The Sonos Beam is a compact, sleek soundbar that has taken the home audio market by storm. With its compact design, impressive sound quality, and affordable price tag, it’s no wonder many are considering investing in this popular soundbar. But is it worth getting a Sonos Beam? In this in-depth review, we’ll delve into the pros and cons of this innovative device to help you make an informed decision.
The Sonos Beam: A Premium Soundbar for the Modern Home
The Sonos Beam is a compact soundbar designed to elevate your TV-watching experience. Measuring just 25.6 inches wide, 3.9 inches tall, and 2.7 inches deep, it’s the perfect addition to any living room setup. But don’t let its compact size fool you – the Beam packs a punch when it comes to sound quality.
Impressive Sound Quality
The Sonos Beam boasts a five-class speaker system, featuring four full-range woofers and one tweeter. This combination delivers crystal-clear dialogue, rich bass, and an overall immersive audio experience. With support for Dolby Atmos and Chroma, you’ll feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. Whether you’re watching your favorite TV show or enjoying a movie night with friends, the Beam’s sound quality is sure to impress.
Streamlined Design and Setup
One of the standout features of the Sonos Beam is its sleek, compact design. The soundbar is incredibly slim, making it easy to place under your TV or mount on the wall. The setup process is equally seamless, with a simple pairing process that connects the Beam to your TV and Wi-Fi network in minutes. You can even control the soundbar using the Sonos app, which allows you to adjust settings, play music, and more from the comfort of your couch.
The Pros of Owning a Sonos Beam
So, what makes the Sonos Beam a worthwhile investment? Here are some of the key benefits of owning this premium soundbar:
Seamless Integration with Your TV
The Sonos Beam is designed to work in harmony with your TV, with support for HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) and CEC (Consumer Electronics Control). This means you can control the soundbar using your TV’s remote, eliminating the need for multiple remotes.
Multi-Room Audio Capabilities
The Sonos Beam is part of the Sonos ecosystem, which means you can seamlessly connect it to other Sonos speakers in your home. Imagine being able to play music in every room, effortlessly switching between tracks and speakers – it’s a truly immersive audio experience.
Affordable Price Point
Compared to other premium soundbars on the market, the Sonos Beam is surprisingly affordable. Priced at around $399, it’s an accessible option for those looking to elevate their home audio setup without breaking the bank.
The Cons of Owning a Sonos Beam
While the Sonos Beam is an impressive soundbar, it’s not without its drawbacks. Here are some of the potential downsides to consider:
Limited Bass Response
While the Beam’s sound quality is impressive, some users have reported a limited bass response. If you’re looking for a soundbar that can deliver deep, rumbling bass, the Beam might not be the best option.
No Dolby Vision Support
The Sonos Beam supports Dolby Atmos, but it does not support Dolby Vision. If you’re looking for a soundbar that can handle the latest video formats, you might want to explore other options.
No Built-In voice Assistant
While the Beam is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, it doesn’t come with a built-in voice assistant. This means you’ll need to use a separate device, such as an Echo or Google Home, to access voice control features.
Who is the Sonos Beam Right For?
So, who is the Sonos Beam right for? Here are a few scenarios where this soundbar might be the perfect addition to your home audio setup:
Small to Medium-Sized Rooms
The Sonos Beam is ideal for small to medium-sized rooms, where its compact design and impressive sound quality can really shine. If you have a cozy living room or den, the Beam is an excellent choice.
First-Time Soundbar Buyers
If you’re new to the world of soundbars, the Sonos Beam is a great entry-point. It’s easy to set up, use, and integrate with your existing TV and audio equipment.
Sonos Ecosystem Enthusiasts
If you’re already invested in the Sonos ecosystem, the Beam is a no-brainer. It seamlessly integrates with other Sonos speakers, allowing you to create a comprehensive whole-home audio system.
The Verdict: Is the Sonos Beam Worth It?
