The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) represents a significant evolution in compact soundbar design, bringing Dolby Atmos capabilities to a form factor that easily fits into smaller living spaces. During my extensive testing, I found this soundbar to be a compelling upgrade from its predecessor, offering enhanced audio performance and modern connectivity features that justify its position in the competitive 2021 soundbar market.
Design and Build Quality
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) maintains the sleek, minimalist aesthetic that defines the Sonos brand while introducing subtle but meaningful design improvements. At 65cm wide and just 7cm tall, it retains the compact dimensions that made the original Beam so appealing for smaller spaces and wall-mounting scenarios.
I found the most noticeable design change to be the new perforated polycarbonate grille, replacing the fabric finish of the original. This change aligns the Beam (Gen 2) with the Sonos Arc's design language while providing practical benefits. The new grille proves easier to clean and more durable, though some may prefer the softer aesthetic of the original's fabric covering.
The build quality feels exceptional, with premium materials throughout and meticulous attention to detail. Available in matte black or white finishes, the Beam (Gen 2) integrates seamlessly into most room designs. The matching cable colours to the chosen finish represents a thoughtful touch that minimises visual distraction in well-appointed spaces.
Audio Performance: The Heart of the Experience
Where the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) truly impresses is in its audio reproduction, delivering performance that significantly exceeds expectations for its compact form factor. The redesigned internal architecture features five Class D amplifiers powering four front-facing elliptical mid-woofers and an improved centre tweeter, complemented by three passive radiators for low-frequency reinforcement.
During testing with dialogue-heavy content, I consistently noted exceptional clarity and presence in vocal reproduction. The improved centre tweeter delivers speech with remarkable transparency, ensuring conversations remain intelligible even during complex action sequences. This clarity proves particularly beneficial for streaming content where audio quality can vary significantly.
The soundstage width impressed consistently throughout my testing period. Despite its compact size, the Beam (Gen 2) creates an expansive audio presentation that extends well beyond the physical boundaries of the speaker. I tested the soundbar with 43-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch displays, finding it enhanced the viewing experience across all screen sizes.
Bass response represents a notable improvement over the original Beam, with greater depth and control in low-frequency reproduction. While the Beam (Gen 2) cannot match dedicated subwoofers for ultimate bass extension, it provides sufficient low-end presence for most content without requiring additional hardware.
Dolby Atmos
The headline feature of the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is its Dolby Atmos support, achieved through psychoacoustic processing rather than dedicated upward-firing drivers. This approach represents an interesting compromise between cost, size, and immersive audio capabilities.
During my testing with Atmos content, I found the implementation more effective than anticipated, though with clear limitations. The Beam (Gen 2) successfully creates a sense of height and spatial positioning that enhances the viewing experience, particularly with well-mixed content that utilises object-based audio effectively.
However, genuine overhead effects remain elusive. While there's tangible improvement in soundstage depth and positioning compared to traditional stereo soundbars, the virtual height channels don't convincingly place sounds above the listening position. The effect feels more like enhanced width and depth rather than true three-dimensional audio placement.
Compared to soundbars with dedicated upward-firing drivers, the Beam (Gen 2)'s Atmos implementation feels more subtle and processed. However, within its size and price constraints, it represents an admirable achievement that adds meaningful immersion to compatible content.
Connectivity and Smart Features
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) introduces HDMI eARC support, a significant upgrade from the original's ARC implementation. This enhancement enables support for higher-quality audio formats including 24-bit/192kHz uncompressed audio and lossless Dolby Atmos streams, providing future-proofing for evolving home theatre standards.
During setup, I found the Sonos S2 app intuitive and comprehensive, providing access to extensive streaming service integration and system configuration options. The app handles everything from initial setup to advanced audio calibration, creating a centralised control experience that extends beyond basic soundbar functionality.
Voice assistant integration includes both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support, with far-field microphones that reliably capture commands even in noisy environments. The physical microphone disable switch provides privacy control for users concerned about always-listening devices.
