Sonos soundbar vs beam: which one delivers the best cinematic experience?
What To Know
- The Beam, on the other hand, features two mid-woofers and two tweeters, delivering a more focused and compact sound experience.
- If you prefer a more compact design, a more focused sound experience, and a lower price point, the Sonos Beam is a great choice.
- The Sonos Beam is the better choice for small rooms due to its compact size and more focused sound experience.
Sonos, a renowned name in the world of home audio, offers two exceptional soundbars: the Sonos Soundbar and the Sonos Beam. Both devices deliver immersive sound experiences, but they cater to different needs and budgets. This comprehensive guide will delve into the key differences between the Sonos Soundbar and Beam, helping you make an informed decision about which one suits your requirements best.
Sound Quality
The Sonos Soundbar boasts a wider soundstage and more powerful bass than the Sonos Beam. Its three mid-woofers and three tweeters produce a rich, room-filling sound that enhances movies, TV shows, and music. The Beam, on the other hand, features two mid-woofers and two tweeters, delivering a more focused and compact sound experience.
Design and Size
The Sonos Soundbar is larger and heavier than the Sonos Beam. It measures 47 x 3.4 x 2.7 inches and weighs 11.9 pounds, making it suitable for larger rooms. The Beam, in contrast, is more compact, measuring 25.6 x 2.7 x 4 inches and weighing 6.2 pounds, making it ideal for smaller spaces or those seeking a more discreet setup.
Features and Functionality
Both the Sonos Soundbar and Beam offer a range of features, including:
- Smart home integration: Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple AirPlay 2 for voice control and seamless integration with your smart home ecosystem.
- Multi-room audio: Connect multiple Sonos speakers throughout your home to create a whole-house audio system.
- Trueplay tuning: Automatically adjusts the soundbar’s sound to optimize it for the acoustics of your room.
Additionally, the Sonos Soundbar offers the following features:
- HDMI ARC and optical connections: For easy connection to your TV.
- Night mode: Reduces the dynamic range of audio for late-night listening without disturbing others.
- Speech enhancement: Amplifies dialogue for clearer voices.
Price
The Sonos Soundbar is priced at $749, while the Sonos Beam is available for $449. The price difference reflects the differences in sound quality, features, and design.
Which One Should You Choose?
The choice between the Sonos Soundbar and Beam ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.
- If you prioritize room-filling sound, a wider soundstage, and more powerful bass, the Sonos Soundbar is the better option.
- If you prefer a more compact design, a more focused sound experience, and a lower price point, the Sonos Beam is a great choice.
Sonos Soundbar vs Beam: Detailed Comparison
| Feature | Sonos Soundbar | Sonos Beam |
| — | — | — |
| Sound quality | Richer, room-filling sound with powerful bass | Focused, compact sound experience |
| Design | Larger and heavier (47 x 3.4 x 2.7 inches, 11.9 pounds) | Compact and lightweight (25.6 x 2.7 x 4 inches, 6.2 pounds) |
| Features | HDMI ARC and optical connections, night mode, speech enhancement | Multi-room audio, Trueplay tuning |
| Price | $749 | $449 |
Sonos Soundbar vs Beam: Which One Is Better for Movies?
The Sonos Soundbar is the better choice for movies due to its wider soundstage, more powerful bass, and speech enhancement feature. These features combine to create an immersive cinematic experience that enhances the enjoyment of your favorite films.
Sonos Soundbar vs Beam: Which One Is Better for Music?
Both the Sonos Soundbar and Beam offer excellent sound quality for music. However, the Sonos Soundbar’s wider soundstage and more powerful bass may provide a slightly more immersive experience for music enthusiasts.
Sonos Soundbar vs Beam: Which One Is Better for Gaming?
The Sonos Soundbar is the better choice for gaming due to its wider soundstage, more powerful bass, and speech enhancement feature. These features enhance the gaming experience by providing a more immersive and engaging audio environment.
Sonos Soundbar vs Beam: Which One Is Better for Small Rooms?
The Sonos Beam is the better choice for small rooms due to its compact size and more focused sound experience. It is designed to deliver a great audio experience even in smaller spaces, making it ideal for apartments, bedrooms, or home offices.
Sonos Soundbar vs Beam: Which One Is Better for Large Rooms?
The Sonos Soundbar is the better choice for large rooms due to its wider soundstage and more powerful bass. It is capable of filling larger spaces with rich, room-filling sound, providing an immersive audio experience for movies, TV shows, and music.
Questions We Hear a Lot
Q: Which Sonos soundbar is the best overall?
A: The Sonos Soundbar offers the best overall sound quality, features, and design.
Q: Which Sonos soundbar is the most affordable?
A: The Sonos Beam is the most affordable Sonos soundbar, offering great sound quality at a lower price point.
Q: Which Sonos soundbar is the best for Dolby Atmos?
A: Neither the Sonos Soundbar nor the Sonos Beam supports Dolby Atmos.
Q: Which Sonos soundbar is the best for surround sound?
A: For a true surround sound experience, you can pair the Sonos Soundbar with the Sonos Sub and two Sonos One SL speakers as rear surrounds.
Q: Which Sonos soundbar is the best for music streaming?
A: Both the Sonos Soundbar and Beam offer excellent sound quality for music streaming. However, the Sonos Soundbar’s wider soundstage and more powerful bass may provide a slightly more immersive experience.
