With AirPlay 2, you can play audio directly to the Beam from compatible (read newer) iOS devices and Mac computers.

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And even though Sonos no longer sells the Playbar it has been replaced by the new flagship, the Sonos Arc you can still find it on Amazon and other retailers, which is a good reason to still consider it as you choose a new speaker.

Here, then, our focus is on helping you choose between the Sonos Playbar and Sonos Beam.

Both soundbars have their upsides and downsides, but selecting between the two can feel like an impossible choice.

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Why the price difference At 35 inches wide, the Playbar boasts a total of nine drivers each with its own dedicated Class-D digital amp and makes no compromises when it comes room-filling, cinema-grade sound.

But keep in mind, you cant expect it to sound as rich or full as its sibling.

If your room setup (and your expectations) are a good match for the Sonos Beam, its a great choice.

But if your room is bigger, you may want to take advantage of the lower price and the extra size and drivers of the Playbar.

Thats a solid argument in favor of the Playbar for people who put a high priority on getting the best sound for movies and TV.

Both can be paired with a Sonos Sub (including the recently-launched Gen 3 Sub ), and a set of Play:1, Sonos One, Sonos One SL, or Ikeas Symfonisk speakers to create a 5.1 surround sound setup, but the Playbars wider design and more effective center-channel drivers make it the clear choice for home theater enthusiasts.

Dynamic range and volume are both better than with the Beam, and thanks to its wider stance and additional drivers, the Playbar can produce better stereo separation as long as your room is big enough for you to sit at a distance that lets you appreciate it.

If hearing every nuance in a high-speed car chase or combat scene isnt your main concern, and if youre buying a soundbar for a smaller room, the Beam might still be the better choice.

In the right space, it will still provide excellent TV audio, and its certainly no slouch in the music department either.

With built-in far-field voice mics that can pick out the Hey Google, or Alexa wake word, even in a noisy environment, the Beam gives you voice control over music playback as well as a host of smart home options.

If you happen to own other Sonos components, adding a Beam lets you control those products too.

If you connect a Sonos Beam via HDMI-CEC to a compatible TV, it will relay instructions like Alexa, turn on the TV.

The Playbar has no voice control functionality built-in, though it can be controlled by voice if you have a Sonos smart speaker, or another Google Assistant or Alexa device in the house.

By default, most Sonos speakers will have Wi-Fi and Ethernet, and nothing else.

Soundbar products like the Sonos Playbar and Sonos Beam are slightly different in that they need to physically connect to a TV.

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