The Sonos Beam 2 delivers delivers mild but definite improvements on the (outstanding) product it replaces, with performance that defies its dimensions. It’s not quite as emphatically Dolby Atmos-y as might have been hoped, and the lack of HDMI passthrough may be a problem for you, but the sound...

Deft, poised and weighty sound, Expansive and well-defined presentation, Good control options and app

No HDMI passthrough, Not the sonic height you might hope for

Although a moderate upgrade from the original - unless Virtual Dolby Atmos is very important to you - the second-gen Beam is an excellent compact soundbar that'll not only boost your TV viewing, but make your home smarter thanks to smart assistant support, and is easier to setup than before thanks...

Compact size and excellent sound, Multiple voice assistants supported, Virtual Dolby Atmos support enhances immersion, Adds HDMI eARC for easier setup

Not as good when at lower volumes, More expensive than original, Adding additional speakers for true surround is pricey

The Beam Gen 2 delivers with a mature and polished sound and effective virtual Atmos performance

Effective handling of Dolby Atmos, Warm, refined sound, Streaming smarts

No additional HDMI ports, Doesn’t support DTS:X

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) >IS< the soundbar you are looking for!

Atmos works better than you’d expect; Compact, stylish design; Alexa and Google Assistant well implemented; Easy to use;

Only one HDMI port; No HDMI passthrough;

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a great upgrade compared to the original soundbar, coming with Dolby Atmos support, HDMI eARC compatibility, and a refreshed design. Although we weren’t entirely convinced by the virtual Atmos on offer, this soundbar sounds fantastic and fits small spaces perfectly, while...

Wide soundstage, HDMI eARC support, Hi-res audio compatibility, Compact design, Easily upgradeable

Slightly more expensive than the original, No upfiring tweeters, TruePlay only works with iOS devices

Just like the original, the Beam Gen 2 is an awesome product that's worth the $450 price tag. Sonos’ streamlined app and Wi-Fi integration, the clean design, and the Beam’s excellent acoustic performance (Atmos or not) each play their part to create a real symphony of a soundbar.

Excellent sound and features, Respectable virtual Dolby Atmos, Elegant design

So-so overhead audio, No spare HDMI input, Still no Trueplay for Android

With the addition of Dolby Atmos, the second-generation Beam sounds far more immersive than before..