Sonos Beam (2nd gen)

Clean and balanced sound ; Upgradeable ; Excellent size ; Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support

HDMI eARC input only ; Limited DTS support

A step up from the previous model, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) adds an extra dimension to sound, literally, with its clever virtual Dolby Atmos support. Loud, nicely balanced and capable of bringing a cinematic experience, this soundbar is a great addition...

“Dolby Atmos adds a splash of 3D fun to an already excellent soundbar.”

Effective handling of Dolby Atmos ; Warm, refined sound ; Streaming smarts

No additional HDMI ports ; Doesn’t support DTS:X

The Beam Gen 2 delivers with a mature and polished sound and effective virtual Atmos performance

Wide soundstage ; Hi-res audio compatibility ; Compact design

Slightly more expensive than the original ; No upfiring tweeters ; TruePlay only works with iOS devices

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a great upgrade compared to the original soundbar, coming with Dolby Atmos support, HDMI eARC compatibility, and a refreshed design. Although we weren’t entirely convinced by the virtual Atmos on offer, this soundbar sounds...

Big sound field for its size ; Full and crisp sound, from low-mids to highs ; Dolby Atmos audio sounds precise and immersive, even without rear speakers

Not much deep bass without optional (and pricey) subwoofer ; No Bluetooth support ; Trueplay audio tuning only available for iOS

The second-generation Sonos Beam soundbar adds Dolby Atmos support and two more audio processing channels, for an impressive sound field that retains the previous model's compact size.

Deft, poised and weighty sound ; Expansive and well-defined presentation ; Good control options and app

No HDMI passthrough ; Not the sonic height you might hope for

The Sonos Beam 2 delivers delivers mild but definite improvements on the (outstanding) product it replaces, with performance that defies its dimensions. It’s not quite as emphatically Dolby Atmos-y as might have been hoped, and the lack of HDMI...

Wider, more expansive sound ; HDMI eARC brings better performance ; Sleeker design than first Beam

No up-facing Atmos speakers ; Doesn’t have automatic Trueplay ; Same acoustic architecture as prior model

The new Sonos Beam is slightly more expensive than the original model and now costs $449, but it comes with upgrades like HDMI eARC, a sleeker design, and support for Dolby Atmos audio.

Compact size and excellent sound ; Multiple voice assistants supported ; Virtual Dolby Atmos support enhances immersion ; Adds HDMI eARC for easier setup

Not as good when at lower volumes ; More expensive than original ; Adding additional speakers for true surround is pricey

Although a moderate upgrade from the original - unless Virtual Dolby Atmos is very important to you - the second-gen Beam is an excellent compact soundbar that'll not only boost your TV viewing, but make your home smarter thanks to smart assistant...

Dolby Atmos support adds extra sense of audio height ; Wider, more immersive soundstage ; Easy setup and minimal footprint in your room ; Sonos' multi-room support still can't be beat

$449 price tag makes it an expensive soundbar ; Falls short of the full Dolby Atmos experience ; No Bluetooth or auto Trueplay tuning

Atmos works better than you’d expect ; Compact, stylish design ; Alexa and Google Assistant well implemented ; Easy to use

Only one HDMI port ; No HDMI passthrough

The addition of Dolby Atmos makes Sonos’ already excellent compact soundbar even better