Sonos Arc & Sonos Beam share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Sonos Arc rather than the Sonos Beam.
Why Do I Recommend The Sonos Arc?
- The Sonos Arc has upward-firing drivers for delivering true Dolby Atmos height effects, compared to the Sonos Beam lacks physical height channels and provides a less immersive 3D soundstage.
- Sonos Arc features a 5.0.2 channel configuration for generating expansive spatial audio with true directional effects, while the Sonos Beam uses a 5.0 setup.
- It includes 11 high-performance drivers for producing richer, fuller sound with greater bass depth and clarity, whereas the Sonos Beam has only 5 active drivers with 3 passive radiators.
- The Sonos Arc has three dedicated silk-dome tweeters for achieving clearer treble and vocal detail, compared to the Sonos Beam’s single tweeter.
- Sonos Arc comes with a larger acoustic cabinet to project audio across wider spaces effectively, compared to the Sonos Beam’s smaller form factor.
- It supports more advanced and powerful audio processor to handle high-resolution sound with minimal distortion, whereas the Sonos Beam’s processing is optimized for compact performance and less intensive use.
- The Sonos Arc includes a premium polycarbonate grille that enhances durability and aesthetic integration in high-end setups, while the Sonos Beam features a simpler plastic design with a perforated grille.
- Sonos Arc is designed to pair with TVs 55 inches and above for a balanced visual-to-audio match, while the Sonos Beam is intended for smaller TVs under 55 inches.
Maybe the Sonos Beam price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Sonos Arc. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | Sonos Arc | Sonos Beam |
| Speaker Channel Configuration | 5.0.2 | 5.0 |
| Upward-Firing Drivers | Yes | No |
| Number of Total Drivers | 11 | 5 drivers + 3 passive radiators |
| Tweeters | 3 silk-dome tweeters | 1 tweeter |
| Woofers / Mid-Range Drivers | 8 elliptical woofers | 4 midwoofers |
| Audio Processing | Higher-performance audio architecture | Standard audio processing |
| Height Channel Support | Physical height channels for Atmos | Virtualized height for Atmos |
| Length | 45 inches | 25.6 inches |
| Height | 3.4 inches | 2.7 inches |
| Depth | 4.5 inches | 3.9 inches |
| Weight | 13.78 lbs | 6.2 lbs |
| Finish / Grille Design | Polycarbonate grille | Plastic cabinet with perforated polycarbonate |
| Recommended TV Size | 55” and larger | 32” to 55” |
| HDMI Port Type | HDMI eARC only | HDMI eARC only |
| Dolby Atmos Support | True | Virtualized |
| Price | Check Sonos Arc Price | Check Sonos Beam Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Dolby Atmos Support: Both models support Dolby Atmos for immersive audio, although the Arc uses dedicated upward-firing speakers while the Beam uses virtual processing to simulate height.
- HDMI eARC Connectivity: Each soundbar includes HDMI eARC, allowing them to transmit high-quality, uncompressed audio formats and sync perfectly with TVs.
- Trueplay Tuning: Both support Sonos’ Trueplay feature (iOS only), which measures your room’s acoustics using your iPhone’s microphone and adjusts the sound output for optimal performance.
- Voice Assistant Integration: You can control both soundbars using built-in microphones for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, enabling hands-free control and smart home integration.
- Apple AirPlay 2: Both support AirPlay 2, so Apple users can easily stream music, podcasts, or videos from iPhones, iPads, or Macs.
- Expandable System: You can pair both models with a Sonos Sub (or Sub Mini) and two rear speakers like the Sonos One SL or Era series to create a true surround sound system.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity & Multi-Room Support: Each speaker connects via Wi-Fi (not Bluetooth) and is part of the Sonos multi-room ecosystem using the Sonos S2 app.
- Built-in Microphones and Touch Controls: Each device includes far-field mics for voice commands and touch-sensitive buttons for volume, play/pause, and microphone toggling.
- IR Receiver & TV Remote Sync: Both include IR receivers, allowing you to use your TV remote to control volume and power when set up via HDMI CEC.
- DTS Support & Software Updates: Both received firmware updates to support DTS Digital Surround and continue to get updates through the Sonos app for improved performance and new features.
Common Features
| Feature | Sonos Arc | Sonos Beam |
| Brand | Sonos | Sonos |
| Product Type | Smart Soundbar | Smart Soundbar |
| Dolby Atmos Support | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI eARC Support | Yes | Yes |
| Trueplay Tuning | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistant Support | Alexa, Google Assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Apple AirPlay 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Expandable with Subwoofer | Yes | Yes |
| Expandable with Surrounds | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Ethernet Port | Yes | Yes |
| IR Receiver | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Microphones | Yes | Yes |
| Touch Controls | Yes | Yes |
| DTS Digital Surround (via update) | Yes | Yes |
| Night Sound Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Speech Enhancement Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Wall Mount Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming Audio | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Room Audio | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Home Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Software Updates | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check Sonos Arc Price | Check Sonos Beam Price |
