Sonos Ray: Compact Soundbar For TV & Music - Black

Oct 31, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 51 views

Sonos Ray Compact Soundbar for TV and Music (Black): A Detailed Review

Hey there, audio enthusiasts! Today, we're diving deep into the Sonos Ray, a compact soundbar that promises to elevate your TV and music experience without breaking the bank or cluttering your living space. Specifically, we're looking at the sleek black model. If you're on the hunt for a sound upgrade but are limited on space or budget, the Sonos Ray might just be your perfect match.

What is the Sonos Ray?

The Sonos Ray is a compact soundbar designed to enhance the audio quality of your TV, movies, music, and games. It's part of the Sonos ecosystem, known for its seamless multi-room audio capabilities and user-friendly interface. The Ray is particularly appealing because it offers a more affordable entry point into the Sonos world, without sacrificing the brand's commitment to quality sound. Its compact size makes it ideal for smaller rooms, apartments, or anyone who prefers a minimalist setup. The Sonos Ray comes equipped with a range of features, including speech enhancement, night sound mode, and the ability to integrate with other Sonos speakers for a full surround sound experience. Setting up the Sonos Ray is a breeze, thanks to the Sonos app, which guides you through the process step by step. Once connected, you can control the soundbar using the app, your TV remote, or even voice commands if you have a compatible smart speaker. The Sonos Ray is not just a soundbar; it's a gateway to a whole new level of audio immersion. Whether you're watching your favorite TV shows, streaming music, or gaming with friends, the Sonos Ray delivers clear, detailed sound that will bring your entertainment to life. With its sleek design and powerful performance, the Sonos Ray is a must-have for anyone looking to upgrade their home audio setup. Plus, its compatibility with other Sonos products means you can easily expand your system over time. The Sonos Ray truly stands out as a versatile and affordable option in the world of soundbars.

Key Features and Benefits of the Sonos Ray

When we talk about the Sonos Ray, we've gotta highlight its key features, right? This compact soundbar is packed with tech to make your audio experience top-notch. First off, the sound quality. For its size, the Ray punches way above its weight. Clear dialogues, rich bass (for a small soundbar), and a well-balanced soundstage make it great for both movies and music. Speech Enhancement is a game-changer, especially if you struggle to hear dialogue in movies or TV shows. It clarifies voices without blasting the volume, which is super useful. And Night Sound is perfect for late-night viewing. It reduces loud sound effects and boosts quieter ones, so you don't wake up the whole house. Setting up the Sonos Ray is incredibly simple. The Sonos app walks you through everything, step-by-step. Within minutes, you'll be enjoying improved sound. The Ray integrates seamlessly with the Sonos ecosystem. You can easily group it with other Sonos speakers for multi-room audio or create a full surround sound setup. Its compact design means it fits easily into almost any space. You can place it on a TV stand or mount it on the wall. Plus, the black finish looks sleek and modern. The Ray works with your existing TV remote, so you don't need to juggle multiple remotes. It also supports Apple AirPlay 2, allowing you to stream audio directly from your Apple devices. The Sonos Ray is not just a soundbar; it's a smart audio solution that enhances your entertainment experience in multiple ways. From its impressive sound quality to its user-friendly features, the Sonos Ray offers a lot of value for its price. Whether you're a movie buff, a music lover, or a gamer, the Sonos Ray will elevate your audio experience to new heights. Plus, its compatibility with other Sonos products means you can easily expand your system over time. The Sonos Ray truly stands out as a versatile and affordable option in the world of soundbars.

Design and Build Quality

The design of the Sonos Ray is minimalist and sleek. This compact soundbar comes in a matte black finish, which helps it blend seamlessly with most TVs and home decor. The build quality feels solid and premium, which is something you'd expect from Sonos. The Ray's compact size is one of its biggest advantages. It's small enough to fit comfortably on most TV stands without being obtrusive. You can also wall-mount it if you prefer a cleaner look. The front of the soundbar features a simple grille design, while the top has touch-sensitive controls for volume, play/pause, and skipping tracks. The back of the Ray has minimal ports: an optical audio input, an Ethernet port, and a power connector. The absence of HDMI may be a drawback for some, but Sonos likely made this decision to keep the cost down and simplify setup. The overall design is clean and understated, making it a great addition to any room without drawing too much attention to itself. The Sonos Ray's compact size and sleek design make it a versatile option for any home entertainment setup. Whether you're placing it on a TV stand or mounting it on the wall, the Ray will seamlessly integrate into your living space. The build quality is top-notch, ensuring that the Ray will last for years to come. The Sonos Ray is a testament to Sonos's commitment to quality and design, making it a standout product in the world of soundbars. Its minimalist aesthetic and robust construction make it a perfect fit for any modern home.

