Sound quality:
Sonos's Beam (Gen 2) very good overall sound quality - although it has some noticeable sonic quirks, this model reproduces music and dialog very well. The bass has good impact and is fairly detailed, but doesn't go deep. The midrange is fairly even, somewhat grainy, a bit hazy, and a touch echoey. Treble is fairly extended, but it is bit sizzly and the upper treble is subdued. Despite the touch of echo in the midrange it does a decent job recovering the room ambience of recordings, however it sounds somewhat congested and misses finer detail and complexity. When playing back stereo program material the sound field has good height but not much width beyond sides of the soundbar, and not much of a sense of depth.
There was no significant difference in sound quality between the HDMI, optical, and WiFi inputs.
The system can provide satisfying volume in a medium sized room.
Sound Modes (Stereo)
The various sound modes have a noticeable effect on the tonal balance and/or volume.
Multichannel
With 5.1 Dolby digital multi-channel program material the sound field may extend well past the sides and above the soundbar, but still lacks depth.
Sound Modes (Multichannel)
The night mode had a noticeable effect at lower volumes, but the voice enhancement had minimal, if any, effect.
Dolby Atmos
When playing Dolby Atmos material the width and height of the sound field expands and depending on the program material can fill the front end of the room; sound field can extend up and above from the front of the room to almost directly overhead depending on the program material, but there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front.
Sound Modes (Dolby Atmos)
The night mode had a noticeable effect at lower volumes, but the voice enhancement had minimal, if any, effect when Dolby Atmos material is played back.
TV ease of use: Excellent overall.
Features ease of use: Excellent overall.
