Do you need this? – Sonos Soundbar Beam – Economy

The little brother of the Sonos Playbar also costs much less with 449 euros. His main task is to improve the sound of television. But he can do more.

The name says it all: Sonos' new Beam Network Speaker is so named because it puts the focus on human voices and directs them where viewers primarily watch television. If you like, the Beam is the little brother of the Playstation Sonos, a big, heavy and with 799 Euro (RRP) also very expensive soundbar for television.

To reduce it, but would not be fair, because the Beam can do more. It is also suitable as a pure music player. Its sound characteristics can be measured like all new Sonos devices, but it only works with an Apple iOS device. The main objective, however, is, as already evident from the flat, wide shape, to spice up the notoriously low noise of many modern TVs. Unlike the Playbar, the Beam can also be connected via HDMI, the predecessor was still an optical connection obligation.

On the other hand, it can be bundled with other Sonos devices to a complete sound system, such as the small devices mentioned. If the already big bbad of the beam is not enough, you can also buy the bbad bbad woofer of Sonos, which penetrates deep depths, but also costs 699 euros more.

Because the Zeitgeist likes it, the Beam also makes Language Assistants with it. Currently, it's Alexa from Amazon. In addition, the sound reproduction can be controlled, which wants, also integrates countless other compatible devices in the network house, such as Philips Hue color change lamps. The decor is, as usual Sonos, very comfortable; later, if you wish, link the Amazon account to enable voice control. If you prefer to use a different broadcast service from Amazon, you can also configure it. Since the standard Apple Beam radio control Airplay 2, the Siri control of Apple works, but only on an iOS device. In addition, it is planned to also offer the Google Assistant as a voice control – the customers then have the choice. With 449 euros and the beam is not a bargain, but by its versatility it catches up with it again. It's more than just a sound bar under the TV.