Sonos is betting on a new generation of home cinema and personal audio products in the premium consumer market as it launches the Beam Ultra soundbar and Ace Ultra headphones.

The launch, which comes alongside a major update to its software platform, sees two new products arriving to expand Sonos’ home theatre and headphone offerings. 

The company has positioned the devices as part of a more connected audio ecosystem, allowing sound to move between compatible products while keeping the company’s focus on multi-room listening.

The Beam Ultra retains the fairly compact sizing of the existing Beam but introduces a different acoustic architecture. Sonos says the soundbar delivers true 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos, with nine Class-D amplifiers and five tweeters. Two side-firing horn-loaded mid tweeters are designed to create greater stereo separation, while the system uses room-tuning technology to adapt its sound to its surroundings. 

Sonos has also introduced AI Speech Enhancement, which can be adjusted through the Sonos app to make dialogue easier to hear. And a Night Sound mode can reduce the intensity of louder effects while keeping quieter details.

The Beam Ultra can connect via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and HDMI eARC, and can be expanded with Sonos’ wireless subwoofers and surround speakers. Sonos describes the product as a soundbar that can also become part of a larger home theatre system. 

The Ace Ultra is the second generation of Sonos’ over-ear wireless headphones. The new model has a redesigned Sonos-engineered driver, adaptive ANC, spatial audio, Dolby Atmos support and up to 35 hours of battery life with ANC enabled. It also features USB-C and 3.5mm connections. 

A key feature for existing Sonos customers is Headphone Linking, which allows compatible audio to move between the headphones and Sonos home theatre products. That includes the ability to switch television audio from a soundbar to the headphones, allowing, for example, users to continue watching or listening to something without disturbing others.

The Ace Ultra also has replaceable ear cushions and a replaceable battery, according to Sonos, while the company has increased the number of microphones and expanded its equalisation controls compared with the first-generation Ace. 

The launch comes as Sonos attempts to build momentum around its hardware and software ecosystem. The Beam Ultra and Ace Ultra arrive alongside Sonos 27, a major update to the company’s audio operating system. According to Sonos, the platform is intended to make its connected system more capable across speakers, headphones and home theatre products.

The Sonos Beam Ultra is priced at $1,099 and the Sonos Ace Ultra headphones cost $699.