Sonos Beam (2nd gen)

Clean and balanced sound ; Upgradeable ; Excellent size ; Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support

HDMI eARC input only ; Limited DTS support

A step up from the previous model, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) adds an extra dimension to sound, literally, with its clever virtual Dolby Atmos support. Loud, nicely balanced and capable of bringing a cinematic experience, this soundbar is a great addition...

Effective handling of Dolby Atmos ; Warm, refined sound ; Streaming smarts

No additional HDMI ports ; Doesn’t support DTS:X

The Beam Gen 2 delivers with a mature and polished sound and effective virtual Atmos performance

Wide soundstage ; Hi-res audio compatibility ; Compact design

Slightly more expensive than the original ; No upfiring tweeters ; TruePlay only works with iOS devices

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a great upgrade compared to the original soundbar, coming with Dolby Atmos support, HDMI eARC compatibility, and a refreshed design. Although we weren’t entirely convinced by the virtual Atmos on offer, this soundbar sounds...

Deft, poised and weighty sound ; Expansive and well-defined presentation ; Good control options and app

No HDMI passthrough ; Not the sonic height you might hope for

The Sonos Beam 2 delivers delivers mild but definite improvements on the (outstanding) product it replaces, with performance that defies its dimensions. It’s not quite as emphatically Dolby Atmos-y as might have been hoped, and the lack of HDMI...

Compact size and excellent sound ; Multiple voice assistants supported ; Virtual Dolby Atmos support enhances immersion ; Adds HDMI eARC for easier setup

Not as good when at lower volumes ; More expensive than original ; Adding additional speakers for true surround is pricey

Although a moderate upgrade from the original - unless Virtual Dolby Atmos is very important to you - the second-gen Beam is an excellent compact soundbar that'll not only boost your TV viewing, but make your home smarter thanks to smart assistant...

Atmos works better than you’d expect ; Compact, stylish design ; Alexa and Google Assistant well implemented ; Easy to use

Only one HDMI port ; No HDMI passthrough

The addition of Dolby Atmos makes Sonos’ already excellent compact soundbar even better

Fantastic sound quality ; Good for multi-room set ups ; Subtle and appealing design ; Relatively compact form-factor

Set-up a little complex compared to some alternatives ; Only one HDMI port ; Lacks the upfiring speakers of the more expensive Arc

Ultimately, sound quality is the foremost concern for anyone buying a Sonos soundbar, and this new Beam delivers. It's immensely listenable, creating an immersive soundstage for music-lovers, or giving films and TV a real boost with a kick of...

“Dolby Atmos adds a splash of 3D fun to an already excellent soundbar.”