If you want your blockbuster soundtracks to shake the room and have impact, the Beam can’t compete. The Playbar, on the other hand, is likely to require its own shelf on your TV stand, if you don’t want it to lop off the very bottom of your TV’s picture with its 90 x 8.5 x 14cm frame. Unsurprisingly, given its relatively diminutive dimensions, the Beam has the fewest drivers, with one tweeter and four full-range, elliptical woofers working with three passive bass radiators. Sonos components are famous for their relative lack of connection ports. Like the Sonos One and Sonos Move, the Sonos Beam supports Amazon's Alexa and Google's Assistant out of the box, as well a… Review - Sonos Beam … The Playbase has the same number of tweeters and mid-range drivers as the Playbar, … The Sonos Beam, on the other hand, strives for a more compact take on the soundbar formula, stretching to just 25 inches wide and with only five drivers and amps. Sonos just announced its latest soundbar, the Sonos Arc, along with the new Sonos Five, Sub, and its new S2 app. If you connect a Sonos Beam via HDMI-CEC to a compatible TV, it will relay instructions like “Alexa, turn on the TV.” The Playbar has no voice control functionality built-in, though it can be controlled by voice if you have a Sonos smart speaker, or another Google Assistant or Alexa device in the house. Here, then, our focus is on helping you choose between the Sonos Playbar and Sonos Beam. With built-in far-field voice mics that can pick out the “Hey Google,” or “Alexa” wake word, even in a noisy environment, the Beam gives you voice control over music playback as well as a host of smart home options. However, with its modern design and stealthy profile, it’s hard not to swoon over the Beam’s good looks. However,  in order to accommodate HDMI, the Beam does drop one of its ethernet ports, which the Playbar retains. Sonos Beam vs Sonos Playbar: Introduction Sonos Beam. Why the price difference? Along with updating its Sonos software to a new version called S2, these legacy devices, such as Zone Players, Sonos Bridge, and Play:5 first-gen speakers, will no longer be compatible with newer devices, including the Playbar and Beam. That’s a solid argument in favor of the Playbar for people who put a high priority on getting the best sound for movies and TV. The Sonos Playbar only has an optical input, whereas the Arc uses HDMI eARC, which … Just the one extra driver might not seem much more for all that extra bulk. With the debut of the Sonos Arc, we’ve seen a $100 price reduction with The Sonos Playbar, now retailing for $575, while the Sonos Beam remains at $399. It costs less, it has ready-to-use voice control, and the connections are more modern. Putting aside the one-or-the-other decision-making for a moment, there are a couple of things to consider before making your choice. We may earn a commission if you click a deal and buy an item. If hearing every nuance in a high-speed car chase or combat scene isn’t your main concern, and if you’re buying a soundbar for a smaller room, the Beam might still be the better choice. But for most, the Sonos Beam will do just fine, offering better features and leaving your bank balance looking much healthier in the process. By default, most Sonos speakers will have Wi-Fi and Ethernet, and nothing else. Both can be paired with a Sonos Sub (including the recently-launched Gen 3 Sub), and a set of Play:1, Sonos One, Sonos One SL, or Ikea’s Symfonisk speakers to create a 5.1 surround sound setup, but the Playbar’s wider design and more effective center-channel drivers make it the clear choice for home theater enthusiasts. However, it’s less about quantity of drivers here, and more about what they are and how they’re powered that really counts. This one is no contest: The Sonos Beam is one of the company’s growing collection of smart speaker products, with the ability to run either Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant directly on the speaker. Its concave top keeps the LED lights on the controls cleverly below eye line, allowing the Beam to be heard, but not seen. The curved edges and slimmer profile of the Beam mean that it’s less likely to distract your eye when watching movies or TV. We have made a list of the Best Soundbars to peruse if you want alternative non-Sonos sound equipment. This is particularly important for voice control, and we’ll go into that in more detail below. #mc-embedded-subscribe-form input[type=checkbox]{display: inline; width: auto;margin-right: 10px;} In the right space, it will still provide excellent TV audio, and it’s certainly no slouch in the music department either. Copyright ©2021 Designtechnica Corporation. At a glance, it seems like the Sonos Beam is the clear winner over the Sonos Playbar in this analysis. In terms of size, the two soundbars are more or less comparable. Sonos components are famous for their relative lack of connection ports. It offers an HDMI ARC (audio return channel) connection for hooking it up to your TV, as well as an optical input, with the Playbar only offers the latter. Measuring 65cm long, 6.5cm tall and 10cm deep, the stylish Beam should slip under most TVs with ease. One advantage the Playbar may have is that its angled drivers give it the ability to stand flat or upright, while the Beam can only lay in its one position. With the Arc, Sonos is rewriting its own home theater playbook, tossing out the pricey Playbar for something even bolder. The Sonos Beam and Playbar are both two-in-one speakers, streaming music while also offering cinema sound to your TV. */ Setting up the Beam is also much easier because it connects through HDMI-ARC and HDMI-CEC, allowing you to control the TV and soundbar together as one unit. With more power