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Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated May 03, 2024 06:17 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Nov 21, 2024 02:28 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1.2
Channels5.0
Variants
- Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers (Black)
- Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers (White)
- Beam (Gen 2) (Black)
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2) (White)
Our Verdict
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
The Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers is better than the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). The Arc full setup is a 5.1.2 setup with a sub and satellites. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass and gets louder, albeit with slightly more compression at max volume. It also has better surround and Atmos performances. The Beam is still a solid choice for users who prefer a small standalone bar.
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Black
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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Beam (Gen 2)
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Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
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Finding storeMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.0
7.4
Stereo Frequency Response
8.2
7.4
Stereo Dynamics
8.3
7.1
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
No
Dimensions - Bar
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)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
6.2" (15.7 cm)
N/A
Height
15.4" (39.2 cm)
N/A
Depth
16.1" (41.0 cm)
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
4.7" (12.0 cm)
N/A
Height
6.3" (16.1 cm)
N/A
Depth
4.7" (12.0 cm)
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
No
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.2
7.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1.2
5.0
Tested Preset
No Preset
No Preset
Slope
0.16
-0.56
Standard Error
3.20 dB
2.82 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.9 Hz
50.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
16.7 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.2
7.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
No Preset
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
0
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
-1
2
Slope
0.05
0.05
Standard Error
3.17 dB
2.66 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.9 Hz
51.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
17.2 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.30 dB
2.32 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.3
7.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
92.7 dB SPL
88.8 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.30 dB
N/A
DRC @ Max Volume
0.43 dB
1.70 dB
Center
7.8
7.4
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
1.27
0.24
Std. Err.
3.19 dB
3.73 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
77.9 dB SPL
72.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.33
0.63
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.66
1.54
Surround 5.1
6.9
5.9
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom (Front Firing and Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
-0.47
-0.56
Std. Err.
3.76 dB
2.79 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
73.4 dB SPL
70.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.37
0.38
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.85
0.87
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.1
5.7
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Slope
0.18
1.01
Std. Err.
3.10 dB
3.35 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
63.8 dB SPL
59.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.93
1.45
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.20
0.30
Sound Enhancement Features
7.5
5.4
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
No
No
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Virtual Surround
No
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
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
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
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
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
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
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
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
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
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
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
Check Price
Black
Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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Amazon.comBlack
Beam (Gen 2)
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Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
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Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Main Discussion
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