Sonos Beam Gen 2 Review: The Ultimate Compact
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 stands as one of the most impressive compact soundbars in today’s competitive audio market.
This second-generation device brings significant upgrades over its predecessor, including Dolby Atmos support, enhanced processing power, and improved connectivity options.
Whether you’re watching movies, streaming music, or gaming, this soundbar promises to deliver premium audio quality in a sleek, space-saving design.
Key Takeaways:
- Dolby Atmos Support: The Beam Gen 2 brings three-dimensional audio to compact spaces, creating an immersive listening experience that rivals larger soundbar systems
- Enhanced Processing Power: Features a 40% faster processor compared to the original Beam, enabling better audio processing and smoother performance across all functions
- Smart Home Integration: Built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support allows voice control and seamless integration with existing smart home setups
- Versatile Connectivity: Includes HDMI eARC, optical input, and WiFi connectivity, ensuring compatibility with virtually any TV or streaming setup
- Compact Design Excellence: Measures just 25.6 inches wide, making it perfect for smaller TVs and tight spaces without compromising audio quality
- Expandable System: Works perfectly as a standalone unit or as part of a larger Sonos home theater system with additional speakers and subwoofers
Sonos Beam Gen 2 Design and Build Quality
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 showcases refined industrial design that complements modern entertainment centers. The soundbar features a polycarbonate grille that provides both protection and aesthetic appeal. At 25.6 inches wide, 2.7 inches tall, and 3.9 inches deep, the device fits comfortably under most TVs without overwhelming smaller setups.
The matte finish resists fingerprints and dust while maintaining a premium appearance. Build quality feels solid throughout, with no flex or creaking when handling the unit. The subtle LED indicator provides status information without being distracting during movie watching. Color options include both black and white variants, allowing users to match their existing decor seamlessly.
Weight distribution feels balanced, making wall mounting straightforward with the included hardware. The low-profile design ensures the soundbar won’t block TV sensors or create visual obstruction. Cable management remains clean thanks to the rear-facing connection ports that keep wires hidden from view.
Audio Performance and Sound Quality
The Beam Gen 2 delivers impressive audio performance that defies its compact size. The five-driver array includes four elliptical woofers and one centrally-positioned tweeter, creating a wide soundstage that fills medium-sized rooms effectively. Dolby Atmos processing adds vertical dimension to the audio, making movie soundtracks feel more immersive.
Dialogue clarity stands out as a particular strength, with clear vocal reproduction that cuts through background music and sound effects. The Trueplay tuning technology automatically adjusts audio output based on room acoustics, optimizing performance for your specific listening environment. This feature works exclusively with iOS devices for the tuning process.
Music performance impresses across multiple genres, with balanced frequency response that handles both delicate acoustic pieces and heavy electronic tracks well. The soundbar produces adequate bass for its size, though users seeking deeper low-end response may want to consider adding the Sonos Sub to their setup.
Volume levels reach comfortable listening levels for most rooms, though the Beam Gen 2 isn’t designed for large spaces or outdoor use. The audio remains clean and distortion-free even at higher volumes, maintaining clarity across the entire frequency spectrum.
Dolby Atmos and 3D Audio Features
The addition of Dolby Atmos support represents the most significant upgrade in the Beam Gen 2. Unlike soundbars with dedicated upward-firing drivers, the Beam Gen 2 uses psychoacoustic processing to create the illusion of height channels. This approach works surprisingly well, creating a sense of audio objects moving above and around the listener.
3D spatial audio enhances the viewing experience for compatible content from streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+. Action sequences benefit most from this technology, with helicopter flyovers, explosions, and ambient effects gaining additional depth and realism. The processing algorithms adapt to different content types automatically.
However, the virtual height channels don’t match the precision of dedicated upward-firing speakers found in larger soundbars. The effect works best when seated directly in front of the soundbar, with effectiveness diminishing at off-axis listening positions. Room acoustics play a crucial role in Atmos performance, with higher ceilings and reflective surfaces enhancing the experience.
Top 3 Alternatives for Sonos Beam Gen 2
Smart Features and Voice Control
The Beam Gen 2 excels in smart home integration, offering built-in support for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Voice control works reliably for basic functions like volume adjustment, playback control, and smart home device management. The far-field microphone array picks up voice commands effectively, even during moderate volume playback.
Touch controls on top of the soundbar provide intuitive operation without requiring the remote or mobile app. The controls include play/pause, volume adjustment, and microphone muting functions. LED indicators provide clear visual feedback for all interactions.
