Short answer: the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). It ranks #9 of 27 all-in-one soundbars by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $488. The JBL Bar 300MK2 ranks #11, rated 3.6/5, at $449.95, $38.05 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The case for the Sonos Beam (Gen 2): The Beam fits under smaller TVs yet sounds balanced and clear, with dialogue that stays easy to follow. The tradeoff: Atmos height is simulated rather than fired at the ceiling, so overhead effects are subtle.
Why pick the JBL Bar 300MK2: For a slim single bar it produces surprisingly deep, room-filling bass, so films have weight without a separate sub. The tradeoff: The surround and height effects are processed, so sound rarely seems to come from above.
Buy the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $38.05 saving on the JBL Bar 300MK2 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full TV Soundbars rankings cover every ranked option.
The Beam fits under smaller TVs yet sounds balanced and clear, with dialogue that stays easy to follow.
For a slim single bar it produces surprisingly deep, room-filling bass, so films have weight without a separate sub.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | JBL Bar 300MK2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $488.00 | $449.95 |
| Ranked | #9 of 27 in All-in-One Soundbars | #11 of 27 in All-in-One Soundbars |
| App | Yes (Sonos) | Yes (JBL ONE) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Channels | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| DTS:X | No | Virtual:X |
| Dimensions | 2.7”H x 25.6”W x 3.9”D (68 x 651 x 100 mm) | 2”H x 37”W x 4.1”D (50 x 940 x 104 mm) |
| Dolby Atmos | Virtual (decodes Atmos, no up-firing drivers) | Virtual (decodes Atmos, no up-firing drivers) |
| Drivers | Bar: 5 drivers (1 tweeter, 4 elliptical midwoofers) plus 3 passive radiators | Bar: 9 drivers (5 x 42x80 mm racetrack woofers, 4 x 0.75” tweeters) |
| HDMI Input | No | 1 |
| HDMI eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Included Subwoofer | None (optional Sonos Sub or Sub Mini) | Built-in |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Speakers | Optional (Sonos Era 100 or One SL) | No |
| Room Correction | Yes (Trueplay) | Yes (Easy Sound Calibration) |
| Voice Assistants | Alexa, Sonos Voice Control | No |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Sonos app streaming) | Yes (AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 450W max (225W RMS) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
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