Sonos Arc Vs Beam (Gen 2) & Sub Mini: Which To Buy? 🤔

In this video, we put the Sonos Arc and the Sonos Beam Gen 2 paired with the Sub Mini head-to-head to help you guys decide which one to go for in your home!

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:12 Need to Knows
2:41 Factors to Consider Before Buying
4:23 Sound Performance
5:54 Sound Test
8:04 Future Proofing Your Setup
9:11 Which is Right for You?

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[reaganfrazier]

I have table mounted Arc with Sub Mini with 65inch LG OLED C2 TV in a average size room and am very happy with it.

[brzky]

My Wife doesn't allow me to spend 1000€ on Arc alone, so i will mask it and buy Beam Gen 2 now and Sub mini later, thanks for the video.

[NizarNoor]

Beam 2, Sub Mini, 2 × One SLs = the perfect setup for most people. Only consider Arc and the bigger Sub if the room is larger than 40m² or so.

[dlite]

I had the Arc, but I was underwhelmed by it. I returned it and now have the beam2 and sub mini along with 2 rears. It’s bloody brilliant in my medium sized living room 👍🏻

[ThatGuyyyyy]

I currently have 2 ones. I’ll probably go for beam + sub mini now to setup home theater in my small living room. Arc and bigger sub are awesome, but overkill for me now IMO. If I do move to big house, I can always get arc later and move beam to bedroom.

[ernied]

I never comment and i have the full sonos system...You put so much effort in this video : i loved budget / scenario simulations for people who are wondering what to buy . Instead of just talking you put a lot of info on the screen for people who might not listen well or multitasking. Well i wish this exist when i was looking for a sound system Well done !!!

[mickdenley]

This is exactly the comparison I've been waiting for. Bravo.

[kevinvitale]

These room scenarios are exactly what I am facing in my big open great room vs. small man cave. Just moving into our final home.

[Hamish.]

I have the Sonos beam(2), sub-mini and 2 one's combo. Can honestly say I am blown away by the sound, started with the beam then it all got a bit out of hand. Each addition has made a huge difference, yes there are great/better systems out there for less money its still a great buy!

[tvandbeermakehomergo]

Have just added the Sub mini to a beam gen one and Sonos one SLs I have had for a few years now and what a difference!

Reason I put off doing it for so long was the orignal setup was baught for a terrace property and wanted a setup that would not annoy the neighbours.

Now I am detached and have a bigger room the Sub Mini fills that gap and was much cheaper than buying an ARC (especially as I picked it up for £295!). Eventually I will likley strecth to doing it when arc gen 2 comes along and then the beam will then be relegated to a bedroom.

[RSx]

I got a Beam Gen 2 & I recently head an Arc playing - Arc totally wins.

The Beam Gen2 sounds fantastic, but the Arc got this insane stereo sound that you simply can't hear in a video.

[DarklordofBarovia]

I went for a Beam 2 - Mini Sub - two Sonos One SL's for surround - my god...this sounds great! I think the arc would be overkill

[SuperMcZombie]

I've got the Arc, Sub Gen 3 and two SLs for rears and nothing comes close to it.. but I'm super tempted by buy a Beam, Sub Mini and 2 SLs for my smaller living room now :)

[PreparationdobleH]

I own both bean with mini, also the arc with the gen 3. Love them both, I’m pretty impressed with the bean+mini.

[bradleyanderson]

Ive had a 1st gen Beam for several years. Older TV too so no Atmos. Based on this and a few other reviews I added a sub mini yesterday. Really surprised. Couldn't really believe the difference. Huge upgrade.

[bmchugh]

I said f it and got the beam + full sized sub and 2 one's. Highly recommend - it sounds amazing.

[CognitoANZ]

Hi there - your best bet is to go into a showroom and listen to both options first, but the downside is you will hear the difference between the Beam and the Arc and want to get the Arc. The Arc on its own is really only useful for dialogue - so if you absolutely have to make the choice between the two, go for the Beam and sub mini combo. Also, don't discount he sub mini to accompany the arc - the sub mini is really not all that much smaller than the sub and complements the Arc really well. I wound up buying the Arc and sub, but only because I found a package that was heavily discounted. If limited on budget, I would definitely have gone with the Beam and sub mini because the Arc alone was not impressive for music.

[KrisWebber]

In your larger showroom, the ARC is in a wall that is recessed. How does this affect the side firing drivers when it comes to L & R sound effects and soundstage?

[richardlellisjr]

Earlier this year I bought a 75” Q85 Samsung. So I bought the Arc. Very nice but didn’t complete the picture. So I bought two SL ones. More expansive but I didn’t quite feel a full experience. Reluctantly I dumped even more money into it with the Sub gen 3. I am totally happy. Way more than I wanted to invest in a TV setup but the results speak for themselves. Subsequently I bought two more SL ones for music in the bedroom. It’s great. Nothing I the kitchen though…..

[sabalero]

I see you from Argentina, always so clear in what you say and providing ideas... thank you!