and drivers, that makes it an easy win for the Playbar. Dynamic range and volume are both better than with the Beam, and thanks to its wider stance and additional drivers, the Playbar can produce better stereo separation as long as your room is big enough for you to sit at a distance that lets you appreciate it. It’s fine in smaller rooms, however. If your room setup (and your expectations) are a good match for the Sonos Beam, it’s a great choice. The Beam is a few inches wider than the Solo 5, but even then it measures in at just over two feet. Clearly, the Playbar offers greater power and depth of sound. Each has its pros and cons when it comes to their specification, so we’ll call this one a draw. You already know that the Playbar is bigger and has more drivers than the Beam, but what does that actually mean in terms of sound? De Sonos Beam … The Playbar only uses an optical cable, so you would need to control it separately. In addition to Sonos-compatible equipment, we have many more recommendations for soundbars that don’t meet Sonos criteria. We have made a list of. As for placement, the Sonos Beam has been designed to be used in one orientation only, whereas the Playbar has angled drivers that allow it be used in both flat and upright positions, without any sound degradations. The bigger and heavier Playbar (35.4-inch long, 3.3-inch tall, and 5.5-inch deep) is much better suited for wall mounting, although its controls are even more unseen, found on the end panel of the soundbar. This means the Beam has the ability to support HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), which allows you to control the TV and soundbar as one unit, rather than the two acting independently. Soundbar products like the Sonos Playbar and Sonos Beam are slightly different in that they need to physically connect to a TV. However, the Sonos Beam takes the smart side of stuff a little further with built-in Alexa and Google Assistant support, which allows the unit to double up as a fully fledged smart speaker too. If you have some of these legacy devices in your current Sonos setup, just bear in mind that while they will still operate on the older S1 software, they won’t be able to talk to your newer Sonos devices. Both are modestly … Both are pretty and minimalist, offering black and white variants with smoothed off edges and buttons that allow you to control the units themselves fro… It’s heavier, too, weighing in at 5.4kg to the Beam’s 2.8kg – something for potential wall-mounters to consider. The Sonos Beam also brags Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility, which will allow playback on the Beam to be controlled via Siri. 35.43 in. While the Beam manages to squeeze eight drivers into its petite frame, the Sonos Playbar has nine. This largely comes down to their unique purposes. Soundbar products like the Sonos Playbar and Sonos Beam are slightly different in that they need to physically connect to a TV. All that said, the Playbar is not a total slam-dunk. The Bose soundbars and the Sonos soundbars can be connected to an external sound system of their respective brands. What Playbar lacks in high-tech features, it makes up for with greater sound output capacity. It isn’t particularly attractive, and looks far more functional than its stylish sibling. This is how we make money. There is no shortage of choices when it comes to picking out a soundbar, but for anybody who prefers Sonos products, you can’t go wrong with the Sonos Playbar or Sonos Beam. Verity has been writing about technology for over a decade, and covers everything from smartphones to hair straighteners for Trusted Reviews. At $399 for the Beam, $599 for the Playbar, and $799 for Arc, there’s never been more options for people looking for a Sonos soundbar. 2.7 in. The Sonos Beam takes an early lead thanks to its newer, more modern Sonos design. Sonos Beam vs Sonos Playbar: Which is better. By default, most Sonos speakers will have Wi-Fi and Ethernet, and nothing else. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width:100%;} This is more apparent in larger rooms, which the Beam struggles to fill. If you have other Sonos speakers in your home, the Beam’s AirPlay 2 can be used as a bridge to send that same audio to any speaker in your multiroom audio setup, well, almost any speaker (more on that below). That said, the Playbar has a lot more firepower than Beam (nine drivers versus four) and is the superior-sounding soundbar. In terms of design, there’s only one winner: Beam. The Playbase is a soundbase while the Beam is a soundbar. The Playbar uses an optical connection, whereas the Beam uses an HDMI ARC connection — by far the preferred choice for most setups — that can be fitted with an included optical adapter if needed. The Playbar uses an optical connection, whereas the Beam … Being Sonos speakers, both the Beam and the Playbar offer all the same multi-room streaming smarts as the rest of the Sonos family. These voice commands aren’t just limited to audio. If you happen to own other Sonos components, adding a Beam lets you control those products too. Today however I was given a significant gift from my company for long service and one of the options was a Playbar… It also has a wide soundstage due to its configuration, but doesn't get as loud at … We have extensively tested the Sonos Beam in a review shortly after the release of the compact soundbar . 