Yamaha R-S202BL
Score: 71/100
Sonos Beam Gen 2 Black
Score: 62/100Rankings
The Yamaha R-S202BL is a 2-channel stereo receiver offering 100 W per channel, a high 100 dB S/N ratio and Bluetooth 4.1 streaming, aimed at entry-level audiophiles and secondary-room setups. It lacks digital inputs, a phono stage and advanced smart-home features.
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 | — | |
100 dBbest | — | |
20 Hzbest | — | |
20,000 Hzbest | — | |
2 | 3best | |
| ↓ lower better | 6.7 kg | 2.8 kgbest |
— | 1 countbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.5 wattsbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Physical Specs(1) | ||
Weight (kg) | 6.7 kg | 2.8 kg |
Audio Performance(2) | ||
Channels | 2 | 3 |
Supported Audio Formats | MP3, WMA, MPEG-4 AAC, WAV | 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 R-S202BL for its low distortion, clean circuitry and impressive power output, calling it a refreshingly honest amplifier that prioritises audio fidelity.
Everyday users appreciate the strong volume, easy Bluetooth pairing, straightforward setup and solid build quality, while complaints focus on the lack of phono input, digital inputs and a basic remote.
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.
“the perfect fit”
“Plenty of volume”
“Bluetooth pairs instantly and maintains stable connection”
