AI comparison report
Sonos Beam Ultra vs Sonos Beam Gen 2
Choose the Sonos Beam Ultra for authentic 7.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos height effects and flexible Bluetooth connectivity, or select the Sonos Beam Gen 2 for an a…
Who wins: Sonos Beam Ultra or Sonos Beam Gen 2?
Choose the Sonos Beam Ultra first if you prioritize true 7.1.2-channel spatial audio with physical height channels, direct Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and Android-compatible Trueplay tuning, but opt for the Sonos Beam Gen 2 first if you want a reliable compact soundbar at a more budget-friendly $499 price point.
Based on our analysis across 5 dimensions with 20 sources, Sonos Beam Ultra scores 8.9/10 overall while Sonos Beam Gen 2 scores 7.6/10 overall.
| Dimension | Sonos Beam Ultra | Sonos Beam Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Acoustic Architecture & Spatial Audio | 9.4/10 | 7.2/10 |
| Driver Array & Amplification | 9.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| Connectivity & Streaming | 9.5/10 | 7/10 |
| Dialogue Clarity & Calibration Features | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Price & Value Proposition | 6.8/10 | 8.7/10 |
| Overall | 8.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
Should I choose Sonos Beam Ultra or Sonos Beam Gen 2?
Verdict: Choose the Sonos Beam Ultra first if you prioritize true 7.1.2-channel spatial audio with physical height channels, direct Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and Android-compatible Trueplay tuning, but opt for the Sonos Beam Gen 2 first if you want a reliable compact soundbar at a more budget-friendly $499 price point.
Choose the Sonos Beam Ultra for authentic 7.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos height effects and flexible Bluetooth connectivity, or select the Sonos Beam Gen 2 for an affordable, high-value 5.0-channel virtual spatial audio experience.
The Sonos Beam Ultra justifies its $699 price tag by providing a significant hardware upgrade over the $499 Sonos Beam Gen 2, featuring a true 7.1.2-channel architecture powered by 9 custom drivers and 9 Class-D amplifiers compared to the Gen 2's 5.0-channel layout with 5 amplifiers and 3 passive radiators. In addition to delivering physical upward-firing height drivers rather than psychoacoustic virtualization, the Sonos Beam Ultra adds Bluetooth 5.3 streaming, USB-C, Wi-Fi 6, cross-platform Trueplay for iOS and Android, and 4 levels of AI Speech Enhancement over the Gen 2's single toggle setting and zero direct Bluetooth playback support.
Best for Sonos Beam Ultra
- Dedicated upward-firing physical drivers for true 7.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos audio
- Expanded amplification featuring 9 custom drivers powered by 9 Class-D digital amplifiers
- Direct Bluetooth 5.3 audio streaming, Wi-Fi 6, and USB-C wired connectivity
- 4 selectable levels of AI-powered Speech Enhancement for clear dialogue
- Cross-platform Trueplay acoustic room calibration for both iOS and Android users
Best for Sonos Beam Gen 2
- A lower $499 entry price point offering solid compact smart soundbar value
- Capable 5.0-channel virtual Dolby Atmos audio for smaller spaces
- Cost-effective home theater setup utilizing 5 Class-D amplifiers and 3 passive radiators
When not to compare directly
Do not compare the Sonos Beam Ultra directly against the Sonos Beam Gen 2 when deciding strictly on whether physical upward-firing acoustic hardware is required versus simulated psychoacoustic height processing, as they represent distinct architectural classes and price tiers ($699 vs. $499).
What are the key differences between Sonos Beam Ultra and Sonos Beam Gen 2?
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Acoustic Architecture & Spatial Audio
While the Sonos Beam Ultra features a true 7.1.2-channel architecture with physical upward-firing height drivers, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 relies on 5.0-channel virtual psychoacoustic processing for overhead effects.
Sonos Beam Ultra: The Sonos Beam Ultra incorporates a true 7.1.2-channel acoustic architecture equipped with dedicated upward-firing physical drivers to deliver realistic overhead Dolby Atmos height effects.
Sonos Beam Gen 2: The Sonos Beam Gen 2 utilizes a 5.0-channel speaker array that depends on psychoacoustic processing and phase arrays rather than upward-firing drivers to simulate virtual Dolby Atmos height channels.
Scores — Sonos Beam Ultra: 9.4/10, Sonos Beam Gen 2: 7.2/10
Determines sound immersion, channel separation, and the realism of Dolby Atmos height effects.
Sources: Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review: an excellent Dolby Atmos soundbar, Sonos Beam Ultra 7.1.2 Channel Wireless Smart Soundbar ...
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Driver Array & Amplification
The Sonos Beam Ultra features nine custom drivers powered by nine Class-D amplifiers, whereas the Sonos Beam Gen 2 uses five Class-D amplifiers powering five drivers alongside three passive radiators.
Sonos Beam Ultra: The Sonos Beam Ultra incorporates nine custom drivers paired with nine dedicated Class-D digital amplifiers to power a true 7.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos soundstage.
Sonos Beam Gen 2: The Sonos Beam Gen 2 features five digital Class-D amplifiers powering four elliptical midwoofers and one central tweeter, supplemented by three passive radiators for low-end reinforcement.
Scores — Sonos Beam Ultra: 9.4/10, Sonos Beam Gen 2: 7.6/10
Affects dynamic range, bass response, and overall soundstage clarity.
Sources: SONOS User Guide | Beam (Gen 2), Sonos Beam Ultra: The TV Soundbar with Dolby Atmos
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Connectivity & Streaming
While the Sonos Beam Ultra features Bluetooth 5.3 and USB-C connectivity alongside Wi-Fi and eARC, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 includes 0 direct Bluetooth streaming capabilities.
