Sonos Beam (Gen 2) vs Beam Ultra

The Sonos Beam Ultra is the next generation of the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), and it's a step up in terms of features and integration, though not necessarily in performance. The Beam (Gen 2) is smaller in size, making it easier to tuck away on a media unit or TV stand, and it has a wider stereo soundstage with a slightly more balanced default sound. The Beam Ultra gets louder and introduces two up-firing drivers into the equation, though, which help add some extra height to ascending drones. It also has better integration with other Sonos products, like the Ace-series headphones and Era-series speakers, plus it comes with Bluetooth connectivity, which the Beam (Gen 2) lacks. That said, the Beam (Gen 2) has built-in Alexa and Google Assistant support, which will suit those who prefer hands-free control and voice assistant integration.