I am early adopter of Sonos speakers, buying the original Sonos Play 1, Play 3, Play 5, Sonos Connect and Sonos Amp many years ago. I have always enjoyed their products and have never had any major issues with them other than my Play 5 “dying” suddenly after a few years.
Recently my wife and I were at a friends house and we were listening to music on their surround sound system, which consisted of a Beam 2, Sub Mini and two Eras 100 surrounds. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it sounded compared to my old Samsung surround system at home so with the Black Friday deals I decided to update my Samsung system to the Arc Ultra, Sub 4 and Eras 300s (which I will cover in a separate review), but the deals were so good I also decided to upgrade my Denon 550 soundbar and HS-1 sub to the Beam (Ben 2) and sub mini. With the Arc setup I got rid of all of my individual Sonos room speakers so I was able to repurpose two Play 1s (Gen 2) to be my surrounds since they are Sonos S2 app compatable.
The System as a Whole
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is the heart of this system, delivering crisp and detailed audio, while the Sub Mini and Play:1 speakers provide deep bass and immersive surround sound. Together, they create a cohesive 5.1 audio experience that’s perfect for small to medium-sized rooms. The system is particularly effective for movie nights and streaming music, offering excellent performance for its price range.
This combination stands out for its ease of use and seamless integration within the Sonos ecosystem. Whether you’re upgrading your TV’s sound or seeking an immersive surround sound setup, this system delivers remarkable value.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2): The Soundbar
Design and Build
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is compact and lightweight, making it ideal for tight spaces. It maintains the sleek, minimalist design that Sonos is known for, with a perforated polycarbonate grille and understated finishes in black or white. Its smaller footprint means it can easily fit under most TVs or be mounted on a wall.
Performance
The Beam (Gen 2) supports Dolby Atmos, which significantly improves its spatial audio capabilities compared to the original Beam. While it doesn’t have dedicated upward-firing speakers, it uses advanced audio processing to simulate height effects, creating a sense of depth and immersion. Dialogues are clear and natural, making it particularly strong for movies and TV shows.
For music playback, the Beam is versatile, handling various genres with clarity and a balanced sound profile. It excels in mids and highs, though it relies on the Sub Mini for impactful bass.
Connectivity and Features
The Beam (Gen 2) features HDMI eARC for high-quality audio and supports popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Sonos Voice Control. With AirPlay 2 and compatibility with the Sonos app, it integrates seamlessly with your existing devices. Trueplay tuning enhances sound performance, adapting it to your room’s acoustics.
Sonos Sub Mini: The Subwoofer
Design and Build
The Sub Mini is smaller and more affordable than the larger Sonos Sub, making it an excellent companion for the Beam (Gen 2). Its cylindrical design is sleek and unobtrusive, fitting well into most living spaces. The Sub Mini is available in matte black and white finishes, ensuring it complements the rest of the system.
Performance
Despite its compact size, the Sub Mini delivers impressive low-end performance. Dual custom woofers are arranged in a force-canceling configuration, eliminating unwanted vibrations while delivering deep, punchy bass. It effectively enhances the overall audio quality by relieving the Beam and Play:1 speakers from handling lower frequencies, allowing them to focus on mids and highs.
The bass is tight and controlled, making it perfect for movie soundtracks and bass-heavy music. While not as powerful as the full-sized Sonos Sub, the Sub Mini is more than adequate for small to medium rooms.
Ease of Use
Like other Sonos products, the Sub Mini is easy to set up via the Sonos app. Once connected, it automatically calibrates itself to the system for optimal performance.
Sonos Play 1 (Gen 2): Surround Speakers
Design and Build
The Sonos Play:1 (Gen 2) speakers maintain the compact, minimalist design of the original Play:1, making them easy to place as rear surrounds. Their durable build and understated aesthetic ensure they blend seamlessly into any room decor.
Performance
As surround speakers, the Play:1 (Gen 2) excels at delivering ambient sounds and directional audio. They effectively create an immersive environment, ensuring you hear every subtle detail, from footsteps in a suspenseful movie to crowd noise in a sports broadcast.
For music playback, the Play:1 speakers produce a rich and well-balanced sound. While their bass response isn’t as deep as larger speakers, the addition of the Sub Mini ensures the overall system has a full and dynamic range.
Ease of Use
Setting up the Play:1 speakers is straightforward with the Sonos app. Once connected, they automatically sync with the Beam and Sub Mini, completing the surround sound configuration. Trueplay tuning ensures they are optimized for your room.
Performance as a System
When combined, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), Sub Mini, and Play:1 (Gen 2) speakers form a highly effective 5.1 surround sound system. Here’s how they perform as a team:
- Movies and TV: Dialogues are crisp and intelligible, while the Sub Mini adds depth to explosions, rumbles, and action sequences. The Play:1 speakers complete the experience by delivering surround effects with precision.
