Sonos Beam
Score: 79/100
Roku Streambar Pro
Score: 70/100Rankings
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 Roku Streambar Pro is a 2-in-1 4K HDR streaming device and soundbar delivering 36 W of virtual surround sound with Wi-Fi and voice-assistant support. Its modest power and lack of Dolby Atmos limit cinematic impact, especially without the optional subwoofer. Best suited for apartments or dorm rooms where a simple, all-in-one streaming and audio upgrade is desired.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
3best | 2 | |
— | 36 Wbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 2.8 kg | 2.495 kgbest |
— | 1 yearsbest | |
65.1 cm | 81.79 cmbest | |
6.8 cm | 7.11 cmbest | |
10 cmbest | 9.91 cm |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Audio(2) | ||
Audio Channels | 3 | 2.0 |
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Digital 5.1, PCM | Dolby Audio, PCM, Virtual surround |
Features(1) | ||
Night Mode | true | false |
Design(4) | ||
Soundbar Weight (kg) | 2.8 kg | 2.495 kg |
Soundbar Width (cm) | 65.1 cm | 81.79 cm |
Soundbar Height (cm) | 6.8 cm | 7.11 cm |
Soundbar Depth (cm) | 10 cm | 9.91 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 praise the Streambar Pro's compact yet sturdy design, its seamless HDMI-ARC/optical connectivity, and the ability to stream 4K HDR content while delivering 36 W of virtual surround sound. They highlight the integrated voice-assistant support and USB media playback as added conveniences, but note that bass performance suffers without the optional subwoofer and that the modest power may not satisfy larger spaces.
Everyday users appreciate the ease of upgrading older TVs to 4K/HDR streaming and the noticeable boost in dialogue clarity and overall volume. The Bluetooth music streaming and voice remote are frequently mentioned as convenient features, while recurring complaints focus on thin bass, the need for an optical cable when HDMI-ARC isn't available, and the bar's length making it hard to fit in smaller cabinets.
“Excellent value with combined streaming and sound upgrade.”
“Heavy and good looking.”
“One-cable ARC setup works great for me.”
Roku Streambar is a budget-friendly choice for Roku users, but the Beam provides superior sound quality and ecosystem flexibility.
