arc ultra

Subject: Arc Ultra mounted BELOW a 10-inch-deep fireplace mantel. How much sound quality will I lose?

I’m building a custom media wall with a 65-inch TCL television, a Dimplex electric fireplace and a 10-inch-deep wooden mantel.

I’m considering purchasing an Arc Ultra with a Sub 4. My preferred design is to wall-mount the Arc Ultra directly beneath the mantel, with the soundbar projecting approximately 4.5 inches from the finished wall.

This would leave approximately 5.5 inches of mantel overhang beyond the front of the soundbar.

I understand this would likely interfere with the upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, but my biggest priorities are dialogue clarity, music and overall sound quality. I also wear hearing aids and sometimes have difficulty understanding certain voices. I do not want to mount it on top of the mantel as my wife wants to use it for display items.

My questions:

1. If the upward-firing speakers are obstructed, will the Arc Ultra still provide better overall sound and dialogue than a Beam Gen 2 or Beam Ultra?
2. Would Trueplay compensate for any of the sound reflections caused by the mantel?
3. Is there a minimum recommended vertical distance between the underside of a mantel and the Arc Ultra?
4. Does Sonos recommend against this installation entirely, or is it a reasonable compromise if Atmos height effects aren’t my priority?

I’d appreciate feedback from anyone who has installed an Arc Ultra beneath a deep mantel, particularly anyone from Sonos Support.

Thanks!