Sonos Beam Gen 2 vs. Bose 700 – Which is the Better Buy?

Are you trying to decide between the Sonos Beam Gen 2 vs. Bose 700? If so, you’re not alone! Many people are debating which of these two soundbars is the better buy. With so many features to compare, it can be challenging to decide. In this blog post, we’ll closely examine the Sonos Beam Gen 2 vs. Bose 700 and compare their features and capabilities to help you decide which soundbar is the suitable choice for you.

Sonos Beam Gen 2 Overview

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the perfect soundbar for anyone looking to enhance the audio experience of their favorite TV shows, movies, podcasts, and music. This 5.0 soundbar is packed with features, including a discrete center channel, HDMI ARC/eARC, virtual Dolby Atmos, and 3D audio support. Its ultra-slim design and two-minute setup make it easy to fit into any living space. Whether you’re looking to add some extra oomph to your TV or fill your home with immersive audio, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a perfect choice.

Sonos Beam Gen 2 Key Features

  • Enjoy Wireless Connectivity with the Sonos Beam Gen 2: Stream music and more with Wi-Fi, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, or the Sonos ecosystem.
  • Get Wired with the Sonos Beam Gen 2: Connect your TV with Ethernet or HDMI ARC/eARC.
  • Get Smart with the Sonos Beam Gen 2: Control it with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
  • Enjoy Enhanced Features with the Sonos Beam Gen 2: Enhance your sound experience with features like an IR receiver, Trueplay (iOS only), Speech Enhancement, and Night Sound.
  • Enjoy Versatility with the Sonos Beam Gen 2: The Beam pumps out a loud, rich sound no matter the task you set it.
  • Experience Dolby Atmos with the Sonos Beam Gen 2: Enjoy cinematic sound with Dolby Atmos support.

Sonos Beam Gen 2 Design

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a sleek and modern soundbar designed to fit in with any home. It has a minimalistic design, with its top panel featuring capacitive touch controls for volume, play or pause, previous or next track, and microphone mute buttons. It also features a LED light that indicates whether the soundbar is on mute or receiving voice feedback. The dimensions of the Sonos Beam Gen 2 are 2.70″ H x 25.625″ W x 3.94″ D, and it comes in black and white colors.

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 does not come with a remote control. However, you can use a universal remote or other TV remotes to control it. Simply open the Sonos app for iOS or Android and set up the remote. You can also use the Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Bridge+ Audio Pico Remote, Sonos, or the Sofabaton X1. Alternatively, you can buy a Sonos Remote Control from Best Buy or Walmart. Although the Sonos Beam Gen 2 does not come with a remote control, it is still easy to control with other remotes.

Sonos Beam Gen 2 Music Streaming Options

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar offers users a wide range of music streaming options. It supports wireless and wired connections, including Wi-Fi, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Sonos ecosystem, Ethernet, HDMI ARC/eARC, and IR receiver. 

With these impressive features and sound quality, users can easily stream music from their favorite apps like Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, and Deezer. The Sonos S2 mobile app (Android, iOS, FireOS) makes the streaming experience even better. The Beam is ideal for playing bass-heavy songs, Hans Zimmer soundtracks, and other types of music.

Sonos Beam Gen 2 Voice Control Functionalities

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is equipped with far-field microphones for voice control of Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The Beam Gen 2 can be used to play music, TV, movies, podcasts, radio, audiobooks, and video games, and it can be easily controlled with the voice, remote, the Sonos app, or AirPlay 2. It is the perfect choice for users who want to enjoy a powerful, dialogue-clear soundbar without taking up too much space.

With the Sonos Beam Gen 2, you can use Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to control your music and entertainment. You can play music, check the news, set alarms, get answers to questions, and control two rooms in your home with rich, crystal-clear sound. It even supports voice commands such as “Alexa, join our conversation” to enable multiple participants. 

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) soundbar features LED lights that indicate microphone use and speaker status. The small, hardly noticeable microphone light can only be turned off when the microphone is muted. To control the lights, users can open the Sonos App and go to settings » system » Beam’s room name » Status light.

Sonos Beam Gen 2 Sound Quality 

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 provides superior sound quality and performance for home theater and music listening. It has five far-field microphone arrays for enhanced voice pickup and multi-channel echo cancellation. The soundbar also features advanced Beamforming technology for better sound directionality. It has four woofers that deliver deep and rich bass along with faithful playback of mid-range frequencies of the voice. The Bass and Treble controls are adjustable, and users can customize their sound according to the setup of their rooms. The Sonos Beam also offers a Speech Enhancement option that delivers top-notch clarity of dialogues for both whispers as well as action scenes. 

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is an excellent soundbar for movies, providing a wide soundstage that stretches sound into the space around your living room. It supports many audio formats and has Atmos compatibility, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a Dolby Atmos soundbar at this price point. Additionally, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a perfect product for those looking to access the Sonos ecosystem. The sound quality is superb, with deep, well-controlled bass and crisp dialogue and commentaries. Furthermore, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 can be paired with other Sonos speakers for synchronized playback. 

