Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


brandynz

35 posts

Geek


#240105 21-Aug-2018 11:07
Send private message

Hi

 

 

 

Has anyone purchased the newly released Sonos Beam?

 

 

 

Thoughts on it? – Is Sonos worth the extra money?

 

 

 

Does Alexa work with NZ Radio Stations? “Alexa Play Radio Sport” etc.

 

 

 

Any feedback appreciated.

 

 

 

Thanks


Create new topic
gehenna
8499 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #2076656 21-Aug-2018 11:39
Send private message

Can't help with the Sonos side, but you can download the Amazon Alexa app for both iOS and Android which operates just like Alexa on an appliance.  From there you can see what does/doesn't work and add your own skills to see if the appliance is worthwhile for you.




Sounddude
I fix stuff!
1928 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
2degrees
Lifetime subscriber

  #2076674 21-Aug-2018 11:53
Send private message

I have a Sonos play and love it.

 

 

 

Considering a Beam as I am in the market for a Sound bar. 


eracode
Smpl Mnmlst
8848 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted
Subscriber

  #2076675 21-Aug-2018 11:53
Send private message

We have a Beam.

In one of our TV rooms (where we do the most watching) until recently we had a 40” Samsung Smart TV supported by a Sonos PlayBar, two Play 3 surrounds and a Sub (with a single Play 5 at the other end of the room).

Now we have an LG C8 55” OLED TV and the Playbar didn’t really fit in (bit too big and ugly) - so we replaced it with a white Beam and still have the other Sonos gear in place. I’m selling the PlayBar on TM.

The TV is wall-mounted so I also bought the Beam wall-mount bracket and the Beam is mounted below the TV.

I’m a bit of a gadgeteer but not a true audiophile and I know a few guys here on GZ ridicule the idea of Sonos for HT - but I just love this set-up. The Beam sounds brilliant - as stated in countless online reviews - and works great with the existing speakers. The Sonos TruePlay auto-tune/balance set-up is fantastic.

Have set-up Alexa and it works for TV on/off/volume etc but haven’t tested its full functionality because TBH I’m not particularly interested in that.

We use the Sonos gear for 5.1 TV audio and for streaming music from Spotify and Pandora. Good thing is that the Sonos app knows when the TV turns on and if you’re listening to music, it will switch to TV sound - and vice versa.




Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.




eracode
Smpl Mnmlst
8848 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted
Subscriber

  #2076677 21-Aug-2018 11:54
Send private message

Sounddude:

I have a Sonos play and love it.


 


Considering a Beam as I am in the market for a Sound bar. 



@Sounddude I have a Sonos PlayBar currently on Trademe.




Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.


Dunnersfella
4086 posts

Uber Geek


  #2077073 21-Aug-2018 20:13
Send private message

With the sub it sounds good, without the sub it's weak and easily eclipsed by other products on the market.

 

The problem is, the sub costs close to twice as much as the soundbar itself... whether it's value for money is up to you.

 

There's a rumor Sonos is working on a cheaper sub...


bignose
142 posts

Master Geek


  #2077537 22-Aug-2018 15:54
Send private message

Dunnersfella:

 

With the sub it sounds good, without the sub it's weak and easily eclipsed by other products on the market.

 

 

 

 

we just got one for the master bedroom - no tv in there, we just wanted it for music (had originally thought a pair of Sonos ONEs - but the Beam works out the same price and is less visually intrusive). Sub for music is ok given it's size. Would I like it for watching movies though - no!

 

Alexa with spotify works well - radio seems hit or miss, I can see the available radio stations in the alexa app - asking for them generally seems to result in 'sorry can't find that radio station' (I would sit down and try and suss why but since I never listen to the radio I'm not motivated). Bigger issue the 'briefings' (as it would be quite nice to get RNZ/BBC world news on demand) - there's a long standing and still unresolved bug where the first request gets you nothing but silence - ask for it a 2nd time and you get the actual audio.

 

 

 

 


MikeAqua
7779 posts

Uber Geek


  #2077575 22-Aug-2018 17:01
Send private message

eracode:

 

Now we have an LG C8 55” OLED TV and the Playbar didn’t really fit in (bit too big and ugly) - so we replaced it with a white Beam and still have the other Sonos gear in place. I’m selling the PlayBar on TM.

 

Are you using ARC with the LG and Beam and if you are do they play nicely over ARC?

 

I never had a bad experience with ARC but I know it can cause premature baldness.





Mike


 
 
 

GoodSync. Easily back up and sync your files with GoodSync. Simple and secure file backup and synchronisation software will ensure that your files are never lost (affiliate link).
eracode
Smpl Mnmlst
8848 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted
Subscriber

  #2077577 22-Aug-2018 17:05
Send private message

MikeAqua:

eracode:


Now we have an LG C8 55” OLED TV and the Playbar didn’t really fit in (bit too big and ugly) - so we replaced it with a white Beam and still have the other Sonos gear in place. I’m selling the PlayBar on TM.


Are you using ARC with the LG and Beam and if you are do they play nicely over ARC?


I never had a bad experience with ARC but I know it can cause premature baldness.



Yep - ARC and it works fine. The HDMI cable comes with it. You can also run it using optical and there’s an adapter in the box for that - HDMI > Toslink - for TVs that don’t support ARC.




Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.


Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.