Sonos updates audio lineup with Beam Ultra, Ace Ultra, and redesigned app

Sonos is updating its audio portfolio with the Beam Ultra soundbar, Sonos Ace Ultra headphones, and Sonos 27, the latest version of its mobile software platform. The new hardware is scheduled to become available globally on September 29, 2026, while the redesigned app navigation began rolling out earlier in September.

Beam Ultra

Beam Ultra is the latest generation of Sonos’ mid-sized soundbar and uses a 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos configuration. The system is built around nine custom drivers, including two upward-firing drivers intended to reproduce height effects with compatible Dolby Atmos content.

Internally, Beam Ultra uses nine Class-D digital amplifiers powering five tweeters and four low-profile woofers. Two side-firing tweeters are used to widen the stereo image, while the upward-firing pair handles spatial effects. The soundbar also includes a redesigned center channel and AI Speech Enhancement. According to Sonos, the feature detects human voices and can increase their prominence within the mix, with four speech-enhancement levels available through the Sonos app.

Night Sound reduces the intensity of louder effects while making quieter sounds easier to hear during late-night viewing. Room calibration continues to use Sonos Trueplay, which measures room acoustics and adjusts playback accordingly.

Beam Ultra supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, while HDMI eARC or ARC handles its primary TV connection. USB-C can also be used with optional Sonos adapters for line-in audio or wired network connectivity. The soundbar measures 750 mm wide, 65 mm high, and 105 mm deep, weighs 2.88 kg, and will be available in black and white.

Ace Ultra

Sonos is also updating its over-ear headphone lineup with Ace Ultra. The headphones use a newly designed 40 mm driver in each ear cup and support spatial audio, Dolby Atmos, and lossless playback through Qualcomm aptX Lossless on supported devices or through USB-C.

Ace Ultra uses a ten-microphone array for noise control, calls, and Aware mode. Its Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation system adjusts as wearing conditions change, including differences caused by head movement, glasses, hair, or changes in the seal around the ear cups. Battery life is rated at up to 35 hours with Active Noise Cancellation enabled, depending on usage, settings, and environmental conditions. Sonos said a three-minute rapid charge can provide up to three hours of listening.

One of the more significant changes is Headphone Engine 2, which adds redesigned Wi-Fi hardware and allows Ace Ultra to connect directly with compatible Sonos equipment. The feature enables users to transfer audio from their Sonos system to the headphones and then return playback to the speakers using the headphone controls. Sonos currently describes this capability as Early Access, meaning it remains optional and may change as development continues.

Ace Ultra weighs 322 g and will be available in Black, Soft White, Agave, and Sand. It supports Bluetooth 6.0 as well as SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive Lossless codecs.

A new Sonos app experience

The hardware launches are accompanied by Sonos 27, a redesigned version of the company’s mobile app. The updated interface is organized around three main sections: Home, System, and Search.

Users can pin frequently used rooms to the top of the interface and navigate using native swipe gestures on iOS and Android. On iPhone, lock-screen controls and Dynamic Island integration allow playback to be managed without opening the app.

Sonos is also introducing a virtual volume control using a two-finger twisting gesture and a Presets feature that lets users save combinations of speakers, content, and volume levels for later use.

Siri and Apple Shortcuts integration will allow supported Sonos actions to be triggered by voice commands or incorporated into broader iOS automations. The iPad version is also receiving a refreshed interface designed for its larger display. The new navigation began rolling out on September 8, 2026. Additional features, including Presets, Siri and Shortcuts integration, the virtual volume control, and new system-health views, are scheduled to arrive later in the fall.

Taken together, the updates strengthen the connection between Sonos speakers, headphones, television audio, and software. Beam Ultra brings a more advanced Dolby Atmos configuration to the company’s compact soundbar lineup, while Ace Ultra introduces a more direct connection between headphones and the wider Sonos system.

Beam Ultra is priced at $699, while Ace Ultra starts at $449. Both products are scheduled to become available on September 29, 2026.