The catch
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
It has neither separate HDMI source inputs nor Bluetooth music playback.
Side by side
Sonos Beam Gen 2 vs Bose Smart Soundbar: Beam suits a slightly narrower stand, Bose suits a lower screen
Quick verdict
For a low-sitting screen and physical upward-firing speakers, the Bose Smart Soundbar is the choice. Beam Gen 2 is the one for Sonos expansion and Trueplay tuning, provided you have a compatible iOS device. Beam is a little narrower, though Bose sits almost half an inch lower.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A bar that looks smaller is not smaller in every dimension
Bose sits lower and Beam is narrower.
Where this comes from
Take a shelf 28 inches wide with 2.4 inches under the screen. Bose satisfies both cabinet measurements. Beam satisfies the width limit but is too tall.
The catch
Bose Smart Soundbar
ADAPTiQ room calibration is missing.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Why pick it
- Trueplay tuning appeals to you and you own a compatible iOS device.
- Sonos is what your current music system runs on.
- The catch
- It has neither separate HDMI source inputs nor Bluetooth music playback.
Bose Smart Soundbar
- Why pick it
- Under the screen you have less than 2.68 inches of clearance.
- You are after a compact bar with upward-firing speakers.
- The catch
- ADAPTiQ room calibration is missing.
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What this page compares
Beam Gen 2 and the 2024 Bose Smart Soundbar differ in screen clearance, height drivers, calibration and music connections. For HDMI sources, both depend on the TV.
A small TV stand limits you in two independent ways, the width between the feet and the height under the screen.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A screen gap of 2.4 inches
This checks cabinet height alone. The drivers still need extra room so nothing blocks them.
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Caution
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Better fit
Using Trueplay when an iPhone is on hand
ADAPTiQ is not offered on this compact Bose model.
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Better fit
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Depends
Music direct via Bluetooth
Wi-Fi music is what the Beam supports.
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Not suitable
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Better fit
Sonos speakers you already own in other rooms
Staying on one control system can count for more than a small difference in cabinet size.
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Better fit
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Depends
In practice
Differences you will notice
A bar that looks smaller is not smaller in every dimension
Bose sits lower and Beam is narrower.
How we worked this out
Take a shelf 28 inches wide with 2.4 inches under the screen. Bose satisfies both cabinet measurements. Beam satisfies the width limit but is too tall.
Tuning and upward-firing drivers are separate advantages
With the right phone, Beam gives you room tuning. Bose has upward-firing hardware but no ADAPTiQ.
How we worked this out
Neither feature on its own shows better sound in a given room. And if a shelf blocks the top of the Bose, the reason to pick it is weakened.
In both cases the video cables stay at the TV
Neither one has its own HDMI source input.
How we worked this out
Streaming sticks, consoles and disc players have to plug into the TV, which then passes compatible audio to the soundbar. Picking Bose for its Bluetooth leaves that video wiring unchanged.
Plug in your numbers
Is there room for the soundbar under your TV?
Measure the clear space under your TV. Count only the devices you will plug into the soundbar. Leave out the ones already connected to the TV. The numbers below are placeholders until you enter yours.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Fails these checksWith 0 separate HDMI source inputs, it cannot take the 1 device you want to plug into the bar.
Bose Smart Soundbar
Fails these checksWith 0 separate HDMI source inputs, it cannot take the 1 device you want to plug into the bar.
Measure the top of an open shelf. This check does not cover enclosed cubbies. Detachable speakers count toward the docked width. Leave extra depth for cables and the TV stand. This checks size and port count only. Dolby Atmos, 4K/120Hz passthrough and the audio formats your TV supports are outside it.
Option A
Sonos, Beam Gen 2
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
A narrow TV stand is no problem for the Beam, and it leaves the door open to a larger Sonos system. Its Atmos effect comes from processing. It has no upward-firing drivers. Room tuning also requires a compatible iPhone or iPad.
- Best for
- A small TV setup where rear speakers may come later
Facts we checked
- The cabinet is 25.63 × 2.68 × 3.94 inches.
- An included optical adapter comes with the HDMI eARC or ARC connection.
- Five amplified drivers, none of them upward-firing.
- Support covers Wi-Fi music, AirPlay 2, Night Sound and Speech Enhancement.
Option B
Bose, 892079-1100 (2024)
Bose Smart Soundbar
Under 28 inches wide, the 2024 Smart Soundbar still has upward-firing speakers and Wi-Fi music. Placing it is easier than placing the Smart Ultra. What it lacks is the Ultra’s room-calibration system.
- Best for
- Real upward-firing speakers on a small, low TV stand
Facts we checked
- The cabinet is 27.34 × 2.21 × 4.09 inches.
- Two of the five speaker units fire upward.
- TV connections are HDMI eARC and optical.
- Support covers Wi-Fi music, Bluetooth and dialogue enhancement.
- This listing covers the 2024 Smart Soundbar. The older Smart Soundbar 600 is a different product.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Bose Smart Soundbar | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 25.63 inches | 27.34 inches | On the stand, Beam is 1.71 inches narrower. |
| Height | 2.68 inches | 2.21 inches | Bose gives 0.47 inch more clearance below the screen. |
| Height drivers | Virtual height processing | Two physical upward-firing speakers | Don’t pick on the Atmos logo alone. |
| Automatic room tuning | Trueplay with compatible iOS | No ADAPTiQ calibration | Smart Ultra has a calibration system that the compact Bose lacks. |
| Bluetooth music | Not supported | Supported | Audio can come straight from a phone to the Bose, with no Wi-Fi music service involved. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Upward-firing drivers are absent, so height effects are virtual.
With Bose Smart Soundbar
- Separate HDMI source inputs are absent.
Decision guide
How to decide
A bar that looks smaller is not smaller in every dimension
Beam is the narrower bar and Bose the lower one. Take a shelf that is 28 inches wide with 2.4 inches below the screen. Bose satisfies both cabinet measurements. Beam satisfies the width limit and goes over the height limit.
Tuning and upward-firing drivers are separate advantages
With the right phone, Beam gives you room tuning. Bose gives you upward-firing hardware and no ADAPTiQ. Neither feature on its own proves better sound in a given room. And if a shelf blocks the top of the Bose, the reason to choose it can disappear.
In both cases the video cables stay at the TV
Neither bar has a separate HDMI source input, so a streaming stick, console or disc player has to plug into the TV, which then passes compatible audio to the soundbar. Choosing Bose for its Bluetooth leaves that video wiring unchanged.
What this page can’t tell you
- This comparison rests on manufacturer specifications and package contents rather than a controlled listening test. How a bar sounds also depends on room shape, placement and source content.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the soundbars we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 1 of the 31 models checked meet every need here: “My bar can’t be wider than 32 inches” and “The stand sits right under my screen”.
1 model fits, out of 31 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “My bar can’t be wider than 32 inches” and “The stand sits right under my screen”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos Beam (Gen 2) |
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| Bose Smart Soundbar |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Trueplay tuning appeals to you and you own a compatible iOS device.
See price & reviews on AmazonBose Smart Soundbar
Under the screen you have less than 2.68 inches of clearance.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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