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Beam Ultra’s biggest difference is not a new app feature: it adds two up-firing drivers for Sonos’s stated 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos design. Reviewers who compared the bars reported more convincing height and a clearer, louder presentation, but those are listening impressions, not a guarantee for every room. Beam (Gen 2) remains a practical choice if it costs substantially less, fits your TV stand better, or already sounds good to you.
What changes in the sound design?
Sonos announced Beam Ultra on September 1, 2026, with nine custom drivers, including two dedicated up-firing drivers, and a stated 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos configuration. The company also highlights a redesigned center channel. These are manufacturer specifications, not independent measurements. Sonos’s announcement describes the Ultra as a mid-size soundbar.
Beam (Gen 2) uses five Class-D amplifiers, one center tweeter, four elliptical midwoofers, and three passive radiators, according to its official fact sheet. What Hi-Fi characterizes the Gen 2’s Atmos height effect as virtualized, while Ultra’s upward-firing drivers are intended to create a more physical sense of overhead sound. Both models lack DTS:X, according to What Hi-Fi’s comparison.
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In its September 22, 2026 comparison, What Hi-Fi reported that Ultra produced more height and width, with sounds seeming better placed overhead. T3’s reviewer described Ultra as louder at the same app volume setting, with clearer detail and stronger overhead effects after repeated A/B swaps using film scenes and channel-test content. T3 also found the older Beam remained a strong performer. These are the publications’ subjective observations, not controlled measurements or a promise of the same result in your setup. T3’s account explains its comparison method.
#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.
Room layout, placement, source material, and listener can affect how much of the height effect you perceive. Ultra’s upward-firing design makes overhead clearance relevant; Sonos also lists a simulated overhead sound option for cases where the top surface is obstructed. That option does not establish how well a particular room will reproduce height effects.
How do the features and connections compare?
| Feature | Beam Ultra | Beam (Gen 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless and device connections | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, AirPlay 2, HDMI eARC | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, HDMI eARC, Ethernet, IR receiver |
| Analog line-in | 3.5 mm auxiliary source through Sonos Line-In Adapter via USB-C; adapter sold separately | Not listed in the cited Sonos fact sheet |
| Speech and night listening | Four AI Speech Enhancement levels and Night Sound | Speech Enhancement listed in the fact sheet |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 29.53 × 4.13 × 2.56 in | 25.63 × 3.94 × 2.72 in |
| Weight | 6.35 lb (2.88 kg) | 6.2 lb (2.8 kg) |
Specifications are from Sonos’s Beam Ultra product page and Beam (Gen 2) fact sheet. The Gen 2 fact sheet says Trueplay requires a supported iOS device. Sonos lists HDMI eARC for some supported formats, so confirm your TV’s audio-output support and settings if Atmos does not reach the bar as expected.
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.
Will Beam Ultra fit your setup?
Ultra is 3.90 inches wider than Gen 2, but 0.16 inches shorter and 0.19 inches deeper. Measure the usable width of the stand, not just the TV: the wider cabinet is the dimension most likely to rule out a tight shelf. Also check clearance above the bar if you want its upward-firing drivers to operate without an obstruction.
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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.
Which one is the better buy?
Sonos’s US product page listed Beam Ultra at $699 when checked on October 7, 2026; that is a dated listing, not a guaranteed current price. Sonos’s $449 figure for Beam (Gen 2) is its 2021 US launch price, not a current retail quote. T3 reported a £250 UK launch-price gap and noted discounts on Gen 2, but current offers vary. Check live pricing in your region rather than treating the historical prices as a like-for-like deal comparison.
Choose Beam Ultra if
- You value the added up-firing drivers and want the newer bar’s intended Atmos height presentation.
- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6, USB-C line-in support, or more speech-enhancement controls are useful in your setup.
- Your stand has enough width and you can leave the top-firing speakers unobstructed.
Choose Beam (Gen 2) if
- You can buy it for substantially less than Ultra and are satisfied with its sound.
- The narrower 25.63-inch body is a better fit for your TV stand.
- You do not need Ultra’s added connectivity or its up-firing-driver design.
If you already own Beam (Gen 2), the upgrade case rests mainly on whether the spatial change and newer connections solve a real need for you. The cited comparisons describe an improvement, but do not establish that every listener, room, or program will make the difference equally noticeable.
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
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.
