Design Better Podcast: Inside Sonos's Distributed Research & Design Process for the Arc Ultra
Bonus Episode Released on July 17, 2025
In this exclusive bonus episode of Design Better, co-hosts Eli Woolery and Aarron Walter delve deep into the innovative research and design methodologies behind Sonos's latest flagship product, the Arc Ultra. Featuring insightful conversations with Matt Benetton, Principal Research Scientist, and Nafur Van Appledorn, Senior Manager of Hardware Development and Engineering at Sonos, this episode sheds light on how Sonos integrates advanced technology with exceptional design to enhance user experience.
1. Introduction to Sonos and the Arc Ultra
Eli Woolery opens the discussion by highlighting the popularity and aesthetic appeal of Sonos products, particularly the Arc Ultra. He sets the stage for exploring the user research and R&D processes that led to the development of this cutting-edge soundbar.
"For our audience that's sort of within the design and product design realm... how did you decide to invest that time and energy needed to come up with this new product?"
(02:43) — Eli Woolery
2. Acquiring and Integrating MITE Technology
Nafur Van Appledorn explains the pivotal acquisition of MITE Technology, a Netherlands-based startup founded by Matthias and Timothy Schaek. This acquisition was instrumental in integrating advanced sound motion transducer technology into the Arc Ultra.
"Three days after the acquisition, we were flown to Santa Barbara... the ambition of creating a new sound experience which was previously impossible without this technology."
(03:25) — Nafur Van Appledorn
This strategic move allowed Sonos to enhance bass performance significantly while maintaining a sleek, compact design. The integration resulted in the Arc Ultra featuring 14 transducers, up from 11 in the previous model, enabling a true Dolby Atmos experience within a home environment.
3. Distributed R&D and Prototyping with 3D Printing
The global nature of Sonos's workforce necessitates a distributed research and design (R&D) process. Nafur details how teams across different continents collaborate by sharing physical prototypes via 3D printing, facilitating rapid iteration and seamless integration of design and engineering efforts.
"Innovation is iteration and we 3D printed almost like a new design every day... to make this tangible for them."
(17:41) — Nafur Van Appledorn
This approach fosters collaboration among diverse teams, ensuring that every aspect of the product—from electromagnetic measurements to aesthetic design—is meticulously refined.
4. Leveraging AI for Advanced Speech Enhancement
Matt Benetton dives into the role of machine learning and AI in enhancing speech clarity within the Arc Ultra. By utilizing deep neural networks, Sonos has developed sophisticated algorithms capable of real-time speech extraction, significantly improving dialogue intelligibility in various audio environments.
"We could actually pull that speech out and use that capability... to emphasize the speech content according to the particular level that the user chooses."
(11:25) — Matt Benetton
This technology addresses common challenges in modern media production, where dialogue often gets lost amidst complex soundscapes, ensuring that users can enjoy immersive audio without missing crucial conversations.
5. Addressing Dialogue Clarity in Modern Media
The episode touches on the increasing difficulty of hearing dialogue in contemporary films and TV shows, attributing this trend to directorial styles that prioritize realism and dynamic soundscapes over clear speech. Sonos's speech enhancement feature is presented as a solution to this pervasive issue.
"The technology... allows us to do more, to kind of compress that range of the overall audio and deliver an experience that allows people to still be immersed, but to be able to hear that dialogue."
(14:22) — Matt Benetton
6. Accessibility and Inclusive Listening Experiences
A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Sonos's commitment to accessibility. Matt shares personal experiences with hearing loss and describes how the collaboration with the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) informed the development of features tailored to users with varying degrees of hearing impairment.
"Enabling that for people so that they can enjoy content with loved ones is something that we're very happy to have been able to do."
(23:29) — Matt Benetton
These efforts aim to create an inclusive audio experience, ensuring that everyone, regardless of hearing ability, can participate in and enjoy shared media consumption.
7. Collaboration Between Design and Engineering
Nafur emphasizes the seamless collaboration between design and engineering teams at Sonos. Using iterative design and rapid prototyping, the teams work closely to balance aesthetic form with technological functionality, ensuring that the final product meets Sonos’s high standards for both sound quality and design elegance.
"We could iterate and 3D print so quickly, we could test with ID like, hey, is that possible with our technology?"
(18:24) — Nafur Van Appledorn
This integrated approach ensures that every component of the Arc Ultra is optimized for performance and visual appeal.
8. Sonos’s Guiding Design Principles
Sonos operates under three core design principles: Great Sound, Effortless Use, and Premium Design. These pillars guide every aspect of product development, from acoustic engineering to user interface design, ensuring that Sonos products not only perform exceptionally but also seamlessly fit into diverse living spaces.
"We have the effortless use, like easy to set up connectivity, really like the Sonos ecosystem and of course the premium design."
(21:14) — Nafur Van Appledorn
9. Personal Insights and Inspirations
The guests share personal anecdotes and inspirations that drive their passion for sound and technology. Nafur discusses his love for music as a universal language that brings people together, while Matt reflects on his background in both music and engineering, highlighting how these dual passions fuel his commitment to creating superior audio experiences.
"Music is what brought me to technology... helping people enjoy music, helping people enjoy the content that they're watching is awesome."
(27:04) — Matt Benetton
10. Future of Innovation at Sonos
Looking ahead, Sonos maintains a dedicated innovation team that continuously explores new technologies and user experiences. Through initiatives like hack weeks and collaborative projects, Sonos fosters an environment where groundbreaking ideas can flourish, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of audio technology.
"Innovation can happen anywhere, people can reach out. It's very open."
(22:17) — Nafur Van Appledorn
Conclusion
This bonus episode of Design Better offers a comprehensive look into Sonos's meticulous research and design processes that culminate in products like the Arc Ultra. By blending advanced technology with user-centric design, Sonos not only elevates the listening experience but also champions accessibility and inclusivity. Matt Benetton and Nafur Van Appledorn’s insights underscore the importance of collaboration, innovation, and empathy in creating products that resonate deeply with users.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- "Enabling that for people so that they can enjoy content with loved ones is something that we're very happy to have been able to do." — Matt Benetton (23:29)
- "We could iterate and 3D print so quickly, we could test with ID like, hey, is that possible with our technology?" — Nafur Van Appledorn (18:24)
- "Innovation can happen anywhere, people can reach out. It's very open." — Nafur Van Appledorn (22:17)
- "Speech extraction is part of the broader field, if you like, of source separation." — Matt Benetton (08:06)
This detailed examination of Sonos's Arc Ultra development process highlights the company's dedication to merging technology with thoughtful design, ensuring that their products not only meet but exceed user expectations.