Sonos Beam Gen 2
Score: 79/100
Bose Smart Dolby Atmos
Score: 83/100Rankings
The Bose Smart Soundbar delivers Dolby Atmos and AI Dialogue Mode in a slim form factor, with built-in Alexa and extensive wireless connectivity. It lacks ADAPTiQ calibration and may be under-powered for larger rooms, and the wall-mount bracket is sold separately. Perfect for small-to-medium living rooms seeking an all-in-one smart sound solution.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact smart soundbar that delivers virtual 3.0.2 Dolby Atmos and integrates Alexa and Google Assistant. Its lack of Bluetooth and iOS-only Trueplay tuning are notable trade-offs. Best suited for small-to-medium rooms where Wi-Fi streaming and voice control are priorities.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
5best | 5best | |
| ↓ lower better | 6.275 lbbest | 6.909 lb |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest | |
2best | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(1) | ||
Bluetooth Version | None | 5.0 |
Build & Design(2) | ||
System Weight (lb) | 6.275 lb | 6.909 lb |
System Dimensions (H×W×D) (cm) | 6.86 x 65.02 x 9.91 cm cm | 5.6×69.4×10.4 cm cm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Beam's warm mids, crisp highs, and the upgraded perforated grille, while highlighting its fast quad-core processor that enables virtual 3.0.2 Dolby Atmos without a separate sub. They see it as an ideal starter soundbar that pairs well with additional Sonos speakers for a full 5.1 system, though they note the lack of Bluetooth and iOS-only Trueplay as drawbacks compared with some rivals.
Everyday users praise the straightforward Sonos app setup, built-in Alexa/Google voice control, and the ability to get immersive Atmos-style sound in compact spaces. Common frustrations revolve around the need for an iOS device for Trueplay tuning, the missing Bluetooth option, and the extra cost of buying a Sonos Sub for deeper bass.
Professional reviewers commend the Smart Soundbar for delivering a remarkable sound-to-size ratio, with its five-speaker array and TrueSpace upmixing providing immersive audio despite the compact chassis. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos and Alexa adds convenience, but critics note the lack of ADAPTiQ calibration and a lower speaker count than Bose's higher-end Ultra model, making it a solid mid-range choice rather than a flagship.
Everyday users praise the compact design, Dolby Atmos effect, and voice-control convenience, while noting the limited speaker count and desire for a wall-mount bracket. Overall sentiment is positive for the feature set relative to size and price.