The Sonos app serves as the primary control interface, offering extensive customization options, equalizer settings, and system management features. Multi-room audio capabilities allow the Beam Gen 2 to work as part of a whole-home audio system, streaming synchronized music to multiple Sonos speakers throughout the house.
Privacy features include a physical microphone mute button and clear indicators when voice assistants are active. Users can disable voice control entirely while retaining all other smart features if privacy concerns arise.
Connectivity Options and Setup Process
HDMI eARC connectivity provides the highest quality audio path from compatible TVs, supporting lossless audio formats including Dolby Atmos, DTS, and PCM. For older TVs, the included optical audio adapter ensures compatibility with virtually any television manufactured in the last decade.
WiFi connectivity enables streaming from popular services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and hundreds of other platforms directly to the soundbar. The dual-band WiFi ensures stable connections even in congested network environments. Ethernet connectivity provides an alternative wired connection option for ultimate reliability.
Setup takes approximately 10 minutes from unboxing to first use. The Sonos app guides users through each step, including network connection, TV pairing, and Trueplay room tuning. The process feels intuitive even for users new to smart audio devices.
CEC control allows the soundbar to automatically power on with the TV and respond to TV remote volume commands. This feature works with most modern televisions, creating a seamless single-remote experience for daily use.
Music Streaming and Multi-Room Audio
As a dedicated music streaming device, the Beam Gen 2 performs admirably across various genres and streaming services. The soundbar supports high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/48kHz when streaming from compatible sources. Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, and Sonos Radio provide multiple options for wireless music playback.
Multi-room audio represents one of Sonos’s strongest features, allowing users to group multiple speakers throughout the home for synchronized playback. The Beam Gen 2 can serve as part of a larger system or work independently based on user preferences.
Stereo separation impresses for a single-unit soundbar, creating a wide soundstage that makes stereo recordings feel spacious and engaging. Bass response handles most music genres adequately, though electronic music and hip-hop benefit from the addition of a Sonos Sub.
The Sonos ecosystem offers extensive customization options, including custom equalizer settings, loudness compensation, and night mode for late-evening listening. These features enhance the music listening experience across different scenarios and preferences.
Gaming Performance and Low Latency
Gaming audio receives noticeable improvements with the Beam Gen 2’s enhanced processing power. Audio latency remains minimal when connected via HDMI eARC, ensuring lip-sync accuracy during gaming sessions and movie watching. The soundbar automatically detects different content types and adjusts processing accordingly.
Directional audio cues in competitive games benefit from the Beam Gen 2’s precise imaging and clear frequency separation. Footsteps, gunshots, and environmental sounds come through with clarity that can provide competitive advantages in supported games.
Console compatibility extends across PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch systems when connected through the TV’s HDMI eARC or optical output. Variable refresh rate and other advanced gaming features pass through the soundbar without interference.
However, the compact size limits the soundbar’s ability to produce the room-shaking bass that enhances action games and explosion effects. Serious gamers may want to consider adding a subwoofer for the complete experience.
Room Size and Placement Considerations
The Beam Gen 2 works best in small to medium-sized rooms, typically up to 200 square feet. Optimal placement positions the soundbar directly below or above the TV, centered with the screen for best stereo imaging. Wall mounting options provide flexibility for different room layouts and furniture arrangements.
Listening distance between 6 and 12 feet provides the best balance of dialogue clarity and soundstage width. The soundbar’s performance diminishes significantly in large rooms or open floor plans where the audio can dissipate before reaching the listening position.
Room acoustics greatly influence Dolby Atmos performance, with rooms featuring reflective surfaces and moderate ceiling heights providing the best results. Carpeted floors, soft furniture, and wall treatments can absorb reflections needed for optimal spatial audio effects.
TV compatibility includes most screen sizes from 32 inches to 65 inches, though the soundbar looks most proportional with TVs in the 40 to 55-inch range. Larger screens may benefit from the wider Sonos Arc for better visual balance.
Expandability and System Building
The Beam Gen 2 serves as an excellent foundation for a larger home theater system. Users can add Sonos One SL speakers as rear channels for true surround sound, transforming the 5.0 soundbar into a 5.1 or 5.1.2 system with proper Atmos positioning.
Sonos Sub integration adds the deep bass response missing from the compact soundbar design. The wireless subwoofer connects seamlessly through the Sonos app and can be positioned anywhere in the room for optimal bass response and visual aesthetics.
System expansion can happen gradually, allowing users to start with just the soundbar and add components as budget and needs dictate. All Sonos speakers work together regardless of when they were purchased, ensuring long-term compatibility and investment protection.
