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Connect the Beam Ultra’s included HDMI cable to your TV’s HDMI ARC or eARC port, plug in the soundbar, then finish setup in the Sonos app on iOS or Android. The Beam Ultra must be set up in the app before it can play TV audio. If your TV has no ARC/eARC port but does have optical audio out, Sonos documents an optical connection using its separately sold Optical Audio Adapter.
Before you connect the Beam Ultra
Place the soundbar where you plan to use it, connect its included power cable, and turn on the TV. Sonos recommends a stable horizontal surface with the controls facing up; avoid placing the soundbar in a cabinet or corner. Disconnect other home-theater or surround-sound equipment from the TV while setting up. Connect devices such as a streaming box or DVD player directly to the TV. See the Sonos Beam Ultra Product Guide for the manufacturer’s setup and placement guidance.
Allow room around the soundbar
When the Beam Ultra sits below the TV, Sonos recommends at least 4 in (10 cm) between the soundbar and TV. For optimal acoustic performance, the guide also recommends at least 1 in (2.5 cm) of clearance on both sides and 4 in (10 cm) above the soundbar. If there is less than 4 in (10 cm) of overhead space, Sonos recommends enabling Simulated Overhead Sound in settings.
If you plan to wall-mount it
Use the Beam Ultra Wall Mount, sold separately. Sonos says this model is not compatible with mounts for Beam Gen 2, Arc, or Arc Ultra, and warns that using an incompatible mount is a safety risk.
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- Enrich your entertainment experience with vibrant bass, crystal clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage.
- Experience a 3D surround sound effect with Dolby Atmos.
- Stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services when the TV is off.
- Control with the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and your voice.
- Effortless setup with only two cables and smart Trueplay tuning.
Connect the Beam Ultra to the TV
TV with HDMI ARC or eARC
- Connect the included HDMI cable to the Beam Ultra.
- Connect the other end to the TV port labeled HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC. An ordinary HDMI input is not a substitute for the ARC/eARC port.
- Plug the Beam Ultra into power.
This is Sonos’s standard connection route. The US product page lists an included 4.9 ft (1.5 m) HDMI cable and a 6 ft (2 m) power cable; cable lengths are manufacturer specifications, not independent measurements. See the Sonos Beam Ultra US product page.
TV without ARC/eARC but with optical audio out
Use this fallback only if the TV lacks ARC/eARC. Sonos documents connecting the soundbar to the TV’s optical output with the separately sold Sonos Optical Audio Adapter and the included HDMI cable. Align the adapter correctly before inserting it, as Sonos cautions in its product guide.
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- Enrich your entertainment experience with vibrant bass, crystal clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage.
- Experience a 3D surround sound effect with Dolby Atmos.
- Stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services when the TV is off.
- Control with the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and your voice.
- Effortless setup with only two cables and smart Trueplay tuning.
| TV connection | What to connect | Important differences |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI ARC or eARC | Included HDMI cable from Beam Ultra to the TV’s ARC/eARC port | Sonos requires ARC/eARC and HDMI-CEC for TV power voice commands. Confirm received Atmos status in the Sonos app. |
| No ARC/eARC; optical output available | Included HDMI cable and separately sold Sonos Optical Audio Adapter between the cable and TV optical output | TV on/off voice commands are unavailable over optical. Sonos’s setup article specifies an ARC connection for Atmos playback. |
Sonos does not describe the optical route as feature-equivalent to ARC/eARC. If TV power voice control or Dolby Atmos matters to you, check the TV and source requirements before choosing the fallback.
Set up the soundbar in the Sonos app
Use the Sonos app for iOS or Android. Sonos says the Beam Ultra needs to be set up in the app before it can play TV audio. Follow the route that matches your Sonos system:
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- Use the Sonos app to easily set up your home theater system and sync with your existing TV remote.
- Sub Mini balances out the lowest frequencies so Beam sounds even better.
- When the TV is off, stream music and more over WiFi from hundreds of services using the Sonos app, your voice, and Apple AirPlay 2.
- For a new Sonos system: Start setup in the app, choose Speaker or component, sign in or create an account, choose Add when Beam Ultra appears, and follow the prompts.
- For an existing system: Open Settings, choose Add Speaker or Component, then follow the prompts.
These labels and steps are from Sonos Support’s Set up your Sonos Beam Ultra article. If Beam Ultra does not appear during setup, use Sonos’s official setup support route and its linked “Product not found” help rather than guessing at a cause.
Confirm TV audio and Dolby Atmos
After app setup, play TV content and check the Sonos app’s Now Playing view. Sonos says an Atmos badge appears there when Beam Ultra is receiving an Atmos signal; TV audio format information is also available in app settings. The badge confirms the format being received, not that every TV input, source, or program will deliver Atmos.
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- BLUETOOTH TV SPEAKER: Pair your device to this Bluetooth soundbar to wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts. Connect up to 3 devices through the inputs (HDMI, Optical in, and AUX in); the first powered on device will automatically connect
- SIMPLE SETUP: A single connection from this compact soundbar to the TV via an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately) has you up and running in minutes
Atmos depends on the content and the TV/source connection supporting it. Sonos’s setup article specifies an ARC connection for Atmos, while its product page says several listed formats require eARC. Check your TV, source device, and format display in the Sonos app rather than assuming Atmos from any HDMI connection. Sources: Sonos Support setup article and the US product page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.TV voice control and compatibility notes
Sonos says TV power and volume commands require an ARC/eARC connection and HDMI-CEC enabled on the TV. TV on/off voice commands do not work through the optical adapter.
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The Sonos US product page lists an incompatibility with CCFL-backlit TVs manufactured from 2004–2012. If that describes your TV, check the product’s compatibility information before proceeding.
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