This Soundbar Is Missing Something! Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Review

Now in its second generation, the new Sonos Beam brings HDMI eARC, Dolby Atmos and adds extra speakers over its predecessor. Find out how it compares to its rivals by watching my review!

Alternatives to consider:
Samsung HW-Q800B: Superior in almost every department

Samsung HW-Q800A: Cheaper alternative to Q800B but equally impressive

JBL Bar 500: No upward-firing drivers but much better bass

Majority Sierra Plus: My favourite budget Dolby Atmos soundbar

Samsung HW-Q700A: Far better equipped but discontinued

Denon DHT-S517: Good budget Dolby Atmos experience

Denon Home 550: Good all-in-one soundbar but no subwoofer

Polk MagniFi Mini AX: Ultra-compact soundbar

Yamaha YAS-209: Best-in-class budget soundbar but no Atmos

Sonos Ray: Its cheaper sibling with multiroom support

Creative Katana V2: Best for PC and TV setups

Creative SXFI Carrier: Best compact Dolby Atmos soundbar
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Video timestamps:
Price & design: 00:00
App & features: 01:14
Connectivity: 03:12
Audio demo: 06:37
Bass: 08:18
Treble: 09:52
Soundstage: 10:53
Movie demo: 11:42
Dolby Atmos: 12:52
Verdict: 13:51

#sonos
#audio
#soundbar
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As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Unless otherwise specified, I'm not sponsored, endorsed or given any monetary incentives for reviews. All views and opinions are my own.

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[TotallydubbedHD]

Video timestamps:
Price & design: 00:00
App & features: 01:14
Connectivity: 03:12
Audio demo: 06:37
Bass: 08:18
Treble: 09:52
Soundstage: 10:53
Movie demo: 11:42
Dolby Atmos: 12:52
Verdict: 13:51

[mrgold]

I started with the Beam Gen 1 and rear Symfonisk bookshelf rears on my office LG OLED 55C1. Sonos was 10X better compared to the tiny downward firing speakers on the OLED TV. I added the Gen 3 sub about a year later and WOW! Sonos sound quality and clarity got noticeably better with each extra piece I added. The sub took all the low/mid bass away from the Beam/surrounds. The Beam/surrounds could then concentrate solely on mids/highs/dialogue for improved clarity. You can use the Beam stand alone; but, I think any soundbar would benefit from adding the sub+surround combo.

Sonos works for me because I think I check all the boxes of being a Apple user, eArc 4K TV with multiple HDMI ports, moved away from physical media like CD/DVD/Blu-ray, moved to online/streaming movie/music content, mostly plug-n-play+no physical wires (other than HDMI or network), not big Bluetooth user for audio because of range/calls/notification dings, flexibility with playing wifi/streaming music, and easy use and tuning of the system. I decided to go all in with Sonos and have 18 Sonos products (1 Arc, 3 Beams, 4 subs, 2 Five, 2 One SLs, 4 Symfonisk, 2 Roam).

[syunukiya]

I think your complains are negligible, first of all I use 2.4ghz for appliances like fan, smart switches etc. I prefer it that way so the ones that need 5ghz the most will not share the traffic. Then about the extra HDMI, usually these extra HDMI ports does not support 120fps and some 2.1 features so I prefer connecting to TV instead of the soundbar.

[Han-fxbz]

Hi, I’m looking for to buy one as my desktop speaker. My plan is to connect it to my Samsung neo g8 which I believe it supports eArc. Is the Beam gen 2 a good option? What else should I consider for my setup? I’m only focusing on a compact, all in one soundbar category. Wish to hear you advice. Thank you!

[gruche]

Hey loved the review! I have a question. Have you ever tried the overdrive 120 mode on the Asus VG259QM? If so what is your feedback?

[swepeuaq]

My tele also doesn't support eArc but does support Arc. Would there be much difference between the Beam and the Ray?

[mcspearo]

Why would you need a different SSID? Most decent WiFi will serve both on the same SSID and the client will just connect with what it supports.

[diogofernandes]

I have a sumsung with Dolby atmos and when I play shows/movies with Dolby atmos the sound cuts off a lot for some unknown reason for me..

[jkir]

can u please make a video about ? VG249QM1A seems to be very good monitor for csgo

[oz]

I have bunch of Sonos devices and they're working perfectly with mixed 2.4 and 5ghz SSID. Change your wifi system.

[DaveCooper-ss]

Nothing but problems getting it to work with YouTube Music and especially playlists. It's a known issue to Sonos and has been going on for 2 years. I didn't know until I started getting the same problem as everyone else. Mine was returned.

[nuanceatnoon]

Hey! I noticed you haven’t reviewed the Bose Soundbar current gen which is the most bought compact tv soundbar.

I’m sure the verdict is a no but it’d be great help to hear it come from you.

[sirqdoled]

Maybe it's time to replace your Samsung and finally enjoy DV and Atmos 😉

[MaZEEZaM]

Why is this so well recommended, i guess based on your sound tests it sounds pretty good, especially the bass but the connection issues are pretty significant.

[thyreason]

The iOS app has a room optimized feature which apparently makes a huge difference in the sound.

[nbblesk]

how would you conpare it to the jbl bar 500? they're aboit $20 difference

[DavidWhatfor]

Thanks for the review. I'm looking for a Soundbar but one that intergrates with Home Assistant and as I have 2 Sonos Play speakers the Beam was a choice but I'm put off because I don't have a TV but a monitor that only has HDMI2 inputs. If the Beam Gen2 had a normal Input or 2 it would be a defo contender given I am already in the Sonos eco system.

[modalsoul]

Just bought this 2 days ago and I am dissatisfied….it doesn’t support DTS so all my Blu rays are down mixed to stereo … my tv is old also 2016 1080p I think so there is no atmos anything for me

I’ve got 2 options

1 up grade my tv and add a sub and surrounds to bring this damn thing into to 21st century or…

2 return this to the store and buy something that’s already prepared for the current times …

…. What do you think my friend?

[xilot]

Sonos beam 2 play spatial audio from Apple Music?

[stephen]

95% of the soundbars on the market dont support hdmi 2.1 passthrough, only one i can think of off the top of my head is the sony HT-A7000 but is 3 times the price here in australia