When it comes to soundbars, Sonos is a brand that needs no introduction. With a range of innovative products, Sonos has revolutionized the home audio experience. Two of its most popular soundbars, the Sonos Beam and Sonos Arc, have been making waves in the audio community. But the question remains: how much better is the Sonos Arc than the Sonos Beam? In this in-depth comparison, we’ll delve into the features, performance, and design of both soundbars to help you make an informed decision.
The Design and Build Quality
At first glance, both the Sonos Beam and Sonos Arc seem to share a similar design language. They both feature a sleek, compact profile that can seamlessly blend into any home decor. However, upon closer inspection, there are some notable differences.
The Sonos Beam measures 25.6 inches wide, 2.7 inches tall, and 3.9 inches deep, making it the perfect fit for smaller rooms or apartments. Its compact size and lightweight design (only 4.3 pounds) make it easy to place on a TV stand or mount on a wall. The Beam’s grille is made of a durable plastic material, which, although not premium, still looks and feels solid.
In contrast, the Sonos Arc is significantly larger, measuring 44.9 inches wide, 4.5 inches tall, and 7.2 inches deep. This soundbar is designed for larger rooms and is perfect for those who want an immersive audio experience. The Arc’s grille is made of a more premium metal material, which not only looks more sophisticated but also provides a more refined sound.
The key takeaway here is that the Arc’s larger size and premium materials justify its higher price point.
Sound Quality and Performance
Sound quality is where the Sonos Arc truly shines. With its 11 class-D amplifiers, the Arc is capable of producing a more nuanced and detailed sound than the Beam. The increased power and additional drivers (4 woofers, 2 tweeters, and 1 subwoofer) result in a more immersive audio experience.
The Sonos Beam, on the other hand, has a more limited soundstage due to its compact size and fewer drivers (4 class-D amplifiers, 1 tweeter, and 3 woofers). While it still produces a clear and balanced sound, it lacks the depth and detail of the Arc.
One notable feature of the Arc is its upward-firing drivers, which create a more immersive 3D sound experience when paired with compatible content.
Dolby Atmos and Surround Sound
Both the Sonos Beam and Sonos Arc support Dolby Atmos and surround sound, but the Arc takes it to the next level. With its upward-firing drivers, the Arc can create a true 3D sound experience, making you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. The Beam, on the other hand, relies on virtual surround sound processing to simulate a wider soundstage.
Speech Enhancement and Multi-Room Audio
Both soundbars feature Sonos’s innovative speech enhancement technology, which clarifies dialogue and vocals. However, the Arc takes it a step further with its more advanced processing power, resulting in even clearer and more refined vocals.
Multi-room audio is another area where Sonos excels. Both soundbars can seamlessly integrate with other Sonos speakers to create a whole-home audio system. However, the Arc’s more advanced processing power makes it a better hub for your multi-room setup.
Smart Features and Integration
Both soundbars come with built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support, making it easy to control your soundbar with just your voice. Additionally, both soundbars support Apple AirPlay 2, allowing for seamless integration with your iOS devices.
However, the Sonos Arc takes it a step further with its support for eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel), which allows for higher-quality audio from compatible TVs.
The Arc’s more advanced smart features and integration options make it a better choice for those with high-end TVs and a larger smart home ecosystem.
Setup and Compatibility
Setting up both soundbars is a breeze, thanks to Sonos’s intuitive app and Trueplay calibration technology. The app guides you through the setup process, and Trueplay ensures that your soundbar is optimized for your unique room environment.
In terms of compatibility, both soundbars support HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) and can connect to your TV via an optical audio cable. However, the Arc’s eARC support makes it a better choice for those with newer TVs that support this feature.
Price and Value
The Sonos Beam is priced at around $399, making it an attractive option for those on a budget. The Sonos Arc, on the other hand, comes in at a steeper $799.
While the Arc is significantly more expensive, its advanced features, premium design, and improved sound quality make it a better value for those looking for a high-end soundbar experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Sonos Arc is a significant upgrade over the Sonos Beam in terms of sound quality, design, and features. While the Beam is a great option for smaller rooms and those on a budget, the Arc is the clear winner for those looking for a premium soundbar experience.
If budget is no concern and you want the best possible sound quality, design, and features, the Sonos Arc is the clear winner.
However, if you’re on a tighter budget and still want a great soundbar experience, the Sonos Beam is still a solid choice.
| Feature | Sonos Beam | Sonos Arc |
|---|---|---|
| Sound Quality | Clear and balanced | More nuanced and detailed |
| Design and Build | Compact, plastic grille | Larger, premium metal grille |
| Dolby Atmos and Surround Sound | Virtual surround sound | True 3D sound experience with upward-firing drivers |
| Smart Features and Integration | Basic smart features | Advanced smart features, including eARC support |
| Price | $399 | $799 |
By comparing the key features and specifications of both soundbars, it’s clear that the Sonos Arc is the better choice for those looking for a premium soundbar experience.
