Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
To set up a Sonos Beam (Gen 2), connect it to your TV’s HDMI ARC or eARC port, add it in the current Sonos app, then configure the TV’s audio output and remote control. HDMI ARC/eARC is strongly preferred: the included optical adapter is a fallback for older TVs, but optical cannot carry Dolby Atmos or HDMI-CEC commands. Atmos also depends on the TV, source device, audio track and connection—not just the Beam.
Quick setup
- Place the Beam centered beneath the TV, with its grille and microphones unobstructed.
- Connect the included HDMI cable from the TV’s labeled HDMI ARC/eARC port to the Beam.
- Connect Beam to power and turn on the TV.
- Open the current Sonos app, add the Beam, and follow the TV-audio setup prompts.
- Set the TV audio output to its external HDMI audio system, enable HDMI-CEC, then test TV sound and remote volume.
- If you have a compatible iPhone or iPad, run Trueplay after the Beam is in its final location.
Before you begin
In the box are the Beam (Gen 2), power cable, HDMI cable, optical audio adapter, and setup and warranty documentation. No AV receiver is needed. You will need a Sonos account, the current Sonos app for iOS or Android, and Wi-Fi. Keep your phone on the home network you intend to use, and power on the TV and any source device while configuring TV audio. Beam (Gen 2) uses the current Sonos app; it is not compatible with the Sonos S1 Controller. See Sonos’s Beam setup guide and user guide.
Before connecting anything, check the labels beside the TV’s HDMI sockets. A TV may have several HDMI inputs but only one ARC/eARC port. An ordinary HDMI input will not send the TV’s audio back to the Beam.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →1. Place the Beam
Center it below the screen on a stable, open surface and aim it toward the seating area. Keep the front grille and microphones clear. The Beam is approximately 25.63 × 3.94 × 2.72 inches and weighs about 6.35 lb (2.88 kg), according to the Sonos product page.
#1 Best Overall
- Enrich your entertainment experience with vibrant bass, crystal clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage.
- Experience a 3D surround sound effect with Dolby Atmos.
- Stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services when the TV is off.
- Control with the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and your voice.
- Effortless setup with only two cables and smart Trueplay tuning.
A deep cabinet can create reflections and make dialogue sound muddy; avoid enclosing or pushing the soundbar far back. If the TV blocks the Beam or the bar is wall-mounted, allow suitable clearance and plan cable routing so ports remain accessible. A very low placement can make voices seem disconnected from the screen. Wall mounting may improve sightlines, but requires a compatible mount. Beam supports Atmos processing, but it has no dedicated upward-firing height drivers; do not expect the same physical height-channel effect as a soundbar designed with such speakers.
2. Connect Beam to the TV
Recommended: HDMI ARC or eARC
- Find the TV socket labeled HDMI ARC, HDMI eARC, or ARC/eARC.
- Connect one end of the included HDMI cable to that socket and the other to the Beam’s HDMI port.
- Connect Beam to power.
- Turn on the TV and continue with app setup.
ARC/eARC carries TV audio to Beam and can also support HDMI-CEC control, such as TV remote volume and power behavior. The specific control features depend on the TV and remote. eARC offers greater bandwidth and is needed for lossless Dolby TrueHD Atmos; ARC can carry many Dolby Digital Plus-based Atmos streams.
Fallback: optical audio
If the TV has no ARC/eARC but does have a digital optical output, connect the included optical adapter to Beam’s HDMI port, then connect an optical cable from the adapter to the TV’s Digital Audio Out, Optical Out, or TOSLINK socket. Remove any protective cap from the adapter. Select optical/digital output in the TV settings if necessary, then complete TV setup in the Sonos app.
Rank #2
- Enrich your entertainment experience with vibrant bass, crystal clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage.
- Experience a 3D surround sound effect with Dolby Atmos.
- Stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services when the TV is off.
- Control with the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and your voice.
- Effortless setup with only two cables and smart Trueplay tuning.
Optical can be a practical option for stereo or Dolby Digital, but it cannot deliver Atmos to Beam and does not provide the same HDMI-CEC control path. Do not choose optical if Atmos or HDMI-based TV control is a priority. Sonos explains the Atmos connection requirements and supported home-theater formats.
3. Add Beam in the Sonos app
For a new system, open the current Sonos app, choose Speaker or component, create or sign in to your Sonos account, and select Add when Beam appears. Follow the prompts to join Wi-Fi and configure TV audio. To add Beam to an existing system, open Settings, choose Add Speaker or Component, and follow the steps.
App wording and icon placement can shift between versions. Follow the closest equivalent setup prompts if labels differ. If Beam is not discovered, confirm that it is powered, bring the phone closer, check app permissions and Wi-Fi, and retry. Restarting the app, Beam and router can help. Ethernet can be used temporarily as a diagnostic fallback if Wi-Fi discovery is failing; it is not normally required. Sonos’s articles cover Wi-Fi compatibility and setup.
