Sonos Ray Soundbar Review
The Sonos Ray Soundbar is an entry-level soundbar from Sonos, priced at around £279. As the most affordable option in the Sonos line-up, it aims to offer a significant audio upgrade over standard TV speakers while fitting seamlessly into the Sonos ecosystem.
Design and Build
The Sonos Ray sports a sleek and compact design, measuring 71 × 559 × 95 mm and weighing 1.95 kg. Available in black or white, it features a polycarbonate grille and three touch-sensitive buttons for basic controls. Its minimalist aesthetic ensures it blends well with modern home decor, though it may look small under TVs larger than 55 inches.
Performance
The Ray’s audio performance is notable for its size, equipped with two tweeters, two mid-woofers, and four Class-D amplifiers. It offers clear dialogue and decent bass, although it lacks the immersive soundstage of larger soundbars like the Sonos Beam and Arc. It supports stereo PCM, Dolby Digital 5.1, and DTS Digital Surround, but not Dolby Atmos. TruePlay tuning (available only on iOS) enhances sound by adjusting to room acoustics.
Features and Usability
The Sonos Ray integrates seamlessly with the Sonos ecosystem via the Sonos S2 app, allowing for multi-room audio setups and easy integration with other Sonos speakers for a more expansive audio experience. It supports Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect. Notably, it lacks HDMI connectivity and built-in voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant​.
Comparisons
When compared to other Sonos soundbars, the Ray lacks some features found in the Beam (Gen 2) and Arc, such as Dolby Atmos support and HDMI inputs. However, it remains a strong contender in its price range. Competitors like the Bose TV Speaker and Samsung HW-S60B offer HDMI support and extended low-bass performance but do not integrate as seamlessly with a multi-room setup.
Value for Money
Priced at £279, the Sonos Ray provides good value for those seeking an upgrade from their TV’s built-in speakers. While it doesn’t offer the premium features of more expensive models, its performance, design, and integration with the Sonos ecosystem make it a solid choice for budget-conscious consumers.
Conclusion
The Sonos Ray is a compact, well-designed soundbar that offers a substantial audio upgrade for TV and music listening. Its strengths lie in clear dialogue reproduction and ease of integration with other Sonos products. However, the lack of HDMI and voice assistant support, along with limited bass performance, might be a drawback for some users.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Compact and sleek design
- Clear dialogue and good bass for its size
- Seamless integration with Sonos ecosystem
- TruePlay tuning (iOS only)
Cons:
- No HDMI connectivity
- Lacks built-in voice assistant
- Limited bass and soundstage compared to larger soundbars
Overall Rating:
Aggregate Rating
Based on multiple reviews, the Sonos Ray averages around 7.6/10, highlighting its position as a strong entry-level soundbar with excellent integration capabilities and sound quality improvements over standard TV speakers.