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Is sonos arc worth the upgrade over beam? discover the key differences revealed

Rob is a seasoned home improvement writer with over 15 years of experience researching and recommending products for the home. Prior to starting Nurturing Homeaid, he wrote extensively for This Old House magazine and has been featured as a home expert on several TV and radio programs. An avid DIY-er,...

What To Know

  • The Arc is a larger soundbar than the Beam, and it has a more angular design.
  • The Arc is a better choice for larger rooms or for people who want a more immersive sound experience.

The Sonos Arc and Beam are two of the most popular soundbars on the market. Both offer excellent sound quality, but they have different features and price points. In this blog post, we’ll compare the Sonos Arc and Beam to help you decide which one is right for you.

Sound Quality

The Sonos Arc and Beam both offer excellent sound quality, but the Arc has a slight edge. The Arc has a wider soundstage and more powerful bass than the Beam. This makes it a better choice for larger rooms or for people who want a more immersive sound experience.

Features

The Sonos Arc and Beam have a similar set of features, but there are a few key differences. The Arc has an HDMI eARC port, which allows it to pass through Dolby Atmos audio from your TV. The Beam does not have an HDMI eARC port, so it can only pass through Dolby Digital Plus audio.

The Arc also has a built-in microphone, which allows you to use it with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The Beam does not have a built-in microphone, so you’ll need to use a separate device to control it with your voice.

Design

The Sonos Arc and Beam have different designs. The Arc is a larger soundbar than the Beam, and it has a more angular design. The Beam is a smaller soundbar with a more rounded design.

Price

The Sonos Arc is more expensive than the Beam. The Arc retails for $799, while the Beam retails for $399.

Which One Is Right for You?

The Sonos Arc and Beam are both excellent soundbars, but they have different features and price points. The Arc is a better choice for larger rooms or for people who want a more immersive sound experience. The Beam is a better choice for smaller rooms or for people who are on a budget.

Sonos Arc vs Beam: A Detailed Comparison

Sound Quality

The Sonos Arc has a wider soundstage and more powerful bass than the Beam. This makes it a better choice for larger rooms or for people who want a more immersive sound experience.

The Arc also supports Dolby Atmos audio, which is a more immersive surround sound format than Dolby Digital Plus. Dolby Atmos audio is available on some streaming services, such as Netflix and Disney+, and on some Blu-ray discs.

The Beam does not support Dolby Atmos audio, but it still offers excellent sound quality. It has a clear and balanced sound, with good bass response.

Features

The Sonos Arc and Beam have a similar set of features, but there are a few key differences.

The Arc has an HDMI eARC port, which allows it to pass through Dolby Atmos audio from your TV. The Beam does not have an HDMI eARC port, so it can only pass through Dolby Digital Plus audio.

The Arc also has a built-in microphone, which allows you to use it with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The Beam does not have a built-in microphone, so you’ll need to use a separate device to control it with your voice.

Design

The Sonos Arc and Beam have different designs. The Arc is a larger soundbar than the Beam, and it has a more angular design. The Beam is a smaller soundbar with a more rounded design.

The Arc is also available in black or white, while the Beam is only available in black.

Price

The Sonos Arc is more expensive than the Beam. The Arc retails for $799, while the Beam retails for $399.

Which One Is Right for You?

The Sonos Arc and Beam are both excellent soundbars, but they have different features and price points. The Arc is a better choice for larger rooms or for people who want a more immersive sound experience. The Beam is a better choice for smaller rooms or for people who are on a budget.

Sonos Arc vs Beam: Pros and Cons

Sonos Arc

Pros:

  • Wider soundstage
  • More powerful bass
  • Supports Dolby Atmos audio
  • Has a built-in microphone
  • Available in black or white

Cons:

  • More expensive
  • Larger size

Sonos Beam

Pros:

  • Smaller size
  • More affordable
  • Still offers excellent sound quality
  • Has a similar set of features to the Arc

Cons:

  • Does not support Dolby Atmos audio
  • Does not have a built-in microphone
  • Only available in black

Sonos Arc vs Beam: Which One Should You Buy?

If you’re looking for the best possible sound quality, the Sonos Arc is the better choice. It has a wider soundstage, more powerful bass, and supports Dolby Atmos audio. However, the Arc is also more expensive and larger than the Beam.

If you’re on a budget or have a smaller room, the Sonos Beam is a great choice. It still offers excellent sound quality, and it has a similar set of features to the Arc.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which soundbar is right for you is to listen to them both in person. This will give you a chance to hear the difference in sound quality and see which one you prefer.

Answers to Your Most Common Questions

What is the difference between the Sonos Arc and Beam?

The Sonos Arc is a larger soundbar with a wider soundstage and more powerful bass than the Beam. The Arc also supports Dolby Atmos audio and has a built-in microphone. The Beam is a smaller soundbar with a more affordable price point. It still offers excellent sound quality, but it does not support Dolby Atmos audio or have a built-in microphone.

Which soundbar is better, the Sonos Arc or Beam?

The Sonos Arc is the better soundbar if you’re looking for the best possible sound quality. It has a wider soundstage, more powerful bass, and supports Dolby Atmos audio. However, the Arc is also more expensive and larger than the Beam.

Is the Sonos Arc worth the extra money?

If you’re looking for the best possible sound quality, the Sonos Arc is worth the extra money. It has a wider soundstage, more powerful bass, and supports Dolby Atmos audio. However, if you’re on a budget or have a smaller room, the Sonos Beam is a great choice. It still offers excellent sound quality, and it has a similar set of features to the Arc.

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Rob Sanders

Rob is a seasoned home improvement writer with over 15 years of experience researching and recommending products for the home. Prior to starting Nurturing Homeaid, he wrote extensively for This Old House magazine and has been featured as a home expert on several TV and radio programs. An avid DIY-er, Rob takes pride in testing out the latest tools and gadgets to see how they can make home projects easier. When it comes to heating systems, he's evaluated over 50 different furnace and boiler models over the years. Rob founded Nurturing Homeaid with his business partner Jim in 2020 to provide homeowners with genuine product recommendations they can trust. In his free time, Rob enjoys remodeling old homes with his family and traveling to visit architectural landmarks across the country. He holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Syracuse University.
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