The Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar features a 40% faster chip and impressive Dolby Atmos sound quality for an easy setup and ultimate in-home audio entertainment.
Sound Review Hub’s Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Pros
- Dolby Atmos
- Compact design
Cons
- More expensive than the Gen 1
- No additional HDMI ports
I wanted to share my thoughts with you about the Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar that I recently bought to pair with my LG OLED TV. I purchased the Gen 1 Beam back in 2019 and I absolutely loved it. Even though the size was a bit smaller than what I wanted, the sound quality was impressive.
However, with the release of the Gen 2, I knew it was time for an upgrade. One of the most exciting new features is the addition of Dolby Atmos, which the Gen 1 didn’t have. Let me tell you, the difference in sound quality is incredible! The immersive experience it provides is something you have to hear to believe.
Another thing I love about the Gen 2 is that it’s smarter with a 40% faster chip, which means that the setup process is seamless and it responds to commands much quicker. Let’s get started with our Sonos Beam review!
Price and Availability
- Released October 2021
- Great sound for small-medium rooms
When it comes to the Sonos Beam Gen 2, you’ll be happy to know that it was released in October 2021 as an upgraded version of the first-generation model that was first introduced in July 2018. As a midrange soundbar, it’s the perfect option for those who want exceptional sound quality without the price tag of the Sonos Arc big brother.
If you’re wondering about pricing, you’ll find that the Beam is very competitively priced, making it an excellent value for the quality of sound it delivers. Of course, prices can fluctuate, so it’s always a good idea to check Amazon for the latest pricing information.
When it comes to placement options, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is versatile and can be wall mounted with either a Sonos mount or a third-party wall mount. If you’re the DIY type, there are plenty of helpful YouTube videos available to guide you through the process. Alternatively, you can hire a professional to do it for you.
With its ability to deliver impressive sound quality in small to medium-sized rooms, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a great choice for anyone looking to elevate their home audio experience. So, whether you’re a movie buff or a music lover, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is definitely worth considering.
Design and Build Quality
- Compact and sleek design
- Easy-to-clean plastic grille
- Responsive touch-sensitive controls
When I first got the Sonos Beam Gen 1, I was blown away by its sound quality and decided to complete my home theater setup with 2 Sonos One speakers and a Sonos Sub. Now, with the Sonos Beam Gen 2, I’m even more impressed with the compact design and clean lines that make it a perfect fit for any living room.
At just 2.72 x 25.63 x 3.94 inches (H x W x D), the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is smaller than the Sonos Arc flagship soundbar, making it ideal for smaller spaces. The sleek design and a choice of black or white finishes make it easy to find the perfect fit for your decor.
One of the key design differences between the Sonos Beam Gen 2 and its predecessor is the grille, which is now made of plastic instead of a woven fabric. This makes it much easier to clean and keep dust-free. The touch-sensitive control panel on the top of the soundbar is also a welcome feature that allows you to control your music playback, adjust the volume, and turn off the microphones for extra privacy.
The LED light strip on the top of the soundbar is a nice touch, lighting up as you interact with it, and the LED beneath the microphone icon lets you know when the soundbar’s mic is enabled. Finally, around the back of the soundbar, you’ll find ports for power, HDMI, optical, and Ethernet, giving you plenty of options for setting up your audio system.
Features and Connectivity
- Dolby Atmos support
- Sonos ecosystem integration
- HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi connectivity
When it comes to setting up the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), it’s a breeze. All you need to do is download the Sonos S2 app and follow the instructions to connect the soundbar to your Wi-Fi network and any music streaming services you’d like. Once you’ve done that, you can choose between Alexa or Google Assistant and control playback using your voice alone.
One of the standout features of the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is its room calibration feature, TruePlay. By playing out a series of beeps and ticks across the frequency range and having you walk around your room waving your smartphone, the Beam tunes its sound to the dimensions of your room. While TruePlay is currently only compatible with iOS devices, it’s definitely worth borrowing a friend’s iPhone to get the most out of your new soundbar.
