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The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is the more compact, lower-priced choice; the Sonos Arc is nearly 20 inches wider and has upward-firing drivers. Both support Dolby Atmos and connect to a TV through HDMI eARC/ARC, but their size and Atmos hardware differ. Sonos’ US pages listed Beam at $499 and Arc at $899 on October 7, 2026; prices may change.
How Beam (Gen 2) and Arc differ at a glance
| Specification | Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Sonos Arc |
|---|---|---|
| US price listed by Sonos, October 7, 2026 | $499 | $899 |
| Drivers in Sonos’ comparison | Five | Eleven |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 25.63 × 3.94 × 2.68 in | 44.96 × 4.57 × 3.43 in |
| Weight | 6.35 lb | 13.78 lb |
| TV-size guidance from Sonos | For TVs up to 65 in | For TVs 50 in and larger |
| Dolby Atmos approach described by Sonos | Advanced processing creates phantom height channels | Sonos lists upward-firing drivers |
| TV connection | HDMI eARC/ARC; optical adapter for optical-only TVs | HDMI eARC/ARC; optical adapter for optical-only TVs |
| Speech enhancement and Night Sound | Listed | Listed |
These are manufacturer specifications, not independent listening-test results. The figures and product descriptions are from Sonos’ Beam (Gen 2) product page, Arc product page, and Beam (Gen 2) fact sheet.
Which one is easier to fit in your room?
Beam for a narrower console or a more compact setup
At 25.63 inches wide and 6.35 pounds, Beam is substantially smaller and lighter. It may be the easier fit when console space is limited or a 45-inch soundbar would crowd the TV area. Measure the usable shelf or wall space, including nearby objects and cable clearance, rather than using TV size alone.
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Arc for a wider TV area
Arc measures 44.96 inches wide and weighs 13.78 pounds. Sonos positions it for TVs 50 inches and larger, while its Beam guidance is for TVs up to 65 inches. Those ranges overlap, so they are guidance rather than a strict dividing line. Confirm the bar fits your furniture or mounting location before choosing.
#1 Best Overall
- Enrich your entertainment experience with vibrant bass, crystal clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage.
- Experience a 3D surround sound effect with Dolby Atmos.
- Stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services when the TV is off.
- Control with the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and your voice.
- Effortless setup with only two cables and smart Trueplay tuning.
What the Atmos difference means
Both bars support Dolby Atmos, but the shared format label does not mean they use identical hardware. Sonos describes Beam’s Atmos effect as processing that creates phantom height channels; for Arc, Sonos lists upward-firing drivers. Driver counts alone do not establish how loud, clear, or convincing either bar will sound in a particular room.
Atmos playback also depends on the entire signal path: compatible content and playback device, a TV that can pass the format, and an appropriate connection. Check the capabilities of your TV and source device before assuming the soundbar alone guarantees Atmos.
Rank #2
- Enrich your entertainment experience with vibrant bass, crystal clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage.
- Experience a 3D surround sound effect with Dolby Atmos.
- Stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services when the TV is off.
- Control with the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and your voice.
- Effortless setup with only two cables and smart Trueplay tuning.
Does your TV need eARC?
Both Beam and Arc connect to an HDMI eARC/ARC port. Sonos identifies eARC as necessary for several formats, including Dolby TrueHD and multichannel PCM. If the TV has only optical audio output, Sonos lists an optical adapter for each bar, but an optical connection does not provide the same format support as eARC. Check your TV’s audio-output specifications and the formats you want to play.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhat features do they share?
Sonos lists TV-remote control, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, voice features, Trueplay room tuning, Speech Enhancement, and Night Sound for both products. Trueplay requires a supported iOS device according to Sonos’ product information. Sonos notes that voice-service availability varies by country and language.
Rank #3
- Take your TV, music, and gaming to the next level with this compact smart soundbar and subwoofer.
- This set is ideal for smaller or medium-sized rooms and low to moderate volume levels.
- Use the Sonos app to easily set up your home theater system and sync with your existing TV remote.
- Sub Mini balances out the lowest frequencies so Beam sounds even better.
- When the TV is off, stream music and more over WiFi from hundreds of services using the Sonos app, your voice, and Apple AirPlay 2.
Is Arc worth $400 more?
On Sonos’ US pages accessed October 7, 2026, Arc was listed at $899 and Beam at $499, a $400 difference. Those are observed manufacturer-listed prices, not guaranteed current or global prices. The specification case for spending more is the larger bar, eleven rather than five listed drivers, and Arc’s upward-firing drivers. Beam’s case is its smaller footprint and lower listed price. The specifications do not establish a universal sound-quality winner.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- HEAR YOUR TV BETTER: Designed with simplicity in mind, the Bose TV Speaker is an all-in-one soundbar that clarifies speech and is a simple fix for better TV sound
- WIDE, NATURAL SOUND: 2 angled full-range drivers deliver a more realistic, spatial audio experience for overall better TV sound from a small soundbar
- ENHANCED DIALOGUE: This sound bar for smart tv is designed to specifically focus on clarifying and elevating vocals and pronunciation
- BLUETOOTH TV SPEAKER: Pair your device to this Bluetooth soundbar to wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts. Connect up to 3 devices through the inputs (HDMI, Optical in, and AUX in); the first powered on device will automatically connect
- SIMPLE SETUP: A single connection from this compact soundbar to the TV via an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately) has you up and running in minutes
How to choose
- Choose Beam (Gen 2) if its smaller dimensions suit your console or room and you prefer the lower listed price.
- Choose Arc if you have space for a wider bar and want the upward-firing-driver configuration Sonos lists.
- Check the TV first if a particular audio format matters; verify the TV, source device, and connection all support the signal path you need.
- Confirm the exact model. This comparison is Beam (Gen 2) versus Arc, not Arc Ultra or a different Beam generation.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
