As I unboxed the Sonos Beam Gen 2, its compact size struck me as a stark contrast to the powerful sound it promised to deliver. Intrigued, I couldn't wait to see if this smart soundbar would live up to the hype.
From its Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound effect to its seamless streaming capabilities, the Beam Gen 2 seemed to have all the makings of a top-notch audio device. But would it truly enhance my TV experience and provide exceptional sound for music?
Join me as I explore the features, setup process, audio quality, and more, and find out if the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the compact smart soundbar you've been searching for.
Key Takeaways
- Sonos Beam Gen 2 offers vibrant bass, crystal clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage, delivering impressive sound quality comparable to a full 7.1 separates system.
- Trueplay setup is essential for optimizing the soundbar's performance in different environments, ensuring the best possible audio experience.
- The Sonos app provides convenient control options, including the ability to stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks over WiFi, and it is easy to use despite its somewhat limited design.
- While the Beam Gen 2 does not provide true surround sound, it offers effective sound projection and spatial effects, making it a standout soundbar choice in its class and price range.
Soundbar's Superior Audio Performance
I must say, the audio performance of the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is truly immersive.
The 3D sound effect created by Dolby Atmos is impressive, transporting me into the heart of the action.
Not only that, but the dialogue reproduction is crystal clear, making every word easy to understand.
Additionally, the wide sound projection fills the room, creating a captivating listening experience.
Immersive 3D Sound
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 delivers an immersive 3D sound experience that surpasses expectations and sets a new standard for superior audio performance. With its Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound effect, this compact smart soundbar creates a panoramic soundstage that pulls you right into the action.
The wide sound projection and spatial effects make you feel like you're in the middle of a movie theater, while the excellent dialogue reproduction and center channel performance ensure crystal clear conversations. Whether you're watching movies, listening to music, or playing games, the Beam Gen 2's immersive 3D sound enhances every aspect of your entertainment experience.
It's like having a full 7.1 separates system in a sleek and compact package. Say goodbye to ordinary soundbars and welcome the future of audio with the Sonos Beam Gen 2.
Clear Dialogue Reproduction
Moving on from the immersive 3D sound experience, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 truly excels in its ability to deliver clear dialogue reproduction, showcasing its superior audio performance.
The soundbar's center channel is incredibly well-tuned, resulting in dialogues that are crisp, detailed, and easy to understand. Whether you're watching a movie, TV show, or even listening to podcasts, the Beam Gen 2 ensures that every word is conveyed with utmost clarity.
This is especially important for those who struggle to hear dialogue clearly, as the Beam Gen 2 eliminates any muffled or garbled sounds. With its advanced audio processing capabilities, this soundbar truly shines in its ability to reproduce dialogue in a way that enhances the overall viewing experience.
You'll never miss a single word again.
Wide Sound Projection
With its superior audio performance, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 impresses with its wide sound projection, enveloping the listener in a truly immersive audio experience.
The soundbar's ability to project sound across a wide area creates a sense of spaciousness, making you feel like you're in the middle of the action.
Whether you're watching movies, playing games, or listening to music, the Beam Gen 2 delivers an expansive soundstage that fills the room with rich, detailed audio.
The spatial effects are particularly impressive, adding depth and dimension to the sound, while the dialogue reproduction remains excellent, ensuring clear and intelligible speech.
Beam Gen 2's Advanced Sound Optimization
To optimize the sound quality of the Beam Gen 2, Sonos offers advanced sound optimization through its Trueplay setup feature. This innovative technology ensures that the soundbar performs at its best in any environment. Here are five reasons why I believe the Beam Gen 2's advanced sound optimization is a game-changer:
- Immersive Experience: Trueplay tuning creates a truly immersive audio experience that transports you into the heart of the action.
- Personalized Sound: By analyzing the acoustics of your room, Trueplay customizes the sound profile to suit your specific space, delivering a tailored audio experience.
- Easy Setup: With just a few simple steps, Trueplay automatically calibrates the soundbar, making it effortless to achieve optimal sound quality.
