Sonos Beam (2nd Gen) Review: Impressive Dolby Atmos in an Affordable Soundbar

Experience compelling Dolby Atmos sound in a sleek, compact Sonos Beam (2nd Gen) soundbar that fits perfectly into your living room setup.

A Long-Awaited Upgrade to a Favorite Soundbar

When Sonos announced the Sonos Beam (2nd Gen) soundbar, fans like me were buzzing with excitement. This new iteration steps up the game by adding Dolby Atmos support to an already beloved compact soundbar. The original Sonos Beam carved out a niche for itself by delivering rich, high-quality audio in a size that didn’t hog your living room space—a rare feat among larger, clunkier soundbars from big brands.

Although the Beam Gen 2 keeps the same dimensions as its predecessor, it breaks new ground by packing Dolby Atmos into a chassis that’s still perfect for small spaces. If you’ve ever cringed at the idea of a massive soundbar sprawling across your TV stand, this might be your dream setup.

Launched in October 2021, the Beam Gen 2 is priced around $449, a bit pricier than the original when it debuted three years prior. From my experience, Sonos gear rarely sees steep discounts quickly, so prepare to pay close to full price for this upgrade.

Availability and Usage Notes

While official distribution is limited in certain regions, the Sonos Beam (2nd Gen) soundbar is generally available through parallel import channels or specialized audio stores, offered in both black and white finishes. The soundbar's price ranges roughly between $600 and $800 depending on the source, and warranty coverage is handled by the retailer rather than the manufacturer.

Setting up Sonos products can sometimes require patience, especially if regional restrictions come into play during account creation or app registration. Voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa might offer limited functionality or require intricate setups. Streaming service compatibility depends on what’s accessible locally, but Apple AirPlay 2 works seamlessly, letting you stream audio from any Apple device effortlessly. The TruePlay tuning feature, which calibrates audio to your room’s acoustics, requires an iOS device for best results.

Sonos Beam (2nd Gen): What’s New and Noteworthy

The Beam Gen 2 looks almost identical to the original in size and shape, but don’t let that fool you—inside, it’s a whole different beast. The flagship feature? Dolby Atmos compatibility.

The speaker array remains the same: one tweeter, four elliptical mid-range drivers, and three passive radiators for punchy bass—all powered by five Class-D amplifiers. But the upgraded processor is where the magic happens, enabling sophisticated digital signal processing that adds not just width but also height to the soundstage.

A key hardware update is the inclusion of an HDMI eARC port. This lets the Beam Gen 2 tap into your TV’s audio feed with higher fidelity, essential for Dolby Atmos playback. The rear panel houses just three ports: HDMI eARC, Ethernet, and power.

However, some might find the lack of an HDMI passthrough port frustrating. Without this, if your TV doesn’t decode Atmos internally, you won’t get the full immersive effect. Plus, it occupies a precious HDMI port on your TV exclusively for the soundbar.

Cosmetically, the Beam Gen 2 sports a new polycarbonate grille—an innovation Sonos introduced with the bigger Arc model—which not only looks sleek but is easier to keep dust-free. The dimensions remain a tidy 651 x 100 x 69 mm, making it a great fit for TV sizes ranging from 32 to 50 inches.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Dimensions: 651 x 100 x 69 mm
• Speakers: 1 tweeter, 4 mid-range drivers, 3 passive radiators
• Amplifiers: 5 Class-D amps
• Connections: 1x HDMI eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2
• Formats Supported: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, PCM, and more
• Controls: Touch-sensitive panel, voice control (Google Assistant/Amazon Alexa), Sonos S2 app

Performance: Balancing Power and Subtlety

The Beam Gen 2 had big shoes to fill, replacing what many consider Sonos’ standout product. I dove into testing with high expectations—and it mostly delivered.

The Atmos height effect is subtle rather than bombastic. It doesn’t recreate the dramatic overhead soundfield you’d get from dedicated ceiling speakers or massive setups like the Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar or Sennheiser Ambeo soundbar. Instead, it gently lifts the soundstage, giving a hint of vertical dimension that complements the immersive experience without overwhelming the senses.

