Surround performance was one of the strongest areas, with reviewers describing immersive, room-filling effects and convincing movement around the listening position.
Pros: Soundstage height, Surround sound simulation
Cons: Chromecast compatibility, Google
The Dynamore surround effect was widely praised for widening the presentation, though reviewers treated it as simulated rather than true surround.
Pros: Dust resistance rating, Cohesive presentation
Cons: Speakerphone quality, Microphone
Surround-style processing had limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer saying the app processing brought the sound to life.
Pros: Bluetooth connection stability, Surround sound simulation
Cons: Bluetooth codec support, Audio format support
Surround simulation was a major strength, with reviewers praising the Arc’s virtual 3D field, room-filling movie sound, and immersive presentation while noting it is not true in-ceiling Atmos.
Pros: Multi-speaker pairing reliability, Spotify Connect reliability
Cons: Gaming HDMI passthrough, Video passthrough support
Surround simulation ranges from surprisingly immersive to weak or jarring, depending on content and Personal Surround expectations.
Pros: Chromecast compatibility, Spotify Connect reliability
Cons: Google, Privacy and data
REN is a stereo system, so it lacks the surround/Atmos options some soundbars can provide.
Pros: HDMI ARC, Stereo imaging accuracy
Cons: Surround sound simulation, Bluetooth codec support
One reviewer rejected the idea that a single small speaker could deliver a truly immersive surround experience.
Pros: Cohesive presentation, Stereo imaging accuracy
Cons: Surround sound simulation, App reliability