The Sonos beam looks smaller than the Playbar 60% smaller
The new Sonos Beam is a $399 soundbar that works over HDMI to provide sound for TVs and uses Alexa to become a smart speaker than can take on the Echo and the HomePod. Can the hybrid Sonos Beam convince consumers to upgrade?
https://youtu.be/biHtfTG1ZLQ
Pre Orders start today.
Well that was a disappointment. I have no interest in voice integration and the one new speaker that was introduced was a tiny soundbar. 😕
Pre-OIrders - https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/beam.html
Videos of the Beam up on Sonos’ and The Verge’s YouTube channels already.
Airplay 2 July software update
Nothing more than an unverified rumour.
No mention of what audio codecs it supports? I'm guessing that does not bode well.
Who is this product for?
edit: just saw on the product page "Sonos Beam plays audio from PCM stereo, Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital 5.1 sources. These are the most popular audio formats for streaming video on demand and watching TV. "
In addition you cannot pair individual front-speakers. This is an absolute waste of a product launch.
Airplay 2 July software update
Nothing more than an unverified rumour.
Not true, they said it in the conference.
Sonos Beam is a more compact speaker and can fit almost anywhere. Playbar and Playbase have more speakers, so they produce louder sound with more width and bass. Beam is perfect for small to mid-sized rooms, whereas Playbar and Playbase are capable of filling large spaces.
Great discussion everyone, I just posted the public announcement for the Beam
here if you want to get some more information.
I was really hoping for an updated playbar. Really disappointing. Oh Well. Ill blow my money on something else now.
If this really is 'the' announcement it's hilarious. Is the codec support following?
I's almost just a centre channel!
No line in?
No Dolby Digital+?
No DTS?
What else?
HDMI ARC yes, but DTS no? Really??????
Airplay 2 July software update
Nothing more than an unverified rumour.
Not true, they said it in the conference.
For wich product update will be available? also Playbar?
Thanks
I am going to believe just the 3 already posted out there. Sonos One, PLaybase, Play 5 gen 2. Which really urks me. I asked them before I bought more speakers and they told me it would be on all the speakers.
There are some hardware requirements to running Airplay 2 that are only met by Sonos One, Playbase, and Play:5 gen2. Beam is also included in that list now too.
You are also able to group any of those players that's playing the Airplay 2 signal with older Sonos players and the audio will play on all of them. But it takes one of those newer ones to start with as a target for the Airplay 2 signal.
No line in?
No Dolby Digital+?
No DTS?
What else?
Indeed rather disappointing!
What are they thinking not supporting the newer codecs ?
Would have been great if this could also be a center speaker with additional left/right but that’s not supported either.
Really looks like they were trying to hit a certain price point so kept things to a minimum to meet that price.
Personally I would rather pay more for more features.
Airplay 2 July software update
Nothing more than an unverified rumour.
Not true, they said it in the conference.
Ah, thanks. Hopefully Sonos will meet the deadline then.
There are some hardware requirements to running Airplay 2 that are only met by Sonos One, Playbase, and Play:5 gen2. Beam is also included in that list now too.
You are also able to group any of those players that's playing the Airplay 2 signal with older Sonos players and the audio will play on all of them. But it takes one of those newer ones to start with as a target for the Airplay 2 signal.
My issue though is being told on this site all along that AirPlay2 was going to work across all speakers. That is what really bothers me.
No line in?
No Dolby Digital+?
No DTS?
What else?
Indeed rather disappointing!
What are they thinking not supporting the newer codecs ?
Would have been great if this could also be a center speaker with additional left/right but that’s not supported either.
Really looks like they were trying to hit a certain price point so kept things to a minimum to meet that price.
Personally I would rather pay more for more features.
You can pair the beam with other speakers!!
My issue though is being told on this site all along that AirPlay2 was going to work across all speakers. That is what really bothers me.
Understood, and I'm sorry you get the wrong info, it shouldn't have been out there. To begin with, we weren't sharing much around Airplay 2, just that it was coming. While under development, especially early on, we don't want to give out incorrect information so we usually err on the side of not saying much at all. If there's anywhere that says "all speakers" let me know and I'm happy to make sure it's clarified.
My issue though is being told on this site all along that AirPlay2 was going to work across all speakers. That is what really bothers me.
Understood, and I'm sorry you get the wrong info, it shouldn't have been out there. To begin with, we weren't sharing much around Airplay 2, just that it was coming. While under development, especially early on, we don't want to give out incorrect information so we usually err on the side of not saying much at all. If there's anywhere that says "all speakers" let me know and I'm happy to make sure it's clarified.
Its all removed now. I sent a somewhat nasty email and I apologized for it, but It still urks me that they would not even give out a discount to purchase other speakers for proven the inaccuracy's.
Is the HDMI port 2.1? If not is it possible to future proof it so it could be upgraded to 2.1?
It is official airplay 2 update coming July
see link from sonos official twitter account below
https://twitter.com/Sonos/status/1004398633758781440