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Sonos Beam Gen 2 Height Audio query

  • December 2, 2025
  • 9 replies
  • 112 views
mattyeo

Hi folks,

 

I’ve recently upgraded from a Sonos Beam Gen 1 to a Gen 2 and have a query about Dolby Atmos effects.

 

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is located in our lounge, which has a roughly 10-foot high ceiling with a light fitting on the middle that hangs down slightly.

 

At the moment I can’t seem to hear any rear or overhead sounds when playing Dolby Atmos content. I’ve used Trueplay to set up the soundbar, but does anyone have any recommendations for possible Height Level audio settings, please?

 

I’m not sure whether to go lower or higher in those settings (or leave them at zero) in order to pick up any overhead or surround sounds.

 

Thanks in advance!
 

Matt

 

Moderator edit: Changed Gen 1 to Gen 2 for clarity

Best answer by Stanley_4

I don't have a Beam 2. That said the Beam uses "magic" (too lazy to look up the technical term) to try and provide the height sound, not dedicated up-firing drivers like the Arc or Era-300s. 

With my.high and vaulted ceiling I have to boost (Arc and Arc Ultra) the height channels several steps to get a good balance.

If you have Amazon, search for "Dolby Labs" and you will find a selection of ATMOS test tracks that will allow you to set the needed balance for your room and ears. Other services might have the same or similar.

You should get some level of height sound, just don't expect it to equal the Arc line. 

9 replies

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  • nik9669a
  • Senior Virtuoso
  • December 2, 2025

It’s easy enough to change them in the app, so why not try with max height and then min height?

 

There does need to be appropriate content; an Atmos soundtrack isn’t always send signals everywhere. 

mattyeo
  • mattyeo
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • December 2, 2025

Thanks for the reply!

 

Yeah, changing the settings isn’t the problem and I’ve tried the Height Audio at lower and higher positions.

 

I guess what I was wondering was, does anyone else have their Beam Gen 2 in a room with a 10-foot high ceiling and if so, what would their recommended settings be?

Stanley_4
  • Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • Answer
  • December 2, 2025

I don't have a Beam 2. That said the Beam uses "magic" (too lazy to look up the technical term) to try and provide the height sound, not dedicated up-firing drivers like the Arc or Era-300s. 

With my.high and vaulted ceiling I have to boost (Arc and Arc Ultra) the height channels several steps to get a good balance.

If you have Amazon, search for "Dolby Labs" and you will find a selection of ATMOS test tracks that will allow you to set the needed balance for your room and ears. Other services might have the same or similar.

You should get some level of height sound, just don't expect it to equal the Arc line. 

mattyeo
  • mattyeo
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • December 3, 2025

Yeah, I understand how the Beam 2 generates a version of Dolby Atmos. Maybe I was just expecting too much or maybe our lunge is too big for a speaker of that size to really show its stuff?

 

I’ll try the higher settings with the Dolby Labs content to see if that makes any difference.

Stanley_4
  • Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • December 3, 2025

We loved our Beam gen 1 in our big room but while far better than the TV speakers it struggled to fill the room and with the short length and too distant seating imaging was weak.

Put in an Arc and the difference was amazing.

Still have Beams in smaller rooms with no intent of upgrading them.

mattyeo
  • mattyeo
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • December 4, 2025

Yeah, both the Beams I’ve had are great and fit within my budget.

I did play around with some Dolby Labs content last night and it does sound better. Will continue to tweak it with more Atmos test content.

    mattyeo
    • mattyeo
    • Author
    • Contributor I
    • December 16, 2025

    Just as a follow up (and apologies os this is a stupid question), but does the Height Level audio setting alter the height that the audio is heard at (eg. 6 feet) or the volume of the height audio?

    jgatie
    • jgatie
    • December 16, 2025

    Just as a follow up (and apologies os this is a stupid question), but does the Height Level audio setting alter the height that the audio is heard at (eg. 6 feet) or the volume of the height audio?

     

    Volume.

      mattyeo
      • mattyeo
      • Author
      • Contributor I
      • December 16, 2025

      Thanks. Will keep plating around with the setting.

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