The Sonos Beam Ultra’s clearest upgrade over Beam (Gen 2) is its physical up-firing drivers, which enable a stated 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos layout. Reviewers also report more convincing overhead effects and clearer, louder sound, but those are listening impressions—not guaranteed results in every room. Beam (Gen 2) remains the better fit if you want to spend less or need a narrower bar.
What changes in the sound design?
Beam Ultra adds physical height channels
Sonos says Beam Ultra has nine custom drivers, including two dedicated up-firing drivers, for a 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos configuration. That physical upward-firing hardware is the key architectural difference: the bar is designed to send some sound toward the ceiling to create overhead effects. Sonos also describes a redesigned center channel and four AI Speech Enhancement levels. Sonos announced the model on September 1, 2026.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Beam (Gen 2) uses a different driver array
The Beam (Gen 2) fact sheet lists five Class-D amplifiers, one center tweeter, four elliptical midwoofers, and three passive radiators. It supports Dolby Atmos, but What Hi-Fi describes its height effect as virtualized rather than produced by dedicated up-firing drivers. Both bars support Dolby Atmos, but their approaches to height are not the same. What Hi-Fi also reports that neither model supports DTS:X. Sonos Beam (Gen 2) fact sheet · What Hi-Fi comparison, September 22, 2026.
Recommended Free Tools
What did reviewers hear?
In its September 22, 2026 comparison, What Hi-Fi reported that Beam Ultra created more height and width, with sounds seeming better placed overhead. T3’s reviewer, after more than a week with Ultra and repeated A/B swaps using film scenes and channel test content, reported that it sounded louder at the same app volume setting, with clearer detail and stronger overhead effects. T3 also considered Beam (Gen 2) a capable performer.
#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.
These are reviewers’ subjective observations, not controlled measurements or a promise of the same result in your room. The perceived Atmos effect depends on the content, room, placement, and listener. Read T3’s comparison.
Which connectivity and dialogue features differ?
- Beam Ultra: HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, AirPlay 2, Trueplay, Speech Enhancement, and Night Sound. It provides four AI Speech Enhancement levels. For an analog source, Sonos says to use a 3.5 mm auxiliary cable and its USB-C Line-In Adapter, sold separately.
- Beam (Gen 2): HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, an IR receiver, AirPlay 2, and Speech Enhancement. Its fact sheet says Trueplay requires a supported iOS device.
For either bar, some audio formats require HDMI eARC. If an Atmos format is not reaching the soundbar, check the TV’s supported audio formats and audio-output settings as well as the connection. Sonos lists CCFL-backlit TVs manufactured from 2004 through 2012 as incompatible with Beam Ultra. Sonos Beam Ultra product page.
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 where Beam (Gen 2) does?
Beam Ultra is wider but slightly shorter than Beam (Gen 2); it is also a little deeper. Measure the available console width and the space between the bar and the TV, rather than assuming the newer model will fit because the older one does.
| Soundbar | Width | Depth | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beam Ultra | 29.53 in | 4.13 in | 2.56 in | 6.35 lb (2.88 kg) |
| Beam (Gen 2) | 25.63 in | 3.94 in | 2.72 in | 6.2 lb (2.8 kg) |
Sonos lists the dimensions on its Beam Ultra product page and in the Beam (Gen 2) fact sheet. Because Ultra’s upward-firing drivers use ceiling reflections, overhead clearance and placement are relevant; Sonos also provides a simulated overhead sound option for an obstructed top surface. That option does not establish how the bar will perform in a particular room.
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.
Is Beam Ultra worth the price over Beam (Gen 2)?
Sonos’s US product page listed Beam Ultra at $699 when checked on October 7, 2026. The Beam (Gen 2) fact sheet gives $449 as its US launch price in 2021; that historical figure is not a current offer. T3 reported a £250 UK launch-price gap and noted discounts on Gen 2, but that does not establish today’s UK or US retail prices. Check current local listings before deciding. Sonos US product page · Sonos Beam (Gen 2) fact sheet · T3 comparison.
Choose Beam Ultra if…
- You value the added up-firing drivers and want the newer bar’s stated 7.1.2 Atmos configuration.
- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6, USB-C line-in via a separate adapter, or the four-level speech enhancement controls would be useful to you.
- Your stand has room for its 29.53-inch width and its price fits your budget.
Choose Beam (Gen 2) if…
- You can buy it for materially less than Beam Ultra and are satisfied with its sound.
- You need a narrower soundbar: Gen 2 is 25.63 inches wide.
- The Ultra’s newer connectivity or physical height drivers would not change how you use the system.
If you already own Beam (Gen 2), the case for replacing it rests mainly on whether the new bar’s height effects and added connections solve a real need—not on the assumption that the older bar has become inadequate. Sonos says Beam Ultra can also be expanded with a Sub and compatible rear surrounds.
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.
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
