Smart Speakers & Audio

Is the Sonos Beam Gen 2 the Best Soundbar for Small Rooms? (2025 Review)

Living in a smaller space doesn’t mean sacrificing great sound. Whether you’re setting up a bedroom entertainment center or enhancing a cozy living room, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is one of the best soundbars available in 2025 for compact areas. With Dolby Atmos, integrated voice assistants, and a sleek design, this soundbar offers everything you’d want in a smart audio solution for small rooms.

In this review, we explore why the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is uniquely suited for small rooms and apartments and how to get the most out of it in your space.

Compact Size Meets Elegant Design

One of the biggest selling points of the Beam Gen 2 is its compact footprint. Measuring just 26 inches wide and weighing around 6.2 lbs, it’s easy to place on a shelf, TV stand, or mount directly beneath your television.

Why it’s ideal for small rooms:

  • Doesn’t overpower your furniture or visuals

  • Fits under most 32–55″ TVs

  • Easy to blend with modern interior styles

Gen 2 positioned under a wall-mounted 43 inch TV in a minimalist bedroom

Room-Filling Audio in Tight Quarters

Don’t let the size fool you. The Beam Gen 2 uses five amplifiers, a center tweeter, and four elliptical midwoofers to create a rich and full sound experience. In small to mid-sized rooms, it performs exceptionally well, especially when using Dolby Atmos virtual height effects.

Performance Highlights:

  • Great bass response for compact build

  • Crisp dialogue via center-channel optimization

  • Dolby Atmos adds a 3D surround feel—even without rear speakers

Dolby Atmos in Small Spaces

Dolby Atmos in the Beam Gen 2 uses advanced psychoacoustic modeling to simulate height channels. Unlike larger soundbars that rely on physical up-firing drivers, the Beam delivers a convincing spatial soundscape using smart digital processing.

Small room benefits:

  • Sound bounces off nearby walls more effectively

  • Clear upward cues even without ceiling speakers

Voice Assistant Integration: Alexa and Google Built-In

With built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 makes your smart home even smarter. Voice control is especially helpful in compact spaces where remotes are easily misplaced.

What you can do with voice:

  • Ask for weather, news, timers

  • Control volume and playback

  • Command smart lights or thermostats

User asking Alexa to play music, Beam on desk under small TV

Connectivity That Works in Small Living Areas

The Beam Gen 2 includes HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi 5, Ethernet, and AirPlay 2, giving you multiple ways to connect without crowding your setup with extra devices.

Great small-space setup tips:

  • Use HDMI eARC for a single-cable connection to your TV

  • Mount on wall with the Sonos Beam wall bracket to free up surface space

  • Integrate with Sonos One SL speakers for future upgrades

Sonos Beam Gen 2 Cable management graphic showing HDMI eARC plug-in to TV

Use Cases in Small Homes and Apartments

  • Studio Apartments: Compact enough for open-concept spaces

  • Bedroom Entertainment Centers: Enjoy Netflix or Spotify in immersive detail

  • Home Offices: Enhance Zoom calls or ambient focus music

User Quote: “I placed the Beam Gen 2 in my 12×14 bedroom, and it completely transformed how I watch TV. It sounds like a movie theater in here!”

Sonos Beam Gen 2 Beam in home office desk setup

Setup Tips for Small Rooms

  • Place the Beam centered under your TV without obstruction

  • Avoid enclosing it in a cabinet or shelf—let it breathe

  • Use the Sonos app’s Trueplay tuning to auto-optimize the sound for your room (iOS required)

Value for the Price

At around $449, the Beam Gen 2 offers top-tier value for a smart soundbar under $500. In small rooms, its performance matches or exceeds larger (and more expensive) competitors.

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for the best soundbar for small rooms in 2025, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 delivers the ideal balance of size, sound, and smarts. With powerful virtual Dolby Atmos, built-in voice assistants, and sleek design, it’s made for compact spaces without compromise.

Whether you’re upgrading your bedroom TV, adding smart controls to your apartment, or creating a cozy home theater nook, the Beam Gen 2 is a sound investment.

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3 Comments

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