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Struggling to choose between the Sonos Beam and the Sonos Arc? You’re not alone. Both soundbars promise to elevate your home theater experience, but they cater to different needs and budgets. Deciding which one is right for you can be a challenge, so we’re here to help you make the right choice.
In this in-depth comparison, we’ll dissect the Sonos Beam and the Sonos Arc, exploring their features, sound quality, design, and overall value. We’ll examine everything from their size and connectivity options to their Dolby Atmos capabilities and ease of use. This will help you understand their strengths and weaknesses.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your living room setup with a compact soundbar or create a truly immersive cinematic experience, we’ll provide the insights you need. Get ready to dive into the details and discover which Sonos soundbar is the perfect fit for your home entertainment needs.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Beam | Arc |
|---|---|---|
| Channels | 5.0 | 5.0.2 |
| Subwoofer Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | No | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| HDMI eARC | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI ARC | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Ethernet Port | Yes | Yes |
| Apple AirPlay 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 25.6 x 2.7 x 3.9 inches | 45 x 3.4 x 3.4 inches |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs | 13.78 lbs |
| Trueplay Tuning | Yes (iOS only) | Yes (iOS only) |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Size and Design
- Sonos Beam: Compact and designed for smaller spaces, the Beam is a soundbar that fits neatly under most TVs. Its smaller size makes it easier to integrate into existing setups, but it may not fill a large room with sound as effectively.
- Arc: Larger and more premium, the Arc is designed for bigger TVs and rooms. Its curved design and longer length provide a wider soundstage and more immersive experience, but it takes up more space.
- Winner: Beam
Sound Quality
- Sonos Beam: Delivers clear and balanced sound with good vocal clarity. It supports Dolby Digital and has a decent bass response for its size, but it lacks the depth and power of the Arc.
- Arc: Offers a significantly more immersive and powerful sound with Dolby Atmos support. The Arc provides a wider soundstage, deeper bass, and more detailed sound reproduction, creating a truly cinematic experience.
- Winner: Arc
Dolby Atmos Support
- Sonos Beam: While the Beam can process Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus, it does not support Dolby Atmos.
- Arc: The Arc fully supports Dolby Atmos, allowing for a more immersive and three-dimensional sound experience with compatible content.
- Winner: Arc
Number of Channels
- Sonos Beam: Features 5 channels, including one center channel, two side channels, and two front channels.
- Arc: Features 11 channels, including two side channels and two upfiring channels, providing a significantly more immersive and three-dimensional sound experience.
- Winner: Arc
Connectivity
- Sonos Beam: Offers HDMI ARC/eARC, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, and Ethernet. Its connectivity options are comprehensive for its class.
- Arc: Also offers HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, and Ethernet. Provides similar connectivity options to the Beam.
- Winner: Tie
Voice Assistant Integration
- Sonos Beam: Built-in support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant allows for voice control of music playback, volume, and other smart home functions.
- Arc: Same as Beam, offers built-in support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Winner: Tie
Price
- Sonos Beam: Generally more affordable, making it a good option for those on a budget or looking for a soundbar for smaller rooms.
- Arc: More expensive due to its advanced features, superior sound quality, and larger size.
- Winner: Beam
Bass Performance
- Sonos Beam: Provides adequate bass response for its size, but may benefit from the addition of a subwoofer for deeper and more impactful bass.
- Arc: Delivers a more powerful and deeper bass response than the Beam, but can still be enhanced with a subwoofer.
- Winner: Arc
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Overall Sound Quality | Arc |
| Dolby Atmos | Arc |
| Value for Money | Beam |
| Compact Design | Beam |
| Immersive Experience | Arc |
| Ease of Use | Tie |
What They Have in Common
- Multi-Room Audio: Both the Beam and Arc are part of the Sonos ecosystem, allowing you to easily integrate them into a multi-room audio setup and control them through the Sonos app.
- Voice Control: Both soundbars offer voice control capabilities through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, giving you hands-free control over your music and other smart home devices.
- Streaming Services: Both support a wide range of music streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, and many others, providing access to a vast library of songs.
- Connectivity: Both soundbars offer both HDMI ARC and Wi-Fi connectivity, ensuring compatibility with your TV and home network for easy setup and use.
- Sonos App Control: Both soundbars are fully controlled through the Sonos app, allowing for easy setup, customization, and control of your audio experience.
- Trueplay Tuning: Both soundbars feature Trueplay tuning, which optimizes the sound for your specific room, although this feature requires an iOS device.
Sonos Beam Vs Arc Buying Guide
Room Size and Usage
Consider the size of your room and your primary usage. The Sonos Beam is ideal for smaller rooms like bedrooms or offices, offering a compact design and excellent sound quality for its size. Its focused audio projection makes it suitable for individual listening or smaller gatherings. The Arc, however, excels in larger living rooms and open-plan spaces. Its wider soundstage and Dolby Atmos capabilities create a more immersive home theater experience, effectively filling expansive areas with rich, detailed audio. Think about the space you have and how you plan to use the soundbar before making a choice.
