The home theater experience has come a long way since the days of bulky speakers and mediocre sound quality. One brand that has consistently delivered high-quality, compact, and sleek speakers is Sonos. Their latest offering, the Sonos Beam 2, has generated quite a buzz in the audio-visual community. But the question on everyone’s mind is: is it worth the money?
The Sonos Beam 2: A Brief Overview
The Sonos Beam 2 is a compact soundbar designed to deliver exceptional sound quality in a small package. Measuring just 25.6 inches in length, it’s perfect for smaller rooms, apartments, or even desktop use. This sleek device is packed with features, including:
- Compact design with a sleek, modern aesthetic
- Immersive sound with clear dialogue and deep bass
- Support for multi-room audio and Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant integration
- Easy setup and control through the Sonos app
Sonos Beam 2: What’s New and Improved?
Compared to its predecessor, the Sonos Beam, the Beam 2 boasts several notable upgrades:
Enhanced Audio Quality
The Sonos Beam 2 features a more advanced speaker architecture, resulting in a more detailed and immersive sound experience. With improved speech enhancement and dialogue clarity, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the action.
Increased Connectivity Options
The Beam 2 introduces HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) support, allowing for more seamless connectivity with your TV and other devices. This means you can enjoy better sound quality and reduced lag.
Improved Voice Assistant Integration
The Beam 2 takes voice control to the next level with better integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. You can now use these assistants to control your TV, adjust the volume, and even play music.
The Competition: How Does the Sonos Beam 2 Stack Up?
In the world of compact soundbars, the Sonos Beam 2 faces stiff competition from rivals like the Bose Home Speaker 500 and the Yamaha YAS-209. Here’s how the Beam 2 compares:
Sonos Beam 2 vs. Bose Home Speaker 500
While the Bose Home Speaker 500 offers slightly better sound quality, the Sonos Beam 2 has a more compact design and is more affordable. The Beam 2 also offers better voice assistant integration and more comprehensive multi-room audio capabilities.
Sonos Beam 2 vs. Yamaha YAS-209
The Yamaha YAS-209 is a more budget-friendly option, but it can’t match the Beam 2’s sound quality and feature set. The Beam 2 has a more premium build, better voice assistant integration, and a more comprehensive app ecosystem.
Is the Sonos Beam 2 Worth the Money?
With a premium price tag of around $449, the Sonos Beam 2 is an investment. So, is it worth it?
For Music Lovers
If you’re a music enthusiast, the Sonos Beam 2 is a great choice. Its compact design and impressive sound quality make it perfect for listening to your favorite tunes. The Beam 2 also integrates seamlessly with music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.
For Home Theater Enthusiasts
If you’re looking for a compact soundbar to elevate your home theater experience, the Sonos Beam 2 is an excellent option. Its improved audio quality, HDMI eARC support, and voice assistant integration make it ideal for movie nights and TV show binges.
For Those on a Budget
If you’re on a tighter budget, the Sonos Beam 2 might not be the best option. While it’s an excellent soundbar, there are more affordable alternatives available. However, if you’re willing to invest in a premium product that will last, the Beam 2 is a great choice.
Conclusion
The Sonos Beam 2 is a top-notch compact soundbar that offers exceptional sound quality, improved connectivity options, and seamless voice assistant integration. While it’s not the cheapest option on the market, its premium build, advanced features, and impressive performance make it well worth the investment.
If you’re in the market for a high-quality soundbar that will elevate your music listening or home theater experience, the Sonos Beam 2 is an excellent choice. It’s a worthy upgrade from its predecessor and a strong competitor in the compact soundbar market.
So, go ahead and beam yourself up to sound heaven with the Sonos Beam 2. Your ears (and your wallet) will thank you.
What is Sonos Beam 2 and how does it differ from the original Beam?
The Sonos Beam 2 is a compact smart soundbar designed to provide an immersive audio experience for your TV, movies, music, and gaming. Compared to the original Beam, the Beam 2 boasts improved audio quality, enhanced dialogue clarity, and more advanced features like eARC (enhanced audio return channel) and Dolby Atmos support.