So, is the Sonos Beam worth getting? In our opinion, the answer is a resounding yes. With its impressive sound quality, sleek design, and affordable price point, it’s an excellent addition to any home audio setup. Of course, it’s not perfect – the limited bass response and lack of Dolby Vision support are notable drawbacks. However, for most users, the Beam’s benefits far outweigh its limitations.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Impressive sound quality | Limited bass response |
| Seamless integration with TV | No Dolby Vision support |
| Affordable price point | No built-in voice assistant |
In conclusion, the Sonos Beam is a premium soundbar that’s well worth considering. With its impressive sound quality, sleek design, and affordable price point, it’s an excellent addition to any home audio setup. While it’s not perfect, the Beam’s benefits far outweigh its limitations, making it a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to elevate their TV-watching experience.
What is the Sonos Beam and how does it work?
The Sonos Beam is a compact, soundbar that provides high-quality audio for your TV, movies, and music. It works by connecting to your TV via HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) and using Sonos’ advanced audio processing technology to produce clear and immersive sound. The Beam can also connect to your Wi-Fi network, allowing you to stream music and control it with the Sonos app or voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
The Beam is also a smart speaker, allowing you to use voice commands to control your TV, play music, and access other smart home devices. With its compact design and sleek appearance, the Beam is a great addition to any living room or home theater setup.
What are the main benefits of the Sonos Beam?
One of the main benefits of the Sonos Beam is its compact size and sleek design, making it easy to place in front of your TV without obstructing the view. Additionally, the Beam provides high-quality audio with clear dialogue and immersive sound, making it perfect for TV shows, movies, and music. The Beam also supports multi-room audio, allowing you to connect it to other Sonos speakers in your home and create a whole-home audio system.
Another benefit of the Beam is its ease of use, with simple setup and control through the Sonos app or voice assistants. The Beam also supports a wide range of music services, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music, making it easy to access your favorite music.
What are the main drawbacks of the Sonos Beam?
One of the main drawbacks of the Sonos Beam is its limited bass response, which may not provide the same level of low-end frequency reproduction as larger soundbars or home theater systems. Additionally, the Beam may not be suitable for very large rooms or open spaces, as its compact size and design may not be able to produce enough sound to fill the space.
Another drawback of the Beam is its price, which may be out of budget for some consumers. While the Beam is a high-quality soundbar, there are other options available on the market that may offer similar features and performance at a lower price point.
Can I use the Sonos Beam with my older TV?
The Sonos Beam connects to your TV via HDMI ARC, which is a relatively modern feature that may not be available on older TVs. If your TV does not have HDMI ARC, you may need to use an optical audio adapter or other workarounds to connect the Beam to your TV. However, these workarounds may not provide the same level of audio quality as a direct HDMI ARC connection.
It’s also worth noting that the Beam is optimized for use with 4K and HDR TVs, so you may not get the full benefit of its features if you have an older TV. However, the Beam will still work with older TVs and provide improved audio quality compared to the built-in TV speakers.
Can I use the Sonos Beam as a wireless speaker?
While the Sonos Beam is primarily designed as a soundbar for your TV, it can also be used as a wireless speaker for music and other audio content. You can stream music to the Beam directly from your phone, tablet, or computer using the Sonos app, and control it with voice commands or the app.
The Beam also supports Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast, making it easy to stream music and other audio content from your devices. However, keep in mind that the Beam’s compact size and design may not provide the same level of sound quality as larger wireless speakers.
Is the Sonos Beam worth the investment?
Whether or not the Sonos Beam is worth the investment depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a high-quality soundbar that provides immersive audio and sleek design, the Beam may be a great option. Additionally, if you’re already invested in the Sonos ecosystem and want to add a compact soundbar to your system, the Beam is a great choice.
However, if you’re on a tight budget or have limited space, there may be other options available that provide similar features and performance at a lower price point. Ultimately, it’s worth considering your specific needs and doing your research before making a decision.
What are some alternatives to the Sonos Beam?
If the Sonos Beam is not the right fit for you, there are several alternatives available on the market. For example, the Sonos Playbar is a larger soundbar that provides more robust audio and additional features like built-in microphones for voice control. Other brands like Bose, Yamaha, and Samsung also offer soundbars with similar features and performance to the Beam.
Additionally, if you’re looking for a more affordable option, there are budget-friendly soundbars available from brands like Anker and TaoTronics. These soundbars may not provide the same level of audio quality or features as the Beam, but they can still provide improved audio quality compared to built-in TV speakers.