Sonos Beam Gen 2 Trial Period

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is available with a 100-day trial period, allowing customers to return the product within 100 days if unsatisfied. This trial period will enable customers to test the product in their home environment to ensure it meets their needs and expectations. If not, they can return the product within this period and receive a full refund without additional costs. This trial period applies to those who purchase the product directly from Sonos and comes with free shipping. 

Bose Soundbar 700 Overview

The Bose Soundbar 700 is your best option if you want a soundbar that looks as good as it sounds. This 3.0 soundbar is crafted with a beautiful tempered glass top and a stylish wraparound metal grille, giving it a sleek and modern look. The soundbar has eight custom microphones and a full-size motion-sensitive backlit remote, so you can easily adjust the volume and settings. Additionally, you can get even more powerful sound with the optional Bose bass Module 700 and Bose Surround Speakers. The Bose Soundbar 700 is the perfect addition to any home theater setup and will bring your favorite movies and shows to life.

Bose Soundbar 700 Key Features

  • Enjoy Enthralling Surround Sound with the Bose Soundbar 700: This soundbar boasts a 3.0 channel setup that produces an enthralling surround sound experience.
  • Stream Music in Style: The Bose Soundbar 700 comes with a full-size motion-sensitive backlit remote, making it easy to control the soundbar from anywhere in the room. It also has Bluetooth connectivity so that you can stream your favorite music from any device.
  • Get the Best of Both Worlds with Alexa and Google Assistant: This soundbar allows you to choose between Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control.
  • Sleek Design: The Bose Soundbar 700 features a sleek and stylish design, making it perfect for smaller TVs. Plus, it’s easy to install and fits neatly under your TV.
  • Experience a Gorgeous Design: The Bose Soundbar 700 features a unique and premium design that is sure to bring style to any space.
  • Enjoy Private Listening with the Dedicated Private Listening Option: The dedicated private listening option allows you to listen to your favorite audio content without disturbing others.

Bose Soundbar 700 Design

The Bose Soundbar 700 is designed with a sleek, modern look. It features a tempered glass top and a wraparound metal grille that adds to its sophistication. The soundbar is just 2.25″ H x 38.5″ W x 4.25″ D and weighs only 10.5 lbs. It is available in Black and Arctic White, so you can choose the color that best fits your home décor. The soundbar also comes with a universal remote with six preset buttons that light up only when you need them, making it easy to find your favorite mode of entertainment. 

The Bose Soundbar 700 features a sophisticated and stylish design, with a sleek cabinet and a superb finish. The design of the Bose Soundbar 700 helps it to stand out from the crowd, and it is sure to make an impact in any home entertainment setup.

Bose Soundbar 700 Music Streaming Options

The Bose Soundbar 700 offers users a wide range of music streaming options. It can stream music directly over Wi-Fi from popular streaming services such as Spotify, Pandora®, TuneIn, iHeartRadio™, Amazon Music, SiriusXM, and Deezer. Furthermore, users can access Alexa on the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 to control music streaming services. 

Additionally, the Soundbar 700 can be linked to streaming services like Spotify and Amazon Music so that users can access various music. It can also be connected to the Bose Music app, allowing users to access their streaming music presets. It also supports Airplay 2, allowing users to wirelessly access their music and other audio from their Apple devices. 

The Bose Soundbar 700 is popular among many users due to its Bluetooth capabilities. This soundbar has a unique feature allowing users to use it as a Bluetooth source for a set of wireless speakers. 

Bose Soundbar 700 Voice Control Functionalities

The Bose Soundbar 700 is the perfect addition to your home entertainment system. With built-in voice control, you can easily control your soundbar and other compatible devices with just your voice. This soundbar also comes with Amazon Alexa and an 8-microphone array, allowing you to easily control your soundbar to get the most out of your music, movies, and TV. 

The Bose Soundbar 700 lightbar is one of its most impressive features. The lightbar helps you to visually indicate when Alexa is listening, thinking, or speaking. This light bar will help users determine whether the soundbar has properly had their voice input.

With Alexa Voice Control and Google Assistant built-in, you can enjoy hands-free access to all your music, podcasts, and radio shows. This is a handy feature as you will be given the option to choose your preferred voice assistant, and once selected, you can use voice commands to execute any task you want!

Bose Soundbar 700 Sound Quality

The Bose Soundbar 700 offers exceptional sound quality and performance with its QuietPort Technology and ADAPTiQ audio room calibration. Thanks to its recessed ports, it provides distortion-free bass, and its proprietary PhaseGuide Technology creates a sound environment that makes it feel like the sound is coming from outside the soundbar. Additionally, its custom-designed low-profile transducers ensure superior clarity even with a slim design. Moreover, users can also connect their Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 to the soundbar for a more personalized listening experience.