While the original Beam was a groundbreaking soundbar in its own right, the Beam 2 takes things to the next level with its updated hardware and software. The new model is better equipped to handle the demands of modern entertainment, including 4K and 8K video, and it’s more compatible with a wider range of devices and audio formats. Overall, the Beam 2 is a significant upgrade that’s well worth considering for anyone looking for a high-quality soundbar.
What are the key features of the Sonos Beam 2?
The Sonos Beam 2 is packed with features that make it an attractive option for anyone seeking a premium soundbar experience. Some of the standout features include eARC support, Dolby Atmos and TrueHD, HDMI eARC connectivity, multi-room audio capability, built-in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa support, and Apple AirPlay 2 integration.
In addition to these key features, the Beam 2 also boasts a sleek and compact design that makes it easy to place in any room, as well as a user-friendly interface that makes it simple to set up and control your audio experience. The soundbar also comes with a range of mounting options, making it easy to secure it to your wall or place it on a shelf.
Does the Sonos Beam 2 support Dolby Atmos?
Yes, the Sonos Beam 2 does support Dolby Atmos, which is a major selling point for the soundbar. Dolby Atmos is an immersive audio format that adds overhead sound effects to create a more realistic and engaging audio experience. With the Beam 2, you’ll be able to enjoy a more cinematic sound experience, complete with three-dimensional audio that draws you into the action.
It’s worth noting, however, that to fully appreciate the Dolby Atmos experience, you’ll need a TV that also supports the format. If your TV doesn’t support Dolby Atmos, you won’t be able to enjoy the full benefits of this feature. Still, even without Dolby Atmos, the Beam 2 delivers excellent audio quality that’s sure to impress.
How does the Sonos Beam 2 compare to other soundbars in its class?
The Sonos Beam 2 is a high-end soundbar that competes with other premium models from brands like Bose, Samsung, and Sony. In terms of audio quality, the Beam 2 is right up there with the best of them, delivering rich, detailed sound with excellent dialogue clarity. Where it really stands out, however, is in its compact design and ease of use – the Beam 2 is incredibly easy to set up and control, making it a great option for anyone who wants a hassle-free audio experience.
One area where the Beam 2 may fall short for some users is in its lack of a separate subwoofer. While the soundbar itself produces excellent bass, some users may find that it doesn’t quite deliver the same level of low-end punch as a dedicated subwoofer. Still, for most users, the Beam 2’s built-in bass will be more than sufficient.
Can I use the Sonos Beam 2 as part of a whole-home audio system?
Yes, the Sonos Beam 2 can be easily integrated into a whole-home audio system using Sonos’s proprietary wireless audio technology. With Sonos, you can create a comprehensive audio system that spans multiple rooms and devices, all controlled from a single app or voice assistant. The Beam 2 is fully compatible with other Sonos speakers and soundbars, making it easy to create a seamless audio experience throughout your home.
In addition to its compatibility with other Sonos devices, the Beam 2 also supports Apple AirPlay 2, which allows you to stream audio from your iOS devices to the soundbar. This makes it easy to integrate the Beam 2 into a broader whole-home audio system that includes devices from multiple manufacturers.
Is the Sonos Beam 2 compatible with my TV?
The Sonos Beam 2 is designed to be highly compatible with a wide range of TVs and devices. It features HDMI eARC connectivity, which allows it to connect to your TV and other devices using a single cable. The soundbar also supports a range of audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, TrueHD, and multichannel PCM.
In terms of specific TV compatibility, the Beam 2 is compatible with most modern TVs from brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio. However, it’s always a good idea to check your TV’s specs to ensure that it supports HDMI eARC and the audio formats you need.
Is the Sonos Beam 2 worth the money?
The Sonos Beam 2 is a premium soundbar with a premium price tag, but for many users, it’s well worth the investment. The soundbar delivers exceptional audio quality, a range of advanced features, and a highly compact design that makes it easy to place in any room. Additionally, the Beam 2’s compatibility with other Sonos devices and whole-home audio systems makes it a great option for anyone looking to create a comprehensive audio setup.
If you’re looking for a high-end soundbar that’s easy to use and delivers exceptional audio quality, the Beam 2 is definitely worth considering. However, if you’re on a budget or have more basic audio needs, you may want to look at more affordable options. Ultimately, the value of the Beam 2 will depend on your specific needs and preferences.