The Sonos S2 app also allows you to pair the Beam with any other Sonos speaker, such as the Sonos Sub or a pair of Sonos One speakers, which could be used as left and right rear speakers. This allows the Beam to be part of a larger home cinema setup over time.
In terms of connectivity, the Gen 2 Beam supports Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay 2 with compatible iOS devices. There’s also the option to hook it up to your router with an Ethernet cable for a more stable connection (I personally highly recommend this for an uninterrupted listening party or movie night). One new feature for the Sonos Beam is HDMI eARC compatibility, which brings a richer, more immersive, and higher definition sound experience compared to the original Beam’s HDMI ARC connectivity.
While the Beam doesn’t have HDMI 2.1 support, it can handle 32 channels of audio and even eight-channel 24-bit/192kHz uncompressed 38Mbps data streams, making it ideal for hi-res audio files and Atmos support. If your TV doesn’t have an HDMI port, you can connect the Beam via the optical port, and Sonos provides all the cables you need in the box.
Finally, the Sonos S2 app makes it easy to stream music, allowing you to add any music streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Pandora) and navigate them without leaving the app. All in all, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a feature-rich soundbar that’s easy to set up and use, and it offers plenty of options for expanding your home audio system over time.
Audio Performance
- Exceptional audio performance
- Optimized for Dolby Atmos
- Versatile and powerful bass
If you’re looking for a compact soundbar that’s capable of filling your living room with sound, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) won’t disappoint. Its robust audio performance and ability to handle rumbling low frequencies and bass with real dexterity impressed us. Even during the most action-packed scenes in the movie Inception, the dialogue remained clear and easy to follow.
While the virtual Dolby Atmos feature wasn’t fully convincing, it did provide a sense of height to the sound, although it didn’t feel like it was coming from above our heads. We found that the effect wasn’t as impressive as with the Sonos Arc, which features up-firing drivers that bounce sound off the ceiling and back down to your ears for a more immersive experience.
That said, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 still impresses with its wide soundstage, giving the sense that the action onscreen is taking place all around you without the need for the additional rear left or right speakers like the Sonos One.
The Beam Gen 2 also excels when it comes to playing music. I enjoy cranking up my music, whether it’s Drake, Chvrches, or jazz. The bass sounds deep and well-controlled, while the synth strings are warm and rich, and the vocals come through clearly.
While the Beam Gen 2 sounds great on its own, the bass is even better when paired with the Sonos Sub. The Sub delivers better separation between different frequencies and more thump. This is why I decided to pair my Beam with a Sub after a few weeks, and it most definitely enhanced my listening experience.
Should You Buy It?
If you’re looking for a compact and versatile soundbar, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is definitely worth considering. It’s easy to set up and delivers impressive audio performance, making it a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade their TV’s sound quality.
One of the main selling points of the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is its compatibility with the Sonos ecosystem. If you’re already a fan of Sonos speakers and have other Sonos devices in your home, the Beam Gen 2 will fit in seamlessly. With the Sonos S2 app, you can control all your Sonos devices from one place and create a whole-home audio system.
Additionally, if you’re looking for a soundbar that won’t take up too much space, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is an excellent option. Its compact design means it can fit under most TVs, and it’s easy to mount to the wall. Plus, with its sleek and stylish look, it’s a great addition to any living space.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great Audio Performance: The Sonos Beam Gen 2 delivers impressive audio performance with clear dialogue and powerful bass, making it a great choice for movies, TV shows, and music.
- Easy to Set Up: Setting up the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is simple and straightforward, with easy-to-follow instructions and the Sonos S2 app.
- Sleek and Stylish Design: The Sonos Beam Gen 2 has a sleek and stylish design that looks great in any living space, with a choice of black or white finishes.
- Compatibility with Sonos Ecosystem: The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is compatible with other Sonos devices and can be integrated into a whole-home audio system using the Sonos S2 app.
- Voice Control: With built-in microphones and a choice of Alexa or Google Assistant, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 can be controlled using your voice alone, making it a convenient choice for hands-free control.
