The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a compact, app-centered soundbar for a TV with HDMI ARC or eARC. It supports Dolby Atmos, but uses processing rather than upfiring speakers to create height effects—so it suits buyers who value a small bar, dialogue tools and Sonos music integration more than a pronounced overhead sound. Check your TV’s audio-return port and the app requirements before buying.
What the Beam (Gen 2) is—and what it is not
Beam (Gen 2) is a 25.63-inch-wide soundbar with five Class-D amplifiers, one center tweeter, four elliptical midwoofers and three passive radiators. It weighs 6.2 lb and measures 25.63 × 3.94 × 2.72 in (651 × 100 × 69 mm). Sonos lists matte black and white finishes. These are manufacturer specifications, not independent performance measurements. Sonos Beam (Gen 2) fact sheet
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Atmos support does not mean the bar has speakers firing upward. Sonos describes a speaker array and audio processing; TechRadar notes the absence of upfiring tweeters and judges the resulting height effect less convincing than designs with dedicated height drivers. What Hi-Fi? has characterized the bar as a compact entry-level Atmos option and, in its 2026 top-picks coverage, said it delivers a convincing Atmos performance without upfiring speakers. Those are differing editorial impressions, not controlled measurements. TechRadar review What Hi-Fi? review What Hi-Fi? 2026 Atmos soundbar picks
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Will Dolby Atmos work with your TV?
It can, provided the entire audio chain supports the connection and format. Sonos says most Atmos audio can travel over HDMI ARC as Dolby Digital Plus; lossless Dolby TrueHD Atmos requires HDMI eARC. The TV must pass through the relevant format, the source device must be configured appropriately, and the program must actually offer an Atmos soundtrack. Availability can also depend on the service and subscription tier. Check your TV manual and source-device audio settings if Atmos is a deciding feature. Sonos Atmos support
#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.
HDMI-CEC and ARC are related but different: CEC handles device-control functions, while ARC/eARC is the HDMI audio-return path. A CEC port alone does not establish Atmos compatibility. The Beam fact sheet lists support for stereo PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos over Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos (True HD), multichannel PCM and Dolby multichannel PCM; formats marked by Sonos as requiring eARC need that connection. Sonos Beam (Gen 2) fact sheet Sonos Atmos support
Connections and setup
The Beam has one documented HDMI connection, supporting ARC/eARC. Sonos includes an HDMI cable, plus an optical audio adapter for a TV that lacks ARC. Optical is a fallback for TV sound, not the recommended Atmos route: the reviewed Sonos support information does not establish Atmos over optical for this model, and Sonos says TV CEC and voice control do not work through that optical connection. Sonos Beam (Gen 2) fact sheet Sonos Beam setup support
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.
- Install the current Sonos app on an iOS or Android device and add the Beam. It must be set up in this app before it can play TV audio; it is not compatible with the S1 Controller app.
- Connect the included HDMI cable from the Beam to the TV’s HDMI ARC or eARC port, then follow the app’s TV-connection prompts.
- For Atmos, confirm the TV supports passthrough of the desired Atmos format and set the source device’s audio output accordingly. Confirm that the content and subscription provide an Atmos track.
- If your TV has only optical audio, use the supplied adapter and accept the CEC and voice-control limitations of that connection.
Trueplay measures room acoustics and tunes the bar, but requires a supported iOS device. Sonos lists Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac on 2.4 or 5 GHz and a 10/100 Ethernet port. It also identifies Sonos S2, Apple AirPlay 2, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support; availability varies by service and region. Sonos Beam (Gen 2) fact sheet Sonos Trueplay compatibility
Day-to-day features and expansion
Sonos provides app EQ controls, Speech Enhancement and Night Sound, alongside TV-remote and voice-control options. The fact sheet describes its microphone array as using beamforming and multichannel echo cancellation; that is a manufacturer description, not an independent assessment of accuracy. The bar also supports AirPlay 2 and music-service integration. Sonos Beam (Gen 2) fact sheet Sonos Beam product page
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.
Beam can also serve as part of a larger Sonos home-theater setup: Sonos depicts it paired with a Sub and surround speakers. Those are optional additions, not included requirements. Confirm compatibility for the exact products you plan to combine; the cited product material does not establish a particular surround-speaker model or bundle. Sonos Beam product page
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who should consider it—and who should compare alternatives?
- Consider it if: you want a short, low-profile bar; your TV has HDMI ARC/eARC; you value the Sonos app, AirPlay 2, music integration or optional system expansion; and a processed Atmos height impression is sufficient for your room.
- Compare bars with dedicated upfiring drivers if: a stronger overhead effect is the priority. The Beam’s Atmos support is real, but the design does not include upfiring speakers.
- Check another connection path if: your TV has only optical and you rely on TV CEC or voice control, or if lossless TrueHD Atmos matters but your TV lacks eARC.
- Check platform fit if: your household relies on the S1 Controller app or you want Trueplay calibration but do not have a supported iOS device.
Also compare physical width and height against your TV stand, the formats your sources and TV pass through, and the cost of any optional subwoofer or surrounds. DTS:X is listed as absent by What Hi-Fi?, so buyers whose libraries or devices depend on that format should check a competing model’s codec support. What Hi-Fi? review
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.
The Beam Ultra appears in 2026 Beam-family coverage as a higher-tier option, but the available comparisons here do not establish a controlled direct test or a universal winner. Compare the actual feature set and current local price for your region rather than treating one family model as automatically better value. What Hi-Fi? 2026 Atmos soundbar picks
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
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