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Products
Klipsch Bar 48
Sonos Beam
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 11, 2024 07:21 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:27 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels3.1
Channels3.0
Our Verdict
Klipsch Bar 48
Sonos Beam
Even without the sub and satellites, the Sonos Beam is a better soundbar than the Klipsch Bar 48, which has a dedicated subwoofer. The Sonos is smaller, well-built, and has a more neutral sound profile. Also, its soundstage is wider and has more sound enhancement features. On the other hand, the Bar 48 can get noticeably louder.
Variants
- Bar 48
- Beam (Black)
- Beam (White)
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Standard
Bar 48
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Amazon.comBlack
Beam
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Amazon.comStandard
Bar 48
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BestBuy.comWhite
Beam
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Amazon.comStandard
Bar 48
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Walmart.comStandard
Bar 48
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B&HMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.2
6.9
Stereo Frequency Response
7.8
7.2
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
8.0
Stereo Dynamics
7.7
6.4
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
47.8" (121.5 cm)
25.6" (65.0 cm)
Height
2.9" (7.3 cm)
2.6" (6.7 cm)
Depth
3.3" (8.5 cm)
4.0" (10.1 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
11.9" (30.3 cm)
N/A
Height
16.2" (41.2 cm)
N/A
Depth
11.9" (30.3 cm)
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Mountable Satellites
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
7.0
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Digital Optical Cable Length
N/A
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Proprietary
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.8
7.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Slope
0.81
0.63
Std. Err.
3.99 dB
3.39 dB
Channels
3.1
3.0
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
49.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.5
7.5
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
1
0
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
-6
Slope
-0.35
0.18
Std. Err.
2.38 dB
2.34 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.5 Hz
49.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Dynamics
7.7
6.4
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
101.9 dB SPL
91.2 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
3.83 dB
3.85 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.0
7.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.26
0.73
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.55
1.51
Center
8.6
8.3
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.55
0.39
Std. Err.
3.04 dB
2.87 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
100.6 dB SPL
92.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.35
0.97
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.47
1.56
Surround 5.1
4.3
3.1
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-0.81
-0.27
Std. Err.
3.62 dB
5.44 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
99.9 dB SPL
85.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.38
1.74
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
4.37
1.95
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Not Supported
Slope
N/A
N/A
Std. Err.
N/A
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
5.4
5.4
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Bass Adjustment
No
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
No
No
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
Adapter into HDMI ARC
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
ARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
No
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
No
Ethernet
No
1
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
7.1
6.3
Dolby Atmos
No
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
No
Not Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
DTS:X
No
Not Supported
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
No
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
0.0
Dolby Atmos
No
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
No
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
No
Not Supported
DTS
No
Not Supported
DTS:X
No
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
No
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Not Supported
5.1 PCM
No
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
7.3
9.8
Latency Video
ARC
89 ms
-14 ms
Optical
73 ms
0 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
N/A
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
No
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
Wireless Playback
6.0
3.0
Bluetooth
Yes
No
Wi-Fi Playback
No
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
No
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
Yes (Built-in)
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
App
App image
App Name
No App
iOS
No
Android
No
Acts As A Remote
No
Controls Soundbar's Settings
No
Casts Device Files
No
Other Features
Power Saving
No
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Check Price
Standard
Bar 48
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Beam
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Amazon.comStandard
Bar 48
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BestBuy.comWhite
Beam
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Amazon.comStandard
Bar 48
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Walmart.comStandard
Bar 48
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Klipsch Bar 48
Sonos Beam
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Sonos Beam vs Klipsch Bar 48: Main Discussion
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