Sonos Beam Ultra: The Sonos Beam Ultra significantly expands input and wireless options by incorporating Bluetooth 5.3 direct streaming, a USB-C audio port, Wi-Fi 6, and HDMI eARC.
Sonos Beam Gen 2: The Sonos Beam Gen 2 relies primarily on Wi-Fi and HDMI eARC connectivity, lacking support for direct Bluetooth audio playback with 0 dedicated Bluetooth streaming capability.
Scores — Sonos Beam Ultra: 9.5/10, Sonos Beam Gen 2: 7/10
Dictates versatility across different audio sources, mobile devices, and home setups.
Sources: Sonos Welcomes Beam Ultra and Sonos Ace Ultra to its System, SONOS User Guide | Beam (Gen 2)
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Dialogue Clarity & Calibration Features
Sonos Beam Ultra provides 4 selectable levels of AI Speech Enhancement and cross-platform Trueplay calibration, whereas Sonos Beam Gen 2 provides only a single toggle Speech Enhancement setting and iOS-limited Trueplay tuning.
Sonos Beam Ultra: Sonos Beam Ultra features an improved center channel with 4 selectable levels of AI-powered Speech Enhancement and expands acoustic room calibration via Trueplay across both iOS and Android devices [15, 17].
Sonos Beam Gen 2: Sonos Beam Gen 2 utilizes a single on/off Speech Enhancement setting over its 5.0-channel setup and relies primarily on iOS-exclusive Trueplay acoustic room tuning [6, 10].
Scores — Sonos Beam Ultra: 9.5/10, Sonos Beam Gen 2: 7.5/10
Essential for clear speech during movies and optimizing acoustic output for specific room layouts.
Sources: Sonos Beam Ultra: The TV Soundbar with Dolby Atmos, Introducing Sonos Beam Ultra - A Compact Dolby Atmos ...
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Price & Value Proposition
The Sonos Beam Ultra commands a premium $699 price point for dedicated upward-firing height drivers, whereas the Sonos Beam Gen 2 provides a more accessible $499 entry point for compact smart soundbars.
Sonos Beam Ultra: The Sonos Beam Ultra targets premium buyers at $699 with high-end physical height channels for true 7.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos audio.
Sonos Beam Gen 2: The Sonos Beam Gen 2 offers stronger budget value at $499 by delivering virtualized 5.0-channel Dolby Atmos sound in a compact build.
Scores — Sonos Beam Ultra: 6.8/10, Sonos Beam Gen 2: 8.7/10
Guides buying decisions based on budget versus premium feature upgrades.
Sources: Sonos 27, Beam Ultra, and Ace Ultra price, release date, Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review: an excellent Dolby Atmos soundbar
What are the pros and cons of Sonos Beam Ultra vs Sonos Beam Gen 2?
Sonos Beam Ultra
Strengths
- The Sonos Beam Ultra incorporates a true 7.1.2-channel acoustic architecture equipped with dedicated upward-firing physical drivers to deliver realistic overhead Dolby Atmos height effects.
- The Sonos Beam Ultra features nine custom drivers powered by nine dedicated Class-D digital amplifiers to deliver an expansive soundstage.
- The Sonos Beam Ultra expands wired and wireless connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3 direct streaming, a USB-C audio port, Wi-Fi 6, and HDMI eARC.
- The Sonos Beam Ultra provides 4 selectable levels of AI-powered Speech Enhancement and cross-platform Trueplay room calibration across both iOS and Android devices.
Weaknesses
- The Sonos Beam Ultra commands a premium $699 price point, making it a substantially more expensive investment.
Sonos Beam Gen 2
Strengths
- The Sonos Beam Gen 2 delivers stronger budget value with a more accessible $499 entry price point for a compact smart soundbar.
- The Sonos Beam Gen 2 features five digital Class-D amplifiers powering four elliptical midwoofers, one central tweeter, and three passive radiators for low-end reinforcement.
Weaknesses
- The Sonos Beam Gen 2 relies on a 5.0-channel speaker array using psychoacoustic processing rather than physical upward-firing drivers for virtual height effects.
- The Sonos Beam Gen 2 lacks direct Bluetooth audio streaming support, offering 0 dedicated Bluetooth playback capabilities.
- The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is limited to a single on/off Speech Enhancement toggle and restricts Trueplay acoustic room tuning primarily to iOS devices.
Where does this data come from?
- Sonos Welcomes Beam Ultra and Sonos Ace Ultra to its System
- Beam: The Smart TV Soundbar with HDMI Input | Sonos
- Sonos Ace Ultra and Beam Ultra Are Now Available Purchase
- Beam: The Smart TV Soundbar with HDMI Input - Sonos
- Sonos 27, Beam Ultra, and Ace Ultra price, release date
- SONOS User Guide | Beam (Gen 2)
- Sonos introduces new headphones, soundbar, and software in ...
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review: an excellent Dolby Atmos soundbar
- I heard the Sonos Beam Ultra, and it delivers the most ...
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Soundbar Review - RTINGS.com
- The Sonos Beam Ultra is finally here – these are three things ...
- Sonos Beam Gen 2 Review - The Ultimate Compact Soundbar
- Sonos Introduces Sonos 27, the Next Generation of Its Audio ...
- Sonos Beam Gen 2 Soundbar Review Page 2
- Sonos Beam Ultra: The TV Soundbar with Dolby Atmos
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Soundbar Review
- Introducing Sonos Beam Ultra - A Compact Dolby Atmos ...
- Expert review of the Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Sonos Beam Ultra 7.1.2 Channel Wireless Smart Soundbar ...
- Sonos Beam Gen 2 Review