If you’re upgrading your TV audio or building a home theater setup with high-quality sound, the Sonos Beam soundbar is one of the most popular choices — known for its compact design, rich sound, and seamless smart features. The original Sonos Beam (Gen 1) made waves with its punchy performance and convenient integration with streaming and voice assistants. But the Sonos Beam Gen 2 builds on that legacy with broader Dolby Atmos support, more refined audio performance, and enhanced processing — making it the smarter choice for most buyers today. Below is a full comparison to help you decide — and why we recommend the Sonos Beam Gen 2.
Sonos Beam Gen 2 — Best Compact Dolby Atmos Soundbar for TV & Movies
Beam Gen 2 brings Dolby Atmos support, a more enveloping and detailed soundscape, and faster processing in nearly the same sleek design as the original. While the Gen 1 Beam remains a solid compact soundbar, the Gen 2 delivers richer audio depth and spatial presentation that justifies the upgrade — especially with deals now commonly reducing its price.
Why Do I Recommend Sonos Beam Gen 2?
- Dolby Atmos support: Unlike the Gen 1, Beam Gen 2 can decode and deliver Dolby Atmos content, offering a more immersive audio experience with a sense of height and space even from a compact soundbar.
- Richer, more nuanced sound: Independent testing and reviewers note that the Gen 2’s audio is more refined, deeper, and detailed than the original, with improved clarity and dynamic range across music and movies.
- Faster internal processing: Beam Gen 2 uses upgraded CPU and audio processing to handle Dolby Atmos and wider dynamic content more adeptly than the Gen 1.
- HDMI eARC support: Gen 2 comes with HDMI eARC, letting you transmit higher-quality audio from your TV and future-proofing your setup for richer sound formats.
- Smart streaming & integration: Just like Gen 1, the Gen 2 Beam connects to the Sonos ecosystem, allows Apple AirPlay 2 streaming, supports voice assistants, and pairs with other Sonos products.
- Great deals make it a value: Promotions and bundle deals continue to make the Beam Gen 2 a compelling value for small-to-medium living rooms.
Detailed Comparison & Recommendation
| Feature / Metric | Sonos Beam Gen 1 | Sonos Beam Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos Support | ❌ | Dolby Atmos (virtual spatial audio) |
| Sound Quality & Depth | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⁺ (more refined) |
| Processor & Performance | Standard | Faster & more capable for Atmos content |
| HDMI eARC | Limited/Older | eARC support for higher-quality audio |
| Trueplay Tuning | ✔ | ✔ |
| Multi-room Sync | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Voice Assistant Support | (Alexa built-in; others) | (Alexa/Google/Sonos Voice) |
| Best Use Cases | TV, music, basic surround | TV, movies, Atmos content |
| Value for Money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Recommended Best Seller |
What Is the Major Difference Between Sonos Beam Gen 1 vs Gen 2?
- Dolby Atmos Capability: Beam Gen 2 natively supports Dolby Atmos and more advanced spatial audio formats, whereas the original Gen 1 does not. This gives Gen 2 a clear advantage for immersive movie soundtracks and Atmos-enabled streaming content.
- Audio Refinement & Processing: Gen 2 uses a more powerful processor and updated audio processing to present a more dynamic, nuanced soundstage with better depth and clarity than Gen 1.
- Connectivity: Gen 2’s inclusion of HDMI eARC future-proofs it for better audio bandwidth from TVs, improving overall system performance.
- Design Adjustments: While the overall form factor is largely unchanged, Gen 2 has a polycarbonate grille (easier to clean and modern) compared with the fabric covering of Gen 1.
- Surround Performance: In real user comparisons, Gen 2’s implementation of Atmos and virtualized surround tends to deliver more immersive height and breadth than Gen 1.
What Users Are Saying
| User Feedback Area | Sonos Beam Gen 1 | Sonos Beam Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Movie Immersion | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⁺ (notable Atmos lift) |
| Dialogue Clarity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⁺ |
| Everyday Music Playback | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⁺ |
| Smart Features & Ecosystem | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value (Deals) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⁺ (with discounts) |
| Recommended Best Seller |
Fair Advice to Consider
- Choose Sonos Beam Gen 1 if — you find it deeply discounted and only need basic TV and music sound improvements without Dolby Atmos requirements.
- Choose Sonos Beam Gen 2 if — you want immersive Dolby Atmos, richer sound, HDMI eARC support, and longer future-proof performance in a compact soundbar.
- Both models integrate with Sonos’s multi-room system, Apple AirPlay 2, voice assistants, and can expand into larger setups with Sonos rears or subs.
Quick Summary
| Category | Sonos Beam Gen 1 | Sonos Beam Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Bass & Dynamics | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Dialogue Clarity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| HDMI eARC | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Multi-room Sync | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Best for Movies | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Recommended Best Seller |
FAQs
Does the Gen 2 support Dolby Atmos?
Yes — Beam Gen 2 adds Dolby Atmos via clever processing and five-channel audio, whereas Gen 1 does not.
Can both connect to Sonos multi-room systems?
Yes — both integrate with the Sonos S2 app, AirPlay 2, and other compatible Sonos speakers.
Is Beam Gen 2 louder than Gen 1?
Whole-system measurements vary, but Gen 2’s improved processing often provides more perceptible depth and spatial effect in mixed content.
Is Beam Gen 1 still worth buying if very cheap?
Yes — it still delivers a solid upgrade over TV speakers, though Atmos isn’t supported.
Should I add a Sonos Sub or surrounds later?
Both can expand with a Sonos Sub and additional rear speakers for true multi-channel systems.
Final Verdict
If you’re upgrading your living room audio in 2025–26, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the clearer choice between these two compact soundbars. It keeps everything that made the original Beam great — sleek design, smart features, and Sonos ecosystem integration — while adding Dolby Atmos support, richer audio detail, and improved processing for more dynamic, nuanced sound. When you catch a current deal on Gen 2, the value becomes even stronger compared with the Gen 1.