Rank #3
- Take your TV, music, and gaming to the next level with this compact smart soundbar and subwoofer.
- This set is ideal for smaller or medium-sized rooms and low to moderate volume levels.
- Use the Sonos app to easily set up your home theater system and sync with your existing TV remote.
- Sub Mini balances out the lowest frequencies so Beam sounds even better.
- When the TV is off, stream music and more over WiFi from hundreds of services using the Sonos app, your voice, and Apple AirPlay 2.
4. Configure TV sound and HDMI-CEC
TV menu names vary, but look for settings equivalent to:
- Sound output: Receiver, HDMI ARC/eARC, External Speaker, or audio system.
- HDMI-CEC: On, so the TV and Beam can coordinate compatible control commands.
- Digital audio format: Pass-through, Auto, or Bitstream, as supported by the TV and source.
- Dolby Atmos: On, if the TV offers a dedicated option. Some TVs pass Atmos automatically and have no separate toggle.
Disable the TV’s internal speakers or select automatic switching to the external system if the menu requires it. Manufacturers use different names for CEC and audio formats, so consult the TV manual rather than assuming the same label across brands. Sonos provides steps for HDMI/CEC errors.
5. Configure the remote
Once TV audio works, open Beam’s room or system settings in the Sonos app and choose the TV/remote setup option. Follow the prompts while pressing volume buttons on the TV remote, then test volume up, volume down and mute. Infrared remotes can usually work with Beam’s IR receiver; HDMI-CEC remotes use the HDMI connection. Behavior depends on the TV and remote design. If using optical, configure an IR remote rather than expecting HDMI-CEC.
Rank #4
- 【𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭】: Elevate faint sounds to vibrant with automatic loudness boost. Experience immersive sound through 4 versatile placements—horizontal for distortion-free audio, vertical for room-filling sound, tabletop for vibrant clarity, or wall mount for 360° cinematic magic. Transforms your room into a personal theater.
- 【𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨】: Powered by 4 high-performance drivers, 80W powerful sound output, it provide richer details, like soft whisper or subtle croon, whether deep thunder or sonorous roar, turn flat audioto vivid, adding weight to music, making the virtual game experience immersive.
- 【𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝】: Fine-tune your listening experience with 3 dynamic equalizer modes—movie, music, and news. Enjoy rich, cinematic audio, luxurious melodies, and crystal-clear dialogue, tailored to enhance every scene and soundtrack. Spreading the audio evenly throughout a room, ensures that everyone, regardless of seating position, experiences the full range of sound.
- 【𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐔𝐬𝐞】: Enjoy seamless setup with cutting-edge Bluetooth 5.0 or reliable ARC, OPT, and AUX connections. In ARC mode, control your soundbar with ease using your TV remote, guided by our easy-to-follow instructions and video tutorials.
- 【𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭】: Your satisfaction is our top priority. Enjoy peace of mind with our 18-month warranty and 24/7 online tech support. Our 60-day hassle-free replacement policy, with top-tier assistance whenever you need it.
Voice commands for TV power and volume require HDMI ARC and HDMI-CEC enabled on the TV; they are not available through the optical adapter. Voice assistant features can vary by region, language, account and software. For remote problems, rerun setup, enable CEC, and use the TV remote rather than a set-top-box remote during calibration.
6. Get and verify Dolby Atmos
“Beam supports Atmos” describes capability, not a guarantee that every program will play in Atmos. The full chain must support it: Beam connection, TV audio pass-through, source device or TV app, the specific title and soundtrack, and sometimes the streaming plan.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems- Use HDMI ARC/eARC, not optical.
- Confirm the TV can receive Atmos and pass it through to an external soundbar.
- Set TV audio output to a suitable Auto, Pass-through or Bitstream mode and enable eARC/Atmos if offered.
- Use a source and title that provide Atmos, select the Atmos soundtrack, and check whether the subscription tier supports it.
- Inspect the Sonos app’s playback information or About My System information to confirm the format Beam is actually receiving.
Dolby Digital Plus-based Atmos can generally work over ARC. Lossless Atmos based on Dolby TrueHD requires eARC. Some sources use Dolby MAT, for which the TV’s format support and signal path matter. Built-in TV apps, game consoles, disc players and streaming boxes can expose different audio options; verify the actual signal rather than relying on a service badge or the soundbar’s specifications. See Sonos’s Atmos guidance and format list.
