Sony HT-A5000 vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Which Soundbar Is Better?

Products

Sony HT-A5000
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Jul 24, 2024 01:45 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Sep 04, 2025 03:58 PM

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BestBuy.com
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Sony
  1. Recommended in 9 articles:
  2. Soundbars
  3. Budget
  4. All-In-One
  5. 6

Our Verdict

Sony HT-A5000

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

The Sony HT-A5000 and the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) are both standalone soundbars, but they cater to different types of listeners. The Sonos is a small, compact bar with built-in voice assistant support, so it's best suited to listeners without a lot of space in their setup. It's actually better built than the Sony, and it has a better soundstage. However, the Sony gets louder. It also has an HDMI In port for video passthrough, which the Sonos lacks.

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Variants

  • HT-A5000 (Black)
  • Beam (Gen 2) (Black)
  • Sonos Beam (Gen 2) (White)

Check Price

Black
HT-A5000
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Black
Beam (Gen 2)
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Black
HT-A5000
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BestBuy.com
White
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
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Black
HT-A5000
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Black
HT-A5000
B&H
 

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

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Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sony HT-A5000 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - bar Sample

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Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sony HT-A5000 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - sub Sample

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Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sony HT-A5000 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - satellites Sample

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Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sony HT-A5000 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - bar 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)
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Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sony HT-A5000 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - sub Sample

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sony HT-A5000 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Sony HT-A5000 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Bar Mounting Holes Sample

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Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sony HT-A5000 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

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Mountable Bar 
 

Locked
Locked

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked

Mountable Satellites 
 

Locked
Locked

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked
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Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build quality photo  

Sony HT-A5000 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Build quality photo Sample

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In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sony HT-A5000 In The Box photo  Sample

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) In The Box photo  Sample

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Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

Sony HT-A5000 Stereo Setup Sample

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Stereo Setup Sample

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Raw Frequency Response  

Sony HT-A5000 Raw Frequency Response Sample

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Raw Frequency Response Sample

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Frequency Response Small  

Sony HT-A5000 Frequency Response Small Sample

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Frequency Response Small 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
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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated  

Sony HT-A5000 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

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Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
Lock

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
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Stereo Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Crosstalk  

Sony HT-A5000 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Crosstalk Sample

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Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

Sony HT-A5000 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dynamic Range Compression Sample

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SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

Lock dB
N/A

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup  

Sony HT-A5000 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Center Setup Sample

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Frequency Response  

Sony HT-A5000 Frequency Response Sample

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Frequency Response 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  

Sony HT-A5000 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Surround Setup Sample

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Frequency Response  

Sony HT-A5000 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) 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  

Sony HT-A5000 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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H Frequency Response  

Sony HT-A5000 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) H Frequency Response 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  

Sony HT-A5000 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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

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Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sony HT-A5000 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 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
Show Text 

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  

Sony HT-A5000 ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) 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  

Sony HT-A5000 HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms
N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

Lock ms
N/A
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Optical Latency Video  

Sony HT-A5000 Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms
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  

Sony HT-A5000 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sony HT-A5000 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Remote  

Remote photo  

Sony HT-A5000 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) 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
HT-A5000
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HT-A5000
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
White
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HT-A5000
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
HT-A5000
B&H
 

Sony HT-A5000

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Comments

  1. Comparison

Sony HT-A5000 vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Main Discussion

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