Sonos Beam vs Sonos Arc review

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I had a chance to test and compare two models: Sonos Beam vs Sonos Arc and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The Sonos Beam was rated 6, while the Sonos Arc has a rating 7. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, volume down, volume up, microphone, play/pause for the Beam and volume down, volume up, play/pause, microphone for the Arc.

Audio features

Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in any of these models. An external subwoofer can be connected to any of the units in this comparison. Rate 6 out of 10 received the Sonos Beam for audio features and specs, but the Sonos Arc received 5 out of 10.

Streaming services

AirPlay 2 supported by both soundbars. The Arc can play audio from Spotify.

Connectivity

Both models have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs are in each of soundbars. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) is implemented only in the Arc. Connecting devices via USB is not possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the Beam at 6 out of 10, while the Arc was rated 7/10.

Features

Both devices have integrated voice control via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. Each of the soundbars can be controlled using the application. The soundbars in this review are equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration cannot become part of a multiroom system.

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos audio decoder is onboard the Arc. Devices from this comparison cannot process surround sound due to lack of DTS:X. The same score of 4/10 was put to the soundbars for multichannel surround support.

Advantages Sonos Arc over Sonos Beam