Sonos · Updated June 2026
Sonos Beam (Gen 2): price, specs & release date
Sonos Beam (Gen 2), released 2021-09. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: sonos.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
- Best for Impressively big, wide soundstage for a compact form factor; Handles bombastic action scenes cleanly without distortion.
- Skip if Virtualized Atmos height effects are subtle, not as apparent as true upfiring drivers is a dealbreaker.
Is the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) a good buy?
At $499, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is #2 cheapest of the 17 soundbars we track, where the median is $999.
Evidence of Record
Our dataNo independent lab has measured this product yet. 2 outlets have it on record by mention only, with no hands-on measurements published to weigh its claims against — a gap in the evidence, not a verdict on the product.
Review consensus · sourced & dated
What reviewers say about the Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Two whitelisted hands-on reviews (Engadget, TechHive) of the Sonos Beam Gen 2 were re-verified; every surviving quote appears verbatim on its source page. Neither outlet lab-measured, so no numeric values are recorded. One Engadget quote ("But it's no match for the Atmos capabilities of the Arc.") was DROPPED because the page actually reads "...it's no match for the Atmos capabilities of the Arc" preceded by different wording, not the quoted "But" opening. Both reviews agree the compact Beam delivers big, wide sound, but only TechHive's surviving evidence directly notes its virtualized Atmos is less apparent than true upfiring drivers.
Based on 2 reviews · 2021-09-30–2021-10-15
Consistently praised
- Impressively big, wide soundstage for a compact form factor · 2 sources
- Handles bombastic action scenes cleanly without distortion
- Strong value and easy entry into the Sonos ecosystem
Commonly flagged
- Virtualized Atmos height effects are subtle, not as apparent as true upfiring drivers
- Only a modest upgrade over the original Beam
Where reviewers disagree No sharp cross-source disagreement; both hands-on reviews reach broadly positive conclusions. Both sources are editorial hands-on (tested:false) with no lab-measured data, so no measured-value claims could be corroborated. After verification only two of Engadget's three original quotes survived (one was a non-verbatim paraphrase), which reduced several consensus points to single-source support.
The sources (2)
The new Beam is a tiny speaker meant to make a meal of bombastic action sequences, and it does so without distorting or breaking a sweat.
The second-generation Sonos Beam isn't a huge leap ahead of the original, but it's still a better soundbar overall thanks to the addition of Atmos.
For a compact, all-in-one soundbar, the Beam packs impressively big sound, with a surprisingly wide soundstage and passive radiators that punch well above their weight.
As particles of ice showered down from the crushed Rebel base on Hoth, the sound did feel like it was coming from above, but it wasn't nearly as apparent as I've heard from soundbars that do have upfiring drivers.
If you're looking for a compact soundbar that won't break the bank, and you're eager to jump into (or you're already invested in) the Sonos ecosystem, the second-gen Sonos Beam makes for a great choice.
Specifications
| Price (US) | $499 US MSRP at launch (September 2021) per Sonos.com ($499). Sonos.com showed $369 sale price (from $499) as of June 2026. |
|---|---|
| Brand | Sonos |
| Released | 2021-09 |
| Channels | 3.0.2 |
| Total watts | — |
| Dolby atmos | Yes |
| Dts x | No |
| Wireless sub | No |
| Rear speakers | No |
| HDMI earc | Yes |
| Voice assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
Source: sonos.com (verified 2026-06-15) · corroborated by digitaltrends.com. Dolby Atmos (virtual height processing via phantom channels), HDMI eARC, Alexa + Google Assistant confirmed from both Sonos.com and Digital Trends review. $499 MSRP confirmed from Sonos.com (current sale $369). Channels 3.0.2 reflects 5 drivers with two firing upward for virtual Atmos; no true dedicated height channels. Total watts not disclosed. DTS:X not supported. Sub and rear speakers optional add-ons sold separately.
Is the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) worth it vs cheaper soundbars?
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) against its closest cheaper and pricier soundbars on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 17 ranked
| Product | Price | Channels | Dolby atmos | Dts x | Wireless sub | Rear speakers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos Beam (Gen 2) this | $499 | 3.0.2 | Yes | No | No | No |
| Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar | $299 | 3.1.1 | Yes | No | No | No |
| Sony HT-S2000 | $499.99 | 3.1 | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Frequently asked questions
What do reviewers say about the Sonos Beam (Gen 2)?
Two whitelisted hands-on reviews (Engadget, TechHive) of the Sonos Beam Gen 2 were re-verified; every surviving quote appears verbatim on its source page. Neither outlet lab-measured, so no numeric values are recorded. One Engadget quote ("But it's no match for the Atmos capabilities of the Arc.") was DROPPED because the page actually reads "...it's no match for the Atmos capabilities of the Arc" preceded by different wording, not the quoted "But" opening. Both reviews agree the compact Beam delivers big, wide sound, but only TechHive's surviving evidence directly notes its virtualized Atmos is less apparent than true upfiring drivers. Praised: Impressively big, wide soundstage for a compact form factor; Handles bombastic action scenes cleanly without distortion; Strong value and easy entry into the Sonos ecosystem. Flagged: Virtualized Atmos height effects are subtle, not as apparent as true upfiring drivers; Only a modest upgrade over the original Beam. (From 2 tester reviews.)
How much does the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) cost?
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) has a US price of $499 (US MSRP at launch (September 2021) per Sonos.com ($499). Sonos.com showed $369 sale price (from $499) as of June 2026.), as of 2026-06-15.
How does the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) compare on price?
At $499, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is #2 cheapest of the 17 soundbars we track, where the median is $999.
When was the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) released?
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) was released 2021-09.
What are the Sonos Beam (Gen 2)'s key specs?
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) (Sonos): channels 3.0.2, dolby atmos Yes, dts x No, wireless sub No, rear speakers No. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-06-15.
Price of record: $499 at sonos.com, 2026-06-27. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:
See Sonos Beam (Gen 2) on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.Similar soundbars
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Compare with
Cheaper soundbars
- Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar $299
- Sonos Ray $279
Step up
- Sony HT-S2000 $499.99
- LG S90TY $799.99
- Sonos Arc Ultra $999
- Vizio Elevate $999
- Marshall Heston 120 $999
- Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 8 $999.99
More from Sonos
- Sonos Arc Ultra $999
- Sonos Ray $279
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