Get hooked on the Sonos ecosystem with the Sonos Ray, an entry-level soundbar that offers powerful sound, a wide soundstage, easy setup, and streaming options.
Sound Review Hub’s Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Looking for an affordable but high-quality soundbar? Look no further than the Sonos Ray! This versatile soundbar delivers a great listening experience that enhances the sound quality of your TV while also introducing you to the amazing world of the Sonos multiroom audio platform. With a price point of under $300, the Ray is the perfect entry-level soundbar that won’t break the bank.
While it may lack some of the advanced features found in pricier Sonos models, it’s still a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a budget-friendly option that’s easy to set up and use. Plus, connecting it to your TV using an optical audio cable is a breeze! So if you’re looking to level up your home theatre setup, the Sonos Ray is definitely worth considering.
2-Minute Review
Hey there, are you looking for a soundbar that delivers amazing audio quality for your home theater system? Well, let me introduce you to the Sonos Ray soundbar!
This sleek and stylish soundbar is packed with features that will enhance your movie and music listening experience. You can easily set it up with your TV and other devices with easy connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HDMI ARC.
The Sonos Ray soundbar also boasts impressive sound quality thanks to its advanced audio technologies, such as Trueplay tuning and speech enhancement. This means you can enjoy crystal-clear dialogue and immersive sound that brings your favorite movies and music to life.
But I don’t want to give away too much just yet! So, keep reading my product review to learn more about my personal experience with the Sonos Ray soundbar. I’ll dive into more details about its features, sound quality, and overall performance.
Design and Build Quality
- Sleek design and quality build
- Compact size for smaller TVs
If you’re in the market for an affordable soundbar that’s built with the same level of quality and attention to detail as other Sonos products, then the Sonos Ray is worth checking out.
It comes in sleek black or white matte finishes and has a mild trapezoid shape with rounded edges that add an interesting design element. Despite the liberal use of plastic, the Ray looks and feels like a solid and fairly premium product.
At just 2.8 x 22 x 3.7 inches, it’s compact enough to fit nicely with smaller TVs, but Sonos says it’s designed to work with TV screens up to 55 inches.
The forward-facing speakers mean it can be positioned on a middle shelf of a TV stand, but be aware that it sits slightly taller than some alternatives.
Aesthetically, the Ray fits perfectly into the Sonos family with soft curves, capacitive touch buttons, monochrome finishes, and a perforated polycarbonate grille.
Overall, the Sonos Ray is a very smart-looking speaker at this price point.
Features and Connectivity
- Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control
- WiFi and Bluetooth compatibility
First of all, let’s talk about what I love about the Sonos Ray. One of its standout features is its compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This means you can control your soundbar with your voice, which is incredibly convenient. Additionally, the Sonos Ray is compatible with WiFi and Bluetooth, so you can connect it to various devices, including your TV, phone, and tablet. I also appreciate that it has HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) connectivity, which allows for a simple and streamlined setup with your TV.
Another great feature of the Sonos Ray is its ability to pair with other Sonos speakers to create a surround sound experience. I recommend pairing the Sonos Ray with Sonos One speakers with a Sonos Sub. I promise you that you will not be disappointed. This is especially useful if you’re looking to upgrade your home theater setup. The sound quality of the Sonos Ray is also top-notch, with crisp and clear sound that really fills the room.
Of course, the Sonos Ray also has a few downsides. For one thing, it’s a bit on the pricey side compared to some other soundbars on the market, but it is also Sonos’s most affordable soundbar. Additionally, Bluetooth connectivity doesn’t have NFC (Near Field Communication) pairing, which some people might prefer for easy device connection.
Overall, I think the Sonos Ray is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality soundbar with plenty of features and connectivity options.
Audio Performance
- Exceptional audio quality for its price
- Rich, deep bass and clear sound
I have to say that the Sonos Ray delivers exceptional audio quality. It features a total of eight powerful drivers that work together to produce clear and detailed sound, no matter what type of content you’re listening to. From movies to music, this soundbar really shines.
One of the things I really like about the Sonos Ray is its ability to produce rich, deep bass tones. Whether you’re listening to hip-hop, EDM, or any other bass-heavy genre, the Sonos Ray delivers a satisfying low end that really brings your music to life. And when you’re watching movies or TV shows with explosive sound effects, the bass response is just as impressive.
