Review of the Sonos Beam Gen 2: Features and Performance

Sonos Beam Gen 2: The Soundbar That Doesn’t Need a Subwoofer

Latest price on Amazon

After living with the Sonos Beam Gen 2, I’ve realized that you don't need a giant, expensive setup to get a cinema-like experience. This compact bar punches way above its weight class, especially when it comes to the "low end."

The "No-Sub" Surprise: The most impressive thing about the Beam Gen 2 is the bass. It is so rich and deep that I actually ended up turning the bass down in the settings. For most average-sized living rooms, this soundbar has more than enough kick on its own—I honestly don't see the need for an extra bass box (subwoofer) taking up floor space.

Performance & Daily Use:

• Low Volume, High Impact: I usually keep the volume below 30%. It is incredibly efficient; you get full, clear sound without having to blast it.

• All-Rounder: It handles everything perfectly. Action movies feel immersive, news dialogue is sharp, and it doubles as a high-quality music speaker for the room.

• The Sonos App: Setting it up and adjusting the sound is a breeze. The app is intuitive and "just works," which is a relief compared to other clunky smart home software.

The Verdict: If you want a clean, minimalist setup that still delivers powerful bass and crystal-clear music, the Beam Gen 2 is the "sweet spot" of the Sonos lineup. I can easily give it 5 stars.

Sonos Beam gen 2 and 55" TV in living room

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 arrives as a compact soundbar designed to deliver immersive audio for home entertainment. It promises improved sound quality, smarter features, and a sleek design that fits well in most living rooms. This review explores how the Beam Gen 2 performs in real-world use, its key features, and whether it lives up to expectations for those seeking a premium soundbar experience.

Design and Build Quality

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 maintains a minimalist and elegant look, similar to its predecessor but with subtle refinements. It measures about 25.6 inches wide, making it compact enough to fit under most TVs without dominating the space. The matte black finish feels premium and resists fingerprints well.

The soundbar’s build is solid, with a metal grille covering the front and sides, giving it a durable feel. The top features touch controls for volume, play/pause, and microphone mute, which respond quickly and provide tactile feedback. The overall design blends seamlessly into modern home setups, whether mounted on a wall or placed on a media console.

Audio Performance

The core strength of the Sonos Beam Gen 2 lies in its sound quality. It supports Dolby Atmos, which adds height channels for a more three-dimensional sound experience. This feature is a significant upgrade from the first generation and brings a noticeable difference in movies and TV shows with Atmos soundtracks.

Sound Clarity and Balance

The Beam Gen 2 delivers clear dialogue, which is crucial for TV viewing. Voices come through crisply without being overshadowed by background effects or music. The midrange frequencies are well balanced, making music playback enjoyable across genres.

Bass Response

While the soundbar itself does not have a dedicated subwoofer, it produces surprisingly deep bass for its size. The low frequencies are tight and controlled, avoiding the boominess that some compact soundbars suffer from. For users wanting more bass impact, the Beam Gen 2 can be paired with the Sonos Sub for a fuller sound.

Surround Sound Experience

Thanks to the Dolby Atmos support and Sonos’ Trueplay tuning technology, the Beam Gen 2 creates an immersive soundstage. Sounds move smoothly from side to side and above, enhancing action scenes and ambient effects. This makes watching movies or playing games more engaging without needing multiple speakers.

Smart Features and Connectivity

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is designed to work well within a smart home ecosystem. It supports voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing hands-free control of music, volume, and smart devices. The microphones are sensitive and pick up commands clearly even when the volume is high.

Streaming and App Control

Users can stream music directly via Wi-Fi from popular services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. The Sonos app offers an intuitive interface for setup, grouping speakers, and adjusting sound settings. It also provides Trueplay tuning, which measures the room acoustics and optimizes the sound accordingly.

HDMI eARC and Other Inputs

The soundbar connects to the TV using HDMI eARC, which supports high-quality audio formats including Dolby Atmos. This connection ensures minimal latency and better synchronization between audio and video. There is also an optical audio input for TVs without HDMI eARC, though this limits some advanced audio features.

Setup and User Experience

Setting up the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is straightforward. The app guides users through connecting to Wi-Fi, linking streaming services, and calibrating the sound. The process typically takes less than 10 minutes.

The soundbar integrates smoothly with other Sonos speakers, allowing users to build a multi-room audio system or add surround speakers for a home theater setup. The app also supports software updates that improve performance and add new features over time.

Comparison with Competitors

Compared to other soundbars in its price range, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 stands out for its compact size combined with Dolby Atmos support. While some competitors offer larger soundbars with more drivers, the Beam’s sound quality and smart features make it a strong choice for smaller rooms or apartments.

Its seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem is another advantage, especially for users who already own Sonos products. The ability to expand the system over time adds value beyond the initial purchase.

Practical Use Cases

• Movie Nights: The immersive soundstage and clear dialogue improve the viewing experience, making action scenes more dynamic and conversations easier to follow.

• Music Listening: The balanced sound profile suits a variety of music styles, from classical to pop, with enough bass to keep tracks lively.

• Gaming: Low latency and spatial audio support enhance gameplay, helping players detect directional sounds like footsteps or gunfire.

• Smart Home Control: Voice commands simplify controlling music and smart devices without needing to reach for a remote or phone.

  
  

Final Thoughts

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 offers a compelling package for anyone looking to upgrade their TV sound without adding bulky equipment. Its combination of compact design, rich audio performance, and smart features makes it a versatile choice for many living spaces.