Best Value
- HEAR YOUR TV BETTER: Designed with simplicity in mind, the Bose TV Speaker is an all-in-one soundbar that clarifies speech and is a simple fix for better TV sound
- WIDE, NATURAL SOUND: 2 angled full-range drivers deliver a more realistic, spatial audio experience for overall better TV sound from a small soundbar
- ENHANCED DIALOGUE: This sound bar for smart tv is designed to specifically focus on clarifying and elevating vocals and pronunciation
- BLUETOOTH TV SPEAKER: Pair your device to this Bluetooth soundbar to wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts. Connect up to 3 devices through the inputs (HDMI, Optical in, and AUX in); the first powered on device will automatically connect
- SIMPLE SETUP: A single connection from this compact soundbar to the TV via an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately) has you up and running in minutes
7. Run Trueplay
Trueplay measures room acoustics and adjusts sound for the Beam’s placement. Put the Beam where it will stay before tuning. Standard Trueplay requires a compatible iPhone or iPad; Android cannot perform this tuning. The supported-device list can change, so check Sonos’s current compatibility page.
- In the Sonos app, select Beam’s room and start Trueplay from sound settings.
- Follow the instructions and hold the phone or tablet as directed.
- Move slowly around the listening area while the device measures the room.
- Avoid talking, loud noise or moving furniture until tuning finishes.
- Compare with Trueplay on and off if you prefer to judge the change yourself.
Retune after moving Beam to a materially different location. Do not confuse this manual room tuning with Automatic Trueplay: Sonos’s Automatic Trueplay description covers portable products such as Move and Roam, not Beam.
8. Adjust everyday listening
- Speech Enhancement: emphasizes dialogue frequencies. Try it when voices are hard to understand; turn it off if voices become less natural.
- Night Sound: reduces loud peaks and raises quieter sounds for late viewing. It also reduces dynamic impact.
- Bass and treble: adjust to the room and personal preference; there is no universally best setting.
- TV Autoplay: enable it if you want TV audio to start automatically when the TV is turned on, if that option is available in your app.
You can group Beam with other Sonos rooms for music. Grouped TV audio may introduce delay depending on the setup, so remove the group if synchronization becomes distracting.
Troubleshooting by symptom
| Symptom | Likely cause | First fixes |
|---|---|---|
| Beam is not found | Power, app permissions or network discovery | Confirm power, move the phone closer, check Wi-Fi and permissions, restart the app and retry Add Speaker or Component. Restart Beam/router; try Ethernet temporarily as a diagnostic. |
| No TV audio | Wrong HDMI port or TV output setting | Move HDMI to the labeled ARC/eARC port; set TV sound output to external audio/ARC and check CEC. Confirm TV is on and playing content, and reseat connections. |
| No optical audio | Optical not selected or adapter not seated | Remove the adapter’s protective cap, check both ends, and select optical/digital output in the TV menu. |
| Remote will not change volume | Remote setup or CEC/IR mismatch | Rerun remote setup, enable CEC for HDMI, and use the TV remote during setup. For optical, use IR setup. |
| Atmos does not appear | Optical, unsupported pass-through, or non-Atmos source | Use HDMI, verify TV/source/title/subscription settings, select the Atmos track and inspect the format in Sonos app information. |
| HDMI error or control conflict | Another HDMI device interfering with CEC | Enable CEC, disconnect other HDMI devices, test Beam with only the TV, then reconnect devices one at a time. Disable CEC on a culprit device if possible; a CEC-blocking adapter is a last resort. |
| Audio skips or drops out | Cable, TV format or firmware issue | Power-cycle TV and source for about 10 seconds, reseat or replace the cable, update TV software, and temporarily test Stereo/PCM. Test TV audio without Beam to isolate the TV. |
Do basic port, cable, output and CEC checks before considering a factory reset. Sonos has specific guides for TV connection errors, HDMI errors and audio dropouts.
Is Beam (Gen 2) the right size and fit?
Beam is a compact option for straightforward Sonos home theater, smaller or medium rooms, and setups where a large soundbar would not fit. Sonos positions it for TVs up to about 65 inches, but that is a manufacturer guideline, not a universal room-size or performance limit. Beam can later be expanded with compatible Sonos surrounds or a subwoofer; additions raise cost and complexity and do not fix a TV that cannot pass Atmos.
Choose based on the connection and room needs, not just the Atmos label. Sonos Ray is smaller, lower-cost and optical-connected, and is listed as a stereo soundbar; it suits basic TV audio where HDMI control and Atmos are not priorities. Arc Ultra is the larger, premium option for buyers seeking a broader system and dedicated upward-firing tweeters, with greater space and budget demands. Compare current specifications at Sonos’s soundbar lineup, Ray page and Arc Ultra page. Prices and promotions change; verify the live listing for your region before buying. A U.S. listing observed August 16–18, 2026 showed Beam at $499 regular price, with a separate temporary $369 result.
Quick Recap
Final setup check
- Beam appears in the Sonos app and stays connected to Wi-Fi.
- TV audio plays through Beam after turning the TV off and back on.
- The TV remote changes volume and mute.
- The app reports the expected format during a known Atmos test, if Atmos is part of your setup.
- Music plays independently of TV audio.
- Trueplay finishes successfully if you have a compatible Apple device.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Leave a Reply