Get insider access
Preferred store
Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Notice: Big Spring Sale Deal: The Samsung HW-Q990D has dropped by $500 on Amazon.com. See all Soundbar Big Spring Sale deals.
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Center
    6. Surround 5.1
    7. Height (Atmos)
    8. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Audio Latency: ARC
    6. Audio Latency: HDMI In
    7. Audio Latency: Optical
    8. Video Passthrough To TV
    9. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Jan 10, 2025 02:44 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Aug 13, 2024 06:22 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Picture
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Picture
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Sonos

Variants

  • Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module (Arctic White)
  • Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module (Black)
  • Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers (Black)

Our Verdict

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers

The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better for most uses than the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers. While they're both premium setups, the Bose is a bit better, as the bigger bar offers a better soundstage performance. Subjectively, it's noticeable with Atmos content, too, as the bar does a better job simulating height. It has more wireless playback options, and it gets louder with less compression at max volume. That said, the Sonos supports DTS content, unlike the Bose.

Check Price

Black
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
Searching
Finding store
Black
Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Arctic White
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
Searching
Finding store
Black
Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
Amazon.com
 
Black
Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
Amazon.com
 
Black
Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
Amazon.com
 
Black
Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
Amazon.com

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

8.2
7.9

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.6
8.2

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.4
6.9

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Style photo - bar
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Style photo - bar
Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Style photo - sub
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Sealed
Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Style photo - satellites
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Dimensions photo - bar
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

41.1" (104.5 cm)
25.6" (65.0 cm)

Height  

2.2" (5.7 cm)
2.6" (6.7 cm)

Depth  

4.3" (11.0 cm)
4.0" (10.1 cm)
Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Dimensions photo - sub
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

11.6" (29.5 cm)
9.1" (23.0 cm)

Height  

12.7" (32.3 cm)
11.9" (30.2 cm)

Depth  

11.6" (29.5 cm)
9.1" (23.0 cm)
Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Dimensions photo - satellites
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

1.9" (4.8 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)

Height  

5.6" (14.3 cm)
6.3" (16.1 cm)

Depth  

1.9" (4.8 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Show text

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Bar Mounting Holes
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Satellite Mounting Holes
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes
Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Build Quality 
 

8.5
8.5

Build quality photo  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Build quality photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Build quality photo
Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module In The Box photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers In The Box photo
Show text
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.6
8.2

Stereo Setup  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Stereo Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Channels 
 

5.1.2
7.1

Tested Preset 
 

No Preset
No Preset

Slope 
 

-0.15
-0.71

Standard Error 
 

2.08 dB
3.02 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

25.9 Hz
27.5 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
16.3 kHz
Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.6
8.3

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

No Preset
No Preset

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
-3

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

0
2

Slope 
 

-0.15
-0.08

Standard Error 
 

2.08 dB
2.65 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

25.9 Hz
28.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
17.2 kHz
Show text

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.5
8.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.36 dB
2.10 dB
Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.4
6.9

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

95.3 dB SPL
93.0 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.47 dB
3.39 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.39 dB
3.35 dB
Show text

Center 
 

8.1
8.3

Center Setup  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Center Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.03
0.11

Std. Err. 
 

2.00 dB
3.00 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

76.1 dB SPL
92.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.42
0.63

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

3.16
1.80
Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

7.3
8.0

Surround Setup  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Surround Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.60
-0.07

Std. Err. 
 

2.86 dB
2.49 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

72.3 dB SPL
92.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.35
0.76

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.83
2.04

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

5.8
5.6

Height Setup  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Height Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Side Firing and Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Side Firing and Front Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

-0.89
0.23

Std. Err. 
 

3.68 dB
4.09 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

65.9 dB SPL
79.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.61
2.42

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.72
0.44
Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

6.3
7.5

Room Correction 
 

Yes
Yes

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

EQ 
 

No
No

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

No
No
Show text
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
Adapter into HDMI ARC

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No
No

Full HDMI In 
 

No
No

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

1
1

Subwoofer Output 
 

Yes
No
Show text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

8.1
9.6

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Show text

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported
Show text

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

6.5
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0
Show text

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

7.0
7.0

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

86 ms
65 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

85 ms
65 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

91 ms
83 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

111 ms
115 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

115 ms
125 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

125 ms
125 ms
Show text

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

0.0
0.0

HDMI Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A
N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A
N/A

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

6.6
7.7

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

159 ms
123 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

220 ms
184 ms
Show text

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

0.0
0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

No
No

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No
No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

No
No

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No
No

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No
No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No
No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No
No
Show text

Wireless Playback 
 

10
3.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
No

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

Yes
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Interface photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Interface photo

Display 
 

No
No
Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Controls photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Controls photo
Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module Remote photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Remote photo
Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant 
 

Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text

Check Price

Black
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
Searching
Finding store
Black
Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Arctic White
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
Searching
Finding store
Black
Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
Amazon.com
 
Black
Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
Amazon.com
 
Black
Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
Amazon.com
 
Black
Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
Amazon.com

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers

Comments

  1. Comparison

Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers: Main Discussion

What do you think of our picks? Let us know below by starting a discussion.


Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.

PreviewBack to editorFormat guide