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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) vs Arc Ultra

Which Soundbar Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      Style - BarStyle - SubwooferStyle - SatellitesDimensions - BarDimensions - SubwooferDimensions - SatellitesMountingBuild QualityIn The Box
    Sound
      Stereo Frequency ResponseStereo Frequency Response With Preliminary CalibrationStereo SoundstageStereo DynamicsCenterSurround 5.1Height (Atmos)Sound Enhancement Features
    Connectivity
      Inputs/Outputs - BarAudio Format Support: ARC/eARCAudio Format Support: HDMI InAudio Format Support: OpticalAudio Latency: ARCAudio Latency: HDMI InAudio Latency: OpticalVideo Passthrough To TVWireless Playback
    Additional Features
      InterfaceBar ControlsRemoteVoice Assistants Support
    Comments

Products

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Sonos Arc Ultra

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Sep 04, 2025 03:58 PM

SEE PRICE
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Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Oct 24, 2025 06:17 PM

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Picture
Sonos Arc Ultra Picture
Channels
Locked
Channels
Locked
  1. Recommended in 9 articles:
  2. Soundbars
  3. Budget
  4. All-In-One
  5. 6
  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. All-In-One
  3. Dialogue

Our Verdict

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Sonos Arc Ultra

The Sonos Arc Ultra is a better soundbar than the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) in most respects. While both Sonos bars can connect with compatible Sonos speakers to expand the setup to a surround setup, the 5.1.2-channel Arc Ultra, by default, has an integrated sub and two up-firing drivers over the 5.0-channel Beam (Gen 2). The Arc Ultra also typically gets a bit louder than the Beam (Gen 2) in most scenarios. That said, the Beam (Gen 2) is significantly cheaper and supports optical inputs, making it the better option for setups with an older AVR or TV.

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Variants

  • Beam (Gen 2) (Black)
  • Sonos Beam (Gen 2) (White)
  • Arc Ultra (Black)
  • Arc Ultra (White)

Review

See Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Review
See Sonos Arc Ultra Review
17 
33 

Check Price

Black
Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Arc Ultra
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
White
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
White
Arc Ultra
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

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Mixed Usage 

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Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Mountable Bar 
 

Locked
Locked

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked

Mountable Satellites 
 

Locked
Locked

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build quality photo  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Raw Frequency Response  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response Small  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Tested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Crosstalk  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

N/A
Lock dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

N/A
N/A

Surround Setup  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock

7.1 Rears 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

N/A
N/A

Height Setup  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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H Frequency Response  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

N/A
N/A

Room Correction 
 

Locked
Locked

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Locked
Locked

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Bass Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Optical Audio In 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Out 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

Locked
Locked

Full HDMI In 
 

Locked
Locked

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA In 
 

Locked
Locked

USB for Files 
 

Locked
Locked

Ethernet 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Output 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

N/A
N/A

ARC Latency Video  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

HDMI Latency Video  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A
N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A
N/A

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Optical Latency Video  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms
N/A
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

N/A
N/A

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Chromecast built-in 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple AirPlay 
 

Locked
Locked

Spotify Connect 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Arc Ultra Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Locked
Locked

Google Assistant 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple Siri 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone Mute 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Arc Ultra
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
White
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
White
Arc Ultra
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Back to Top

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Sonos Arc Ultra

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 6 months ago

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) vs Sonos Arc Ultra: Main Discussion

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