The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a small soundbar with a big job: make your TV sound like a proper home theatre without taking over the living room. It adds virtual Dolby Atmos, HDMI eARC and Sonos’ excellent multi-room app. We tested it for three weeks with films, live sport, YouTube and music.
Quick Answer
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is the best compact soundbar for most living rooms. Dialogue is exceptionally clear, it sounds far bigger than its size, and you can add a Sonos Sub Mini and rear speakers later. If you want real upward-firing Atmos, step up to the Sonos Arc Ultra.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) — Key Specs |
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|---|---|
| Drivers | 4 elliptical midwoofers, 1 centre tweeter, 3 passive radiators |
| Amplifiers | 5 class-D |
| Surround formats | Dolby Atmos (virtual), Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus |
| Connection | HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Ethernet |
| Streaming | Sonos app, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect |
| Voice | Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control |
| Size | 65 cm wide, 6.9 cm tall |
Design & Setup
At 65 cm wide the Beam fits neatly under TVs from 43 to 65 inches, and at under 7 cm tall it will not block your screen or IR sensor. The Gen 2 swaps the old fabric grille for a polycarbonate one that is easier to wipe clean.
Setup is simple: plug it into your TV’s HDMI eARC port, open the Sonos app, and it walks you through everything. Your TV remote controls the volume automatically. On iPhone, Trueplay uses the microphone to tune the sound to your room — it made a noticeable difference in our open-plan living room.
Dialogue & Everyday TV
This is the Beam’s biggest strength. Voices come from the centre of the screen and cut through music and explosions. Speech Enhancement in the app lifts dialogue further, which is perfect for late-night viewing or dramas with mumbled lines. Night Sound compresses loud effects so you are not constantly adjusting the volume.
Movies & Dolby Atmos
The Beam uses processing rather than upward-firing speakers to create Atmos. The result is a noticeably wider soundstage that extends beyond the edges of the TV, but height effects — rain or helicopters overhead — are subtle. For a soundbar this size, it is still impressive, and far better than any TV’s built-in speakers.
Bass is tight and punchy for its size but will not shake the room. Adding a Sonos Sub Mini is the single biggest upgrade you can make.
Music & Smart Features
As a music speaker the Beam is excellent — balanced, detailed and loud enough for a gathering. You can stream from Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and more through the Sonos app, or use AirPlay 2 from an iPhone. It also groups with other Sonos speakers for multi-room audio.
Expanding Your System
The Beam is the start of a system. Add a Sonos Sub Mini or Sub for deep bass, and a pair of Era 100 speakers as wireless rears for true surround sound. Everything connects over Wi-Fi, so no cables run across the floor apart from power.
Setup Tips for Better Sound
Who Should Buy It
- Buy it if you want a compact soundbar that makes dialogue clear and movies more exciting.
- Buy it if you already own Sonos speakers or want to build a multi-room system.
- Skip it if you want true overhead Atmos — the Sonos Arc Ultra has upward-firing drivers.
- Skip it if your budget is under $300 — the Sonos Ray covers the basics.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) vs Sonos Ray vs Bose Smart Soundbar
Best Overall
 Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
$499
|
Best Budget Sonos
 Sonos Ray
$279
|
Best Alternative
Bose Smart Soundbar
$499
|
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|---|---|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos | Yes (virtual) | No | Yes (virtual) |
| HDMI eARC | Yes | No (optical) | Yes |
| Voice control | Alexa, Sonos Voice | No | Alexa |
| Best for | Most living rooms | Small rooms | Bose fans |
Our Verdict: The Soundbar Most People Should Buy
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) gets the most important thing right: you will hear every word. Add rich music playback, simple setup and an easy upgrade path, and it is the compact soundbar to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) work with any TV?
It works with any TV that has an HDMI ARC or eARC port. An optical adapter is included for older TVs, but you lose Dolby Atmos over optical.
Do I need a subwoofer with the Sonos Beam?
Not for most rooms. The Beam has solid bass for its size, but a Sonos Sub Mini adds real depth for action films.
Does the Sonos Beam support Dolby Atmos from Netflix?
Yes. When your TV supports eARC, Atmos from Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and Blu-ray is passed through to the Beam.
Can I use the Beam without the Sonos app?
You need the app for initial setup. After that, your TV remote controls it, and you can use AirPlay 2 or Spotify Connect directly.
Hear Every Word
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) goes on sale several times a year — check today’s price and colours.