The original Sonos Beam launched back in 2018 — so there must be a long list of newer tech available to pack into something similar. Meet the Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar. We absolutely adore (yes, still do) the OG Beam, so we can’t wait to see what its descendant has to offer.
Beaming with features
Packed into a familiar housing, the Beam Gen 2 offers a few upgrades we’re keen to see in a soundbar. Things like Dolby Atmos and eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) compatibility have made their way into the device. This is largely thanks to a new processor that reportedly promises up to 40% better performance over its predecessor.
Then there’s eARC connectivity — a feature that brings increased bandwidth and speed compared to that found in regular ARC connections. This’ll allow Dolby Atmos signals to be delivered in the advanced Dolby TrueHD format.
This part’s for the audiophiles — as most streaming services deliver Atmos in Dolby Digital+ anyway. If you have a 4K Blue-ray player, though, you’ll have an absolute ball of a time with TrueHD.
It retains some of the Sonos fan-favourites like integration with its Sonos S2 app, Loudness, Night Sound and Speech Enhancement features and Apple AirPlay 2 support. Also expect some of the smarter features like the built-in smart assistants: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Unlike many other tech and audio products, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 will launch in South Africa the same day as other territories. Expect to see the soundbar on shelves from 5 October 2021 for R10,000.