Main trade-off
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
No separate HDMI source inputs and no Bluetooth music playback.
Head-to-head
Sonos Beam Gen 2 vs Bose Smart Soundbar: Bose clears a lower screen, Beam fits a slightly narrower stand
The short answer
Choose the Bose Smart Soundbar if the screen sits low and you want physical upward-firing speakers. Choose Beam Gen 2 for Sonos expansion and Trueplay tuning with a compatible iOS device. Beam is slightly narrower, but Bose is almost half an inch lower.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
The smaller-looking bar is not smaller in every direction
Beam is narrower, while Bose is lower.
What this is based on
On a shelf with 28 inches of width and 2.4 inches below the screen, Bose meets both cabinet measurements. Beam meets the width limit but exceeds the height limit.
Main trade-off
Bose Smart Soundbar
No ADAPTiQ room calibration.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Choose it for
- You want Trueplay tuning and have a compatible iOS device.
- Your existing music system uses Sonos.
- Main trade-off
- No separate HDMI source inputs and no Bluetooth music playback.
Bose Smart Soundbar
- Choose it for
- There is less than 2.68 inches of space beneath the screen.
- You want upward-firing speakers in a compact bar.
- Main trade-off
- No ADAPTiQ room calibration.
About this comparison
Compare Beam Gen 2 with the 2024 Bose Smart Soundbar by screen clearance, height drivers, calibration and music connections. Both need the TV for HDMI sources.
A small TV stand has two separate constraints: width between the feet and height beneath the screen.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
A 2.4-inch screen gap
Cabinet-height check only, with extra room still needed for unobstructed drivers.
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Caution
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Better fit
Trueplay with an available iPhone
Bose does not offer ADAPTiQ on this compact model.
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Better fit
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Depends
Direct Bluetooth music
Beam supports Wi-Fi music instead.
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Not suitable
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Better fit
Existing Sonos speakers in other rooms
Keeping the same control system may matter more than a small cabinet difference.
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Better fit
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Depends
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
The smaller-looking bar is not smaller in every direction
Beam is narrower, while Bose is lower.
How we reached this conclusion
On a shelf with 28 inches of width and 2.4 inches below the screen, Bose meets both cabinet measurements. Beam meets the width limit but exceeds the height limit.
Calibration and driver direction are different benefits
Beam offers room tuning with the right phone, while Bose provides upward-firing hardware without ADAPTiQ.
How we reached this conclusion
Neither feature alone proves better sound in a particular room. A shelf that obstructs the top of the Bose can undermine the reason for choosing it.
Both keep the video wiring at the TV
Neither has a separate HDMI source input.
How we reached this conclusion
A streaming stick, console or disc player must connect to the TV, with compatible audio passed to the soundbar. Buying Bose for Bluetooth does not change that video wiring.
Try your real numbers
Will the soundbar fit under your TV?
Measure the clear space in front of your TV. Count devices you want to plug into the soundbar, not devices already connected to the TV. The numbers below are examples until you enter yours.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Does not meet these checks0 separate HDMI source inputs cannot take the 1 device you want to connect to the bar.
Bose Smart Soundbar
Does not meet these checks0 separate HDMI source inputs cannot take the 1 device you want to connect to the bar.
Use an open top surface, not an enclosed cubby. Detachable speakers are counted in the docked width. Allow extra depth for cables and the TV stand. This checks physical dimensions and port counts, not Dolby Atmos, 4K/120Hz passthrough or your TV’s audio-format support.
Choice A
Sonos, Beam Gen 2
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
The Beam fits a narrow TV stand and keeps a path open to a larger Sonos system. Its Atmos presentation uses processing rather than upward-firing drivers, and room tuning needs a compatible iPhone or iPad.
- Best matched use
- A compact TV setup with optional rear speakers later
Checked facts
- Cabinet measures 25.63 × 2.68 × 3.94 inches.
- HDMI eARC or ARC connection and an included optical adapter.
- Five amplified drivers, with no upward-firing drivers.
- Wi-Fi music, AirPlay 2, Night Sound and Speech Enhancement are supported.
Choice B
Bose, 892079-1100 (2024)
Bose Smart Soundbar
The 2024 Smart Soundbar combines a cabinet under 28 inches wide with upward-firing speakers and Wi-Fi music. It is easier to place than the Smart Ultra, although it leaves out the Ultra room-calibration system.
- Best matched use
- A small, low TV stand with real upward-firing speakers
Checked facts
- Cabinet measures 27.34 × 2.21 × 4.09 inches.
- Five speaker units include two upward-firing speakers.
- HDMI eARC and optical TV connections.
- Wi-Fi music, Bluetooth and dialogue enhancement are supported.
- This listing is the 2024 Smart Soundbar, not the older Smart Soundbar 600.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Bose Smart Soundbar | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 25.63 inches | 27.34 inches | Beam saves 1.71 inches across the stand. |
| Height | 2.68 inches | 2.21 inches | Bose leaves 0.47 inch more vertical screen clearance. |
| Height drivers | Virtual height processing | Two physical upward-firing speakers | Do not choose from the Atmos logo alone. |
| Automatic room tuning | Trueplay with compatible iOS | No ADAPTiQ calibration | The compact Bose omits the calibration system found in Smart Ultra. |
| Bluetooth music | Not supported | Supported | Bose accepts direct phone audio without using a Wi-Fi music service. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Height effects are virtual rather than produced by upward-firing drivers.
If you choose Bose Smart Soundbar
- No separate HDMI source inputs.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
What this comparison cannot tell you
- This comparison uses manufacturer specifications and package contents, not a controlled listening test. Room shape, placement and source content affect the result.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current soundbars comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
Compared set
Only 1 of 31 models checked match every need here: “I need a bar no wider than 32 inches” and “My screen sits close to the stand”.
1 matching model from 31 checkedSee the checked facts and calculation notes
Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “I need a bar no wider than 32 inches” and “My screen sits close to the stand”. A need with no documented match does not count.
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos Beam (Gen 2) |
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| Bose Smart Soundbar |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
You want Trueplay tuning and have a compatible iOS device.
See price & reviews on AmazonBose Smart Soundbar
There is less than 2.68 inches of space beneath the screen.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.