When it comes to sonically enhancing your living space, Sonos is a name that often comes to mind. The brand has earned a reputation for producing high-quality, wireless speakers that can elevate any room’s audio experience. Two of their most popular offerings are the Sonos Beam and the Sonos Arc, both of which are designed to deliver exceptional sound in different types of rooms. But the question remains: what size room is best for each speaker?
Understanding the Sonos Beam
The Sonos Beam is a compact, ultra-slim soundbar that’s designed to fit seamlessly into smaller to medium-sized rooms. Weighing in at just 2.7 kg and measuring 65 cm in length, the Beam is an unobtrusive addition to any space. Despite its diminutive size, the Beam packs a punch, with five class-D digital amplifiers, four full-range woofers, one tweeter, and three passive radiators working in harmony to produce a rich, immersive sound.
The Beam’s compact design makes it perfect for smaller rooms, such as:
- Small living rooms (approx. 10′ x 10′ / 3m x 3m)
- Bedrooms (approx. 10′ x 12′ / 3m x 3.5m)
- Home offices (approx. 8′ x 10′ / 2.5m x 3m)
- Kitchen islands (approx. 6′ x 8′ / 1.5m x 2.5m)
In these types of spaces, the Sonos Beam’s compact design and focused sound dispersion ensure that every corner of the room is filled with clear, balanced audio.
Enter the Sonos Arc
The Sonos Arc, on the other hand, is a sleek, elliptical soundbar designed to make a statement in larger rooms. With its 114 cm length and 4.4 kg weight, the Arc is a more substantial presence than the Beam, but its sophisticated design ensures it blends seamlessly into any décor. The Arc is powered by 11 class-D digital amplifiers, eight woofers, and three tweeters, which work in tandem to produce a truly cinematic sound experience.
The Arc’s more substantial design makes it better suited for:
- Larger living rooms (approx. 15′ x 20′ / 4.5m x 6m)
- Home theaters (approx. 18′ x 24′ / 5.5m x 7m)
- Large open-plan living areas (approx. 20′ x 25′ / 6m x 7.5m)
In these larger spaces, the Sonos Arc’s more expansive soundstage and increased power ensure that every seat in the house has an immersive audio experience.
Key Differences Between Sonos Beam and Arc
When deciding between the Sonos Beam and Arc, there are several key factors to consider:
Sound Quality
Both the Beam and Arc produce exceptional sound quality, but the Arc’s more powerful drivers and additional amplifiers give it a slight edge in terms of depth and richness. The Arc is better suited for larger rooms where its increased power can be fully appreciated.
Size and Design
As mentioned earlier, the Beam is much more compact than the Arc, making it a better fit for smaller rooms and tighter spaces. The Arc’s more substantial design, on the other hand, makes it a statement piece in larger rooms.
Price
The Sonos Beam is generally priced lower than the Arc, making it a more accessible option for those on a budget.
| Speaker | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Sonos Beam | approx. $399 |
| Sonos Arc | approx. $799 |
Room Size and Speaker Placement
When it comes to speaker placement, both the Beam and Arc benefit from being placed against a wall or in a corner, where they can utilize the space to enhance their sound dispersion. However, the size and shape of the room will ultimately dictate the ideal placement.
For smaller rooms, the Beam can be placed on a TV stand or shelf, while in larger rooms, the Arc can be wall-mounted to ensure an optimal sound experience.
Tips for Optimal Placement:
- Place the speaker at ear level or slightly above to minimize sound reflections.
- Experiment with placement to find the “sweet spot” where sound is most balanced.
- Use the Sonos app to fine-tune the speaker’s settings for your specific room.
Conclusion
So, what size room is best for the Sonos Beam vs Arc? The answer ultimately comes down to your specific needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a compact, affordable option for smaller rooms, the Sonos Beam is an excellent choice. For larger rooms and a more cinematic sound experience, the Sonos Arc is the way to go.
Remember, the key to an exceptional audio experience is not just the speaker itself, but the room it’s in. By considering the size, shape, and acoustics of your space, you can choose the perfect Sonos speaker to elevate your listening experience.
