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kbbil
Contributor I
October 30, 2022

How big is the difference in sound between Sonos Arc and Sonos Beam Gen2

  • October 30, 2022
  • 15 replies
  • 15373 views

Hi All,

This questions is for those of you that owns both the Sonos Arc and Sonos Beam Gen2 or have been listening to both of them. How big is the difference in sound between the Arch and Beam Gen2. I understand that the Arc has better sound but is there really a big difference?

2nd question:

Will the sound of Beam Gen2 + Two Sonos Ones in surround be better than a single Arc?

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15 replies

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melvimbe
melvimbe
October 31, 2022

If a demo is properly setup, there will not be a large bass difference between BEAM with a subwoofer and ARC with a subwoofer.

 

Yes, but if testing without sub, you would need to make sure the sub has been properly removed from both test cases.

Danny
    buzz
    buzz
    Grand Maestro
    October 31, 2022

    This is not a quick and easy demo that a store would typically use. If the same subwoofer is used with both soundbars, the system must be torn down and setup again for the ‘other’ configuration. This is not an instant process that the stores like. Trueplay will introduce an additional delay. If the systems are independent, then the subwoofers will be in different locations and this can introduce a wild performance variation. Finally, if the ARC system firmware is not current, there is likely a problem with the subwoofer.

      kbbilAuthor
      Contributor I
      November 1, 2022

      The whole demo between Arc and Beam Gen2 was done without subs. The technician was sure that no subs were active. He even put his ears near the subs to verify that it was off. The only things we added in at the end of the demo was 2 x Sonos One SL for surround. Basically the whole demo was only between the bars. The base and vocals from Beam Gen2 was better imo. I think even Peter mentions that the base from Beam Gen2 is higher in the 16:16 minute mark in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K1JC5I1UXE

      melvimbe
      melvimbe
      November 1, 2022

      The whole demo between Arc and Beam Gen2 was done without subs. The technician was sure that no subs were active. He even put his ears near the subs to verify that it was off. The only things we added in at the end of the demo was 2 x Sonos One SL for surround. Basically the whole demo was only between the bars. 

       

      The wasn’t exactly what I was getting at.  I understand that the sub wasn’t playing in either of your test cases.  I’m saying that if the Arc was originally setup with a sub, then the Arc will stop playing bass notes that the sub handles.  Even if you unplug the sub so it has no power, the Arc won’t start playing the bass notes until you properly remove the sub via the Sonos app.  Maybe that was done, maybe it wasn’t. But it would explain the different in bass you saw in your two tests.

      And that’s not even getting into trueplay.

       

      The base and vocals from Beam Gen2 was better imo. I think even Peter mentions that the base from Beam Gen2 is higher in the 16:16 minute mark in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K1JC5I1UXE

       

      That’s great. I still would be concerned about the Beam if used in a larger room.  Honestly, in most cases, I would bond with a sub and wouldn’t really be concerned about bass with the soundbar.  But you should always get what’s sounds best to you. 

      Danny
        Thomasx
        Lyricist II
        November 2, 2022

        I don’t own both, but I’ve read some reviews between Arch and Beam Gen2 and the Arch is better then Bean Gen2.

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