- Music: The system provides an excellent listening experience for all genres. The Beam offers clarity in vocals and instrumentation, while the Sub Mini ensures bass-heavy tracks shine.
- Spatial Audio: While the Beam (Gen 2) lacks dedicated upward-firing drivers, it does a decent job of simulating height effects in Dolby Atmos content, creating a more immersive experience.
Final Verdict
Based on the features, performance, design, and value of the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) system with the Sub Mini and Play:1 (Gen 2) speakers, here’s a breakdown of the score:
- Design and Build: 9/10
(Compact and stylish, fits well in smaller spaces.) - Performance: 8/10
(Impressive sound for the price, though lacks true Dolby Atmos height channels.) - Ease of Use: 10/10
(Sonos app and ecosystem make setup and control seamless.) - Value: 8/10
(Affordable compared to higher-end Sonos setups but still a premium product.)
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2), Sub Mini, and Play:1 (Gen 2) speakers are a fantastic choice for those seeking a high-quality, compact, and reasonably priced home theater system. While it may not rival the premium Sonos Arc setup in terms of power and immersion, it delivers a robust audio experience that punches well above its weight. Ideal for smaller spaces and those new to home theater systems, this setup combines versatility, style, and performance into a cohesive and user-friendly package
Sonos Beam Gen 2 - Black - Soundbar with Dolby Atmos
Features
| Material | Polycarbonate (PC) |
| Model Name | Sonos Beam Gen 2 - Black |
| Speaker Type | Soundbar |
| Special Feature | Hi Res Audio, Multi Room Audio, Built In Microphone, Dolby Enabled |
| Recommended Uses For Product | For Surround Sound Systems |
| Compatible Devices | Television |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Controller Type | App Control, Voice Control |
| Surround Sound Channel Configuration | 2.0 |
| Color | Black |
| Included Components | Optical Audio Adapter, Sonos Beam Gen 2 - Black, Power Cable, HDMI Cable |
| Product Dimensions | 3.9"D x 25.6"W x 2.7"H |
| Age Range Description | Adult |
| Item Weight | 2880 Grams |
| Is Waterproof | FALSE |
| Warranty Type | Limited |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Control Method | App, Remote, Voice |
| Wireless Communication Technology | Airplay, Wi-Fi, NFC |
| Speaker Size | 2 Inches |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Tweeter Diameter | 2.54 Centimeters |
| Water Resistance Level | Not Water Resistant |
| Package Type | FFP |
| Audio Driver Type | Dynamic Driver |
| Subwoofer Connectivity Technology | Wireless |
| Connectivity Protocol | Wi-Fi, Ethernet |
| Includes MP3 player | No |
| Is Electric | Yes |
| Series Number | 2 |
| Specific Uses For Product | Home Entertainment |
| UPC | 840136802327 |
| Style | Beam |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00840136802327 |
| Manufacturer | Sonos |
| Item Weight | 6.35 pounds |
| ASIN | B09GPYL7BJ |
| Item model number | BEAM2US1BLK |
| Date First Available | September 23, 2021 |
Sonos Sub Mini - Black - Compact Wireless Subwoofer
Features
| Model Name | Sonos Sub Mini - Black |
| Speaker Type | Subwoofer |
| Special Feature | Bass Boost, Hi Res Audio, Multi Room Audio, Dolby Enabled |
| Recommended Uses For Product | For Surround Sound Systems |
| Subwoofer Diameter | 17.94 Inches |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Controller Type | App Control |
| Color | Black |
| Included Components | Power Cable, Sonos Sub Mini - Black |
| Product Dimensions | 8.98"D x 8.98"W x 11.93"H |
| Age Range Description | Adult |
| Item Weight | 6350 Grams |
| Is Waterproof | FALSE |
| Warranty Type | Limited |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Control Method | App |
| Wireless Communication Technology | Wi-Fi, NFC |
| Speaker Size | 6 Inches |
| Power Source | Nearby electrical outlet |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 7E+1 dB |
| Woofer Diameter | 6 Inches |
| Water Resistance Level | Not Water Resistant |
| Audio Driver Size | 6 Inches |
| Subwoofer Connectivity Technology | Wireless |
| Connectivity Protocol | Wi-Fi |
| Includes MP3 player | No |
| Is Electric | Yes |
| Series Number | 60001 |
| UPC | 840136804031 850001179256 |
| IndoorOutdoor Usage | Indoor |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 39254857646306, 00840136804031 |
| Manufacturer | Sonos |
| Item Weight | 14 pounds |
| ASIN | B0BGJV72YM |
| Item model number | SUBM1US1BLK |
| Date First Available | October 12, 2022 |