- Consistent Performance: Trueplay continually monitors the environment and adjusts the sound output to ensure consistent performance, no matter the circumstances.
- Enhanced Enjoyment: The advanced sound optimization of the Beam Gen 2 elevates your listening experience to new heights, allowing you to enjoy your favorite movies, music, and games with enhanced clarity and depth.
Strengths and Weaknesses
In terms of strengths, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 impresses with its sound projection and reproduction. The audio quality is superb, with wide sound projection, excellent dialogue reproduction, and a noticeable Atmos bubble for movies and TV shows.
However, a weakness of the Beam Gen 2 is that its bass lacks depth, which can be a drawback for those seeking a more powerful low-end experience.
Impressive Sound Projection and Reproduction
The sound projection and reproduction of the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is truly impressive, creating an immersive audio experience that rivals that of a full 7.1 separates system.
Here are five reasons why the Sonos Beam Gen 2's sound quality stands out:
- Rich and vibrant bass that adds depth to music and movies
- Crystal clear dialogue reproduction, making every word easily understandable
- Panoramic soundstage that fills the room, enveloping you in the audio
- Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound effect for a more immersive cinematic experience
- HD stereo tracks sound tremendous, with excellent detail and separation
Bass Lacks Depth
The Sonos Beam Gen 2's bass, while adequate, falls short in delivering the depth and power that some audiophiles may crave. Here are five reasons why the bass lacks depth:
- Limited low-end frequencies leave the overall sound feeling slightly thin and lacking in fullness.
- The lack of a dedicated subwoofer means that the bass lacks the punch and impact that can truly immerse you in your favorite movies and music.
- While the Beam Gen 2 does a decent job with midrange and treble frequencies, the bass response feels somewhat restrained and doesn't have the same impact as the rest of the soundbar's audio performance.
- The bass lacks the rumble and resonance that can add depth and dimension to your listening experience.
- If you enjoy genres of music that heavily rely on bass, such as hip-hop or electronic music, you may find the bass reproduction on the Beam Gen 2 to be underwhelming.
Concluding Thoughts
Overall, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a top-tier soundbar that delivers exceptional audio quality and a seamless user experience. Its compact size, sleek design, and powerful sound projection make it a standout choice in its class and price range.
Setting up the soundbar is effortless with the Trueplay tuning feature, which optimizes the audio for your specific environment. The Sonos app, while lacking in design polish, is functional and easy to use, offering control options via your smartphone, TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, or voice commands.
The sound quality of the Beam Gen 2 is impressive, rivaling that of a full 7.1 separates system. The wide sound projection, excellent dialogue reproduction, and Dolby Atmos effects create an immersive listening experience. While it may not offer true surround sound, the Beam Gen 2 effectively fills the room with sound.
However, it's important to note that for a complete surround experience, additional Sonos speakers are required. Additionally, the bass reproduction, while good, lacks depth in the low frequencies.
Despite these considerations, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is highly recommended for its class, offering easy setup, sleek design, and superb audio quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Sonos Beam Gen 2 Support Bluetooth Connectivity?
No, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 does not support Bluetooth connectivity. However, it offers various other ways to connect and control the soundbar, including WiFi, the Sonos app, TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and voice commands.
Can the Sonos Beam Gen 2 Be Wall-Mounted?
Yes, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 can be wall-mounted. It offers the flexibility to be placed on a TV stand or mounted on a wall, allowing you to choose the setup that works best for your space.
Is the Trueplay Setup Available for Both Ios and Android Devices?
Yes, the Trueplay setup is available for both iOS and Android devices. It optimizes the soundbar for the environment, ensuring optimal performance. It's a convenient feature that enhances the overall audio experience.
How Many HDMI Inputs Does the Sonos Beam Gen 2 Have?
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 has one HDMI input. It's a compact smart soundbar with impressive audio quality, easy setup, and effective sound projection. It's a standout choice in its class and price range.
Are There Any Color Options Available for the Sonos Beam Gen 2?
Yes, there are color options available for the Sonos Beam Gen 2. It comes in two sleek and stylish colors: black and white. You can choose the color that best matches your home decor.