Ecosystem Integration and Expandability
One of the Sonos Beam (Gen 2)'s greatest strengths lies in its integration with the broader Sonos ecosystem. The ability to add wireless surrounds, subwoofers, and create multi-room audio systems provides upgrade flexibility rarely matched by competitors.
I tested the Beam (Gen 2) as part of a larger Sonos system, pairing it with our previously reviewed Sonos Era 100 speakers as surrounds. The integration proved seamless, with the S2 app handling configuration automatically and maintaining perfect synchronisation across all speakers.
For users planning to build a complete home theatre system gradually, this expandability represents significant value. The ability to start with the Beam (Gen 2) and add components over time provides a clear upgrade path that competing brands rarely match.
Music Performance and Streaming
Beyond home theatre applications, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) excels as a music streaming device, supporting high-resolution audio formats and providing access to virtually every major streaming platform through the S2 app.
During music testing, I found the tonal balance warm and engaging, with well-controlled bass response and clear midrange reproduction. The soundbar handles complex arrangements effectively, maintaining instrument separation and dynamic contrast across various genres.
Apple AirPlay 2 support provides additional connectivity options for iOS users, while Spotify Connect integration offers direct streaming without requiring the Sonos app. These multiple connectivity options ensure compatibility with diverse user preferences and existing setups.
Room Calibration and Audio Customisation
TruePlay room calibration represents one of the Sonos Beam (Gen 2)'s most valuable features, automatically adjusting audio output to compensate for room acoustics. The calibration process requires walking around the room while the app analyses acoustic characteristics through your device's microphone.
However, TruePlay's limitation to iOS devices represents a significant drawback for Android users. During testing, I found the calibration made noticeable improvements to bass response and overall tonal balance, making the iOS requirement particularly frustrating for affected users.
The basic EQ controls within the S2 app provide additional customisation options, though they're limited to simple bass and treble adjustments. While adequate for basic tuning, more comprehensive EQ options would benefit users with specific acoustic challenges or preferences.
Limitations and Considerations
Despite its many strengths, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) has notable limitations that potential buyers should consider. The lack of DTS:X support means compatibility issues with certain disc-based content, though this affects Sonos products broadly rather than just the Beam.
The single HDMI input limits connectivity options for users with multiple source devices. While eARC pass-through from the TV handles most scenarios, users with older televisions or specific connectivity requirements may find this restrictive.
Additionally, the virtual Atmos implementation, while clever, cannot match the immersive experience provided by soundbars with dedicated upward-firing drivers. Users prioritising convincing height effects should consider larger alternatives despite the associated cost and space requirements.
Pricing and Value Proposition
At £449/$449, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) occupies a competitive position in the compact soundbar market. While more expensive than the original Beam, the additional features and improved performance justify the premium for most users.
Compared to alternatives in this price range, the Beam (Gen 2) offers superior build quality, more comprehensive smart features, and better ecosystem integration than most competitors. The ability to expand the system over time adds long-term value that's difficult to quantify but becomes increasingly important as user needs evolve.
Final Verdict
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) represents a successful evolution of the compact soundbar concept, delivering impressive audio performance in a space-efficient package. While the virtual Atmos implementation doesn't fully deliver on the promise of three-dimensional audio, it provides meaningful enhancement over traditional stereo soundbars.
During my testing period, I consistently appreciated the Beam (Gen 2)'s ability to enhance both movie and music experiences without dominating the living space. The combination of excellent build quality, comprehensive smart features, and ecosystem expandability creates a compelling package for users seeking premium audio in a compact form factor.
For users committed to the Sonos ecosystem or those seeking a high-quality compact soundbar with room to grow, the Beam (Gen 2) represents an excellent choice. While it cannot match larger soundbars for ultimate immersion, it successfully balances performance, features, and practicality in a way that few competitors achieve at this price point.