LG’s offers players that can be used to play FLAC files. If you want to get the most out of your immersive audio system, you might have to use a Blu Ray player to play immersive audio albums in FLAC format. Sonos Radio HD works intuitively with the soundbar, but you can also use other streaming such as Spotify and Apple Music.
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Disney+ all allow you to stream in the format. Luckily, apps that can stream content with Dolby Atmos are becoming more common. The soundbar also requires that you use a streaming app that can make use of this technology. Your TV needs to support eARC, and have pass-through functionality. You need to ensure that you are using a compatible television if you want to make use of 3D audio for a “home cinema” room. The Arc presumably gets its name from the fact that it supports eARC technology (Enhanced Audio Return Channel). Of course, if you aren’t using it with a television, you don’t have to worry about screen size. If you have a TV significantly larger or significantly smaller, you might find the wall mount a better option. The design sits underneath a television that is around 50 inches in size, and will look natural in situ underneath the screen. It has a mesh grille and top-panel touch controls, and it is worth considering the fact that it doesn’t have a remote control. The Sonos casing is plastic, but it looks classy, and it makes it very easy to dust and keep clean. The sound is calibrated for the space, no matter what dimensions of the room. “Trueplay” tuning technology uses an app on your Apple device, which detects and optimizes the sound characteristics and acoustics of the room. There are also three front-facing tweeters handling the high frequencies.
These fire in different directions around the room, creating the illusion of audio coming from other directions.
There are two on top, one in each end and four along the front of this bar.
The Arc creates the sound field by using 11 digital amplifiers, powering 11 drivers situated around the soundbar. The soundbar technology works in a similar way to other “3D” soundbars. The Arc soundbar creates a virtual 3D audio field. Is this just a rough approximation of 3D audio or does it really create an immersive audio experience? For the money, the Arc soundbar creates an impressive, room-filling sound that is an impressive first offering from the Sonos brand.
The Arc soundbar can streamline the process, but does it sound as good as a full immersive setup? The soundbar allows you to play audio from a number of devices and enjoy a cinematic audio experience when watching movies at home, or listening to immersive audio without having to go to the hassle of setting up speakers all over the room, including a receiver and amplifier. Sonos has created their first Dolby Atmos soundbar, which was released in June 2020.