The Bose Soundbar 700 provides immersive sound quality for a great listening experience. It boasts a neutral sound profile, allowing for clear dialogue and a significant amount of bass. Furthermore, the soundbar is compatible with Bose Surround Speakers 700, allowing users to experience full-on surround sound. All in all, the Bose Soundbar 700 produces big, polished sound with enhanced voice control.

Bose Soundbar 700 Extras

The Bose 700 soundbar allows users to connect their Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 for a more personalized listening experience. Users can then control the soundbar independently, like lowering or muting the volume, even if the headphones are at full volume. 

Sonos Beam Gen 2 vs. Bose 700: The Verdict

When choosing between the Sonos Beam Gen 2 vs. Bose 700, it is essential to consider both the speakers’ aesthetics and performance. The Bose Soundbar 700 may be more expensive than the Sonos Beam, but it offers superior sound quality and a luxurious, elegant design that will look great in any living room. Additionally, it has QuietPort Technology and ADAPTiQ audio room calibration, which optimizes the soundbar’s acoustic performance and provides distortion-free bass. The Sonos Beam is much more affordable, but it still offers excellent sound quality and built-in voice control with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. 

The setup process for the Bose Soundbar 700 and the Sonos Beam is relatively straightforward. The Sonos Beam is the simpler of the two and consists of just two cables and an automatic detecting remote. On the other hand, the Bose 700 requires a slightly trickier setup, and the remote must be programmed to suit one’s devices. Both speakers offer an app that lets users organize all their entertainment platforms in a single space. This makes the setup process even easier and quicker.

Both the Bose Soundbar 700 and the Sonos Beam offer users multiple options regarding music streaming options. Both speakers are compatible with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Apple Airplay 2 devices, allowing users to stream their content wirelessly. Both speakers offer access to popular music applications such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music, allowing users to choose their favorite music. 

The Bose Soundbar 700 and the Sonos Beam offer in-built voice assistants and LED light indicators. These features allow users to control their music, set alarms, and get information with just their voice. The LED lights on the soundbars indicate whether the microphones are on or off. Even with loud background music, both speakers can pick up voices clearly and crisply.

When it comes to pricing, the Sonos Beam is much more affordable and cheaper in comparison to the Bose Soundbar 700. The Sonos Beam can be purchased for around $400, while the Bose Soundbar 700 is nearly double the price and is usually around the $800 mark. 

Ultimately, it depends on the user’s individual preferences and budget. If you want a sleek, premium design soundbar, then go for the Bose 700. However, if you prefer soundbars with a more compact design and additional premium features along with a 100-day trial period, then the Sonos Beam might be a better option. 

FAQs

Is Dolby Atmos Supported On The Bose Soundbar 700?

The Bose Soundbar 700 does not support Dolby Atmos. It only supports Dolby Digital and DTS audio formats. It lacks the full Dolby Atmos capability of the newest generation of soundbars, such as the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 and the Bose Smart Soundbar 600. That said, this soundbar still produces fantastic sound quality even without Atmos capability. 

Does The Bose 700 Soundbar Support 4K?

The Bose Soundbar 700 does indeed support 4K, thanks to the included HDMI ARC inputs. This allows it to support high-resolution audio and video streams. 

Does The Sonos Beam Gen 2 Have Enough Bass?

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar offers excellent sound, with bass that is deep and well-controlled. It does not require a subwoofer to achieve powerful low-end bass, with the Beam Gen 2 capable of filling a room with solid, deep sound even at low volumes. Compared to its predecessor, the upgraded Beam Gen 2 delivers more direct sound that points at the listener, with its precisely engineered acoustic fabric wrap providing an immersive listening experience. Furthermore, none of its competitors can match the low-end bass of the Sonos Beam Gen 2, making it one of the best soundbars on the market.

Is The Sonos Beam Gen 2 Worth It?

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is an impressive soundbar that offers excellent value for the price. It comes with Dolby Atmos support, HDMI eARC compatibility, a small and sleek design, and a range of smart features and listening options. The sound quality of the Beam 2 is excellent, making it great for casual movie watching and capable of blasting sound to movie theater levels when needed. Moreover, the Beam is also a great entryway into the Sonos ecosystem. For all these reasons, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is worth the investment.

Conclusion

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 and the Bose 700 are excellent soundbars that offer a great audio experience. Both offer features like voice control, streaming services, and music playback. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a good choice for those looking for an easy-to-use soundbar with support for multi-room audio and excellent sound quality. The Bose 700 provides even better sound quality but is more expensive than the Sonos Beam Gen 2. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the way to go if you’re looking for the best overall value. However, if sound quality is your top priority, consider the Bose 700. No matter your choice, you’ll get an excellent soundbar that will enhance your entertainment experience. 

We hope you enjoyed this Sonos Beam Gen 2 vs. Bose 700 comparison and please let us know if you have any questions!

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