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 Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6 compared: Sony needs more TV-stand width, but it includes bass and physical height drivers
Quick verdict
A compact Sonos music and TV setup points to the Beam Gen 2. Sony Bar 6 comes with a separate subwoofer and upward-firing drivers, at the price of more width.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Measure the actual width beneath the TV
Across the central bar, Beam Gen 2 is 25.63 inches and HT-B600 is 37.4 inches. The gap is 11.77 inches, before any docked rear speakers.
Where this comes from
Leave extra space for cables, TV legs and acoustic clearance. A measurement of the detached central bar leaves out removable rear speakers. Absolute cabinet width difference = |25.63 - 37.4|.
The catch
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6
The bar offers no HDMI source inputs.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Why pick it
- Your TV cabinet is narrow
- Your household runs Wi-Fi music on Sonos
- The catch
- It has neither separate HDMI source inputs nor Bluetooth music playback.
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6
- Why pick it
- A separate subwoofer should be included
- You favor physical upward-firing height drivers
- The catch
- The bar offers no HDMI source inputs.
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What this page compares
Beam Gen 2 is the pick for a compact Sonos music and TV setup. Sony Bar 6 includes a separate subwoofer and upward-firing drivers, though it takes more width.
Beam works in a smaller cabinet
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Your TV cabinet is narrow
Next to Sony, the 25.63-inch bar is much narrower. It streams over Wi-Fi and can grow with compatible Sonos speakers, but those add-ons are bought separately.
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Better fit
- Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6
- Depends
A separate subwoofer should be included
A wireless subwoofer and upward-firing drivers come with Bar 6. It takes more horizontal space, and this model has no Wi-Fi music streaming.
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Not suitable
- Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6
- Better fit
Look at the whole setup
Extra HDMI source inputs are absent on both. Look at the TV ports and the audio passthrough support for the consoles and players you plan to connect.
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Depends
- Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6
- Depends
Nearly a foot of cabinet width is saved with Beam
Sony is 0.16 inches lower and includes the separate subwoofer, and Beam Gen 2 is 11.77 inches narrower than Bar 6.
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Depends
- Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6
- Depends
In practice
Differences you will notice
Measure the actual width beneath the TV
Across the central bar, Beam Gen 2 is 25.63 inches and HT-B600 is 37.4 inches. The gap is 11.77 inches, before any docked rear speakers.
How we worked this out
Leave extra space for cables, TV legs and acoustic clearance. A measurement of the detached central bar leaves out removable rear speakers. Absolute cabinet width difference = |25.63 - 37.4|.
Count your source connections first, then think about a switch
HT-B600 takes 0 direct HDMI sources and Beam Gen 2 takes 0. Any other players need suitable TV inputs or a switch you choose separately.
How we worked this out
Only HDMI source inputs are counted, and the HDMI output/eARC TV connection is left out. Recorded inputs: 0 and 0. You still need to check TV passthrough and supported video modes.
Nearly a foot of cabinet width is saved with Beam
Sony is 0.16 inches lower and includes the separate subwoofer, and Beam Gen 2 is 11.77 inches narrower than Bar 6.
How we worked this out
The Beam package excludes a subwoofer and Bar 6 includes one. 37.4 - 25.63 = 11.77 inches. 2.68 - 2.52 = 0.16 inches.
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.
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6
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
Sony, HT-B600
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6
The Bar 6 comes with a separate subwoofer and upward-firing drivers, and you do not have to commit to a whole speaker ecosystem. It is a simple bar-and-sub choice. Just remember that your TV has to do all the HDMI source switching.
- Best for
- An included subwoofer and physical height drivers, with no rear speakers to place
Facts we checked
- A separate subwoofer comes in the 3.1.2-channel package.
- The bar is 950 × 64 × 110 mm.
- The subwoofer is 210 × 388 × 388 mm.
- The TV connects over HDMI eARC, and there is no separate HDMI source input.
- The two height channels come from upward-firing drivers.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central bar width | 25.63 in | 37.4 in | Docked, detachable rear speakers can make the unit wider. |
| Bar height | 2.68 in | 2.52 in | Measure both the space below the screen and the infrared receiver. |
| HDMI source inputs | 0 | 0 | These source inputs do not include the TV eARC connection. |
| Separate subwoofer included | No | Yes | An included separate subwoofer is something other than a built-in bass driver. |
| Rear speakers included | No | No | Find out whether the included rear speakers need mains power or charging. |
| Upward-firing drivers | No | Yes | A suitable ceiling and a clear path upward are required for these. |
| Wi-Fi music | Yes | No | Bluetooth playback and Wi-Fi streaming connect in different ways. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Upward-firing drivers are absent, so height effects are virtual.
With Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6
- Its bundled subwoofer needs floor space and its own power.
Decision guide
How to decide
Beam Gen 2 fits a compact Sonos music and TV setup. Sony Bar 6 brings a separate subwoofer and upward-firing drivers and needs more width in return.
Beam works in a smaller cabinet
Next to Sony, the 25.63-inch bar is much narrower. It streams over Wi-Fi and can grow with compatible Sonos speakers, but those add-ons are bought separately.
The Sony box includes the subwoofer
A wireless subwoofer and upward-firing drivers come with Bar 6. It takes more horizontal space, and this model has no Wi-Fi music streaming.
For HDMI source connections, both depend on the TV
Extra HDMI source inputs are absent on both. Look at the TV ports and the audio passthrough support for the consoles and players you plan to connect.
What this page can’t tell you
- The conclusions here come from published specifications and the stated calculations. No hands-on performance test was involved.
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
This guide keeps all 31 models in play. The pick rests on the facts and trade-offs on this page.
31 models fit, out of 31 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedNo needs are preselected here. Open the matcher and add the ones that apply to your home, room or setup.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | None of these needs is a documented match |
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| Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6 | None of these needs is a documented match |
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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)
Your TV cabinet is narrow
See price & reviews on AmazonSony BRAVIA Theater Bar 6
A separate subwoofer should be included
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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