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Sonos Beam vs Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sonos Beam
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:27 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated May 03, 2024 06:17 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels3.0
Channels5.1.2
Variants
- Beam (Black)
- Beam (White)
- Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers (Black)
- Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers (White)
Our Verdict
Sonos Beam
Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
The Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers is a better soundbar than the Sonos Beam. The Arc full setup is better built and has a dedicated sub and surround speakers. It reproduces a more extended low-bass and offers a better surround performance. Unlike the Beam, it also supports Dolby Atmos content. However, the Beam's small, compact setup may be preferable for some users.
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Black
Beam
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Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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Beam
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Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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Finding storeMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.9
8.0
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
8.2
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.1
Surround 5.1
3.1
6.9
Stereo Dynamics
6.4
8.3
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.3
9.6
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
25.6" (65.0 cm)
44.9" (114.1 cm)
Height
2.6" (6.7 cm)
3.4" (8.7 cm)
Depth
4.0" (10.1 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
6.2" (15.7 cm)
Height
N/A
15.4" (39.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
16.1" (41.0 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Height
N/A
6.3" (16.1 cm)
Depth
N/A
4.7" (12.0 cm)
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
8.0
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
8.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
3.0
5.1.2
Tested Preset
No Preset
No Preset
Slope
0.63
0.16
Standard Error
3.39 dB
3.20 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
49.7 Hz
27.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.5
8.2
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
No Preset
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
0
0
Suggested Treble Setting
-6
-1
Slope
0.18
0.05
Standard Error
2.34 dB
3.17 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
49.7 Hz
27.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.26 dB
2.30 dB
Stereo Dynamics
6.4
8.3
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
91.2 dB SPL
92.7 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.30 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
3.85 dB
0.43 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.73
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.51
Center
8.3
7.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.39
1.27
Std. Err.
2.87 dB
3.19 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.0 dB SPL
77.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.97
0.33
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.56
1.66
Surround 5.1
3.1
6.9
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Discrete
Slope
-0.27
-0.47
Std. Err.
5.44 dB
3.76 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.2 dB SPL
73.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.74
1.37
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.95
1.85
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
N/A
0.18
Std. Err.
N/A
3.10 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
63.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
0.93
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
0.20
Sound Enhancement Features
5.4
7.5
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
No
No
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
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
ARC
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
6.3
9.6
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
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
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
42 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
41 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
59 ms
Dolby Digital
92 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
101 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
101 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
9.8
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
ARC
-14 ms
Optical
0 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
Audio Latency: Optical
9.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
99 ms
Dolby Digital
129 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
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Black
Beam
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Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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Beam
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Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers
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Sonos Beam
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Sonos Beam vs Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers: Main Discussion
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