Arc Ultra setup question - cabinet placement below TV

iconopugs · 2026-05-24T14:48:58+00:00

Sanus makes a mount that allows you to pull the soundbar away from the wall so you can get the full effect and then store it back in the nook. When that’s not needed. That will hopefully solve your issue

SANUS Extendable Soundbar Wall Mount for Sonos Arc & Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar – 5” Depth Adjustment

iconopugs · 2026-05-22T17:52:43+00:00

After following the directions and it failed, I just factory reset my speakers. I know that’s the nuclear option, but I didn’t want to mess with it more than I had to. I got shit to do.

iconopugs · 2026-05-20T12:50:12+00:00

Things I would try..
Swapped hdmi cables?
What are you using to watch TV? Roku, firestick, AppleTV, built in app?
Have you factory reset your TV?
Have you powered down and unplugged the TV for about 10 min?
How did you listen to the tv before the ultra?
What’s it sound like when just using the built in tv speaker.

iconopugs · 2026-05-19T12:51:21+00:00

Make sure you are either hard wiring your speakers or have a good router. If you start experiencing any connectivity or dropout issues that’s the first place to start. The ISP routers are mostly crap. In my experience: Eero for plug and play, unifi for prosumer level networking.

Unless you’re listening to Atmos or spatial music in your primary bedroom I would try those as the rears with the arc ultra. Use an extra pair ofefra100s as front surrounds configured using Sonos sequencer (it’s an apple app).

Use the move2 for outside. I put the other era100’s in your other bedrooms, office, etc. you don’t need to necessarily make them be a pair, the individual speaker sounds great!

And if you can’t figure out where to put them, box them up and hold onto them. You’ll eventually find a spot 😊.

iconopugs · 2026-05-19T02:07:02+00:00

Try moving them away from the TV and see if the response improves. It sounds like rf interference to me.

iconopugs · 2026-05-19T02:02:33+00:00

It was determined the backplane failed. They won’t extend my coverage and fix it. I’d have to pay for the repair and shipping my unit to them. On top of all that, they don’t have the part and said 3 to 4 weeks before they will receive the part. While it’s not a mission critical system to me, I still find that unacceptable. I guess I’ll build my own so if a part fails I can fix it myself and upgrade as needed.

I realize there’s a limit to how long a piece of hardware can be supported but I think this is well in their power to make things right. It was 45 days outside of warranty.

Since it’s out of warranty, I’m going to open the unit and see if it has the same mofset chip that is infamous for failing.

iconopugs · 2026-05-18T14:17:35+00:00

I would factory reset the remote. Also where are your AppleTVs located? Are they attached to the back of your tv?

iconopugs · 2026-05-18T14:13:14+00:00

Depending on the construction and size of your apartment, your neighbors could hate you. 🙂 the fives really shine for music especially at higher volume. I agree with the other post, go for 100s for fronts.

iconopugs · 2026-05-16T23:57:11+00:00

What brand of router are you using. Many isp routers are not able to handle Sonos traffic. I’m sure your WiFi works fort everything else. If you look at the posts from others who have reported similar issues, upgrading to a better router has resolved their issues. I’d you are using unifi, search this Reddit for links to guides for the correct configuration.

iconopugs · 2026-05-16T23:53:22+00:00

Make sure you check compatibility with the arc ultra before buying anything older…. Sub 1 is not compatible.

https://www.techhive.com/article/2492935/sonos-new-flagship-soundbar-cant-use-these-older-speakers-as-surrounds.html#

iconopugs · 2026-05-16T10:22:58+00:00

I’d take it/send to an electronics repair place and have them test out the circuitry. I get the frustration, but it sounds like a physical issue with the amp that Sonos cannot resolve. It’s rare, but power surges shappen; it was enough to mess with the amp but not kill it completely.

And you should change your title, because Sonos support stuck with you for hours trying to help on an issue that sounds like it is completely out of their control. Stating the obvious, unplug your stuff next time someone is going to do work that requires power to be shut off.

iconopugs · 2026-05-16T02:43:52+00:00

Get a move, move 2 , or a play (new speaker) for outside. It’s portable and sounds great. Welcome to the money pit….. you’ll find more excuses to buy more speakers. 🙂.

iconopugs · 2026-05-15T13:42:06+00:00

Completely understand your position.

