And while the Beam is almost unbelievably spacious for its size, it doesn’t quite fool you into thinking you’re listening to a proper surround sound system. Effects stretch right across the front of the room, well beyond the dimensions of the screen but they don’t stretch up the sides of the room. If your TV doesn’t have an HDMI port, you can connect the Beam via the optical port; Sonos provides all the cables you need in the box. Enhances quiet sounds and reduces the intensity of loud sounds. Turn on to reduce the volume while still experiencing proper balance and range. TV with HDMI ARC / eARC port or optical digital audio output, broadband internet, and the Sonos app. The app also allows you to pair the Beam with any other Sonos speaker, such as the Sonos Sub, or a pair of Sonos One SL speakers that could be used as left and right rear speakers.

As is the norm for Sonos speakers, you will be prompted during installation to tune the Beam’s sound using the company’s Trueplay system, which uses your iPhone’s microphone to tailor the sound to your room and usual listening position (Android phones are still not supported). In terms of wireless connectivity, the Beam (Gen 2) supports Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay 2 with compatible iOS devices. There’s also the option to hook it up to your router with an Ethernet cable if you want a more stable connection to your home network. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that produce heat. It’s extremely high quality and well-engineered. I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone who has a Sonos Beam.Use the included Sonos Optical Audio Adapter to connect the soundbar to your TV if you don’t have an HDMI ARC port.

Five far-field microphone array uses advanced beam forming and multi-channel echo cancellation so your voice assistant can be readily activated. In this time of age brand loyalty and word of mouth are very important to any company. I will never ever in my life buy another Sonos product or recommend it to anyone. All the trust I had on Sonos is now destroyed.Still, the new Beam can cope with 32 channels of audio and even eight-channel 24-bit/192kHz uncompressed 38Mbps data streams. In other words, as well as supporting Atmos, it can play hi-res audio files of your favorite songs. Much like the Playbar and Playbase, you can connect two smaller Sonos speakers (One, Play:1, Play:3, Play:5, or even the Ikea Symfonisk Bookshelf or Symfonisk Lamp speakers) to act as rear speakers in a cinema system, or add a Sonos Sub. This product does not have any user-serviceable parts. Do not open or disassemble or attempt to repair it or replace any components. Refer all servicing to Sonos qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cable or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped. Located above the logo; displays the speaker's connection to WiFi, indicates when the volume is muted, and signals errors. Connects to TV with HDMI cable (with or without an attached optical adapter). Plays sources connected to the TV, including cable boxes and game consoles.

In theory, this should make it seem as though the sound from your films is coming at you from every angle; we weren’t entirely convinced, however. While the Beam (Gen 2) has a vast soundstage and powerful audio performance for its size, we didn’t experience the kind of overhead sound you get from its larger sibling, the Sonos Arc (which has those all-important upfiring drivers). You can read more about this more capable—and expensive—soundbar in our Sonos Arc review.

While the Playbar and Playbase offered only a digital optical connection, the Beam (like the newer Arc) has HDMI (there's an optical adapter too). The sole purpose of the Beam’s one HDMI connection is to receive audio from the TV, using ARC (Audio Return Channel). There's no support for eARC as there is on the Sonos Arc, but because the Beam doesn't support Atmos of any type, let alone the high bitrate Dolby TrueHD version of it, eARC isn't necessary. The best TV mounts for Sonos Beam are the perfect way to clean up your home theater by bringing both together up on the wall. These mounts put the Sonos Beam directly underneath your TV, right where it belongs, and they hide all of your wiring behind them, giving your set up a nice and tidy look.