Sonos Arc Ultra ARCG2US1BLK vs ZVOX AV855
Sonos Arc Ultra ARCG2US1BLK
The short answer
ZVOX AV855 comes out ahead overall with 8.1/10 against 7.8/10 for the Sonos Arc Ultra ARCG2US1BLK. Sonos Arc Ultra ARCG2US1BLK is stronger on dialogue clarity and overall sound quality. ZVOX AV855 is stronger on dialogue boost range & controls, ease of setup & use for seniors and value. At current verified prices, the ZVOX AV855 costs about $749.01 less.
- Choose the Sonos Arc Ultra ARCG2US1BLK if: Households willing to spend for top-tier sound, where a family helper can do the app setup, and someone needs hearing-loss-oriented speech enhancement.
- Choose the ZVOX AV855 if: Anyone who struggles to follow TV dialogue on a mid-size or large TV and wants one bar the TV remote controls, with the widest voice-boost range.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Sonos Arc Ultra ARCG2US1BLK | ZVOX AV855 |
|---|---|---|
| Dialogue clarity | 9.2Discrete center channel plus RNID-tuned AI. Praised by RTINGS and Tom's Guide. | 8.3Two independent reviews (TechRadar, Home Technology Review) praise the speech lift, but there is no lab test. |
| Dialogue boost range & controls | 8.5Four AI levels aimed at hearing loss. | 8.820 levels plus Output Leveling, the widest range in the pool. ZVOX's FAQ text is inconsistent ('6 modes'), but its spec page says 10+10. |
| Ease of setup & use for seniors | 6.0TV-remote control works after setup, but the app is required and drew a 2024 backlash. | 8.5HDMI-ARC/CEC, a remote with large buttons, no app, and a 60-day trial. |
| Overall sound quality | 9.59.1.4 Atmos in one box. | 6.5TechRadar calls it 'a bit boxy' with weak virtual surround. |
| Value | 5.0$899-$1,099 is steep if dialogue is the goal. | 7.5$349.99. The AV835 has the same DSP for $100 less, so this is fair rather than outstanding. |
| Safety, energy & repairability | 7.5Sonos discloses lower idle power, screw-based disassembly and halogen-free boards. No recall found. | 7.5Replacement remotes, power supplies and certified-renewed units are sold. No recall found. |
Specifications
| Spec | Sonos Arc Ultra ARCG2US1BLK | ZVOX AV855 |
|---|---|---|
| Dialogue feature | AI Speech Enhancement (RNID-developed) | AccuVoice + SuperVoice |
| Dialogue enhancement levels | 4 levels | 20 levels |
| Dedicated center channel / speech driver | Yes | — |
| Automatic volume leveling | — | Yes |
| Channel configuration | 9.1.4 | — |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | No |
| Separate subwoofer included | No | No |
| HDMI ARC/eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Optical input | — | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Width | — | 33.7 in |
Sonos Arc Ultra ARCG2US1BLK
Pros
- Discrete center channel
- Four-level AI Speech Enhancement developed with RNID
- Excellent music and movie sound with Dolby Atmos
- TV-remote control over eARC after setup
- Lower idle power than the original Arc, per Sonos
Cons
- Very expensive; Best Buy and Walmart have listed it well below Amazon
- Setup requires the Sonos app
- The Sonos app redesign drew complaints, including about accessibility
- Adding a sub or rear speakers costs more
The strongest performer for dialogue and sound overall. Buy it when budget allows and a family helper can do the one-time setup.
Full Sonos Arc Ultra ARCG2US1BLK review →ZVOX AV855
Pros
- 20 voice-boost levels (10 AccuVoice plus 10 SuperVoice)
- HDMI-ARC lets the TV remote control power and volume
- Output Leveling evens out loud commercials
- Large-button remote
- Replacement remotes and renewed units available, with a 60-day home trial
Cons
- Music can sound somewhat boxy
- No Bluetooth or Wi-Fi streaming
- No Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
- Some owners found the boost less dramatic than expected
The best fit for most viewers who want clearer speech without learning a new system. It trades music quality for dialogue tools, and that is the right trade for this guide.
Full ZVOX AV855 review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Soundbars for Dialogue Clarity and Seniors of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.