Sonos Beam Gen 2 Black
Score: 76/100
LG S40TR
Score: 87/100Rankings
The LG S40TR is a 4.1-channel soundbar system with a powerful wireless subwoofer, Dolby Atmos, AI-driven sound modes and seamless integration with LG TVs via the WOW Interface.
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.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
— | 400 Wbest | |
1best | 1best | |
— | 5.3best | |
| ↓ lower better | 2.88 kgbest | 10.024 kg |
12 monthsbest | 12 monthsbest | |
| ↓ lower better | — | 0.5 Wbest |
— | 200 Wbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(1) | ||
Wi‑Fi Support | true | false |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Overall Weight (kg) | 2.88 kg | 10.0235 kg |
Audio(2) | ||
Channel Configuration | 3.0 | 4.1 |
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Multichannel PCM, DTS Digital Surround | Dolby Digital, DTS Digital Surround, LPCM, Dolby Atmos |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
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.
Professional reviewers commend the S40TR for its powerful, cinematic soundstage, robust Dolby and DTS decoding, and premium build, while noting the lack of Wi-Fi and voice-assistant features as a shortfall for a 2024-era sound system.
Everyday users praise the immersive surround experience, deep bass and dialogue clarity, but report Bluetooth lag, a dated ThinQ app and the need to power rear speakers with AC cords.
“Love the Sonos Beam... Great quality sound in a small package... I have them on both my big screen TVs.”
“Expensive but worth it”
