Sony STRDH190
Score: 68/100
Sonos Beam Gen 2 Black
Score: 62/100Rankings
The Sony STR-DH190 is a compact 2-channel stereo receiver delivering 100 W per channel with a built-in phono preamp and Bluetooth receive-only streaming. It targets vinyl enthusiasts and casual listeners who value analog sound quality and a sturdy, low-profile design.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact 3-channel smart soundbar that adds Dolby Atmos, eARC, and robust voice-assistant integration, making it ideal for small-to-medium rooms and existing Sonos setups. While it delivers clear dialogue and immersive sound, it lacks Bluetooth, Android Trueplay, and deep bass without an additional subwoofer.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
100 wattsbest | — | |
2 | 3best | |
| ↓ lower better | 7.756 kg | 2.8 kgbest |
— | 1 countbest | |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest | |
1 countbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Physical Specs(1) | ||
Weight (kg) | 7.756 kg | 2.8 kg |
Audio Performance(2) | ||
Channels | 2 | 3 |
Supported Audio Formats | WMA | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Multichannel PCM, DTS Digital Surround |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the STR-DH190 for its solid build, reinforced chassis, and clear analog performance, noting the phono stage as a strong point for vinyl users while the lack of digital inputs is seen as a deliberate strength for analog-focused setups.
Everyday users consistently rate the receiver highly for sound quality and ease of use, especially appreciating the built-in phono input and stable Bluetooth streaming, though they miss digital inputs and wish Bluetooth could transmit.
Professional reviewers praise the Beam's premium sound quality, clear dialogue, and effective Dolby Atmos implementation, 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 sleek design, though they complain about missing Bluetooth, Android Trueplay limitations, occasional eARC issues, and modest bass without a subwoofer.
“Great sound quality and the phono input works perfectly with my turntable.”
“I wish it had HDMI or optical inputs for my TV.”
“The remote is handy, but the front display is hard to read in low light.”