Cons
- Limited Dolby Atmos Performance: While the Sonos Beam Gen 2 supports Dolby Atmos, the virtual height channels aren’t as impressive as the Sonos Arc’s up-firing drivers, limiting the immersive audio experience.
- No HDMI 2.1 Support: The Sonos Beam Gen 2 doesn’t support HDMI 2.1, which limits its compatibility with 4K at 120Hz and 8K at 60Hz pass-through.
- No Bluetooth Support: While the Sonos Beam Gen 2 supports Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay 2, it doesn’t support Bluetooth, limiting its flexibility for some users.
- Plastic Grille: The Sonos Beam Gen 2’s plastic grille design is an aesthetic choice, but some users may prefer the woven fabric design of the original Beam.
- Expensive: The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a mid-range soundbar, and its price tag may be too high for some users looking for a more affordable option.
Final Verdict
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar is an excellent choice for those looking for a great soundbar that will deliver impressive audio performance. It’s ideal for those who are looking to enter the Sonos ecosystem and want to start building their home audio setup or for those who already own other Sonos speakers and are looking for a soundbar to complement their existing setup.
The Beam Gen 2’s compact size and stylish design make it a great fit for small to medium-sized living spaces, while its impressive audio performance, with Dolby Atmos support, is sure to enhance your movie and music listening experiences.
The easy setup process and the Sonos S2 app’s user-friendly interface make using the Beam Gen 2 a breeze, and its compatibility with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant is a convenient added bonus.
While the Beam Gen 2 has limitations, such as the lack of true Dolby Atmos and HDMI 2.1 support, its overall performance, flexibility, and versatility make it a soundbar worth considering.
If you’re in the market for a high-quality soundbar that delivers impressive audio performance and is easy to use and set up, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a great option to consider.
Specifications
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| AUDIO | |
| Amplifier | Five Class-D digital amplifiers. |
| Woofers | Four full-range woofers ensure you’ll hear the faithful playback of mid-range vocal frequencies plus deep, rich bass. |
| Tweeters | One tweeter creates crisp high frequencies and clear dialogue. |
| Adjustable EQ | Use the Sonos app to adjust bass, treble, and loudness. |
| Microphone array | Five far-field microphone array uses advanced beam forming and multi-channel echo cancellation so your voice assistant can be readily activated.Microphone light is hardwired to voice microphones for privacy control so you know when the microphones are on or off. |
| NETWORKING* | |
| Wireless connectivity | Connects to WiFi network with any 802.11 b/g/n, 2.4GHz broadcast-capable router. |
| Ethernet port | One 10/100Mbps Ethernet port. You can wire directly to your router if your WiFi is unstable. |
| SOFTWARE | |
| Sonos S2 | Set up and control with the latest generation of the Sonos app (for Apple or Android devices). |
| System requirements | TV with HDMI ARC / eARC port or optical digital audio output, broadband internet, and the Sonos app. |
| Apple AirPlay 2 | Works with AirPlay 2 on Apple devices iOS 11.4 and higher. |
| Voice | Integrated voice control. |
| Dolby Atmos | Maps specific sounds in 3D space for a 360° effect. |
| Trueplay | Dynamically tunes the speaker to the unique acoustics of the room or area (iOS device required). |
| Speech enhancement | Turn on this home theater setting in the Sonos app to make TV dialogue even clearer. |
| Night sound | Enhances quiet sounds and reduces the intensity of loud sounds. Turn on to reduce the volume while still experiencing proper balance and range. |
| GENERAL | |
| Power supply | Auto-switching 100 – 240V ~ 50-60Hz 1A AC universal input |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 25.6 x 3.9 x 2.7in. (651 x 100 x 68mm) |
| Weight | 6.35lb (2.88 kg) |
| Operating temperature | 32° to 104°F (0 to 40°C) |
| Storage temperature | -4° to 158°F (-20° to 70°C) |
| Colors | White with white grille, black with black grille |
| Package contents | Sonos Beam (Gen. 2), power cord, and Quickstart Guide |
| Best place to buy | Check Today’s Price on Amazon |
