Compare JBL Bar 500 MK2 Soundbar vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

TruePlay room calibration is effective and often improves clarity or room fit, but the iOS-only limitation keeps it from being universally accessible.

AirPlay (often referenced as AirPlay 2) is repeatedly listed as supported, helping iOS users cast music and podcasts easily to the bar.

AirPlay 2 support is repeatedly confirmed and treated as a convenient way to stream from Apple devices.

Amplification is not deeply quantified, but reviews confirm Class-D amplification and the same driver/amplifier platform as the original Beam.

App experiences are mostly positive (fast detection, firmware updates, easy control). A dissenting video review (covering the older Bar 500) reports EQ settings not persisting after power-off and limited preset saving.

The Sonos app is generally praised as stable, simple, and polished, although one reviewer found the many options confusing at first.

Dolby Atmos support is consistently referenced; some reviews also mention DTS Virtual:X, while at least one video review (older Bar 500) notes a lack of DTS support. Expect strong format coverage for mainstream movie streaming and discs, with some variability by generation.

Audio format support is broad, covering Dolby Atmos, eARC-capable formats, PCM variants, DTS Digital Surround, and music format support, with DTS:X as a caveat.

Backwards compatibility is decent through the optical adapter and Dolby Digital fallback, though older connections limit Atmos.

Bluetooth support is a clear weakness because reviewers repeatedly state the Beam Gen 2 lacks Bluetooth compatibility.

Bluetooth is consistently included for simple phone-to-bar playback, with Bluetooth 5.3 mentioned in one review. No widespread instability complaints appear in these transcripts.

Cabinet construction is described positively through the durable, tear-resistant polycarbonate grille, though detailed internal bracing evidence is limited.

Chromecast/Google Cast streaming is repeatedly mentioned, enabling easy casting from Android and compatible apps/services.

Overall cohesion is strong for movies, but there are repeated notes that the subwoofer can lag slightly on fast music and that bar-to-sub blending is not always perfectly seamless in every room.

Cohesion is strong, with reviewers noting consistent soundfield handoff, balanced tonality, and virtues that transfer from movies to music.

Touch controls receive positive comments for working well and feeling intuitive.

Reviews consistently describe a discreet, low-profile bar that fits under most TVs with minimal branding; at least one video review highlights multiple color options (including white) to better match room decor.

Design and aesthetics are a consistent highlight, with reviewers praising the compact, stylish, clean Sonos look.

Build quality is strong, with a durable polycarbonate grille, premium-feeling construction, and easier cleaning than the first-generation fabric grille.

Detail and effects definition are repeatedly noted, especially for Atmos movie scenes and gaming, where reviewers describe convincing placement and lifelike impact cues.

Detail retrieval is a strength, with reviewers noting fine transients, vocal nuance, and sound effects that stand out clearly.

Dialogue clarity is a highlight in most reviews, credited to the center-channel tuning and PureVoice 2.0 which adapts to scenes and volume. One review of the older Bar 500 was less satisfied with movie dialogue clarity.

Dialogue clarity is one of the strongest points across reviews, with clear center-channel reproduction and useful speech enhancement for TV and movies.

High-volume behavior is mostly controlled, with several reviewers noting clean playback, but one test found compression and distortion can appear when pushed well above typical listening levels.

Dolby Atmos is valuable and often immersive for the Beam's size, but reviewers agree the virtual height effect is subtle and not true overhead Atmos.

Dynamic headroom is strong for the size, with reviewers praising wider dynamic range and jump-worthy swings, though not unlimited output.

EQ controls (bass/treble and profiles) plus calibration tools are mentioned across reviews. Some users want deeper customization or more persistent presets depending on the generation being discussed.

EQ customization is useful but basic, usually limited to bass, treble, loudness, night mode, and speech enhancement rather than a full equalizer.

Reviews generally describe a clean midrange and detailed treble that avoids harshness, with voices and effects staying natural. Bass is often characterized as warm and weighty rather than ultra-tight and punchy.

Reviewers describe the tonal balance as neutral, controlled, and full for the size, with satisfying low mids and bass that do not overwhelm voices.

Gaming-related HDMI passthrough is weak because reviewers repeatedly note the lack of spare HDMI inputs or direct passthrough.

Google Assistant support is present alongside Alexa, making Google voice control part of the Beam Gen 2 smart feature set.

Multiple reviewers emphasize passthrough is not HDMI 2.1 and does not support 4K/120. Recommended workaround is to connect consoles directly to the TV and use eARC for audio back to the bar.

HDMI 2.1-related gaming support is mixed: eARC brings modern bandwidth, but gaming passthrough and direct console input support are missing.

HDMI eARC is repeatedly highlighted as the preferred TV hookup for full-feature audio and simple control via HDMI-CEC, supporting a cleaner one-cable setup.

HDMI ARC/eARC support is a major upgrade, enabling higher-bandwidth audio and simpler TV connection.

Home theater integration is described as a strength: easy TV control integration (CEC/auto on-off), useful HDMI passthrough for sources when TV inputs are limited, and quick calibration options to adapt to the room.

Home theater integration is strong inside the Sonos ecosystem, with easy options to add subs and surrounds, though that ecosystem can become expensive.

Multi-room/grouping is referenced via JBL speaker grouping features and casting ecosystems, enabling playback across multiple compatible speakers in a home setup.

Inter-speaker connectivity is a major Sonos advantage, with easy syncing, surround expansion, and wireless integration with other Sonos products.

