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Upgrade? Playbase to Beam gen2

  • October 25, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 129 views

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Hello,
I own a Playbase, two One speakers, and a Gen 3 Sub in my living room. It's a system I'm very happy with, and the only thing I'm missing is compatibility with Atmos, and maybe later on with the Sonos Ace. Recently, I bought a 4K Panasonic player, and I'm really excited to try out movies with an Atmos audio track.

I've read in many places that the Playbase sound is better than the Beam 2, with more spatial depth and better bass. I’m not sure if this would be balanced out with my current setup of two rear One speakers and the Sub 3.
Also, I'm not sure how much of a difference it would make to watch a movie with my current setup in Dolby 5.1 compared to watching it with the Beam 2 and the rest of the components in Dolby Atmos.

Right now, I have all four HDMI ports on my TV occupied, so I’d probably have to connect it with the optical adapter. I don’t mind losing HDMI CEC functionality and similar features, but I’m unsure if this would mean a lower sound quality when playing Atmos content.

 

I would appreciate your help and feedback.
Thank you!

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2 replies

jgatie
  • October 25, 2024

In my opinion, the virtual Atmos effects coming from the Beam 2 are minimal to non-existent.  To achieve good Atmos effects, you need the up-firing drivers in Arc or Arc Ultra, and a proper ceiling height/seating distance.


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  • Author
  • Contributor III
  • October 25, 2024

Thanks jgatie,

Arc would be great but it doesn’t fit in my furniture, it’s too large by 2”/5cm; and my sofa is 8ft/2.4m from the soundbar and the ceiling 8ft too.
Would be great if next generation Beam include updated drivers