Audio Quality and Features
Both soundbars deliver impressive audio, but the Arc has a clear advantage in terms of power and features. The Arc boasts Dolby Atmos support, creating a three-dimensional sound experience, while the Beam provides a high-quality stereo sound with virtual surround sound capabilities. The Arc’s multiple drivers and advanced processing offer more dynamic range and clarity, especially at higher volumes. Beam is still good. Consider your preferences for immersive audio versus a more compact, simplified setup. Both support Trueplay, which optimizes sound based on your room’s acoustics.
Budget and Value
Price is a significant factor. The Sonos Beam is generally more affordable than the Arc, making it a great value for those seeking excellent audio without breaking the bank. The Arc represents a premium investment, reflecting its advanced features and superior performance. Evaluate your budget and determine how much you are willing to spend. If you are looking for a significant upgrade in sound quality and spatial audio, the Arc’s higher price may be justified. The Beam is a strong contender for value when considering its performance and features at its price point.
Design and Aesthetics
Both soundbars share the sleek, minimalist design that Sonos is known for, but their sizes differ significantly. The Beam is smaller and more discreet, easily fitting under most TVs without obstructing the view. The Arc is longer and more prominent, requiring a larger space. Consider your TV setup and the overall aesthetics of your living area. Both come in black or white. Ensure the chosen soundbar complements your existing decor and integrates seamlessly with your entertainment system. Placement options are similar for both products.
Connectivity and Compatibility
Both soundbars offer similar connectivity options, including HDMI eARC/ARC for connecting to your TV, Wi-Fi for streaming, and Apple AirPlay 2. The Arc adds an additional HDMI input which is a plus. They are both fully compatible with the Sonos ecosystem, allowing you to easily integrate them with other Sonos speakers for multi-room audio. Check your TV’s HDMI capabilities to ensure compatibility with eARC or ARC for the best audio performance. Consider the other devices in your home entertainment setup to ensure seamless integration.
Ease of Use and Setup
Sonos products are renowned for their user-friendly setup and operation. Both the Beam and Arc are straightforward to install, using the Sonos app to guide you through the process. The app allows for easy control of volume, sound settings, and music streaming services. Trueplay tuning optimizes the soundbar’s performance based on your room’s acoustics, further simplifying the setup. The intuitive interface and seamless integration with various streaming services make both soundbars a pleasure to use for both novice and experienced users. Both are very similar in setup.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy Beam If…
- You have a smaller room or a smaller TV and want a more compact soundbar.
- You’re on a tighter budget and want a high-quality soundbar without the premium price tag.
- You prioritize ease of setup and a simple, uncluttered aesthetic.
- You want a great sounding soundbar that is easy to move if needed.
Buy Arc If…
- You have a larger room and want a more immersive, cinematic sound experience.
- You want the best possible sound quality and support for Dolby Atmos.
- You’re willing to invest in a premium soundbar for a top-of-the-line home theater experience.
- You want the most future-proof soundbar with the latest audio technologies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Sonos Beam and Arc?
The main difference lies in size, features, and performance. The Arc is larger, supports Dolby Atmos for a more immersive experience, and delivers more powerful audio. The Beam is smaller, more affordable, and ideal for smaller spaces, offering a great sound quality for its size. The Arc is for larger rooms and has better audio.
Does the Sonos Beam support Dolby Atmos?
No, the Sonos Beam does not support Dolby Atmos. It provides a virtual surround sound experience, which is impressive for its size, but it lacks the height channels and true spatial audio capabilities of the Arc. The Arc does support Dolby Atmos for a truly immersive experience.
Which soundbar is better for a small room?
The Sonos Beam is generally better suited for small rooms. Its compact size and focused audio projection make it ideal for bedrooms, offices, or smaller living areas. The Arc, while excellent, might be overkill for a smaller space, and its benefits may not be fully realized. The Beam is also easier to manage in a small space.
Can I use these soundbars with other Sonos speakers?
Yes, both the Beam and the Arc are fully compatible with the Sonos ecosystem. You can easily integrate them with other Sonos speakers to create a multi-room audio system. This allows you to play music throughout your home and control everything through the Sonos app.
What is the difference between HDMI ARC and eARC?
HDMI eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) is an upgraded version of ARC. eARC supports higher bandwidth and can transmit uncompressed Dolby Atmos audio, providing a more detailed and immersive sound experience. ARC supports compressed audio formats like Dolby Digital. eARC is a key feature in the Sonos Arc.
Which soundbar is better for movies?
The Sonos Arc is better for movies due to its support for Dolby Atmos, wider soundstage, and more powerful audio output. This allows for a more immersive and cinematic experience. The Beam still provides a good movie experience but cannot match the Arc’s capabilities. The Arc is a clear winner for movie enthusiasts.
What streaming services are compatible with Sonos?
Sonos supports a wide range of streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, and many more. You can easily access and control your music from these services through the Sonos app, providing a seamless listening experience. You can also stream via AirPlay 2.
Final Verdict
Both the Sonos Beam and Arc are excellent soundbars, each with its strengths. The Beam offers impressive sound quality and value for smaller spaces. The Arc, however, provides a more immersive audio experience, especially with Dolby Atmos, and is better suited for larger rooms. The Arc’s superior performance and features make it the ultimate choice for a premium home theater experience.
Winner: Sonos Arc