Sonos, renowned for its innovative home audio solutions, offers a range of excellent soundbars to elevate your home theater experience. Among the most popular choices are the Beam 2 and the company’s latest flagship, the Arc Ultra, each designed to cater to different needs and preferences. The Arc Ultra, one of the best soundbars on the market, is for those seeking a premium, cinematic audio experience, while the Beam 2 offers a balance of performance and affordability. This article delves into a comprehensive comparison of these two soundbars, examining their design, setup, performance, versatility, and price to help you determine which model best suits your home entertainment needs.
Design
The Sonos Arc Ultra and the Sonos Beam 2 are sleek soundbars designed to elevate your home theater experience, but they differ in key ways.
Firstly, the Sonos Arc Ultra is significantly larger than the Beam 2. Measuring 46.4 inches (1,178 mm) in width compared to the 25.6 inches (651 mm) of the Beam 2, the Arc Ultra commands a presence, making it better suited for larger television screens and bigger rooms. This size difference also translates to weight, with the Arc Ultra being more than twice as heavy as the Beam 2.
Despite its larger size, the Sonos Arc Ultra maintains a low-profile and compact design, ensuring it doesn’t distract from your TV. Both soundbars feature a similar minimalist aesthetic with smooth lines and a perforated plastic covering. However, the Arc Ultra boasts a more refined design with subtle details like a seamlessly integrated LED status light, giving it a more premium look and feel.
Another design difference lies in the placement of the control buttons. While both have touch controls for volume and playback, the Arc Ultra features a discreet Bluetooth pairing button instead of the traditional pairing button found on the Beam 2. Additionally, the Arc Ultra lacks an Ethernet port, which is present on the Beam 2, relying solely on Wi-Fi for connectivity.
Setup, networking, and versatility
Both soundbars are designed for simple setup, utilizing the intuitive Sonos app to guide users through connecting to their Wi-Fi network and linking the soundbar to their TV. The app also facilitates regular software updates and offers customization options, from adjusting sound settings to tailoring audio profiles for different types of content.
Both soundbars connect to your TV via HDMI eARC, ensuring high-quality audio transmission, and include an optical adapter for compatibility with older television models. The Arc Ultra exclusively relies on Wi-Fi for network connectivity, which allows for a more streamlined design but may pose challenges in environments with unstable Wi-Fi signals. It’s ideal for users with robust wireless setups, allowing them to use multi-room audio and integrate with smart home systems.
On the other hand, the Sonos Beam 2 offers an added layer of flexibility with its Ethernet port, providing the option for a more stable wired connection. This can be particularly advantageous in homes with intermittent Wi-Fi or for users prioritizing a consistent streaming experience.
Regarding versatility, the Sonos Arc Ultra is the more powerful of the two, making it ideal for larger spaces and more advanced audio setups due to its bigger size and increased number of drivers and 15 Class-D amplifiers. This allows for a wider soundstage and a more immersive Dolby Atmos experience, making it particularly well-suited for larger rooms and dedicated home theaters. The Arc Ultra also delivers superior bass performance, often eliminating the need for a separate subwoofer.
However, the Beam 2’s compact design and 5 Class-D amplifiers makes it a versatile option for small-to-medium rooms or those with space constraints. Its smaller footprint allows for easier placement in front of the TV or on a shelf while still providing impressive sound quality for its size.
Performance
Regarding performance, the Sonos Arc Ultra significantly outperforms the Sonos Beam 2, justifying its higher price tag. Due to its larger size and increased number of speakers and amps, the Arc Ultra offers a more immersive sound experience with greater depth and clarity. It includes upward-firing drivers, providing a more authentic Dolby Atmos experience that creates a true sense of height and spaciousness, which the Beam 2 can’t replicate.
Additionally, the Arc Ultra delivers superior bass performance, offering richer and more impactful low-end frequencies, even without the addition of a sub like the Sonos Sub or Sub Mini. While the Beam 2 produces decent bass for its size, the larger woofers and overall design of the Arc Ultra result in a more powerful and room-filling sound. Dialogue clarity is another area where the Arc Ultra excels; its dedicated center channel and advanced processing ensure that speech remains crisp and intelligible, even during action-packed scenes.
Ultimately, the Arc Ultra provides a more refined and cinematic audio experience, surpassing the Beam 2 in every performance aspect. However, it is essential to consider your room size and budget. The Beam 2 still delivers impressive sound for its size and price, making it an excellent option for smaller spaces or those seeking a more affordable upgrade.
Price and warranty
Price is one of the most significant differences between the Sonos Beam 2 and the Sonos Arc Ultra. The Beam 2 is substantially more affordable, retailing for $449, while the Arc Ultra costs $999. This wide price difference reflects the Arc Ultra’s superior audio performance, larger size, and more advanced features.
The Sonos Beam 2 and the Sonos Arc Ultra come with Sonos’s standard warranty, including a one-year warranty covering defects in materials and quality. While this warranty period is relatively standard for electronics, some competitors offer longer coverage. However, Sonos is known for its product quality and customer support, which can provide some reassurance despite the shorter warranty period.
Conclusion
Choosing between the Sonos Beam 2 and the Sonos Arc Ultra depends on your needs and priorities. The Arc Ultra is the clear winner for those seeking the best possible audio experience and who have the budget to support it. It offers a premium audio experience with greater immersion and power, which is ideal for larger spaces and home theater enthusiasts. However, the Beam 2 provides a more compact and affordable solution without sacrificing too much performance. It’s an excellent choice for smaller rooms or those seeking a more budget-friendly upgrade. Consider your budget, room size, and desired features to determine which soundbar fits your home theater setup.