Tonally, the Beam Gen 2 is a masterclass in balance. Leave the TruePlay auto-calibration to do its thing, and you’ll enjoy rich, precise sound with a satisfying bass presence that never swallows up the mids. Vocals stand out clearly, weaving naturally through the rest of the soundtrack. The single tweeter handles highs confidently, shining bright without ever biting or harshness—even when cranked up loud.

The system handles dynamic swings in movie soundtracks beautifully, from whispered suspense scenes to explosive action moments that might make you jump in your seat. It’s a compact powerhouse for movie lovers craving impact without bulky hardware.

While the vertical Atmos effect is modest, the Beam Gen 2 excels at creating a wide and deep soundstage with excellent left-right positioning. It sounds far bigger than its compact frame suggests.

Switching gears to music, thanks to the Sonos S2 app’s wide streaming support and AirPlay 2 compatibility, the Beam Gen 2 continues to impress. The sound is pleasantly neutral, with controlled bass and solid rhythm that keeps tunes engaging.

Admittedly, the stereo separation is not jaw-dropping—expect a pinpoint sound source rather than an expansive stereo field. But for casual listening and as background music, it strikes a very reasonable balance.

Design and User Experience

Visually, the Beam Gen 2 is practically a twin to the original, save for the sleek new grille. It’s well-built, compact, and finished with that signature Sonos attention to detail. The choice of black or white colors is a refreshing option not often found in this class.

Using the Beam is a breeze. The Sonos S2 app remains a gold standard for control—intuitive, stable, and straightforward. If you’ve ever wrestled with complex sound system apps, this will feel like a breath of fresh air.

Control options are plentiful: your TV remote via HDMI-CEC, streaming app controls, AirPlay 2, touch-sensitive buttons on the device, or voice commands through Alexa or Google Assistant. Honestly, if you can’t get the Beam Gen 2 to do what you want, it’s probably user error.

Sonos’ TruePlay room tuning is a highlight, delivering sound tailored to your space with remarkable ease. For audiophiles who want even more control, there’s a manual equalizer for bass, treble, and volume adjustments—though I found the auto mode more than sufficient.

Final Verdict: An Exceptional Compact Soundbar

Let’s be clear: the Sonos Beam (2nd Gen) soundbar won’t deliver the full-on Dolby Atmos experience that requires larger, pricier setups with upward-firing speakers. But for a compact, stylish, and powerful soundbar, it’s a standout.

If you want rich, immersive sound without a sprawling system, the Beam Gen 2 is a refined upgrade to an already excellent product. The only real caveat is the missing HDMI passthrough, which might be a dealbreaker for setups with limited TV ports or no native Atmos decoding.

For everyone else, the Beam Gen 2 is a top-tier performer housed in a sleek package that fits small spaces and blends effortlessly into your home theater. It’s a compelling choice for movie buffs and music lovers alike.

Alternatives to Consider

Sony HT-G700 soundbar

While less elegant due to its larger size and separate wireless subwoofer, this model offers passthrough HDMI with 4K HDR support and compatibility with both DTS:X and Dolby Atmos. It’s a solid choice if you prioritize surround features over compact design and multi-room capabilities.

Sonos Arc soundbar

For those craving full Dolby Atmos support with all the Sonos ecosystem perks, the Arc is the flagship. Designed for TVs 55 inches and larger, it boasts an impressive suite of upwards-firing speakers and powerful sound. It shares the Beam Gen 2’s single HDMI port limitation but delivers a jaw-dropping audio experience.

Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a high-performance, well-executed device that can claim the title of Sonos' best product.

FAQ

• What makes the Sonos Beam (2nd Gen) different from the original?
  It adds Dolby Atmos support, a more powerful processor, and an HDMI eARC port while maintaining the same compact size and speaker layout.
• Does the Beam Gen 2 have HDMI passthrough?
  No, it lacks an HDMI passthrough port, requiring your TV to decode Atmos for full effect.
• Can I use voice assistants with this soundbar?
  Yes, it supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, though some features might be limited depending on your region.
• Is the Beam Gen 2 suitable for music listening?
  Absolutely, it offers balanced sound with clear mids and highs, though it’s better suited for casual listening than audiophile stereo separation.
• How does TruePlay tuning work with the Beam Gen 2?
  TruePlay uses your iOS device to measure your room’s acoustics and optimize the sound for the best listening experience.

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