soundbars · Head-to-head
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) vs Samsung HW-Q600F/ZA
The short answer
At current verified prices, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) costs about $208.99 less.
- Choose the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) if: Narrow-cabinet TV audio
- Choose the Samsung HW-Q600F/ZA if: TV audio without network streaming
Specifications
| Spec | Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Samsung HW-Q600F/ZA |
|---|---|---|
| Exact evaluated bar, subwoofer and surround configuration | Standalone Beam (Gen 2) soundbar only; no subwoofer or surround speakers included. | Samsung HW-Q600F/ZA soundbar with supplied wireless subwoofer; no rear speakers included. |
| Workflow type | Standalone Soundbar | Bar Subwoofer |
| Exact US model and regional suffix | Sonos Beam (Gen 2), US product identifier BEAM2US1 (black: BEAM2US1BLK). | Samsung HW-Q600F/ZA |
| Soundbar width | 651 mm | 1,031 mm |
| Soundbar height | 68 mm | 56 mm |
| Soundbar depth | 100 mm | 104 mm |
| Meets editorial 800-mm width and 80-mm height filter | Yes | No |
| Verified decoding and transport support | Stereo PCM; Dolby Digital; DTS; Dolby Digital Plus; Dolby Atmos (Dolby Digital Plus); Dolby Atmos; Dolby TrueHD; Dolby Atmos (TrueHD); Multichannel PCM; Dolby Multichannel PCM. Formats marked with * by Sonos require eARC. | Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS Virtual:X, and DTS 5.1; HDMI/eARC and optical transport capabilities vary by connection. Required conditions: standard DTS (not DTS:X). |
| Full HDMI source inputs excluding ARC/eARC return port | 0 ports | 1 ports |
| Verified resolution, refresh rate and HDR passthrough | — | Up to 4K video passthrough at 60 Hz; HDR10+ supported. Samsung does not list Dolby Vision passthrough for this model. |
| ARC/eARC, optical, TV-specific and adapter requirements | Connect to the TV's HDMI eARC/ARC port with the included HDMI cable; eARC is required for specified lossless/advanced formats. If the TV has optical output only, use the included Sonos Optical Audio Adapter. | TV connection via HDMI eARC/ARC; optical input is also available. Samsung lists HDMI In (1), HDMI Out/eARC (1), and optical In (1). |
| Included calibration, device requirements and paid upgrades | Trueplay room calibration is included; setup and control use the Sonos app. Trueplay tuning requires a compatible iOS device; no paid calibration upgrade is stated. | SpaceFit Sound Pro is supported when used with a compatible Samsung TV; no paid calibration upgrade is identified. RTINGS reports no companion-app support for this model; controls are through the supplied remote. |
| Physical remote, TV remote, account and app requirements | On-bar touch controls; compatible TV remote can control the bar. Sonos app is required for setup and app-based control; Sonos account is required for setup. | Supplied physical remote; compatible Samsung TV remote can control the soundbar. RTINGS reports no companion-app support, so account/app setup is not required for soundbar functions; compatible Samsung TV is required for SpaceFit Sound Pro/Q-Symphony features. |
| Compatible named optional subwoofer and surround configuration | Optional expansion: one Sonos Sub or Sub Mini, plus two compatible Sonos speakers as surrounds (for example, Era 100 or One SL); sold separately. | Optional rear expansion: Samsung Wireless Rear Speaker Kit SWA-9250S; sold separately. The evaluated HW-Q600F/ZA package includes a wireless subwoofer, not rear speakers. |
| Verified manufacturer list price, not assumed from a crossed-out reference | — | 699.99 USD |
| Listing, indexed listing, cart, delivery or conflicting-render status | Sonos US product listing for Beam (Gen 2) is indexed and lists the product; the displayed price varies by color (black listing showed $359; white listing showed $499). Listing display only; delivery/cart availability was not verified. | Samsung US exact-model page is indexed/listed and includes an Add to cart control, but the rendered page showed $0.00 and delivery/pickup unavailable without a ZIP; the indexed offer showed $499.99 against $699.99. Live cart and delivery were not verified. |
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Pros
- Corroborated speech usefulness
- Narrow footprint for constrained furniture
- Reported wide soundstage
Cons
- No convincing overhead localization in the cited listening account
- TV-return connection and format constraints
- App dependence
Conditionally recommended for narrow-cabinet TV listening when your TV-return connection and audio formats are compatible and app dependence is acceptable. Corroborated listening evidence supports speech usefulness, but its wide presentation should not be mistaken for convincing overhead localization.
Full Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review →Samsung HW-Q600F/ZA
Pros
- Corroborated speech usefulness
- Supported bass performance with the supplied subwoofer
- Fits TV listening without a network-streaming requirement
Cons
- Modest height effects and limited envelopment
- Synchronization reservations
- Not a fit for buyers requiring network streaming
Conditionally recommended for buyers seeking supported speech and bass performance from the supplied bar-and-subwoofer configuration, without a network-streaming requirement. Accept modest height effects and limited envelopment, and check synchronization with your intended sources.
Full Samsung HW-Q600F/ZA review →Both products are part of our guide Best Soundbars for US Buyers: Choose by Setup and Listening Needs, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.