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Sonos Beam vs Beam (Gen 2)

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 DynamicsStereo Total Harmonic DistortionCenterSurround 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
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Sep 04, 2025 03:58 PM

SEE PRICE
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Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Jan 06, 2026 09:22 PM

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

Our Verdict

Sonos Beam

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a bit better for mixed usage than the original Sonos Beam. The Gen 2 is a 5.0 setup that offers better surround performance. It's better built and supports Dolby Atmos content. However, the 3.0 Beam does get louder.

0 

Variants

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

Review

See Sonos Beam Review
See Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Review
0 
17 

Check Price

Black
Beam
SEE PRICE
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Black
Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
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White
Beam
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White
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
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Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 
 

0.0
0.0
GET INSIDER ACCESS  to see main differences

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar 
 

Sonos Beam Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub 
 

Sonos Beam Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) 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 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar 
 

Sonos Beam Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) 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 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - sub Sample

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 
 

Sonos Beam Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes 
 

Sonos Beam Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Satellite Mounting Holes 
 

Sonos Beam Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) 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 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo  
 

Sonos Beam In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup 
 

Sonos Beam Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Raw Frequency Response  

Sonos Beam Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Frequency Response Small  

Sonos Beam Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

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 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

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 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

Sonos Beam Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

N/A

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

THD  

Sonos Beam THD Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) THD Sample

SAMPLE

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Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Show Text 

Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup 
 

Sonos Beam Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Sonos Beam Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

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 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Frequency Response  

Sonos Beam Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

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 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

H Frequency Response  

Sonos Beam H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

N/A
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
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 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 
 

Sonos Beam Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

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  

Sonos Beam ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Sonos Beam (Gen 2) ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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To see product videos

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

Lock ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

HDMI Latency Video  

Sonos Beam HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see product videos

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see product videos

Latency Video  

Sonos Beam Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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To see product videos

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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To see product videos

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 
 

Lock ms

Optical 
 

Lock ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Optical Latency Video  

Sonos Beam Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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To see product videos

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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To see product videos

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

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 
 

Sonos Beam Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo 
 

Sonos Beam Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

GET INSIDER ACCESS

To see pictures and test results

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo 
 

Sonos Beam Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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To see pictures and test results

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
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Beam
SEARCH
Amazon.com
White
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
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Sonos Beam

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

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

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