Products
Klipsch Cinema 400
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Aug 01, 2025 01:04 PM
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Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Sep 04, 2025 03:58 PM
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Channels
2.1
Channels
5.0
Our Verdict
Klipsch Cinema 400
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is better than the Klipsch Cinema 400. The Sonos is a better-built 5.0 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. Unlike the Klipsch, it has built-in voice assistant support and a room correction feature. However, the 2.1 Klipsch comes with a dedicated sub, and it's able to reproduce a more extended low-bass.
Variants
- Cinema 400 (Black)
- Beam (Gen 2) (Black)
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2) (White)
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Black
Cinema 400
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Black
Beam (Gen 2)
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Black
Cinema 400
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White
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
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Black
Cinema 400
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Cinema 400
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.9
7.4
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
7.4
Height (Atmos)
0.0
5.7
Center
5.3
7.4
Surround 5.1
2.8
5.9
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
8.0
Audio Format Support - ARC
6.1
9.6
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
39.9" (101.4 cm)
25.6" (65.0 cm)
Height
3.0" (7.6 cm)
2.6" (6.7 cm)
Depth
3.4" (8.6 cm)
4.0" (10.1 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
N/A
Height
16.3" (41.5 cm)
N/A
Depth
12.0" (30.5 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
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
No
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
6.5
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
7.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
2.1
5.0
Tested Preset
Natural
No Preset
Slope
-0.32
-0.56
Standard Error
3.38 dB
2.82 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
24.1 Hz
50.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
16.7 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.4
7.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Natural
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
-3
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
2
Slope
0.05
0.05
Standard Error
3.45 dB
2.66 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
24.5 Hz
51.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
17.2 kHz
Stereo Dynamics
6.4
7.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
91.1 dB SPL
88.8 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
N/A
DRC @ Max Volume
3.77 dB
1.70 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.2
THD
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.52
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.52
Center
5.3
7.4
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Discrete
Slope
-1.60
0.24
Std. Err.
6.49 dB
3.73 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.6 dB SPL
72.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.44
0.63
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.54
1.54
Surround 5.1
2.8
5.9
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Front Firing and Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
-1.68
-0.56
Std. Err.
6.75 dB
2.79 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
88.4 dB SPL
70.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.55
0.38
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.59
0.87
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
5.7
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Slope
N/A
1.01
Std. Err.
N/A
3.35 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
59.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
1.45
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
0.30
Sound Enhancement Features
4.4
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 ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
eARC
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
No
No
Ethernet
No
1
Subwoofer Output
Yes
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.1
9.6
Dolby Atmos
No
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
No
Supported
DTS
No
Supported
DTS:X
No
Not Supported
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
No
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
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
6.0
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
No
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
7.3
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
61 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
61 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
79 ms
Dolby Digital
111 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
121 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
121 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
9.9
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
ARC
-8 ms
Optical
0 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
Audio Latency: Optical
7.8
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
119 ms
Dolby Digital
180 ms
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
No
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
Yes (Built-in)
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
Yes
Check Price
Black
Cinema 400
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Black
Beam (Gen 2)
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Black
Cinema 400
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
White
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Cinema 400
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Cinema 400
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Klipsch Cinema 400
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
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Klipsch Cinema 400 vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Main Discussion
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