I tested the Sonos Arc Ultra and compared it to a top JBL Dolby Atmos soundbar – here’s the one I’d recommend you buy

When I review audio gear, the most important thing is sound quality. I know, that seems like the most blindingly obvious statement in the world, but I say it because many of us end up buying speakers, headphones, and soundbars based on promised features or impressive-sounding specs. After all, if you can’t get to a store to hear the product in person, what else do you have to go on?

This tendency gets reinforced when you’re looking at two similarly priced products from two different companies, each with a strong reputation. A great example is the Sonos Arc Ultra ($1,099/ £999 / AU$1,799) and JBL Bar 1000 MK2 ($1,200 / £899 ). Both are high-end Dolby Atmos soundbars, priced within $100 of each other.

Based on specs and features alone, the Bar 1000 MK2 looks like the clear-cut winner. It comes with ...