Choose a Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with compatible rear speakers if you want separate speakers physically placed behind you and a system you can expand. Choose a single soundbar if you want fewer components and simpler placement. The Beam supports Dolby Atmos through processing, but it does not have dedicated up-firing drivers; the newer Beam Ultra does. “Built-in surround” varies by model, so compare the actual speaker layout, connection requirements, package contents, and total cost—not just the label.
What “surround sound” means in each setup
Beam (Gen 2) with a compatible rear pair
The Beam is the front soundbar. Add two compatible Sonos speakers and place them behind and to either side of the usual listening position; those speakers provide physical rear channels. Sonos’s surround setup guidance specifies model compatibility, so a pair is not automatically suitable just because both speakers carry the Sonos name.
The Beam’s own Dolby Atmos support is separate from the rear speakers’ role. Sonos lists Atmos support and phased speaker arrays that steer and localize sound around the room in its Beam (Gen 2) fact sheet. What Hi-Fi? describes the Gen 2’s Atmos effect as virtualization rather than sound from dedicated up-firing drivers. Adding rear speakers supplies physical sound behind you; it does not add up-firing drivers to the Beam.
A single bar with built-in or virtual surround
A single-bar system creates its surround effect from the soundbar’s drivers and processing, without requiring a separate rear pair. That means fewer components and no need to position speakers behind the seating area. The result depends on the specific bar: some use virtualization, while others use additional drivers or are sold with separate speakers. “Built-in surround” is not a consistent description of the hardware across models.
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- 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.
How the main trade-offs compare
| Factor | Beam (Gen 2) with surrounds | Single soundbar with built-in surround effects |
|---|---|---|
| Sound behind the listener | Two compatible speakers can be placed behind and to either side of the listening position. | No rear pair is required; the bar produces the effect from its own drivers and processing. |
| Atmos approach | Beam (Gen 2) supports Atmos through processing and does not have dedicated up-firing drivers, according to What Hi-Fi?’s Beam (Gen 2) review. | Varies by model. Check whether the bar uses virtualization, dedicated drivers, or additional speakers. |
| Components and placement | Requires two compatible rear speakers, power, and room to place them. | Fewer components and less placement work; package contents vary. |
| Expansion | Sonos home theater systems can be expanded with supported products; compatibility is model-specific. | Depends on the product. Some systems are fixed, while others allow a subwoofer or speakers to be added. |
| TV connection for Atmos | Sonos requires HDMI ARC or eARC for Atmos from a TV; eARC is needed for lossless Dolby Atmos using Dolby TrueHD. | Check the soundbar and TV requirements for the formats you plan to use. |
| Total cost | Compare the Beam plus the exact rear-speaker pair and any optional subwoofer at current local prices. | Compare the current price and package contents; a bar-only listing may not include a subwoofer or rear speakers. |
The reviewed sources do not establish a current, like-for-like total price for a Beam with a chosen rear pair versus a specific single-bar model. Prices and bundle contents vary, so compare complete systems in your market rather than treating a soundbar-only price as the cost of an equivalent setup.
Check Sonos compatibility before choosing rear speakers
Sonos’s compatibility guidance is model-specific. For example, two Sonos Ones can be used together as surrounds, but a One and a Play:1 cannot be paired for this role. Confirm that both speakers are supported together with your Beam before buying; the current list is in Sonos’s surround setup guidance.
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.
Once assigned as surrounds, Sonos speakers lose some standalone functions: Sonos says AirPlay, Bluetooth audio playback, line-in, and subwoofer output are disabled while they are being used in this role. That matters if you also planned to use the pair independently elsewhere.
Sonos also supports a specific portable-surround configuration: Beam (Gen 2), Beam Ultra, Arc, or Arc Ultra as the main product, with two matching Sonos Play speakers or two Move 2 speakers. The pair acts only as rear surrounds and cannot be added alongside an existing rear pair. Check the portable surrounds instructions if you are considering that setup.
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.
Confirm the TV can pass the Atmos format you want
Sonos says Atmos audio from a TV requires HDMI ARC or eARC. For lossless Dolby Atmos using Dolby TrueHD, the TV connection must support eARC. The TV, connected devices, and content service must also support the relevant format. Check the TV’s ports and audio settings against Sonos’s Dolby Atmos requirements before choosing a system; an Atmos label on a soundbar alone does not guarantee that Atmos content will reach it in the format you expect.
Consider a packaged system if you want rears without choosing them separately
A packaged system may include more than a single bar. What Hi-Fi?’s comparison of the Hisense AX5125H and Beam (Gen 2) describes the Hisense package as a main bar, a subwoofer, and two wireless rear speakers. In that review and its test conditions, the Hisense sounded more room-filling and immersive, while the Beam was more controlled and detailed. Those are reviewer judgments about those particular products, not a guarantee of what every listener or room will prefer. Check current availability and the contents of the specific bundle being sold.
Rank #4
- 【𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭】: Elevate faint sounds to vibrant with automatic loudness boost. Experience immersive sound through 4 versatile placements—horizontal for distortion-free audio, vertical for room-filling sound, tabletop for vibrant clarity, or wall mount for 360° cinematic magic. Transforms your room into a personal theater.
- 【𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨】: Powered by 4 high-performance drivers, 80W powerful sound output, it provide richer details, like soft whisper or subtle croon, whether deep thunder or sonorous roar, turn flat audioto vivid, adding weight to music, making the virtual game experience immersive.
- 【𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝】: Fine-tune your listening experience with 3 dynamic equalizer modes—movie, music, and news. Enjoy rich, cinematic audio, luxurious melodies, and crystal-clear dialogue, tailored to enhance every scene and soundtrack. Spreading the audio evenly throughout a room, ensures that everyone, regardless of seating position, experiences the full range of sound.
- 【𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐔𝐬𝐞】: Enjoy seamless setup with cutting-edge Bluetooth 5.0 or reliable ARC, OPT, and AUX connections. In ARC mode, control your soundbar with ease using your TV remote, guided by our easy-to-follow instructions and video tutorials.
- 【𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭】: Your satisfaction is our top priority. Enjoy peace of mind with our 18-month warranty and 24/7 online tech support. Our 60-day hassle-free replacement policy, with top-tier assistance whenever you need it.
Which setup fits your room and priorities?
- Choose the Beam with compatible surrounds if you have space and power for rear speakers, want physical speakers behind the seating position, and value a modular Sonos setup.
- Choose a single-bar design if space, wiring, or setup simplicity matters more than having speakers physically behind you. Verify the bar’s actual Atmos and surround design rather than relying on marketing terminology.
- Compare a complete package if you want a subwoofer and rear speakers but prefer them bundled with the soundbar. Confirm what is included and whether the package is available in your region.
For the Beam comparison specifically, keep Atmos implementation distinct from rear-channel placement: the Gen 2 can process Atmos, while a compatible surround pair adds actual speakers behind the listener. If up-firing drivers are important, What Hi-Fi? notes that Beam Ultra adds them; the Beam (Gen 2) remains a different design. See What Hi-Fi?’s Beam Ultra review.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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
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.
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