Another aspect of Sonos Ray’s audio performance that stands out is its clarity. The sound remains clear and distinct even at high volumes, with no distortion or muddiness.
That being said, a couple of things about Sonos Ray’s audio performance might not be for everyone. For starters, the soundbar’s overall sound signature is somewhat neutral, which means it doesn’t emphasize any particular frequency range over the others. While some listeners might prefer this balanced approach, others might find it a bit too clinical for their taste.
Additionally, while the Sonos Ray can get quite loud, it might not be the best choice for larger rooms or outdoor spaces. In those scenarios, you might find yourself needing to crank up the volume to hear everything clearly, which could lead to distortion or other audio issues.
When it comes to comparing the Sonos Ray to other soundbars, a few models come to mind. The Bose Solo 5 is a popular option that delivers impressive sound quality in a compact package. While it might not have the same level of bass response as the Sonos Ray, the Solo 5 is a great choice for those who prioritize clarity and detail in their audio.
The VIZIO V51x-J6 is another soundbar that’s worth considering, particularly for those on a budget. While it might not match the Sonos Ray in terms of overall audio quality, the V51x-J6 is still able to deliver powerful sound that’s perfect for movie nights and casual listening sessions.
Setup and Ease of Use
- Easy setup process
- Trueplay for dynamic tuning
- Speech enhancement and night sound
I have to say that I was really impressed with how easy it was to set up the Sonos Ray. From the moment I opened the box, I knew that Sonos had put a lot of thought into making the setup process as simple as possible.
All you have to do is plug in the soundbar, connect it to your TV or other devices using the included HDMI or optical cables, and follow the on-screen prompts to set up your Wi-Fi connection. It’s really that easy! Plus, if you have any trouble with the setup process, the Sonos app provides clear and concise instructions to guide you through it.
One of my favorite features of the Sonos Ray is Trueplay, which is a feature that allows you to dynamically tune the soundbar to the room you’re in. With Trueplay, the soundbar uses your smartphone’s microphone to analyze the acoustics of your room and make real-time adjustments to the audio output. This means that no matter where you’re sitting in the room, you’ll get the best possible audio experience.
Another feature that I really appreciate is the speech enhancement feature. This is particularly helpful when watching movies or TV shows with quiet dialogue. With speech enhancement, the soundbar automatically boosts the volume of voices, making it easier to hear and understand what’s being said.
Lastly, the night sound feature is perfect for those late-night movie or TV-watching sessions. This feature reduces the volume of loud explosions or other intense sounds, so you can enjoy your entertainment without waking up the whole house.
Should You Buy It?
- Perfect for small apartments and condos
- Great entry-level soundbar
If you’re living in an apartment or a small condo and looking for an entry-level soundbar to enhance your TV audio experience, the Sonos Ray soundbar might be the perfect fit for you!
One of the best things about the Sonos Ray soundbar is its compact size, which makes it ideal for smaller spaces. This soundbar is designed for TVs smaller than 55 inches, so it won’t take up too much space in your living room. Its sleek design and neutral color will seamlessly blend with any decor.
But don’t let its size fool you! The Sonos Ray soundbar packs a punch when it comes to audio quality. It delivers clear and balanced sound, and the built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant allow for easy voice control. Whether you’re watching your favorite movie or streaming your favorite playlist, the Sonos Ray soundbar will deliver an immersive audio experience.
Another great feature of the Sonos Ray soundbar is that it’s part of the Sonos ecosystem. This means it can be easily integrated with other Sonos products, such as the Sonos One or the Sonos Sub, to create a complete home audio system. This makes it an excellent entry point to the Sonos ecosystem, and once you’re ready to upgrade or move to a larger space, the Sonos Beam or Sonos Arc might be the next soundbar to consider.
If you’re looking for a high-quality, entry-level soundbar that’s perfect for small spaces, the Sonos Ray soundbar is worth considering. Its compact size, great sound quality, and easy integration with other Sonos products make it a fantastic choice for anyone who wants to enhance their TV audio experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent sound quality: The Sonos Ray soundbar delivers crisp, clear audio that enhances the movie-watching experience. The sound is well-balanced and has a good amount of bass.
- Sleek and stylish design: The soundbar has a modern, minimalist look that can blend well with any home décor. Its slim profile makes it easy to mount on walls or place on a TV stand.
