Ever since flat-screen TVs became the norm, we've faced a common problem: great picture, not-so-great sound. That's where soundbars come in, and today we're looking at two popular but very different solutions: the compact $352.70 Sonos Beam Gen 2 and the feature-packed $999.99 LG S95TR.
Modern soundbars have evolved far beyond simple speaker upgrades. They now range from basic stereo bars to complex home theater systems that can create immersive 3D sound. Before we dive into our comparison, let's understand what matters most when choosing a soundbar:
The Beam Gen 2 and S95TR represent two distinct philosophies in soundbar design. The Beam Gen 2, released in 2021, takes a minimalist approach with a single bar that uses advanced processing to create virtual surround sound. The S95TR, part of LG's 2024 lineup, goes all-in with physical speakers, including separate rear units and a subwoofer.
The Beam Gen 2's single-bar design measures just 25.6 inches wide, making it perfect for smaller spaces and simpler setups. It uses clever acoustic engineering to bounce sound around your room, creating a surprisingly immersive experience without extra speakers.
In contrast, the S95TR comes with multiple components: the main bar, two wireless rear speakers, and a subwoofer. While this requires more space and setup time, it delivers true surround sound with dedicated speakers for each channel. The main bar includes up-firing speakers (which shoot sound toward your ceiling for height effects) and side-firing units for wider sound coverage.
The Beam Gen 2 punches above its weight class with five built-in speakers (four woofers and one tweeter). It supports Dolby Atmos, which is a technology that creates 3D sound effects, though it achieves this virtually rather than with physical up-firing speakers. In practice, this means you'll get a good sense of surround sound, but the height effects won't be as pronounced as with the S95TR.
The Beam particularly shines with dialogue clarity, thanks to its Speech Enhancement feature. Music playback is also impressive, with clear separation between instruments and vocals. However, without a separate subwoofer, bass response is naturally limited.
The S95TR's 9.1.5 channel configuration (9 surround channels, 1 subwoofer, 5 height channels) creates a truly immersive sound field. When watching movies with Dolby Atmos, you can hear rain falling from above or helicopters moving overhead with startling realism. The dedicated subwoofer provides deep, impactful bass that you can feel during explosive movie scenes.
Gaming performance is particularly impressive on the S95TR, with precise spatial audio that helps you locate enemies by sound. The system also handles music well, though some might find it slightly too dramatic for casual listening.
Both systems offer modern connectivity, but their approaches differ:
The Beam Gen 2 integrates seamlessly with the Sonos ecosystem, allowing you to:
The S95TR focuses on home theater features:
The price difference between these systems ($352.70 vs $999.99) reflects their different capabilities and target audiences. The Beam Gen 2 offers excellent value for those wanting better TV sound and occasional music playback, with the option to expand later by adding a Sonos Sub or rear speakers.
The S95TR's higher price includes everything needed for a premium home theater experience out of the box. While it costs more initially, you won't need to purchase additional components to achieve full surround sound.
In practical use, room size and layout significantly impact performance. The Beam Gen 2 works best in small to medium-sized rooms where its virtual surround effects can bounce effectively off walls. The S95TR shines in larger spaces where its multiple speakers can create a proper sound field.
For movie watching, the S95TR provides a more cinema-like experience, especially during action scenes or movies with complex soundtracks. The Beam Gen 2 delivers satisfying performance for casual viewing but can't match the impact of the S95TR's physical speaker array.
Choose the Beam Gen 2 if you:
Choose the S95TR if you:
Both systems are well-positioned for future content. The Beam Gen 2's software-based approach means it can receive updates to improve performance, while the S95TR's hardware capabilities ensure it can handle any current or upcoming audio format.
Remember that soundbar technology continues to evolve, but both these systems represent solid investments in your home entertainment setup. The choice ultimately comes down to your space, budget, and how you plan to use the system most often.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 and LG S95TR excel in their respective categories, offering different paths to better home audio. Whether you choose the simplicity and upgradeability of the Beam Gen 2 or the full-featured immersion of the S95TR, you'll be getting a significant upgrade over your TV's built-in speakers.
| $352.70 Sonos Beam Gen 2 | $999.99 LG S95TR |
|---|---|
| Channel Configuration - Determines how precise and immersive the sound can be | |
| 5.0 virtual channels (good for small rooms) | 9.1.5 physical channels (theater-like experience) |
| Physical Size - Important for fitting your space and aesthetic | |
| 25.6" x 2.7" x 3.9" (single compact bar) | 49.2" bar + subwoofer + rear speakers (needs planning) |
| Dolby Atmos Support - Creates 3D sound effects above and around you | |
| Virtual Atmos (simulated height effects) | True Atmos with physical up-firing speakers (notably better) |
| Bass Performance - Critical for movie impact and music depth | |
| Built-in bass (adequate but limited) | Dedicated wireless subwoofer (powerful, theater-like bass) |
| Setup Complexity - Consider your tolerance for installation | |
| Simple one-piece setup (under 5 minutes) | Multiple speaker placement needed (30+ minutes) |
| Room Size Suitability - Crucial for optimal performance | |
| Small to medium rooms (up to 200 sq ft) | Medium to large rooms (200-400+ sq ft ideal) |
| Smart Features - Affects daily usability | |
| Sonos ecosystem, AirPlay 2, Voice assistants | HDMI passthrough, AI calibration, WowOrchestra with LG TVs |
| Expandability - Future upgrade potential | |
| Can add Sub and rear speakers later | Complete system, no expansion needed |
| Primary Use Case - Most important decision factor | |
| TV and music in smaller spaces | Home theater and gaming enthusiasts |
For dedicated home theater use, the $999.99 LG S95TR is significantly better due to its true 9.1.5 channel configuration and physical surround speakers. The $352.70 Beam Gen 2 is good for casual viewing but can't match the immersive experience of the S95TR's dedicated speaker array.
For movie enthusiasts and those with larger rooms, yes. The S95TR delivers true surround sound with physical height channels and a dedicated subwoofer. However, if you're primarily watching TV shows or have a smaller room, the Beam Gen 2 offers excellent value.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is ideal for small spaces due to its compact size and virtual surround capabilities. The LG S95TR requires significant space for multiple speakers and may be overkill for apartment use.
The LG S95TR includes a wireless subwoofer in the package. The Beam Gen 2 works without one but can be upgraded with a Sonos Sub if you want more bass later.
The LG S95TR provides superior Dolby Atmos performance with physical up-firing speakers. The Beam Gen 2 offers virtual Atmos, which is good but not as convincing as physical height channels.
The LG S95TR provides a more cinematic experience with true surround sound and powerful bass. The Beam Gen 2 is good for casual movie watching but won't deliver the same immersive experience.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is significantly easier to set up, requiring just power and HDMI connections. The LG S95TR needs more setup time to position multiple speakers and calibrate the system.
Yes, both soundbars work with any TV that has HDMI ARC. The LG S95TR offers additional features when paired with LG TVs, while the Beam Gen 2 works equally well with any brand.
The LG S95TR is superior for gaming with precise spatial audio and HDMI 2.1 features. The Beam Gen 2 works fine for casual gaming but lacks the immersive surround effect gamers often prefer.
The Beam Gen 2 works in any room setup. The LG S95TR performs best in rooms where you can properly position the rear speakers and subwoofer.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 excels at music streaming with its extensive streaming service support and multi-room capabilities. The LG S95TR plays music well but is primarily designed for home theater use.
The Beam Gen 2 can be expanded with a subwoofer and rear speakers. The LG S95TR comes complete with all speakers included, requiring no future expansion.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: whathifi.com - en.community.sonos.com - techradar.com - youtube.com - consumerreports.org - bestbuy.com - youtube.com - sonos.com - wave-electronics.com - en.community.sonos.com - epicsystems.tech - tomsguide.com - bestbuy.com - techradar.com - bestbuy.com - youtube.com - trustedreviews.com - zdnet.com - rtings.com - lg.com - lambcotvandappliance.com - valueelectronics.com - romomattressfurniture.com - dolby.com - youtube.com
