Sonos ARC or Beam
Author
Discussion

Doddler

Original Poster:

88 posts

170 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
quotequote all
Looking to buy 1 of the above in the Black Friday sales hopefully. Any recommendations for the ARC maybe coupled with 2 rear speakers or is the Beam plenty enough? This will be mainly for TV but looking for decent sound streaming as well. Thanks

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

240 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
quotequote all
I was not impressed with the Beam at all, really felt lacking.
However the Arc is impressive, like proper impressive.

Personally I would rather go Arc and sub than Arc and rears.

Doddler

Original Poster:

88 posts

170 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
quotequote all
Well that’s a ringing endorsement. So the Arc worth the extra, the Sub looks quite pricey to add on top. Can’t see them discounting it too much either.

normalbloke

8,098 posts

235 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
quotequote all
Check,check and check again that your connectivity will work withthe ARC. There are many people suffering issues (no Atmos etc) over HDMI audio return channel. Or some such tosh. Do your research.

Doddler

Original Poster:

88 posts

170 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
quotequote all
Thanks, I’m looking for a tv too, 65” Sony Bravia which has eArc connectivity so Atmos should be all good. 👍

normalbloke

8,098 posts

235 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
quotequote all
Doddler said:
Thanks, I’m looking for a tv too, 65” Sony Bravia which has eArc connectivity so Atmos should be all good. ??
Just do some research. My friend has a Samsung with eARC and that won’t put Atmos out through his Sonos Arc.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

240 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
quotequote all
The only issue with the Arc is if you want to use it for music.

It always does some sort of surround processing, so music sounds awful.


The sub is pricey, but personally find it essential, not just for better bass, but the way it fills the room at lower volumes too.



HRL

3,352 posts

235 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
quotequote all
How big is the room you’ll be watching TV in?

I’ve got a Beam and 2 x One’s for the rears and it’s easily loud enough for the room I’m using them in. No sub either.

However, that’s not in a massive room and I’m probably only 2-3m away from the TV.

lemonslap

983 posts

171 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
I was not impressed with the Beam at all, really felt lacking.
However the Arc is impressive, like proper impressive.

Personally I would rather go Arc and sub than Arc and rears.
+1 only Sonos product I have boxed up and returned under their 100 day return policy. I haven’t listened to the Arc but the playbase I have is very good.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

240 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
quotequote all
Regarding discount, have you got any legacy products you can get the 30% discount from?



Doddler

Original Poster:

88 posts

170 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
quotequote all
Well Ive done my research but it’s always nice to get first hand reviews. I’ve read it’s tricky to get the setup right with the Arc, and the tv must be relatively new 2019 onwards with eArc and Dolby. But a lot then depends on what your using to stream tv etc. The room is rectangular which is good but is quite large at 8x4m. I think I’m settled on the Arc (no sub) but add the rears to improve the music side of things.

Doddler

Original Poster:

88 posts

170 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
Regarding discount, have you got any legacy products you can get the 30% discount from?

The only legacy product is the bridge I have for play 3 which I have now dispensed with. Which only qualifies me for 30% off a boost which I don’t need.

usn90

1,785 posts

86 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
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How does the arc compare with the sound bar?

Currently have the soundbar, sub and 2 play 1’s

MOBB

4,076 posts

143 months

Sunday 8th November 2020
quotequote all
I used to have a soundbar and sub, replaced the soundbar with an arc a few.months ago

The arc is noticeably better, but the soundbar was very good to begin with. Glad I changed


Arranguez

377 posts

89 months

Monday 9th November 2020
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I’ve an Arc and found it easy to setup. If I’m honest I was a bit underwhelmed after all the gushing reviews. We have it on the wall and no sub or extra speakers. It sounds good, and music is ok (depends hugely on the source from my limited test) but I don’t know, I was expecting to be stunned and I just am not. It will stay but I think the PlayBase in the other room sounds better.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

240 months

Monday 9th November 2020
quotequote all
I really think all of these need the sub.

Not just for bass, but how the sound then fills the room properly.

PrinceRupert

11,585 posts

101 months

Monday 9th November 2020
quotequote all
I don't really understand the complaints about the Beam. We have one, and have no complaints. What Hi-Fi rate it 5/5 - https://www.whathifi.com/sonos/beam/review.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

240 months

Tuesday 10th November 2020
quotequote all
Depends what you're comparing it to.

It is fine for smaller rooms, and smaller TVs, but can struggle with certain material.


The Arc is right up there with the very best soundbars though, those at £1500-2000, which makes it a bit of a bargain.


A beam and sub would be worth considering. The OP says for streaming, does he mean TV or Music?

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

240 months

Tuesday 10th November 2020
quotequote all
Doddler said:
The room is rectangular which is good but is quite large at 8x4m. I think I’m settled on the Arc (no sub) but add the rears to improve the music side of things.
I wouldn't want a system with small 3.5" drivers and no sub in a room 8mx4m, and the rears won't 'add' to music at all, in fact the opposite.

The main issue with the Arc is when rears are added it always uses them for music.

PrinceRupert

11,585 posts

101 months

Tuesday 10th November 2020
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
Depends what you're comparing it to.

It is fine for smaller rooms, and smaller TVs, but can struggle with certain material.


The Arc is right up there with the very best soundbars though, those at £1500-2000, which makes it a bit of a bargain.


A beam and sub would be worth considering. The OP says for streaming, does he mean TV or Music?
The Arc is no doubt better but it is twice the price of the Beam which is a pretty good bit of kit if you're not an audiophile.