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Arc Ultra and surrounds vs. Amps and in wall speakers

  • January 24, 2025
  • 6 replies
  • 631 views
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I am building an master bedroom suite with a small home theater area.  Ideally I would like to use 2 sets of in wall speakers with 2 Sonos Amps and an in wall sub with it’s own amp.  However there would not be any Sonos voice control or audio swapping to the Ace headphones with this setup.

I talked to a Sonos salesperson and she was not overly helpful.  She suggested using an Arc Ultra in the front.  Obviously it won’t be as nice aesthetically, but I also don’t think the sound quality would be as good.  It just seems that having the front speakers further apart is going to give better surround sound than a soundbar.

Any ideas or suggestions?  

Best answer by Stanley_4

My Arc and Arc Ultra sound better than what I remember some in-wall speakers sounding. I’m sure there are better sounding options available. But for ne, when you add in the Atmos capability the Arcs bring then aside from appearance I’d have to call them the winner.

As far as left/right separation the in-walls might be better but it comes back to listener position. If you don’t have the perfect triangle you won’t benefit much. You’d also be giving up the dedicated center channel.

Same at the rear if you compare in-wall to the Era-300s, you get a lot of good positioning sound from the 300s you would not get from the in-wall.

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6 replies

jgatie
  • jgatie
  • January 24, 2025

Each setup is a compromise.  A soundbar gives up wide soundstage in favor of less wiring, Atmos capability, and a compact install.  The Amp in front gives up a dedicated center and Atmos for a wider soundstage and ability to use your own third party speakers and subwoofer. 

Personally, I gave up my separates for a Arc + Ones + Sub a couple years back and though a wide soundstage is nice, I don’t really miss it. 

    buzz
    • buzz
    • January 24, 2025

    Soundbars (from any manufacturer) are convenient, but in my opinion are not the ultimate listening experience.

    Since you are in construction mode, you could install a traditional setup using “invisible” built-in speakers. Invisible speakers are installed in drywall and cannot be visibly detected when installed properly.

      AjTrek1
      • AjTrek1
      • January 24, 2025

      Here’s an example of what ​@buzz referenced regarding “invisible” speakers..

      Link

      Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
        Stanley_4
        • Stanley_4
        • Lead Maestro
        • Answer
        • January 24, 2025

        My Arc and Arc Ultra sound better than what I remember some in-wall speakers sounding. I’m sure there are better sounding options available. But for ne, when you add in the Atmos capability the Arcs bring then aside from appearance I’d have to call them the winner.

        As far as left/right separation the in-walls might be better but it comes back to listener position. If you don’t have the perfect triangle you won’t benefit much. You’d also be giving up the dedicated center channel.

        Same at the rear if you compare in-wall to the Era-300s, you get a lot of good positioning sound from the 300s you would not get from the in-wall.

          V
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          • VivaTerlingua
          • Author
          • Avid Contributor I
          • January 25, 2025

          The comments I’ve seen about the Ultras are very positive about the left/right separation.  However, I’m leaning very strongly to the Amps and in wall speakers.  Mainly for the aesthetics, but also the fact that you can use a third party (in wall) subwoofer with the Amp but not with the Ultra.  Our current TV room has in ceiling speakers, 2 Amps, and a third party powered subwoofer and I am very happy with the sound quality.  I just would like voice control and Ace support for the new installation.

          I will run wires for a center channel in case Sonos ever upgrades the Amp and I can swap it out.

          106rallye
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          • 106rallye
          • January 25, 2025

          I’d say having a wide soundstage is less important for a home cinema environment than for stereo music. The “phantom center” the Amp would create would be sub optimal for homecinema use compared to a soundbar. So this alle depends on your use case. Is music or homecinema more important to you?

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