Sonos today announced a major update for its Arc Ultra soundbar, introducing a new AI-powered Speech Enhancement feature. The update offers four adjustable levels—Low, Medium, High, and Max—to improve dialogue clarity without impacting the overall sound experience.
Collaboration with RNID to Improve Dialogue Clarity
Developed with the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), the feature addresses common issues like unclear dialogue from fast-paced production, poor mixing, varied accents, and room acoustics. Increasing volume or using subtitles often doesn’t help and can be distracting, especially for those with hearing loss.
AI-Powered Real-Time Speech Enhancement
Sonos said the new AI-powered tool enhances speech in real time, isolating dialogue without affecting bass, Dolby Atmos, or overall sound balance. It activates only when needed, adjusting its processing based on the scene’s complexity—applying more enhancement in chaotic scenes and less in quieter moments, ensuring clear dialogue throughout.
Four Levels of Speech Enhancement
The Speech Enhancement feature includes four levels:
- Low: A subtle setting that slightly lifts dialogue without affecting the original mix.
- Medium: A more balanced option that improves speech clarity while keeping the audio natural.
- High: A stronger setting that pushes dialogue forward and reduces surrounding mix elements.
- Max: Designed for users with hearing loss, this setting prioritizes dialogue above all else, reducing non-speech sounds to maintain focus.
Testing with Users and Expert Collaboration
Sonos worked with 37 participants of various ages and hearing abilities over nearly a year to test the feature. RNID researcher Lauren Ward highlighted that many people experience hearing loss without knowing it, and this feature could support a wide range of users.
To ensure the feature enhanced dialogue while maintaining the creative intent of the content, Sonos also collaborated with award-winning sound mixer Chris Jenkins.
Availability and Rollout
The update is rolling out as a free software update for the Sonos Arc Ultra starting today, May 13, 2025.