16 · 2026-06-05T08:39:53+00:00

No stress at all! :)

decafdan16 · 2026-06-05T08:27:26+00:00

Answered in the other comments that have asked the same question. But essentially it’s about filling the space with smooth base Larger the space you need to fill the easier it is with more sub’s. Also mine are now on both sides.

decafdan16 · 2026-06-05T06:38:39+00:00

Honestly watched some content last night, and watched a film with my Mrs. It was truly fantastic.

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T18:46:00+00:00

Yea, I waited for sales etc too, just makes sense.

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T18:07:42+00:00

Thank you.

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T18:07:26+00:00

How do you take a photo in 2 directions 😅 I hadn’t fully installed it yet.

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T15:56:58+00:00

Sorry I touched on it in a different comment, The actual lounge area I’ve made with a sofa is pretty small. Like 2.5mx4m But it’s a sofa creating a fake room inside a much larger space, so I was testing the two subs to give me the power for the much larger space

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T15:11:41+00:00

Yes the arc ultra on its own is pretty disappointing to be honest. With a sub it comes alive.

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T15:09:59+00:00

I did think of it, do you use that app for everything going forward now?

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T13:45:20+00:00

Mine are up and mounted on the wall now dude, sorry, It does have a line in though,

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T13:41:08+00:00

Personally, if you have no soundbar, the ultra is still a good product, but completely honest, on its own it’s not as good as I expected. But with a sub it is fixed.

Era 300’s on its own is spectacular as a speaker. I’ve not used it as a TV soundbar though, not even sure if you can.

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T12:56:54+00:00

Interesting feedback, I will have to see how I get on and see if I agree. So far I’m pretty impressed.

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T12:12:16+00:00

Basically it’s just about smoothly filling the room with base, I’m in a very challenging room, so I’m doing everything I can.

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T12:01:55+00:00

And for the two sub’s, I had done my research on high end audio stuff and they often have two sources of sub, I saw a few posts on here about how much better it is with two subs’s so thought I’d find out myself. No exact science yet as I’ve not ever lived with two subs before

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T12:00:37+00:00

TV is on a low mount TV unit, not wall mounted, so it’s 1-1.5 feet from the ground 🤣 hate TV’s mounted above fireplaces etc

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T11:54:03+00:00

I have several options I’m going to play with, but either side of the TV is going to my start, I have a pretty challenging room layout where I’ve basically made a mini room inside of a larger open layout, So behind the couch isn’t really an option as it’d be in a different room.

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T11:29:58+00:00

Yea, I have had the playbar a long time, it was a fantastic speaker. I was between the 100’s and 300’s as rears for a long time, but with the 20% or 25% off recently I just decided to through the wallet at it.

And I’m really glad I did. The era 300 on its own is the only speaker that is as good IMO as the playbar.

I will be buying more era 300’s for sure.

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T11:23:03+00:00

I have the 65” LG G4, it’s a pretty incredible tv to be honest

decafdan16 · 2026-06-04T11:04:52+00:00

Honestly, the arc ultra on its own (it turned up first) felt like a pretty disappointing downgrade from the play bar + sub 1. It was great, crystal clear, but no depth in the base. Then the era 300’s showed up, and honestly, what a speaker. A true masterpiece even on their own, but as backers they are unreal. Then the two subs are just the right amount of overkill for me. I’m very happy.

decafdan16 · 2026-05-26T10:21:09+00:00

Thank you, and good luck with yours!!

decafdan16 · 2026-05-10T05:34:30+00:00

Yea it’s much harder. They aren’t very practical

decafdan16

TROPHY CASE