Cost considerations make the expandable approach attractive, as users can spread purchases over time while still enjoying immediate improvements with each addition. The modular nature means the system can adapt to different homes and room configurations over time.
Price Value and Competition Analysis
At $449 retail price, the Beam Gen 2 occupies a competitive position in the compact soundbar market. Price-to-performance ratio compares favorably against similarly-sized competitors, especially when considering the software features and ecosystem integration that Sonos provides.
Direct competitors include the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 and Samsung HW-Q600B, both offering similar features at comparable price points. The Sonos option stands out for its software ecosystem, multi-room capabilities, and regular feature updates that add value over time.
Long-term value comes from Sonos’s commitment to software updates and backward compatibility. Users can expect new features and streaming service support to arrive regularly through automatic updates, extending the product’s useful life significantly.
Resale value remains strong for Sonos products, making the higher initial cost more palatable when considering total cost of ownership. The brand’s reputation and ecosystem lock-in help maintain demand in the secondary market.
Installation Tips and Best Practices
Professional installation isn’t required, but following best practices ensures optimal performance. HDMI cable quality matters when using eARC connections, with certified high-speed cables preventing audio dropouts and compatibility issues.
Network setup should prioritize WiFi signal strength at the soundbar’s location. Mesh network systems work well with Sonos products, ensuring stable connections for streaming and multi-room audio. Ethernet connections provide ultimate reliability for users with network stability concerns.
Room tuning using Trueplay technology requires an iOS device and takes about 2 minutes to complete. The process involves walking around the listening area while the app generates test tones and measures room response. Regular re-tuning helps maintain optimal performance as room configurations change.
Cable management benefits from planning connection routing before final placement. The included HDMI cable provides adequate length for most installations, but custom lengths may be needed for wall-mounted configurations or distant component placement.
Software Updates and Future-Proofing
Sonos maintains an excellent track record for long-term software support, with some speakers receiving feature updates more than a decade after release. The Beam Gen 2’s modern processor and adequate memory should ensure years of continued updates and new feature additions.
Recent updates have added support for new streaming services, improved voice recognition, and enhanced audio processing algorithms. The automatic update system keeps the soundbar current without user intervention, though manual updates remain available for users who prefer control.
Format support continues expanding through software updates, with new audio codecs and streaming protocols added regularly. This approach extends the product’s useful life significantly beyond what hardware alone would provide.
Privacy and security updates receive priority treatment, ensuring the always-connected nature of the device doesn’t create vulnerabilities over time. Regular security patches and privacy feature additions demonstrate Sonos’s commitment to responsible connected device management.
Pros and Cons Summary
Strengths include exceptional dialogue clarity, seamless smart home integration, robust app ecosystem, and impressive build quality. The Dolby Atmos implementation works well for the size constraints, and multi-room capabilities add significant value for users building larger systems.
Limitations center around limited bass response, virtual rather than true Atmos, and iOS requirement for Trueplay tuning. The compact size that makes it appealing also constrains its ability to fill large rooms or produce deep bass without additional components.
Best use cases include bedroom and office installations, apartment living, and as the foundation for expandable systems. Users seeking plug-and-play simplicity with room for growth will find the Beam Gen 2 particularly appealing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Sonos Beam Gen 2 work with any TV?
Yes, the Beam Gen 2 works with virtually any TV through HDMI eARC or the included optical audio adapter. Modern TVs with eARC provide the best experience, but older TVs remain fully compatible using the optical connection.
Can I use the Beam Gen 2 without WiFi?
While the soundbar requires WiFi for initial setup and streaming services, it can play audio from TV sources even without internet connectivity. However, you’ll lose access to music streaming, voice control, and software updates without a network connection.
How does the Beam Gen 2 compare to the original Beam?
The Gen 2 adds Dolby Atmos support, 40% faster processing, improved design, and HDMI eARC connectivity. These upgrades represent significant improvements over the original model, especially for movie watching and future compatibility.
Is the Sonos Sub necessary for the Beam Gen 2?
The Sub isn’t necessary but provides substantial bass improvement for users who enjoy action movies, electronic music, or large room installations. The Beam Gen 2 works well as a standalone unit for dialogue-focused content and moderate volume listening.
Can I wall mount the Sonos Beam Gen 2?
Yes, the Beam Gen 2 includes wall mounting hardware and maintains proper ventilation when mounted. The low profile design works well above or below TVs, and the mounting system provides secure installation for most wall types.