At least one reviewer notes audio sync controls are available (via app) to correct lip-sync delays when needed.

Lip-sync and TV latency evidence is positive, with HDMI eARC and Wi-Fi radio improvements noted as helping minimize lag and sync problems.

Overall output is described as high for the price and size, easily filling small-to-medium rooms. Reviewers cite strong slam for action movies and plenty of headroom without needing extreme volume settings.

Reviewers say the Beam Gen 2 plays bigger than its size, with enough output for small and medium rooms, though it is not as loud as the larger Arc and can be swallowed by very large spaces.

Low-volume listening gets specific praise where PureVoice 2.0 is said to keep speech intelligible at night or in apartments without needing to crank the master volume.

Low-volume performance is helped by loudness processing and Night Sound, which keep bass and quieter listening usable.

The far-field microphone array is generally praised for clarity and voice-control pickup.

Multi-speaker pairing is viewed positively, with Sonos speakers syncing wirelessly and expanding the system without complex cabling.

On-bar controls are intentionally minimal (typically volume and source). Some users appreciate the simplicity, while one reviewer disliked certain button behavior and preferred using the remote/app instead.

On-device controls are useful and intuitive, with top touch controls for playback, volume, and microphone management.

Optical input is mentioned as an available fallback connection. Reviewers also note optical can be limiting for carrying Atmos compared with HDMI eARC.

Optical support exists through an adapter, but reviewers caution that using optical removes Dolby Atmos capability.

Privacy controls are a positive, with microphone muting and optional assistant setup mentioned as ways to reduce listening concerns.

Remote control operation is generally described as straightforward, with dedicated calibration access in at least one review. Some sources also note CEC/TV-remote control integration for daily use.

Remote usability is mixed: there is no included remote, but TV remotes and app control usually handle volume and playback smoothly.

Setup is widely portrayed as straightforward: HDMI eARC to the TV, power for the bar and wireless sub, then quick calibration. Several reviews stress fewer steps than earlier generations and simple day-one usability.

Setup is consistently described as easy, quick, and app-guided, often taking only a few minutes.

Voice assistant compatibility (Alexa/Google ecosystems) is mentioned, but at least one reviewer states it may require an external assistant device rather than being fully built-in on the bar itself.

Smart assistant integration is strong, with Sonos Voice, Alexa, and Google Assistant support noted in review evidence.

Smart features are broad and well-integrated, covering app control, streaming services, voice assistants, and Sonos ecosystem functions.

Multiple reviewers caution that height effects are limited compared with soundbars that have dedicated upfiring speakers. You may hear some vertical cues, but the presentation is typically described as subtle rather than dramatic.

Soundstage height is the Beam's main Atmos limitation: it can sound taller than before but rarely convinces reviewers that audio comes from overhead.

Spotify Connect is explicitly described as seamless and reliable in multiple written reviews, with quick device selection from within the Spotify app.

Spotify Connect is consistently listed among the Beam Gen 2's streaming strengths, with no reviewer reporting a reliability problem.

A readable front display/LED feedback is highlighted as a usability win, including clear indications of input/volume and plain-English status messaging compared with ambiguous light codes on some competitors.

Status indicators are basic but useful, with reviewers noting the top LED indicator and microphone status light.

Stereo focus is commonly described as strong, with vocals and on-screen action anchored confidently at center while maintaining clear separation across the front stage.

The Beam creates impressive width for a compact bar, but true stereo separation remains limited because music still comes from a single soundbar cabinet.

No summary yet.

Bass is respectable for the standalone bar, and reviewers repeatedly note that adding a Sonos Sub or Sub Mini can improve depth and immersion.

Virtual surround (MultiBeam/processing) is repeatedly described as convincingly wide and enveloping for rooms that cannot accommodate rear speakers. It improves immersion, but does not fully replace discrete rears for precision.

The Beam Gen 2 delivers a wide, immersive virtual surround field, but it still trails systems with discrete rear speakers for realism and rear placement.

Sustainability evidence is limited but positive, with one reviewer praising the foam-free packaging.

Value is generally strong for a compact Sonos soundbar under $500, though reviewers are less enthusiastic as an upgrade from the original Beam or compared with full systems.

Video passthrough support is repeatedly called out for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ via the HDMI input, generally reported as limited to 4K at 60 Hz.

Video passthrough is a repeated weakness, with no spare HDMI input or direct source passthrough.

Voice assistant responsiveness is rated positively, with reviewers noting reliable or sharp-eared command pickup even during loud content.

Vocals are consistently described as clear, natural, and forward, helping both music and TV voices stay intelligible.

Voice recognition is strong in the limited evidence available, with far-field microphones hearing commands from across the room.

The Beam Gen 2 is repeatedly praised for compact size, low height, and suitability for small rooms or smaller TV cabinets.

Wi-Fi streaming is generally presented as robust with broad casting support, though at least one review notes the absence of Ethernet on their unit and recommends considering room Wi-Fi coverage. Other videos describe Ethernet on a different generation, suggesting feature variance across models/sources.

Wi-Fi streaming is central to the Beam experience, with reviewers describing network streaming and Sonos ecosystem playback as a strength compared with Bluetooth-only setups.

Connectivity is described as flexible, including HDMI eARC plus at least one HDMI input and optical, with some sources also noting USB playback. Ethernet presence varies by the specific unit/model discussed in different reviews.

Wired inputs are simple and limited, centered on HDMI/eARC plus Ethernet and adapter-based optical support.