I am on the fence about getting the original Arc. I know that the Arc ultra is newer and has more bass than the og, but I’ve also read reviews comparing the original Arc to the Roku smart sound bar (which I currently own, and frankly enjoy the sound of, except for some quirks with my Samsung TV), and those reviews state that the Arc (og) has more bass than the Roku bar. The Roku with the surrounds gives a nice home theater experience in my NYC home (which in New York City is still basically an apartment for most of us) and the Roku bar has enough bass for my needs.
I’m not looking for whole house audio, just a good and simplified home theater w/o the whole receiver & wires etc, (which I’ve had before)). Soundbars are really some of the hardest things to really audition in-store. Sonos & Bose are really the only two displays that let you hear them. Outside of the TV displays, which to me are useless. The rack of 10+ bars on display (that usually don’t work) is no help.
The Bose bars sound very nice, but the surround speakers are expensive, but look really cheap. The Roku surrounds are better designed (no power bricks) and I’m sure sound better.
What I’m looking for is to have a little bit of that acoustic surround bubble, 3D spaciousness, which I don’t have now in the same way, but I actually experienced with the Arc Ultra while listening at the Sonos display at Bestbuy. Did not hear the same with the Beam 2 (OG Arc was not on display unfortunately). I heard a wider sound and actually heard something behind me from the Arc Ultra, which was pretty cool. Though I wonder if that effect is lost (or equalled), if you have surround speakers.
Right now, I have surround sound. What I want is a little more 3-D spaciousness. I don’t want my room to be blown out with bass - I would rather add more if need be.
Based on this, would you suggest the Arc original or Arc ultra ($400 price difference is not small) - or maybe I didn’t experience the Beam 2 in its best light?
For reference, the room is 16L x 11D x 11H.