Polk Monitor XT60
Score: 57/100
Sonos Beam Gen 2 Black
Score: 76/100Rankings
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact 3-channel smart soundbar that adds Dolby Atmos, eARC and a faster processor to the original Beam, delivering immersive audio and robust smart-home integration. It excels in clarity and voice-assistant features, though its bass is modest and it lacks Bluetooth and DTS:X support.
The Polk Monitor XT60 is a high-resolution floor-standing speaker with a 6.5" woofer, Terylene dome tweeter and dual passive radiators, delivering deep bass and detailed highs. Certified for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D, it excels in immersive home-theater setups, though its modest sensitivity and lack of a built-in sub-woofer may require a strong amp.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
38 Hzbest | — | |
40,000 Hzbest | — | |
— | 1best | |
| ↓ lower better | 9.07 kg | 2.88 kgbest |
60 monthsbest | 12 months |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Build & Design(1) | ||
Overall Weight (kg) | 9.07 kg | 2.88 kg |
Warranty & Support(1) | ||
Warranty Period (months) | 60 months | 12 months |
Audio(1) | ||
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Auro-3D | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Multichannel PCM, DTS Digital Surround |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the XT60 for its smooth on-axis response, low distortion, and impressive high-frequency clarity, noting its Hi-Res certification and Atmos compatibility provide a spacious, immersive experience, while cautioning that proper room integration is essential.
Everyday users appreciate the deep, tight bass, clear dialogue, and noticeable benefit from Hi-Res streaming, describing the speakers as easy to drive and premium-looking, though complaints focus on limited sub-bass below 40 Hz, flimsy grilles, and bright tweeters in reflective spaces.
“Love the Sonos Beam... Great quality sound in a small package... I have them on both my big screen TVs.”
“Expensive but worth it”
Professional reviewers praise the Beam (Gen 2) for its premium sound quality, clear dialogue, and effective Dolby Atmos implementation in a compact form factor, highlighting its strong smart-home features and seamless Sonos ecosystem compatibility, while noting drawbacks such as the absence of Bluetooth, limited Android support for Trueplay, and lack of DTS:X support.
Everyday users overwhelmingly appreciate the Beam's clear dialogue, easy HDMI ARC setup, reliable Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2 streaming, and its sleek design, though recurring complaints focus on missing Bluetooth, Android Trueplay limitations, occasional eARC negotiation issues, and modest bass without a subwoofer.
