Sonos Arc vs Sonos Beam
The Sonos Arc and Beam are both excellent TV soundbars, but they differ in size, power, and surround capability. The Arc delivers Dolby Atmos and higher output for large rooms, while the Beam provides solid performance in a compact, budget-friendly package.
Sonos Arc
A premium soundbar designed for larger living rooms and high-performance home theater. Features Dolby Atmos support, eight drivers, and can pair with subwoofers and surround speakers for a complete system.
Price
$799–$899
Drivers
8
Width
45.2 inches
Key Feature
Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
Released
November 2020
Pros
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support for immersive surround sound
- More drivers and output power for larger spaces
- Seamless integration with Sonos ecosystem for multi-room audio
Cons
- Significantly higher price point ($799–$899)
- Larger footprint may not fit all TV stands
- Overkill for smaller rooms or entry-level setups
Sonos Beam
A compact soundbar built for smaller to medium-sized rooms and TVs. Offers solid stereo sound and voice control without Dolby Atmos, making it an accessible entry point to the Sonos ecosystem.
Price
$399–$449
Drivers
5
Width
25.6 inches
Key Feature
Compact, voice control
Released
July 2018
Pros
- Compact size fits most TV stands and small spaces
- Affordable entry point to Sonos ecosystem ($399–$449)
- Clean, minimalist design integrates easily into any room
Cons
- No Dolby Atmos or DTS:X support—limited immersive sound
- Lower output power for smaller rooms only
- Lacks some of the advanced audio processing of Arc
Sound Quality & Features Comparison
Immersive Surround (Atmos/DTS:X)
Arc includes full Dolby Atmos and DTS:X; Beam lacks these technologies entirely.
Overall Output Power
Arc's eight drivers deliver higher SPL and deeper bass; Beam's five drivers are adequate for smaller rooms.
Room Size Suitability
Arc excels in large living rooms; Beam performs well in medium and small rooms but lacks power for expansive spaces.
Voice Control Integration
Both support Alexa and Google Assistant equally; feature parity here.
Expandability
Arc works better with Sonos Sub and surrounds; Beam can also pair but benefits less from the added power.
Value for Price
Beam offers exceptional sound-per-dollar for budget buyers; Arc is premium-priced but justified for high-end setups.
Specifications & Physical Comparison
| Aspect | Sonos Arc | Sonos Beam |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799–$899 | $399–$449 |
| Width | 45.2 inches | 25.6 inches |
| Drivers | 8 | 5 |
| Dolby Atmos Support | Yes (DTS:X too) | No |
| Launch Year | 2020 | 2018 |
| Best For | Large rooms, home theater | Small to medium rooms |
Ecosystem & Setup
Both soundbars integrate seamlessly with Sonos app and support AirPlay 2, Alexa, and Google Assistant. The Arc is optimized for pairing with Sonos Sub and surround speakers to create a full 5.1 or 7.1 system; the Beam also supports this but performs best as a standalone unit. Setup on both is straightforward and requires only a TV optical cable or HDMI eARC connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Arc includes Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for immersive surround sound with eight drivers, while the Beam is a compact five-driver soundbar without these premium features. Arc suits large rooms; Beam is ideal for smaller spaces.
The Beam is the better choice for small rooms—its 25.6-inch width fits most TV stands, and its output is well-suited to compact spaces. The Arc's larger size and power would be excessive and may not fit.
Yes, both Arc and Beam support pairing with Sonos Sub and surround speakers. However, the Arc's greater power and Atmos support make it better suited for building a full home theater system.
Sources & references
Suggested sources to verify product details, pricing, reviews, and specifications.
- ReferenceSONOS Arc Ultra Review - Incredible sound, impossible center
Better audio separation, vastly improved AI-based center upsampling, a 3X improvement in bass response, and an upgraded
- Referencer/sonos on Reddit: Is the Sonos Arc actually good/premium?
We both said that the ARC alone was the best. I found the surrounds to make a big difference, she felt it was quite mino
- ReferenceSonos Arc review: Sonos's original Dolby Atmos soundbar is still an absolute belter | What Hi-Fi?
We could only imagine the pressure Sonos felt when it announced the Sonos Arc to the world; a follow-up to its beloved P