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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  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

Sonos Arc vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Sonos Arc
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Nov 21, 2024 02:28 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sonos Arc Picture
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Picture
Channels
5.0.2
Channels
5.0
  1. Recommended in 7 articles:
  2. Soundbars
  3. All-In-One
  4. Music
  5. Small
  6. Under $500
  7. Dialogue
  8. Movies

Variants

  • Arc (Black)
  • Arc SL (Shadow Edition)
  • Arc (White)
  • Beam (Gen 2) (Black)
  • Sonos Beam (Gen 2) (White)

Review

See Sonos Arc review

See Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review

3
11

Our Verdict

Sonos Arc

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

The Sonos Arc is better for mixed usage than the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). The Arc is a 5.0.2 setup with a better Atmos performance. It also gets louder, albeit with more compression at max volume. However, the Beam is more compact and better built. You can also upgrade both setups with a subwoofer and satellites.

0

Check Price

Black
Arc
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Arc
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Shadow Edition
Arc SL
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.4
7.4
No major differences between these soundbars for mixed usage. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sonos Arc Style photo - bar
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - bar

Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sonos Arc Style photo - sub
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

No
No

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
No Subwoofer

Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sonos Arc Style photo - satellites
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No

Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sonos Arc Dimensions photo - bar
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

44.9" (114.1 cm)
25.6" (65.0 cm)

Height  

3.4" (8.7 cm)
2.6" (6.7 cm)

Depth  

4.7" (12.0 cm)
4.0" (10.1 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sonos Arc Dimensions photo - sub
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sonos Arc Dimensions photo - satellites
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Sonos Arc Bar Mounting Holes
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sonos Arc Satellite Mounting Holes
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Show text

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.5

Build quality photo  

Sonos Arc Build quality photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Build quality photo

Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sonos Arc In The Box photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) In The Box photo

Show text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.2
7.4

Stereo Setup  

Sonos Arc Stereo Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) 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 
 

5.0.2
5.0

Tested Preset 
 

No Preset
No Preset

Slope 
 

0.37
-0.56

Standard Error 
 

3.33 dB
2.82 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

51.1 Hz
50.4 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
16.7 kHz

Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.2
7.4

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 
 

-3
2

Slope 
 

-0.09
0.05

Standard Error 
 

3.08 dB
2.66 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

51.1 Hz
51.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
17.2 kHz

Show text

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
8.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.28 dB
2.32 dB

Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.1
7.1

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

91.6 dB SPL
88.8 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.28 dB
N/A

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.75 dB
1.70 dB

Show text

Center 
 

7.8
7.4

Center Setup  

Sonos Arc Center Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.40
0.24

Std. Err. 
 

2.94 dB
3.73 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

76.5 dB SPL
72.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.32
0.63

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.56
1.54

Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

5.7
5.9

Surround Setup  

Sonos Arc Surround Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

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

Slope 
 

0.01
-0.56

Std. Err. 
 

3.27 dB
2.79 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

75.1 dB SPL
70.4 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.39
0.38

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.98
0.87

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No

Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.1
5.7

Height Setup  

Sonos Arc Height Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

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

Slope 
 

0.55
1.01

Std. Err. 
 

2.91 dB
3.35 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

62.0 dB SPL
59.2 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.07
1.45

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.18
0.30

Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

5.7
5.4

Room Correction 
 

Yes
Yes

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

EQ 
 

No
No

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Virtual Surround 
 

No
No

Show text

Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Sonos Arc Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sonos Arc Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

Adapter into HDMI ARC
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 
 

No
No

Show text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

9.6
9.6

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

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 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0

Show text

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

8.5
7.3

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

42 ms
61 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

41 ms
61 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

59 ms
79 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

92 ms
111 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

101 ms
121 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

101 ms
121 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 
 

9.0
7.8

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

99 ms
119 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

129 ms
180 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 
 

3.0
3.0

Bluetooth 
 

No
No

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Sonos Arc Interface photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Interface photo

Display 
 

No
No

Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sonos Arc Controls photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Controls photo

Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sonos Arc Remote photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) 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
Arc
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Arc
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Shadow Edition
Arc SL
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Back to Top

Sonos Arc

Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Sonos Arc vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Main Discussion

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