Sonos Beam Gen 2 vs Gen 1

Name Sonos Beam gen 2 Sonos Beam gen 1
Image Image Image
MSRP $499 $399
Released 2021 2018
Availability  Available Discontinued
Current price Sonos, Amazon Amazon
Speaker configuration
Audio channels 3.0 3.0
Expandable up to: 7.1.4, (Atmos rears, 2 subs) Virtualization used for extra surround channels. Added subwoofers play same subwoofer channel. 5.1, (add rears, 2 subs) Added subwoofers play same subwoofer channel.
Woofers (mid or full-range) - total 4: 4× unknown size 4: 4× unknown size
Tweeters - total 1: 1× unknown size 1: 1× unknown size
Subwoofers 0 0
Audio specifications
Watts RMS Not specified Not specified
Frequency range Not specified Not specified
DTS:X support No No
Dolby Atmos support? Virtual No
Surround sound? No No
Other 3D audio formats? None None
Other (notable) sound features? Speech Enhancement (use app) Speech Enhancement (use app)
Sound calibration? Yes (Trueplay) Yes (Trueplay)
Connectivity & ports
Bluetooth
Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 4 Wi-Fi 4
Ethernet port (RJ45)
HDMI (e)ARC out port? 1× eARC 1× ARC
HDMI in ports? (passthrough)
Optical port? (TOSLINK)
3.5 mm AUX port?
USB-A port?
Other audio ports None None
Wireless setup & control
Official app? Sonos S2 Sonos S1 & S2
Voice assistant? Yes Yes
Chromecast built-in?
AirPlay?
Alexa cast?
Multiroom?
Wireless subwoofer(s)? Optional: max 2 subwoofers; 2× Sonos Sub or Sub Mini Optional: max 2 subwoofers; 2× Sonos Sub or Sub Mini
Wireless surrounds? Optional: max 2 surrounds, Era 300 for Dolby Atmos Optional: max 2 surrounds, (for instance: 2× Sonos One)
Physical specifications
Speakers in set: Soundbar Soundbar
Size (cm W×H×D): 65.1×6.90×10 65.1×6.90×10
Size (inch W×H×D): 25.625×2.7×3.94 25.625×2.7×3.94
Weight (kg): 2.8 2.8
Weight (lbs): 6.2 6.2
Wall mountable? Yes Yes
Color options: Black, white Black, white
Accessories in the box HDMI cable, optical to HDMI adapter HDMI cable, optical to HDMI adapter
More info
Model number BEAM2##1 BEAM1##1
User guide / manual User Guide User Guide
Official site link Sonos.com Page discontinued
Legend:
Great/yes
Good
Not good
Bad/no
More soundbar comparisons: