Source
r/sonos•
netstrong

Upgraded Beam 2 to ARC : very skeptical but finally heard so called heights channels.

I have 2 Ones sub and Upgraded Beam 2 for ARC . I was very skeptical of height channel with no ceilling speakers and was convinced it was some sort of illusion. I was also wondering if the updgrade was worth it.

** Heights channels **

Yes i heard noice , cracks , engine noises coming from above my head ... my girlfriend who was even sitting on the sofa properly (head on my knees ) heard it too.

** Movie = A quiet Place 2 4K Bluray **

I really think there arent much height effects in movies in general ....the movie was 1:30 height probably few minutes . Maybe Top Gun has a bunch of it . I dont think its worth chasing height channels.

  • Music : on youtube : annoying because playing youtube is not playing rears like with the beam. (I got settings right). I may not be an audiophile but i know music and i am happy with sound quality for youtube. Some music sounded a little be weird though with ARC vs BEAM

  • Movies : yes i feel that stage is larger that the beam maybe due to the arc larger size...I used to feel like sound coming mostly from a single points mostly the beam gen 2. (Please note that *Beam gen 2 + Surrounds * was killing in series like **Dark and stranger things * rain and noise were insanely immersive)

I think if you can afford it is worth it . Really i had absolutely no reason to upgrade from Beam 2 to ARC than boredom.

Coming from someone who knew nothing about atmos until february (that's another thread lol)

Posted Dec 14, 2022, 5:08 PM UTC · edited

1115
SlendyTheMan•

YouTube doesn’t play anything outside basic stereo…

8
GuitarSuperstar•

There are some YouTube videos available in Dolby Digital Plus 5.1, but they are extremely rare and don't sound very good.

2
netstrongOP•

youtube movies sounds good. movies that you buy or rent

1
GuitarSuperstar•

How tall are your ceilings? Are they flat and without obstruction? How far are you seated from the Arc?

2
netstrongOP•

They are flat (few suspended light bulbs (Very small ones ):). i am 3 meters away from TV ,

1
GuitarSuperstar•

8–9 foot flat ceilings are ideal. Try to sit between 7–9 feet from the Arc to hear the height channels the best.

Check out the films below on Blu-ray. They have really great Dolby Atmos mixes with good height channel effects:

Ready Player One
Blade Runner 2049
Kong: Skull Island
The Matrix
Roma

4
netstrongOP•

cheers will try more content next year

1
nathanhainescreates•

I’ve upgraded from Beam Gen 1 to the ARC. Total game changer.

2
netstrongOP•

Maybe from Beam 1 because i have to say my Beam gen 2 was really amazing

2
nathanhainescreates•

The Beam is a great speaker, no doubt. The Atmos upgrade though has been well worth it for us.

1
PanicLogically•

I'm deciding between Beam 2 or Arc. Reading the Arc produces more bass, more sound --better Atmos than Beam Gen 2 but many hear are saying to their ears the Beam Gen 2 is better. I let my ears generally decide things but it's hard to find a demo--the one's in Best buy where i live (which is hardly demo in a big store) are usually not working .

1
garytyrrell•

Thanks for sharing! I thought about doing the same upgrade, but I'm perfectly happy with my current setup.

1
lukaskywalker•

Just got the beam 2. Now you’re making me want to try the arc lol. Have a beam2 with 2 symphoniks. How long were you happy with the beam before you got the itch. Wondering if I should just return and upgrade

1
PanicLogically•

Im dickering with your system, Symfonisk bookshelves as rears-with Beam 2 or going all the way--Symfonisk with Arc --not decided yet

1
netstrongOP•

lol well dont panic ... i dont think its a necessary one lol....unless you really want to spend more...

1
lukaskywalker•

No no. Been happy with it since setting up. But since they have a good return policy, now I’m curious.

1
netstrongOP•

lol there's a price for curiousity ...i started with Beam 1 moved to gen 2 and ended the year with ARC and the full setup lol

1
PanicLogically•

Is the ARc, to your ears that much better than the Beam Gen 2? I'm on the fence.

1
PanicLogically•

You have an Arc, rears and a sub. Playing music it didn't engage the rears, if I'm reading right?

I'm trying to decide about Beam Gen2 or Arc. I want a system that dual purposes for music and for Movies.

Youtube would come through either smart TV or Roku (yeah redundant) but wouldn't it then simply play through rears -it should right?

1
netstrongOP•

With ARC , rear are actually engaged but volume is super low ...i didnt touch it much. Rears were really great with beam on music even without sub. with the option (Full rather Ambient. ) You could fiddle with volume more put volume to near max on rear .

Youtube apps and music apps are different. (Music apps are only 2.1 mostly , most new youtube content even news videos are actually 5.1 . Which means new youtube content will play on all speakers

I have a brand new sony and had lg C1 but just got a roku stick. its giving me better sounds sometimes better atmos.

I am singer and play keyboard that music is good enough ...i am not audiophile. and i know that ARC + Sub are good enough lol.

1
PanicLogically•

Your ears are fine.....as music person! I'm old and good enough for me is good enough. I like the general Sonos sound--so this sounds like a good setup. Glad to hear yours is working good for you!! helpful to me

1