Sonos Beam (Gen 1)

The Sonos Beam Gen 1, released in 2018, is slightly shorter and lacks support for Dolby Atmos, which is the primary audio upgrade found in the Gen 2. The first-generation model relies on a standard HDMI ARC connection and offers excellent stereo sound, whereas the Gen 2 features an upgraded processor and an eARC port. Both, however, integrate seamlessly into the Sonos multi-room ecosystem.

Yes, the first generation of the Sonos Beam fully supports Apple AirPlay 2 right out of the box. This allows iOS users to easily stream audio directly from their iPhones or iPads and ask Siri to control playback. It was one of the earliest compact soundbars to heavily feature this Apple integration alongside its built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant.

Yes, because the Sonos Beam Gen 1 connects to your television via an HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) port, it can automatically sync with your TV's remote. This means you can use your standard television remote to adjust the soundbar's volume and power it on simultaneously with the TV. If your TV lacks HDMI ARC, Sonos includes an optical audio adapter in the box.

The original Sonos Beam was officially announced and launched in the summer of 2018. It was introduced as a more compact, living-room-friendly alternative to the much larger and more expensive Sonos Playbar. The release marked Sonos' first major push into integrating HDMI connections and smart voice assistants into a smaller form factor.