- Easy to set up: The soundbar is straightforward to install and can be done in minutes. It comes with clear instructions, and the Sonos app guides you through the process of setting it up.
- Voice control: The Sonos Ray soundbar supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, making it easy to control the volume or switch between tracks hands-free.
- Multi-room audio: The soundbar can be part of a larger Sonos ecosystem, allowing you to play music in sync across multiple rooms.
Cons
- Expensive: The Sonos Ray soundbar is quite pricey, making it a significant investment for most people.
- Limited connectivity: The soundbar has limited connectivity options, with only an HDMI ARC input and an Ethernet port.
- No Dolby Atmos support: The soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos, which may be a deal-breaker for some people looking for a more immersive home theater experience. I would consider the Sonos Beam Gen 2 if you want a soundbar with Dolby Atmos.
- Requires a separate subwoofer: Although the soundbar delivers decent bass, it lacks the deep rumble you can get from a subwoofer. You need to buy a separate Sonos Sub to enhance the low-end frequencies, which I highly recommend to enhance your experience.
- Requires a reliable internet connection: The Sonos Ray soundbar relies on Wi-Fi connectivity, and if your internet connection is not stable, you may experience dropouts or buffering issues.
Final Verdict
If you’re in the market for an entry-level soundbar and considering joining the Sonos ecosystem, the Sonos Ray soundbar may be the one for you. In my experience, it’s a great option if you don’t need Dolby Atmos and have a smaller TV or living space.
From my review, you’ll know that I personally started with the Sonos Beam and eventually upgraded to the more advanced Arc for my living room. But I do think that the Sonos Ray is a fantastic soundbar for its price point, even if it doesn’t have all the features of the more expensive Sonos soundbars.
Overall, I think the Sonos Ray is a solid choice for someone who is just getting started with building out their home theater setup or someone who is looking for a more budget-friendly option. It’s easy to set up, has great sound quality, and will seamlessly integrate with other Sonos products. So, if you’re on the hunt for a good soundbar, definitely give the Sonos Ray a look!
Specifications
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| AUDIO | |
| Amplifiers | Four Class-D digital amplifiers. |
| Woofers | Two full-range woofers ensure you’ll hear the faithful playback of mid-range vocal frequencies plus deep, rich bass. |
| Tweeters | Two tweeters create a crisp and clear high-frequency response. |
| Audio ports | Two micro ports with proprietary anti-distortion technology. |
| Adjustable EQ | Use the Sonos app to adjust bass, treble, and loudness. |
| SOFTWARE | |
| Sonos S2 | Set up and control with the latest generation of the Sonos app. |
| Apple AirPlay 2 | Works with AirPlay 2 on apples devices iOS 11.4 and higher. |
| Trueplay | Dynamically tunes the speaker to the unique acoustics of the room or area (iOS device required). |
| Speech enhancement | Turn on this home theater setting in the Sonos app to make TV dialogue even clearer. |
| Night sound | Turn on this home theater setting to reduce the intensity of loud TV sound effects. |
| System requirements | TV with optical digital audio output, broadband internet, and the Sonos app. |
| GENERAL | |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 2.79 x 22.00 x 3.74 in (71 x 559 x 95mm) |
| Colors | Black, white |
| Finish | Matte |
| Weight | 4.29 lb (1.95 kg) |
| Speaker status light | Displays the speaker’s connection to WiFi, indicates when the volume is muted, and signals errors. |
| Operating temperature | 32°F to 104° F (0° C to 40° C) |
| Storage temperature | -4°F to 122° F (-20° C to 50° C) |
| Control | Use your IR (infrared-enabled) TV remote control, touch controls or the Sonos app. |
| CPU | Quad Core; 1.4 GHz A-53 |
| Memory | 1 GB SDRAM; 4GB NV |
| Mounting | M5 threaded mounting socket |
| POWER & CONNECTIVITY | |
| Power supply | Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz 2.0A AC universal input. |
| WiFi | Connects to WiFi network with any 802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz broadcast-capable router. |
| Optical | Use the included optical cable to connect the soundbar to your TV’s optical digital audio output. |
| Ethernet | One port for hardwiring to your router (optional). |
| Infrared receiver | Syncs with your TV remote for streamlined control. |
| Supported devices | Connects to TV with optical cable. Plays sources connected to the TV, including cable boxes and game consoles. |
