When shopping for a sleek and smart home theater upgrade in 2025, two names dominate the compact Dolby Atmos soundbar category: the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) and the Bose Smart Soundbar 600. Both offer immersive 3D audio, Alexa support, and streamlined setups — but which is better suited for your living room?
This detailed comparison explores audio performance, features, design, and ecosystem compatibility to help you decide which compact soundbar reigns supreme.
Audio Performance: Atmos in a Small Package
Sonos Beam Gen 2
Virtual Dolby Atmos via upmixing
5 Class-D amplifiers, 1 tweeter, 4 midwoofers
Custom waveguides to simulate height
Works best in rooms with low ceilings for virtual height effects
Bose Smart Soundbar 600
True upfiring speakers for real Atmos height
5 transducers: 2 front-firing, 2 side-firing, 1 upward-firing
Wider soundstage with slightly better overhead separation
Smart Features & Assistant Support
| Feature | Sonos Beam Gen 2 | Bose Smart Soundbar 600 |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in Alexa | ✅ | ✅ |
| Google Assistant | ✅ | ✅ |
| Apple AirPlay 2 | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sonos Voice Control | ✅ | ❌ |
| App Control | Sonos App | Bose Music App |
✅ Winner: Tie — both offer strong voice assistant support and app ecosystems
Connectivity and Streaming Sonos Beam Gen 2
HDMI eARC for Atmos
Wi-Fi streaming only (no Bluetooth)
Spotify Connect, Apple Music, TIDAL, Amazon Music
Sonos ecosystem supports whole-home audio
Bose Smart Soundbar 600
HDMI eARC + optical input
Bluetooth 4.2 + Wi-Fi streaming
Spotify Connect, Chromecast built-in, AirPlay 2
✅ Winner: Bose for Bluetooth versatility, Sonos for ecosystem richness
Design & Build
Sonos Beam Gen 2:
Compact, rounded design
Color: Black or White
Touch capacitive controls
Dimensions: 25.6 x 3.9 x 2.7 inches
Bose Smart Soundbar 600:
Slim profile with slightly wider front grill
Matte black finish only
Dimensions: 27.3 x 2.2 x 4.1 inches
Real-Life Use Case Comparison
| Scenario | Best Option | Reason |
| Apartment with Alexa setup | Sonos Beam Gen 2 | Tight integration with Echo devices |
| Small living room with ceiling | Bose Smart Soundbar 600 | Real upfiring Atmos performance |
| Existing Sonos ecosystem | Sonos Beam Gen 2 | Seamless sync with other products |
| Need for Bluetooth connectivity | Bose Soundbar 600 | More device flexibility |
Price and Value
Sonos Beam Gen 2: MSRP $499
Bose Smart Soundbar 600: MSRP $499
Both fall into the same pricing tier, but your preference may come down to:
Room size
Bluetooth needs
Existing smart speaker ecosystem
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
| Dolby Atmos execution | Bose Smart Soundbar 600 |
| App and ecosystem | Sonos Beam Gen 2 |
| Streaming & flexibility | Bose Smart Soundbar 600 |
| Alexa smart home sync | Sonos Beam Gen 2 |
🎯 Recommendation:
Choose Sonos Beam Gen 2 if you’re building a Sonos-powered smart home or already use Echo or Apple Home devices.
Choose Bose Smart Soundbar 600 if you’re looking for better virtual height audio and Bluetooth support in a single-room setup.