Recommended Free Tools
Before buying the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), check three things: your TV’s connection ports and audio formats, the soundbar’s fit under your screen, and whether you can use an iOS device for Sonos Trueplay room tuning. The Beam connects through HDMI ARC or eARC; Sonos includes an optical adapter for TVs with optical audio only. Dolby Atmos is supported, but Sonos describes the effect as using “phantom height channels,” not physical overhead speakers.
Will the Sonos Beam work with your TV?
The Beam connects to a TV’s HDMI ARC or eARC port using the included HDMI cable. Check the labels on your TV’s HDMI ports: a regular HDMI input is not necessarily an ARC or eARC port. If your TV has optical audio output but no ARC/eARC port, Sonos lists an optical audio adapter in the box contents, so check the included adapter before buying another one.
The connection matters because some formats require eARC. Sonos lists formats including Stereo PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos via Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos via TrueHD, multichannel PCM, Dolby Multichannel PCM, and DTS Digital Surround. Sonos marks some formats as requiring HDMI eARC. Its DTS listing also carries a warning that it is not an indication of a licensed decoder. Review the specific format notes on the Sonos Beam product page if you need a particular format; having an HDMI port alone does not establish that your TV can pass it to the soundbar.
Does the Beam need eARC for Dolby Atmos?
Not necessarily: Sonos lists Dolby Atmos via Dolby Digital Plus as well as Atmos via TrueHD, and its format notes distinguish eARC-dependent formats. Check your TV’s audio-output capabilities and the format used by your content. The Beam processes Atmos with what Sonos calls “phantom height channels”; it does not have physical speakers mounted overhead.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute#1 Best Overall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.
Will it fit under your TV?
Sonos lists the Beam at 25.63 inches (651 mm) wide and 3.94 inches (100 mm) deep. Its current US product page gives a height of 2.68 inches (68 mm); the undated Gen 2 fact sheet gives 69 mm. The current US page lists a weight of 6.35 lb (2.88 kg), while the fact sheet lists 6.2 lb (2.8 kg), likely reflecting rounding or differing presentation. Check the listing for your region and leave room for the cable path.
Measure the available shelf width and depth, and confirm the soundbar will not obstruct the TV’s screen, remote sensor, or stand. Sonos lists Beam wall and Sanus TV mounts as optional accessories; consider one only if your mounting arrangement requires it.
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.
What sound and control features does it offer?
Sonos specifies five Class-D amplifiers, one center tweeter, four elliptical midwoofers, and three passive radiators. These are hardware specifications, not independent sound-quality comparisons. The current Sonos product page also says its chip is “40% faster” than the previous generation; that is Sonos’ chip comparison, not a claim of a 40% improvement in sound quality.
In the Sonos app, Speech Enhancement boosts voice frequencies, while Night Sound reduces the intensity of loud sounds and raises quieter ones. Sonos also lists TV remote synchronization, touch controls, Apple AirPlay 2, and voice features. Voice-service availability varies by country and language, and Sonos says Alexa and Google Assistant cannot be used on the same product simultaneously.
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.
Can you use Trueplay?
Trueplay measures room acoustics and fine-tunes the soundbar, according to Sonos. It requires a supported iOS device. If no supported iPhone or iPad is available to you, do not assume you will be able to use this room-tuning feature.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do you need for setup, and can you expand the system?
Sonos lists a compatible device running its latest-generation app, Wi-Fi and internet access, and a nearby power outlet among the setup requirements. Its current Beam product page lists 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and advises enabling 2.4 GHz or hardwiring a Sonos product if a router is 5 GHz only. Because Sonos’ current page and the Gen 2 fact sheet differ on supported Wi-Fi bands, check the current requirements if your network setup is unusual rather than relying on the older fact sheet alone.
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.
Sonos says you can add a subwoofer and rear speakers to build a larger Sonos home-theater setup. That is an expansion option, not a requirement for using the Beam on its own.
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
Who should check compatibility especially carefully?
- Your TV has optical audio only: confirm the optical output and use the included Sonos Optical Audio Adapter.
- You want a specific Atmos or multichannel format: verify whether your TV has eARC and can pass that format; Sonos marks some formats as eARC-dependent.
- You want Trueplay tuning: make sure you have access to a supported iOS device.
- Your space is tight: measure the 25.63-inch width, 3.94-inch depth, available height, and cable clearance before ordering.
- Your network is 5 GHz only or otherwise unusual: consult Sonos’ current product requirements for the region where you are buying.
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.