Whether you opt for the Beam or the Arc, you can be confident that you’re getting a high-quality, wireless speaker that will bring new life to your favorite music, movies, and TV shows.
What is the difference between Sonos Beam and Sonos Arc?
The main difference between Sonos Beam and Sonos Arc is their design and functionality. Sonos Beam is a compact smart soundbar that is designed for smaller rooms and TVs, while Sonos Arc is a larger, more powerful soundbar that is meant for larger rooms and home theaters. Sonos Beam is also more affordable and has a more limited set of features compared to Sonos Arc.
In terms of sound quality, Sonos Arc is capable of producing a more immersive and cinematic experience, thanks to its larger drivers and more advanced audio processing. Sonos Beam, on the other hand, is better suited for casual TV watching and music listening, and is ideal for smaller rooms where a larger soundbar might be overwhelming.
Can I use Sonos Beam in a large room?
While it’s technically possible to use Sonos Beam in a large room, it may not be the best choice. Sonos Beam is designed for smaller rooms up to 250 square feet, and its sound quality may not be sufficient to fill a larger space. You may notice that the sound is not as loud or clear as you would like, especially if you have a lot of obstacles or furniture in the room that can absorb or deflect the sound.
If you do decide to use Sonos Beam in a large room, you may want to consider adding additional speakers or a subwoofer to enhance the sound quality. However, it’s generally recommended to opt for a more powerful soundbar like Sonos Arc if you have a larger room.
Is Sonos Arc too big for a small room?
Sonos Arc is a larger soundbar that is designed for bigger rooms and home theaters, so it may be overkill for a small room. While it’s technically possible to use Sonos Arc in a small room, it may be too powerful and may produce a sound that is overwhelming or echoes off the walls. Additionally, the larger size of the soundbar may be visually overwhelming in a small room.
If you have a small room, it’s generally recommended to opt for a smaller soundbar like Sonos Beam. Sonos Beam is designed specifically for smaller rooms and is a more compact and affordable option that can still provide high-quality sound.
How do I determine the right size room for Sonos Beam vs Arc?
To determine the right size room for Sonos Beam vs Arc, consider the square footage of the room and the type of sound you want to achieve. Sonos Beam is ideal for rooms up to 250 square feet, while Sonos Arc is better suited for rooms over 250 square feet. You should also consider the layout of the room, including any obstacles or furniture that may affect the sound quality.
Additionally, consider the type of sound you want to achieve. If you want a more immersive and cinematic experience, Sonos Arc may be the better choice. If you’re looking for a more casual TV watching and music listening experience, Sonos Beam may be the way to go.
Can I use Sonos Beam with a large TV?
Yes, you can use Sonos Beam with a large TV, but you should consider the sound quality and whether it will be sufficient to fill the room. Sonos Beam is designed to work with TVs up to 49 inches, but it can still work with larger TVs if you’re primarily using it for casual TV watching and music listening.
However, if you have a very large TV and want a more immersive sound experience, you may want to consider Sonos Arc instead. Sonos Arc is designed to work with larger TVs and is capable of producing a more cinematic sound experience.
Are Sonos Beam and Sonos Arc wireless?
Sonos Beam and Sonos Arc are both wireless soundbars, but they do require a power cord to connect to the wall outlet. However, they can connect to your TV and other devices wirelessly using Wi-Fi or Apple AirPlay 2. This makes it easy to set up and use your soundbar without having to worry about cables or wires.
Additionally, both Sonos Beam and Sonos Arc are part of the Sonos ecosystem, which means you can easily add additional speakers or components to create a whole-home audio system. This allows you to control your music and audio experience wirelessly throughout your home.
Can I use Sonos Beam or Sonos Arc with a soundbase?
No, Sonos Beam and Sonos Arc are both soundbars that are designed to sit in front of your TV, not soundbases that sit underneath. If you’re looking for a soundbase solution, you may want to consider a different product. However, Sonos does offer a range of other products, including soundbases, that can be used in conjunction with Sonos Beam or Sonos Arc.
It’s worth noting that both Sonos Beam and Sonos Arc are designed to be compact and compact, and can fit easily under most TVs. However, if you have a very large or heavy TV, you may want to consider using a soundbase instead.