A sound bar is an instant home theatre upgrade, and choosing one from all of the brands and options doesn’t have to be difficult. There are a lot of different options and price points, and you’ll find some sound bars packaged with a subwoofer, others that offer multi-room audio, and others that simply and effectively boost your volume. In the simple and effective range, the Sonos Ray sound bar is one of the best options available.
I just tested out the Sonos Ray and I was very impressed with the audio from this small, sleek sound bar. I think it would be a great fit for anyone with a smaller TV or someone who would like a sound bar in a bedroom or rec room. If you have an optical out port on your computer, I also think it would be a fine upgrade for your PC’s audio too.
Features of the Sonos Ray sound bar
The Sonos Ray is a small sound bar measuring 22 in (55.88 cm) W x 2.49 in (7.09 cm) H x 3.74 in (9.5 cm) D. It’s very light, weighing only 4.29 lb (1.95 kg). If you could pop the top off the Sonos Ray you’d see a group of forward-facing speaker components designed to direct sound straight at you. It has a pair of tweeters, mid-woofers, and bass ports.
Sonos Ray sound bar specfications
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- Compact sound bar with two tweeters and two woofers for crystal clear audio
- Supports Stereo PCM, Dolby Digital 5.1, and DTS Digital Surround
- Speakers are forward-facing to best project audio and dialogue
- Anti-distortion technology boosts dialogue and adds bass to your movie soundtracks, TV shows, and music
- Will plug into any TV with optical out port
- Connects to Sonos app for volume control and Speech Enhancement options
- Night sound setting so you can enjoy video content at night
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection and AirPlay 2
- Can be mounted under your TV using Sonos Ray wall mount
The Sonos Ray sound bar has a nice sleek design. It’s small, light, and I love how you can choose between black or white. It’s even packaged in a really nice way, and you have to unwrap the sound bar like a gift when you unbox it.
Setting up the Sonos Ray sound bar
The Sonos Ray sound bar has one of the easiest sound bar set ups I’ve experienced, but it’s also slightly different than I’m used to. It is packaged with an optical cable, and to connect it to your TV you have to connect the included digital optical cable to your TV’s digital optical out port.
Most TVs have a digital optical out port. I’ve never even noticed where the optical out was on my TCL Series 6 TV until I connected the Sonos Ray. The only sound bars I’ve used have had an HDMI connection, but plugging into the digital optical out was just as easy as connecting to HDMI. The included cord is 1.5m so there’s enough cord to move the sound bar around under your TV. Beyond the digital optical out and the power port, the back of the Sonos Ray has an Ethernet port and a reset button.
To use the Sonos Ray you’ll need to add it to the Sonos app. I plugged in an Ethernet cable so I didn’t have to worry about Wi-Fi, and the sound bar paired instantly with the app. You can control the sound bar via the app or turn the volume up and down on the top of the device.
Mounting the Sonos Ray sound bar
I didn’t mount the Sonos Ray on my wall but I did try the Sonos Ray sound bar mount, which you will have to purchase separately. The mount is a sturdy bracket the sound bar will slide onto, and it includes the screws and wall anchors you’ll need to mount it on the wall. It only takes two screws to mount it, and you’ll just slide the sound bar onto the mounting bracket. It’s nice to have the option of a mount, especially if you don’t have a lot of room on your entertainment unit or you’re using the Sonos Ray with a flush mounted TV.
Sound quality of the Sonos Ray sound bar
Looks are appealing, but sound bars are all about sound. This sound bar can produce big sound despite it’s small size and the fact that it doesn’t connect via HDMI.
I’ve always found my TV to be lacking in the dialogue department because audio, no matter what’s playing, is projected too evenly across the internal speakers. If I’m watching a movie and there is a lot of action, the action audio will be louder than the dialogue. You can hear a car crash but you can’t really hear what someone is saying.
From the second I plugged in the Sonos Ray, I noticed how great it was for projecting and enhancing dialogue. There’s a Speech Enhancement setting in the app you can use to boost it even more, but it’s very crisp and clear without any sort of app enhancement. I didn’t have to turn it up really loud to hear everything. Instead, audio felt as though it was projected at me where I sat on the couch, and I could also get the same experience if I moved to another chair beside the TV.
Music sounds great on the Sonos Ray too. I used AirPlay to connect to my iPhone and stream my playlists and I really enjoyed listening to everything on the sound bar. You can use the Sonos Ray as part of a multi-room set up as well. You just have to connect your other Sonos speakers in the Sonos app.
The only thing I found lacking was deep bass. I like to hear bass in sound effects or music, and without a subwoofer the Sonos Ray can’t really hit those very low tones. It does have a bit of bass on board so it’s not completely absent, and I’ve read that they may add a subwoofer for use with the Sonos Ray in the future.
Sonos Ray sound bar controls
The Sonos Ray sound bar has volume control right on the top of the device. You can tap it to turn it up, down, or turn it off. You can also control volume via the Sonos app, and there are a few other custom settings in the app that you can use to adjust your audio.
You can pair your TV’s remote control with the Sonos Ray sound bar, but keep in mind that not all TV remotes will work. I tried several times to pair my TCL Roku Series 6 remote control with the Sonos Ray and it wouldn’t work at all. That meant any volume adjustments needed to be made on the sound bar itself or via the app. That’s fine if your sound bar and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network, but my home’s Wi-Fi is a bit convoluted.