47 editorial reviews. As for audio components, it’s little surprise that the Sonos Beam can’t pack in the same driver array as the larger Sonos Playbar. And even though Sonos no longer sells the Playbar — it has been replaced by the new flagship, the Sonos Arc — you can still find it on Amazon and other retailers, which is a good reason to still consider it as you choose a new speaker. One of the most attractive things about the Sonos Beam is the price. While it’s an easy win for the Beam in the looks and features, it’s also better equipped when it comes to practicalities as well. The different shapes and sizes of these three speakers means there are stark differences in the quantity, type and arrangement of the drivers in each. Sonos Arc vs Sonos Playbar — Features A big difference between the Arc and Playbar is the input used. All rights reserved. I bought a beam a few weeks ago mainly because of its HDMI arc feature. It’s available in white or black, and offers touch controls along its … If you have an Echo or an Echo Dot, you can download the Sonos skill and use it to control the Playbar with your voice – it just isn’t as smooth and straightforward as the Beam’s integrated experience. Costco near me is still carrying the Playbar … Both the Playbar and Beam feature Sonos’s speech enhancement software for clearer on-screen dialogue, but the Beam only has a single tweeter to work with; the Playbar has three. Even with the Playbar’s … But, as you know, it’s never that simple. At 35 inches wide, the Playbar boasts a total of nine drivers — each with its own dedicated Class-D digital amp — and makes no compromises when it comes room-filling, cinema-grade sound. Both Beam and Playbar are virtually flawless pieces of sound equipment that you’ll love. This provides access to a whole world of Alexa voice control, including the ability to ask Alexa to turn on your TV and control what’s playing on any connected Fire TV device. Here’s a very helpful guide to upgrading to Sonos S2. More than music, you can also send the audio track from a Netflix movie, or any other audio source. /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. 47. And even though Sonos no longer sells the Playbar — it has been replaced by the new flagship, the, Sonos units are always going to be reliable, high-quality options. The Sonos Beam has 4 elliptical mid-woofers and 1 tweeter. The Beam also does what it can to make up for its shortcomings by placing an angled woofer at either end to help disperse its sound wider. She has particular experience in audio and TV reviews, whi…. The Sonos Beam also has AirPlay 2 built-in, a feature it shares with other Sonos products like the Sonos One and Sonos Amp. But keep in mind, you can’t expect it to sound as rich or full as its sibling. But if your room is bigger, you may want to take advantage of the lower price and the extra size and drivers of the Playbar. De Sonos Playbar is alleen verkrijgbaar in het zwart. They also both pack Sonos’ clever TruePlay technology (iOS), which allow the speakers to have their sound tweaked to your room by running an automatic calibration programme to judge its environment. The second major difference is that the Sonos Beam … And I thought that I might buy the Sub in another year. They can sit below the TV too, but they can also be wall-mounted to sit underneath a wall-hung TV. The Playbar, due to being 5 years old, contains physical buttons on the edge of the unit but has still aged very well with its competitors and can be forgiven for this. There is no shortage of choices when it comes to picking out a soundbar, but for anybody who prefers Sonos products, you can’t go wrong with the Sonos Playbar or Sonos Beam. The Playbar uses an optical connection, whereas the Beam uses an HDMI ARC connection— by far the preferred choice for most setups — that can be fitted with an included optical adapter if needed. Available colors: Editiorial reviews: 4.4 / 5. With its more current and wider range of features, the Beam takes another win. Even with the Playbar’s reduced price, the Beam is still the most attractive choice for those who are looking to save money. While Sonos has always focused on elegant designs that don’t overshadow your room or the other devices within your entertainment center. So you’ve decided you want a soundbar in the Sonos system, but which of the two models should you opt for out of the Sonos Beam vs Sonos Playbar? In practice, the Playbar can deliver a wider range of frequencies, at higher volume levels, and with a more effective virtual surround sound. #mc-embedded-subscribe-form .mc_fieldset{border:none;min-height: 0px;padding-bottom:0px;}. They also both offer similar features and functions, though Beam is more advanced and it connects to your TV via HDMI, unlocking the potential for much more control. Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. This also opens it up to be paired with other, non-Sonos AirPlay 2-compatible speakers – such as a Naim Mu-So or an Apple HomePod – in a simple multiroom setup. As a result, the Beam is much more flexible than the Playbar when it comes to functionality – although, unless you’re an Apple Music user, the music you play between AirPlay 2 speakers will have to be the same. The Sonos Playbar has 6 midrange drivers and 3 tweeters. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Sonos units are always going to be reliable, high-quality options. It’s available in white or black, and offers touch controls along its top panel. What makes the Playbar better for movies and TV shows, also makes it a more accomplished soundbar for music. 3.35 in. While both devices here look good in practice, they diverge pretty significantly in general terms of design. Sonos… If you’re looking for the very best in sound, or have a particularly large room, the Playbar’s extra cost will be worth the outlay. The baby of the duo, the Beam comes with Alexa smarts and an compact design, not to mention a lower price tag. Sonos at a recent press event announced the new Sonos Beam soundbar, a compact soundbar with Amazon Alexa built right in.