Sonos has introduced the Beam Gen 2 with Dolby Atmos support, a new design, and other changes meant to make the compact soundbar a worthy successor to the original device.
The new Beam also costs slightly more than its predecessor. Sonos released the first iteration of the soundbar in 2018 with a $399 price tag; the new model is listed at $449. That’s not as steep of a price hike as it could have been, though, because the company recently increased the cost of most of its products by as much as $100 in response to the ongoing chip shortage.
Sonos says the Beam Gen 2 features “a 40% faster chip” that “pushes the sonic limits for a soundbar this size, creating two new audio paths for a virtual surround sound experience.” That chip enables Dolby Atmos support, although the company did note that using Dolby’s next-gen sound technology also requires an Atmos-compatible TV as well as Atmos-encoded content.
Sonos also says the Beam Gen 2 offers a variety of control options: It can be paired with an existing TV remote; controlled via the Sonos app, touch controls, or Apple AirPlay 2; and managed via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. (There’s no support for Siri, however, which has proven to be a point of contention between Sonos and Apple in recent months.)
Other updates made to the Beam Gen 2 include a redesigned front grille; support for “Trueplay tuning technology,” which “adapts the sound for the unique acoustics of the room so your content always sounds just the way it should” if you pair the soundbar with an iOS device; and compatibility with a new black or white wall mount that costs an additional $49.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is available for pre-order via the Sonos website with shipments expected to start on Oct. 5. The original Beam is still available for $399… for now.
