Sonos Beam
Score: 79/100
Hisense HS5100
Score: 74/100Rankings
The Sonos Beam (Gen 1) is a compact 3-channel soundbar featuring HDMI ARC, built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, night-mode and multi-room Sonos integration, delivering balanced audio for small to medium rooms. Its main limitation is the absence of Dolby Atmos and a dedicated subwoofer, which reduces immersive bass performance. It fits users seeking smart voice control and easy setup in apartments or bedrooms.
The Hisense HS5100 provides a 5.1-channel, 540 W soundbar system with a wireless subwoofer and multiple sound modes. Wired rear speakers and occasional subwoofer drop-outs are drawbacks, and it lacks Wi-Fi. It targets budget-friendly home-theater fans wanting full surround without a high price.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
3 | 6best | |
— | 540 Wbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 2.8 kg | 1.59 kgbest |
— | 6best | |
65.1 cm | 90.17 cmbest | |
6.8 cm | 9.144 cmbest | |
10 cmbest | 6.096 cm |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Audio(3) | ||
Audio Channels | 3 | 6 |
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Digital 5.1, PCM | Dolby Digital Plus, DTS:X |
Wireless Subwoofer | false | true |
Design(4) | ||
Soundbar Weight (kg) | 2.8 kg | 1.59 kg |
Soundbar Width (cm) | 65.1 cm | 90.17 cm |
Soundbar Height (cm) | 6.8 cm | 9.144 cm |
Soundbar Depth (cm) | 10 cm | 6.096 cm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Sonos Beam Gen 1 for its impressive audio detail, musicality, and straightforward setup, noting that it delivers a weighty performance in a compact form. However, they also acknowledge its shortcomings, particularly the missing Dolby Atmos support and the less durable fabric grille, suggesting that the Gen 2 model is a better choice for those seeking the latest surround technologies.
Everyday users overwhelmingly appreciate the Beam's rich sound, easy voice-control integration, and hassle-free HDMI ARC installation, especially in apartments and bedrooms. Recurring themes include satisfaction with multi-room functionality and the helpful Night Sound mode, while complaints focus on limited bass without a subwoofer and the absence of Atmos for modern content.
Professional reviewers highlight the HS5100 as a strong value proposition, noting its impressive bass from a compact wireless subwoofer, lightweight construction that fits easily on TV stands, and a suite of sound modes that tailor audio for movies, games and music. They consider it a worthwhile investment for budget-conscious home-theater enthusiasts and state that it holds its own against similarly priced competitors.
Everyday users appreciate the immersive surround sound, the lightweight and space-saving design, and the unexpectedly deep bass from the small subwoofer. However, many complain about intermittent subwoofer drop-outs and the need to wire rear speakers, which detracts from the promised wireless experience.
“this will be the last purchase with this company”
