Sonos Beam Gen 2 Vs Sonos Beam: How Does the New Dolby Atmos Sonos Soundbar Compare?

If you're in the market for a new soundbar, you've likely come across the Sonos Beam and the Sonos Beam Gen 2. Both of these soundbars are highly regarded for their excellent audio quality, sleek design, and user-friendly interfaces. However, with the release of the Sonos Beam Gen 2, you may be wondering if it's worth the upgrade. In this article, we'll compare the Sonos Beam Gen 2 to the original Sonos Beam to help you decide which soundbar is the best fit for your home entertainment setup.

Overview of Sonos Beam Gen 2 and Sonos Beam

Before we dive into the comparison, let's take a quick look at each soundbar's features.

Sonos Beam

The Sonos Beam is a compact, smart soundbar designed for use with TVs, music streaming services, and voice assistants. It has five class-D amplifiers, four full-range woofers, and a tweeter for clear, detailed sound. The Sonos Beam also has Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant built-in, so you can control your music and other smart devices with your voice.

Sonos Beam Gen 2

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 has all of the same features as the original Sonos Beam, plus a few upgrades. It now supports Dolby Atmos, which provides a more immersive audio experience by creating a three-dimensional soundstage. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 also has an updated processor for faster performance and better compatibility with newer TVs.

Design and Build Quality

When it comes to design and build quality, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 and Sonos Beam are nearly identical. Both soundbars have a sleek, minimalist design that looks great in any home theater setup. They both have a fabric exterior that feels premium and durable. The only noticeable difference between the two is the placement of the Sonos logo, which is now on the side of the Sonos Beam Gen 2 instead of the top.

Audio Quality

The most significant difference between the Sonos Beam Gen 2 and the Sonos Beam is their audio quality. While the original Sonos Beam has excellent sound quality, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 takes it to the next level with Dolby Atmos support. Dolby Atmos provides a more immersive audio experience by bouncing sound off your ceiling and walls to create a three-dimensional soundstage. The result is a more cinematic and lifelike audio experience that makes you feel like you're in the middle of the action.

Smart Features

Both the Sonos Beam Gen 2 and the Sonos Beam are equipped with smart features that make them easy to use and control. They both have Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant built-in, which allows you to control your soundbar and other smart devices with your voice. They also both support Apple AirPlay 2, which lets you stream music and other audio content directly from your Apple devices.

Connectivity

Both the Sonos Beam Gen 2 and the Sonos Beam have a variety of connectivity options. They both support HDMI-ARC and eARC, which allows for high-quality audio and video transmission through a single cable. They also both have Ethernet ports for a more stable internet connection and can connect to your home's Wi-Fi network for wireless streaming.

Price

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is slightly more expensive than the original Sonos Beam, but the price difference is relatively small. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 retails for $449, while the Sonos Beam retails for $399.

Conclusion

Overall, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is an excellent upgrade from the original Sonos Beam.