Sonos Beam Gen 2
Score: 78/100
Sonos Arc Ultra Black
Score: 82/100Rankings
The Sonos Arc Ultra provides premium 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos sound with 14 drivers, Bluetooth 5.3, and integrated voice assistants. Its premium price and lack of detailed EQ may deter budget-focused buyers. Perfect for Sonos users wanting high-end performance in a single bar.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact 5.0-channel soundbar offering virtual Dolby Atmos, built-in voice assistants and HDMI eARC connectivity. It lacks Bluetooth and true up-firing height channels, which can affect immersive experience. Best suited for small rooms and users invested in the Sonos ecosystem.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
5best | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 2.88 kgbest | 5.76 kg |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest | |
65 cm | 117.4 cmbest | |
6.86 cm | 7.95 cmbest | |
9.9 cm | 11.05 cmbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Audio(1) | ||
Audio Channels | 5 | 9.1.4 |
Design(4) | ||
Soundbar Weight (kg) | 2.88 kg | 5.76 kg |
Soundbar Width (cm) | 65 cm | 117.4 cm |
Soundbar Height (cm) | 6.86 cm | 7.95 cm |
Soundbar Depth (cm) | 9.9 cm | 11.05 cm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Beam Gen 2 for its balanced five-driver sound, compact virtual Dolby Atmos implementation, and fast voice activation. They highlight its seamless integration with the Sonos app and ecosystem, while noting that the lack of true up-firing drivers and Bluetooth, as well as modest bass, keep it from matching larger, dedicated Atmos soundbars.
Everyday users appreciate the easy setup, clear dialogue at low volumes, and the way virtual Atmos fills the room without extra speakers. Common frustrations revolve around limited bass without a Sub, the iOS-only Trueplay limitation, occasional app glitches, and the missing Bluetooth option for casual streaming.
Professional reviewers praise the Arc Ultra as a clear step up from the original Arc, highlighting its richer driver array, Sound Motion bass technology and the ability to deliver high volume without noticeable compression. The soundbar's support for Dolby Atmos and a wide range of wireless protocols, combined with TruePlay room correction, earns it high marks for versatility. However, critics note the lack of any graphic EQ or granular tone controls and the limited low-frequency output of the built-in subwoofer as notable drawbacks.
“Easy setup, clear dialogue/music at low volumes, virtual Atmos 'fills the room' without wires, blends into decor.”
The Sonos Arc is ideal for larger rooms where full Atmos performance is desired; the Beam Gen 2 is the better pick for compact spaces and a lower price while still offering solid Sonos integration.
