Yamaha R-S202BL
Score: 71/100
Sonos Beam Gen 2 White
Score: 67/100Rankings
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 soundbar offering Dolby Atmos and integrated voice assistants, delivering immersive audio for small to medium rooms while fitting seamlessly into the Sonos ecosystem. Its lack of DTS support, thin bass, and reliance on HDMI eARC for Atmos are its main drawbacks.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
100 wattsbest | — | |
100 dBbest | — | |
20 Hzbest | — | |
20,000 Hzbest | — | |
2 | 5best | |
| ↓ lower better | 6.7 kg | 2.88 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 | 2.88 kg |
Audio Performance(2) | ||
Channels | 2 | 5 |
Supported Audio Formats | MP3, WMA, MPEG-4 AAC, WAV | Stereo PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos (via Dolby Digital Plus or TrueHD), Multichannel PCM |
Accessories(1) | ||
Remote Control Included | true | false |
Design & Build(1) | ||
Finish | Black | Matte white |
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 consistently rate the Beam (Gen 2) as the top choice for small rooms, praising its Dolby Atmos performance, compact form factor and deep integration with Alexa, Google Assistant and AirPlay 2, while noting its lack of DTS support, modest bass and the need for an eARC-compatible TV to unlock Atmos.
Everyday users love the Beam for its clear dialogue, easy setup and immersive Atmos feel in modest spaces, but many express frustration over the absence of Android Trueplay, thin bass and occasional voice-assistant lag.
“the perfect fit”
“Plenty of volume”
“Bluetooth pairs instantly and maintains stable connection”