Sound Performance

The sound performance of the Sonos Ray is surprisingly impressive for its size. This compact soundbar delivers clear, detailed audio that enhances both movies and music. The Ray features custom-designed waveguides that project sound throughout the room, creating a wide and immersive soundstage. Dialogue clarity is excellent, thanks to Sonos's Speech Enhancement feature, which makes it easier to hear conversations without raising the overall volume. The Ray also offers a decent amount of bass for its size, although it won't rattle your walls like a dedicated subwoofer. The bass is tight and controlled, adding depth and richness to the sound without being overpowering. For music, the Ray provides a balanced and enjoyable listening experience. The highs are crisp and clear, while the mids are well-defined. The soundbar handles a variety of genres well, from pop and rock to classical and jazz. While the Ray doesn't support Dolby Atmos or other advanced surround sound formats, it can be paired with other Sonos speakers to create a more immersive home theater setup. Adding a Sonos Sub will significantly enhance the bass response, while adding two Sonos One SL speakers as rears will create a true surround sound experience. Overall, the Sonos Ray offers impressive sound quality for its size and price. It's a great option for anyone looking to upgrade their TV's audio without breaking the bank. The Sonos Ray's sound performance is a testament to Sonos's engineering prowess, delivering clear, detailed audio that enhances both movies and music. Its compact size and impressive soundstage make it a versatile option for any home entertainment setup. The Sonos Ray is a standout product in the world of soundbars, offering a perfect balance of performance and affordability.

Setting Up the Sonos Ray

Setting up the Sonos Ray is incredibly easy, thanks to the Sonos app. This compact soundbar connects to your TV via an optical cable, which is included in the box. Simply plug the cable into the optical audio output on your TV and the optical input on the Ray. Next, download the Sonos app on your smartphone or tablet and follow the on-screen instructions. The app will guide you through the process of connecting the Ray to your Wi-Fi network and configuring its settings. The setup process is straightforward and takes only a few minutes. Once the Ray is connected, you can control it using the Sonos app, your TV remote, or voice commands if you have a compatible smart speaker. The Sonos app allows you to adjust the volume, change the EQ settings, and group the Ray with other Sonos speakers for multi-room audio. You can also use the app to stream music from a variety of services, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. If you want to use your TV remote to control the Ray, you'll need to program it to recognize the soundbar. The Sonos app provides step-by-step instructions on how to do this. Overall, the setup process for the Sonos Ray is simple and user-friendly, even for those who are not tech-savvy. The Sonos app makes it easy to get the soundbar up and running in no time. The Sonos Ray's easy setup process is a testament to Sonos's commitment to user-friendliness. Whether you're a tech novice or an experienced audiophile, you'll find the setup process to be a breeze. The Sonos Ray is a standout product in the world of soundbars, offering a perfect balance of performance and ease of use.

Pros and Cons

Let's break down the Sonos Ray into its pros and cons, shall we? This compact soundbar, like any product, has its strengths and weaknesses.

Pros:

Compact Size: Perfect for small spaces.
Easy Setup: The Sonos app makes setup a breeze.
Good Sound Quality: Impressive sound for its size.
Speech Enhancement: Clarifies dialogue.
Night Sound: Reduces loud sound effects.
Sonos Ecosystem: Seamless integration with other Sonos products.
Affordable Price: A budget-friendly entry into the Sonos world.

Cons:

No HDMI: Relies on optical audio connection.
Limited Bass: May not be enough for bass-heavy content.
No Dolby Atmos: Lacks advanced surround sound formats.
No Bluetooth: Relies on Wi-Fi for streaming.

Final Verdict

So, what's the final word on the Sonos Ray? If you're after a compact soundbar that delivers solid sound, is easy to set up, and integrates seamlessly into the Sonos ecosystem, the Ray is a fantastic choice. It's especially great for smaller rooms, apartments, or anyone who wants to upgrade their TV audio without spending a fortune. While it lacks some of the advanced features of more expensive soundbars (like HDMI and Dolby Atmos), the Ray offers a compelling package for its price. The Speech Enhancement and Night Sound modes are particularly useful, and the ability to expand your system with other Sonos speakers is a big plus. Overall, the Sonos Ray is a great value for the money and a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to improve their home audio experience. It's a user-friendly, high-quality soundbar that delivers impressive sound in a compact package. Whether you're a movie buff, a music lover, or a casual TV watcher, the Sonos Ray will enhance your entertainment experience. The Sonos Ray is a standout product in the world of soundbars, offering a perfect balance of performance, affordability, and ease of use. Its compact size, impressive sound quality, and seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem make it a must-have for anyone looking to upgrade their home audio setup. The Sonos Ray truly stands out as a versatile and affordable option in the world of soundbars.