Sonos Beam has been one of the most popular soundbars on the market for a while now, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a compact, stylish, and versatile device that provides great sound quality for both music and movies. Now, the Sonos Beam has received a long-awaited update – the Sonos Beam Gen 2. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the new features, design, and performance of this soundbar and see if it’s worth the upgrade.
Introduction
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is an upgraded version of the original Sonos Beam. It’s a compact, sleek soundbar that provides high-quality sound for your TV, movies, and music. With its new features and improved performance, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 aims to set a new standard for soundbars in its class.
Design and Build Quality
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 has the same compact and stylish design as its predecessor. It measures 65cm long, 10cm deep, and 6.8cm high, making it a great fit for most TV setups. The soundbar is available in two colors – black and white – and it has a fabric finish that gives it a premium look and feel.
One noticeable change from the previous version is the placement of the ports. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 now has an HDMI input and an eARC port on the back, making it easier to connect to your TV and other devices. The soundbar also has touch-sensitive buttons on the top, which are easy to use and responsive.
Overall, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 has a sturdy build quality and feels like a premium device. It’s a great addition to any home theater setup.
Sound Quality
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 delivers excellent sound quality, just like its predecessor. It has four full-range woofers, one tweeter, and three passive radiators that provide rich and clear sound for both music and movies.
Voice Enhancement and Night Sound
One new feature that sets the Sonos Beam Gen 2 apart is the Voice Enhancement mode. This feature enhances the dialogue in movies and TV shows, making it easier to hear and understand. It’s particularly useful for shows and movies with heavy accents or mumbled speech.
The Night Sound mode is also a great addition. It reduces the volume of loud noises, such as explosions and gunshots, while keeping the dialogue and other sounds at a consistent level. This mode is perfect for late-night viewing when you don’t want to disturb your neighbors or family members.
Dolby Atmos
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 also supports Dolby Atmos, which provides a more immersive sound experience. This feature creates a 3D sound field that makes it feel like the sound is coming from all around you. However, to experience Dolby Atmos, you need to have a TV that supports this feature.
Overall, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 provides excellent sound quality, and the new features make it even better than before.
Smart Features
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 comes with a range of smart features that make it a great addition to your home entertainment system. It supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and it can also be controlled through the Sonos app.
The soundbar can also connect to Apple AirPlay 2 and stream music from your Apple devices. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 also supports Spotify Connect, which allows you to control music playback directly from the Spotify app.
In addition, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 can be integrated into your smart home ecosystem. You can control it with other smart devices, such as your smart TV or smart lights, using voice commands or the Sonos app. This makes it a versatile device that can do much more than just provide great sound quality.
Setup and Compatibility
Setting up the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is straightforward and easy. You can connect it to your TV using the HDMI or eARC port, and you can also connect it to your home Wi-Fi network. The soundbar is compatible with most modern TVs and can be controlled through your TV remote.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is also compatible with a range of streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal. You can stream music directly to the soundbar from these services, or you can use the Sonos app to control playback.
Price and Value for Money
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is priced at around $449, which is slightly higher than its predecessor. However, considering the new features and improved performance, it’s still a great value for money. The sound quality is excellent, and the smart features make it a versatile device that can do much more than just provide great sound.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent sound quality for both music and movies
- Voice Enhancement and Night Sound modes are great additions
- Dolby Atmos support provides an immersive sound experience
- Smart features make it a versatile device
- Stylish and compact design
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than its predecessor
- No built-in voice assistant (you need to connect it to Alexa or Google Assistant)
Conclusion
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is an excellent upgrade to an already-great soundbar. It provides excellent sound quality for both music and movies, and the new features make it even more versatile and useful. The Voice Enhancement and Night Sound modes are particularly useful, and the Dolby Atmos support provides an immersive sound experience. While it’s slightly more expensive than its predecessor, it’s still a great value for money, and we highly recommend it.
FAQs
- Is the Sonos Beam Gen 2 compatible with all TVs?
- The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is compatible with most modern TVs. It can be connected using the HDMI or eARC port.
- Can the Sonos Beam Gen 2 be used with voice commands?
- Yes, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 can be controlled using voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
- Does the Sonos Beam Gen 2 support Dolby Atmos?
- Yes, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 supports Dolby Atmos, which provides an immersive sound experience.
- Can the Sonos Beam Gen 2 be integrated into a smart home ecosystem?
- Yes, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 can be integrated into your smart home ecosystem and controlled with other smart devices.
- Is the Sonos Beam Gen 2 worth the upgrade?
- Yes, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is worth the upgrade, especially if you’re looking for better sound quality and new features like Voice Enhancement and Night Sound modes.