Sonos Beam Gen 2 vs Playbar: Which Soundbar is Right For You?

Sonos’s official multi-room family tree currently includes several soundbars, such as the Sonos Arc and Beam (Gen 2) and playbar, which have since been replaced.

However, deciding which Sonos soundbar is better for you is a task, so this article is just for you.    

The Sonos Beam is better than the Sonos Playbar. With improved surround performance, the Beam is a better-built 5.0 configuration. It offers features that the Playbar lacks, such as Google Assistant, Airplay 2, HDMI connectivity, and Alexa. Even with its better sound quality, the Beam is a far more useful choice.

Keep reading further to know the detailed comparison of Sonos Beam Gen 2 and Playbar.

Let’s get started!

Difference Between Sonos Beam Gen 2 and Playbar

Features	Sonos Beam	Sonos Playbar
Design	Touch-sensitive, sleeker, smaller buttons	larger physical buttons in an industrial style
Speakers	5 amplified drivers (three tweeters and six woofers)	Nine Class-D amplifiers(three tweeters and six mid-woofers)
Sound quality	immersive, crisp, high-definition sound	Excellent audio quality and a cinematic atmosphere
Connections	Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Airplay 2, HDMI ARC	Digital optical input, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi
Voice control	Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant	Requires external device for Alexa
Price	Check Price	Check Price

Sonos Beam Gen 2 Review

The Sonos Beam is a sleek, portable soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos and has touch-sensitive controls and voice control. Its excellent appearance and cutting-edge features make it a desirable option for home theatre systems with high-definition audio.

Specifications:

• The Sonos Beam has a small footprint, weighing 2.8 kg in weight, 65 cm in width, 7 cm in height, and 10 cm in depth.
• It produces high-definition sound with five amplified drivers—four woofers and one tweeter.
• It supports HDMI ARC, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet connectivity.
• The soundbar is unique in the way that it has built-in voice control via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
• Dolby Atmos is also supported by the Sonos Beam, providing a genuinely immersive audio experience.

Pros

• The Sonos Beam’s touch-sensitive buttons and small, contemporary form add to its visual appeal.
• The Beam’s integrated Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa to provide easy voice control.
• The soundbar offers consumers an immersive, three-dimensional audio experience –  thanks to Dolby Atmos compatibility.
• The Beam is adaptable and appropriate for a variety of home entertainment settings, particularly in smaller areas.

Cons

• The Beam may not be able to produce sound as powerfully as other Sonos models, such as the Playbar, especially in bigger spaces.
• Since the Sonos Beam typically uses an optical audio connection to connect to the TV, customers who prefer HDMI connectivity may have fewer alternatives for connecting.
• Consumers looking for an affordable soundbar may find the price to be a disadvantage.

Sonos Playbar Review

With nine amplifiers and specialized speakers for a cinematic experience in bigger areas, the Sonos Playbar comes with amazing sound.

Specifications:

• Nine Class-D digital amplifiers provide rich, full-bodied sound.
• Nine specialized speaker drivers, comprising three tweeters and six mid-woofers, make up the speaker configuration.
• Two 10/100 Mbps Ethernet connections for a wired network connection, as well as optical audio output for a TV connection.
• The dimensions of 3.35 x 35.43 x 5.51 inches indicate a more substantial and voluminous form factor.
• Does not have voice activation built in, but it can connect to other devices, such as the Amazon Echo, to allow voice commands.

Pros

• With nine Class-D digital amplifiers, six mid-woofers, and dedicated speakers, the Sonos Playbar amazes in terms of sound quality.
• The Playbar can be coupled with other Sonos devices such as a Sub and Sonos One or Sonos One SL speakers.
• The Playbar has a sturdy construction, which helps it project theater-quality sound throughout a space.
• The Playbar has two Ethernet ports for wired network connections, allowing users flexibility in setting up the sound system.

Cons

• Users who have limited space or who prefer a more compact look may find the Playbar’s bigger size and heavier weight problematic.
• The Playbar does not have voice control built-in, unlike the Sonos Beam. Instead, customers must connect additional devices such as the Amazon Echo to perform voice commands.
• The Playbar is less affordable than more recent options because of its erratic and occasionally astronomically high cost.
• The Playbar does not support HDMI ARC, which may restrict its compatibility with contemporary audio formats and configurations.

Sonos Beam Gen 2 vs Playbar Detailed Comparison

Now, let’s do a detailed comparison between both the soundbars, so you can make a wise decision when choosing one for you.

1. Sound Quality

The sound quality of the Sonos Playbar is far better than that of the Sonos Beam. In other words, it has more amplifiers, woofers, and tweeters inside that combine to create sound worthy of a theatre.

Three tweeters and a nine-driver speaker array inside the Playbar enhance the clarity of high-frequency sounds like speech. 

The center channel receives crystal clear dialogue, while the left and right channels receive music and sound effects from the six mid-woofers.

Even while it’s not nearly as strong as the Playbar, the Sonos Beam still creates amazing music that’s perfect for dancing at parties and watching films at home.

2. Design

The Sonos Beam is lighter and smaller than the Sonos Playbar.

The sheer amount of audio technology concealed within makes the Playbar’s size seem necessary.

Additionally, the Playbar needs to be positioned upright for optimal sound quality, which means it will take up even more room on your TV stand.

Alternatively, if you have the room, you can always put the Playbar above or below your mounted TV.

The Beam is smaller and weighs around half as much as the Playbar because it doesn’t need to fit as much within. 

3. Connectivity

You will require an HDMI ARC or optical digital audio output, a reliable broadband internet connection, and the Sonos app for iOS or Android to connect the Sonos Beam to your TV. 

All of the same tools are required to connect the Sonos Playbar to your TV; however, an optical audio output is the only way to do it.

You may connect the Playbar and the Beam, wirelessly or through an Ethernet connection, to the Wi-Fi network in your house.

 Whereas the Beam only has one 10/100 Mbps Ethernet connection, the Playbar has two.

4. Price 

The Sonos Playbar has a lot more drivers than the Sonos Beam, so it makes sense that there is a significant price difference between the two.

 Even yet, the two Sonos speakers are not inexpensive. You won’t find each speaker in the category of soundbars under $100.

The higher price of the Sonos Playbar over the Beam is due to the speaker’s superior audio quality. 

However, the Beam is already an excellent value for its price if you enjoy having Alexa control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

The Sonos Beam is the greatest Sonos soundbar money can buy for the majority of users. 

It’s more portable, and lighter, and yet produces crisp, strong sound for watching movies or listening to your favorite music. 

The Beam, which has voice commands integrated in, has a sleeker appearance and more capabilities that make it a valuable addition to any smart home.

If you want a home theatre that will feel like a movie theatre, the Sonos Beam would be a good purchase, but most people don’t need a soundbar that powerful, so Playbar is a good option.

I hope you found this article helpful, and if yes, tell me in the comments:)