To adjust the volume I had to make sure I was connected to the same Wi-Fi the sound bar was connected to or the app wouldn’t find it. It wasn’t a big deal, but it’s much easier to adjust volume and options via a remote control.
Should you choose the Sonos Ray sound bar?
There are a lot of different scenarios where the Sonos Ray sound bar would be a great choice for your home. If you just want to boost the volume on your TV or want an easy-to-use sound bar with audio adjustments when you’re in the mood to switch things up, the Sonos Ray will be a prime addition.
If you’d like to add a sound bar to a bedroom TV or use it with a PC that has a digital optical port, it’s also an ideal choice from a dependable brand. The price point is a lot lower than some sound bars with more features, and you have the option of adding extra Sonos speakers if you’d like to create your own surround sound system or you want to enjoy multi-room audio.
Overall, the Sonos Ray sound bar has a very sleek, compact design, it’s nice you have the choice of white or black, and I love that you can use the wall mount to tuck it away. The only downside is that I can’t get it working with my TV’s remote control, but the sound quality and the design outweigh that one small issue.
You can find the Sonos Ray sound bar at Best Buy right now.
I’ll put it in my living room as a decor / show off ! LOL !
It would go in my basement / home theatre room for movie night!
It would go in my living room, as the sound coming from that TV isn’t too great.
The Sonos Ray would make an excellent bedroom speaker because its perfect for small to medium rooms and yet still has crisp sounds!
I would put this soundbar in my bedroom because the sound from that TV sucks
I would be adding it to my youth mental health fundraiser that is taking place on April 29th in Aurora Ontario. I’ve raised $135K in 9 years so far for the Canadian Mental Health Association – York and South Simcoe.
I would probably put this in the family room in the basement. it is where the whole family spends a lot of time listening to tunes or watching TV so everyone would benefit from it being there.
If I win I’d put this in my living room!
Definitely the family room for increased audio!
I would love this for the living room to replace my current setup.
The only room that would work is the basement, because there is no other room that would work
Definitely would be putting this in our family living room to enhance our movie viewing experience.
I’d definitely put it in my living room on my mantle under my tv. The tv has the tinniest speakers and the Sonos Ray would fix that problem.
I would put it in my office and use it to replace my cheap computer speakers
Tthe Sonos Ray sound bar would go in the living room, where the larger TV is situated.
Tthe Sonos Ray sound bar would go in the living room, where the TV is situated.
I would put it in the living room because that is where we watch movies and gaming.
In the family room to make our family movie nights even more enjoyable!
I’d use this in the living room with the tv. This would be an upgrade from the built-in tv speakers.
The only room that would work is the basement, because there is no other room that would work
I would put it in the bedroom because our TV is in this room.
I think I’d put the Sonos sound bar in my bedroom!
I would put it in my office and use it to replace my bad $20 computer speakers as it will take minimal space and will look pleasing right below my monitors.
I would definitely be placing this in my living room where I spend much of my time each day watching movies. I was forced into retirement due to being diagnosed in 2008 with multiple permanent disabilities including Lupus. My day revolves primarily around watching movies during the day.
i’s place it in the bathroom so I could turn it way up and everyone in the house would hear the screams of the people whose deafening defecations reverberate back to them
This would go with our stereo in our main room (where the stereo is). 🙂
I would use this Sonos sound bar in my bedroom, the “Night sound setting” would be very useful.
I would put this sound bar in the living room since our TV doesn’t have one
Our living room and it would be a surprise for my partner, as he has wanted one for years! Thanks!
I would put the Sonos Ray in my basement den for the ultimate movie watching experience!
I would put it in the living area of my first home!
My dad’s Benny’s house in his livingroom would really benefit with this soundbar. Tv doesn’t sound good once it gets to a certain level, this is perfect for the clarity when the volume is turn up
I’d use this in the living room with the tv. This would be an upgrade from the built-in tv speakers.
Hmmm, it’s very difficult decision, I have the need for a large sound bar, but, Sonos Ray Sound Bar – Black I require immediately for my Grandmother, she is a bit hard on hearing. This would be a game changer for her.
I would place this in my parent’s living room. It would be a gift for my dad Nhan!
The only room that would work is the basement, because there is no other room that would work
Family room for the tv
I would place it in my bedroom.
I would put this in my living room because that’s the only room with a TV in my house!
This would be perfect gift for my brother Jeffery, but now that I see it has 5.1 surround I might keep it for myself!
I would put it in the Living Room. It would be a vast improvement on our ears over just the speakers built into the tv.
We would put this in the family room to make our family movie nights even more enjoyable!
I would use this in my living room. Connect it to my tv or use it with my record player.
I would use this sound bar in the family room, for the TV.
I would put it in the tv room for best sound
In our TV room
I would put the Sonos Ray in my bedroom to improve the sound quality
I would definitely put it in my living room because that’s the main one we use
I would place the Sonos Ray in my apartment living room as it would be the perfect fit and quality for a smaller space.
Living room;
To elevate entertainment for guests!
I’d place this Sonos Ray in my bedroom so I can have amazing sound without having the volume up too high.
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