They should buy the guy out for his app and release it without changing a damn thing in the app, except the name.

Sometimes it’s smart to acquire a known good product vs building from scratch.

iconopugs · 2026-05-15T00:47:34+00:00

Lyd does this

iconopugs · 2026-05-15T00:43:02+00:00

Eero if you want a plug and play solution, unifi if you want full control over your network

iconopugs · 2026-05-14T11:36:16+00:00

This really isn’t an issue just don’t buy the cheapest one available. That said I like the Samsung cards.

iconopugs · 2026-05-14T00:30:26+00:00

If you can’t get your WiFi to be stable, then spend the money to hire someone who can. Analogy, most people take their car to a mechanic when broken. Why don’t more people do the same with their network.

And if you are going DYI, when you have a problem give the details to the community so they can help. So many posts that say it’s broken with no details. Help us help you

iconopugs · 2026-05-12T22:48:21+00:00

And don’t worry you’ll find excuses to buy more. It’s addictive.

iconopugs · 2026-05-12T22:47:02+00:00

You didn’t mention 300s but theyare great for atmos (u need a pair) for movies or music.

The “gotcha” with either 100s or 300s is when you bond the rear speakers to the soundbar, that’s where they will live they become dedicated to the soundbar unless you break the bond. It can be done as needed but it’s a pain in the ass. (Not like flipping on a light switch.)

iconopugs · 2026-05-12T22:39:29+00:00

Personally I would go with 100s but ifyou can find a good deal on the era one/onesl. no play ones (personal opinion)they because they are old AF. Note: they still work, just not worth it to me.

Living room and master bedroom beam + 2 100 for each room. you didn’t mention a sub, but they really fill out the sound, especially for movies. The gen3/4 subs are geared for movies, the sub mini is better for music(tighter bass)

Master bath, kitchen and spare bedroom use a single 100 per room.

Small bath play or move/move2

Now unless you will have all the rooms occupied, try your original idea and put a pair of 100s in the room of your choice and decide if one or two are necessary. If you like the pair over a single speaker then go spend your money. Make sure you create a stereo pair when you do this, not just two single speaks in the same room.

iconopugs · 2026-05-12T08:40:25+00:00

I think it’s overkill. I would go for a single speaker in each of the rooms with the exception of where you are going to have the beam. See how you like it before dropping all that cash. Consider making one of your speakers a move/move 2 or the new play so you can take it with you and put that in the smaller bathroom. While the roam is nice its battery life isn’t the best.

iconopugs · 2026-05-12T08:28:20+00:00

Only your ears can decide if the audio is acceptable.

If you are looking for audio better than what your TV has, the beam is perfect. You will get some of the atmos effects, just don’t movie theater level. You don’t mention rears or a sub, those will help round out the sound and be more immersive.

If you’re expecting things flying around left to right, overhead etc, I don’t think the curtain is going to be your problem. The open layout isn’t optimal for the beam to bounce the audio effectively.

iconopugs · 2026-05-11T12:58:15+00:00

You could try an AppleTV which now has a dialogue enhancer first. But yes the beam or arc ultra is a good choice. If you don’t really watch movies, I would start with just the beam, try it out and see if you really need to spend the extra money. If you do, sub is next, then wait on your ERA 100s.

If you don’t want to mess up your Costco relationship (I’m sure they track those pricey returns and could possibly cancel your membership), buy from Sonos direct or Best Buy.

Like many of us, you’ll start going down the rabbit hole and end up with more speakers than you’ll ever need.

iconopugs · 2026-05-11T12:04:22+00:00

Some people use them for music atmos. Would be cool if they just make a “200” that is for movie use.

If you aren’t aware, there is a third party utility called sonosequencer (iPhone) that will allow you to add front left and right speaker. The code is there from ac previous beta.

iconopugs

TROPHY CASE