What is the main difference between Sonos Arc and Sonos Beam?
The main difference between Sonos Arc and Sonos Beam lies in their design and functionality. Sonos Arc is a more powerful and premium soundbar that is designed to provide a more immersive and cinematic audio experience. It features a more advanced driver system, including multiple woofers and tweeters, which allows it to produce a wider range of frequencies and a more detailed soundstage. On the other hand, Sonos Beam is a more compact and budget-friendly soundbar that is designed to provide a high-quality audio experience in smaller rooms or apartments.
While both soundbars are capable of producing high-quality audio, the Sonos Arc is definitely the more powerful and premium option. It is designed to work with larger TVs and to provide a more immersive audio experience, making it a great option for those who want to upgrade their home theater system. The Sonos Beam, on the other hand, is a more compact and affordable option that is perfect for smaller rooms or apartments.
Which soundbar is better suited for larger rooms?
The Sonos Arc is definitely the better option for larger rooms. Its more advanced driver system and larger size allow it to produce a more immersive and cinematic audio experience that can fill a larger room. The Arc is capable of producing a wider range of frequencies and a more detailed soundstage, making it a great option for those who want to upgrade their home theater system. Additionally, the Arc has a more powerful amplifier, which allows it to drive more speakers and produce a louder sound.
In contrast, the Sonos Beam is better suited for smaller rooms or apartments. Its compact size and lower power output make it a great option for those who want a high-quality audio experience in a smaller space. While the Beam is still capable of producing high-quality audio, it may not be able to fill a larger room as well as the Arc.
What is the difference in sound quality between Sonos Arc and Sonos Beam?
The sound quality of the Sonos Arc and Sonos Beam is quite different. The Arc is capable of producing a more detailed and nuanced soundstage, with better separation and definition between instruments and vocals. The Arc’s more advanced driver system and larger size allow it to produce a wider range of frequencies, including deeper bass notes and higher treble notes. This results in a more immersive and cinematic audio experience that is perfect for watching movies or playing games.
In contrast, the Sonos Beam has a more compact design and a less advanced driver system, which results in a slightly more limited soundstage and less detailed sound. While the Beam is still capable of producing high-quality audio, it may lack some of the depth and nuance of the Arc. However, the Beam is still a great option for those who want a high-quality audio experience in a smaller room or apartment.
Can I use both Sonos Arc and Sonos Beam as part of a whole-home audio system?
Yes, both the Sonos Arc and Sonos Beam can be used as part of a whole-home audio system. Sonos is known for its seamless multi-room audio capabilities, and both soundbars are compatible with other Sonos speakers and devices. This means that you can use the Arc or Beam as part of a whole-home audio system, streaming music or podcasts to multiple rooms or zones.
To set up a whole-home audio system, you’ll need to have multiple Sonos speakers or devices connected to your Wi-Fi network. You can then use the Sonos app to control and customize your audio experience, including setting up different zones or rooms and streaming music or audio to different speakers.
Do both Sonos Arc and Sonos Beam support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X?
The Sonos Arc supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which are two advanced audio formats that provide a more immersive and cinematic audio experience. Dolby Atmos is a next-generation audio format that adds height channels to create a more immersive and 3D-like soundstage, while DTS:X is a rival format that provides similar capabilities.
The Sonos Beam, on the other hand, does not support Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. While it is still capable of producing high-quality audio, it may not be able to take full advantage of these advanced audio formats.
Can I connect both Sonos Arc and Sonos Beam to my TV using HDMI?
Yes, both the Sonos Arc and Sonos Beam can be connected to your TV using HDMI. The Arc has one HDMI input and one HDMI output, which allows you to connect it to your TV and other devices such as a Blu-ray player or gaming console. The Beam, on the other hand, has one HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) input, which allows it to connect to your TV and receive audio signals.
To connect the Arc or Beam to your TV using HDMI, simply connect the HDMI cable to the appropriate input on the soundbar and the output on your TV. You may need to configure your TV’s audio settings to output audio to the soundbar, but this should be a straightforward process.
Which soundbar is more expensive, Sonos Arc or Sonos Beam?
The Sonos Arc is significantly more expensive than the Sonos Beam. The Arc is a premium soundbar that is designed to provide a high-end audio experience, and as such, it comes with a higher price tag. The Beam, on the other hand, is a more budget-friendly option that is designed to provide a high-quality audio experience at a lower price point.
The exact prices of the Arc and Beam may vary depending on the region and retailer, but in general, the Arc tends to cost around $800-$1,000, while the Beam tends to cost around $400-$600. However, both soundbars are high-quality options that are well worth the investment for those who want a great audio experience.