The Sonos Ray is a compelling entry-level soundbar that delivers significantly improved TV audio for its compact size and affordable price point, making it an excellent choice for smaller rooms or those new to the Sonos ecosystem.

While it might not blow audiophiles away with booming bass or expansive spatial audio, it excels at providing clear dialogue and a well-balanced sound profile, especially when paired with other Sonos speakers.

It’s a no-brainer if you’re looking for a simple, effective upgrade over your TV’s built-in speakers without breaking the bank or cluttering your space.

Here’s a quick rundown of some key players in the soundbar arena, including the Sonos Ray, to help you size up the competition:

Sonos Ray
- Key Features: Compact design, optical audio input, Wi-Fi connectivity, Trueplay tuning, speech enhancement, night sound, works with other Sonos speakers.
- Average Price: Around $279
- Pros: Excellent dialogue clarity, small footprint, integrates seamlessly with Sonos multi-room audio, easy setup, affordable.
- Cons: No HDMI ARC/eARC, no Dolby Atmos, limited bass without a subwoofer, optical-only input can be inconvenient.
Sonos Beam Gen 2
- Key Features: HDMI eARC, Dolby Atmos support, compact, Trueplay tuning, Wi-Fi and Ethernet, built-in voice assistants Alexa/Google Assistant.
- Average Price: Around $499
- Pros: Dolby Atmos support provides more immersive sound, HDMI eARC for simpler TV integration, better bass than Ray, voice control.
- Cons: More expensive than the Ray, still benefits from a separate subwoofer for deep bass.
Sonos Arc
- Key Features: Premium home theater soundbar, Dolby Atmos up-firing drivers, HDMI eARC, Trueplay tuning, Wi-Fi and Ethernet, built-in voice assistants.
- Average Price: Around $899
- Pros: Top-tier sound quality for a soundbar, truly immersive Dolby Atmos, excellent bass response, expansive soundstage.
- Cons: Expensive, large footprint, requires HDMI eARC on your TV for best performance.
Bose Smart Soundbar 600
- Key Features: Dolby Atmos with “up-firing transducers,” Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, HDMI eARC, built-in voice assistants, Bose Voice4Video technology.
- Pros: Compact with impressive Atmos performance for its size, excellent sound clarity, versatile connectivity, voice control.
- Cons: Bass can be a bit lacking without an external subwoofer, more expensive than the Ray.
Sony HT-S200F
- Key Features: Integrated subwoofer, Bluetooth connectivity, HDMI ARC, compact design.
- Average Price: Around $199
- Pros: Very affordable, decent bass for its price with integrated subwoofer, simple setup, good for small spaces.
- Cons: Sound quality not as refined as Sonos, no Wi-Fi, limited expandability.
Roku Streambar
- Key Features: Built-in 4K streaming player, compact, HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, voice remote.
- Average Price: Around $129
- Pros: Combines soundbar and streaming device, extremely affordable, very easy to use, great for secondary TVs.
- Cons: Basic audio quality, not ideal for audiophiles, limited sound expansion options.
Vizio V-Series 2.1 Soundbar V21-H8
- Key Features: External wireless subwoofer, HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, DTS Virtual:X for simulated surround sound.
- Average Price: Around $189
- Pros: Excellent value, includes a dedicated subwoofer for much better bass, DTS Virtual:X enhances sound, good for larger rooms on a budget.
- Cons: Sound clarity can be less precise than Sonos, subwoofer can be boomy, more cables than a single soundbar.

Table of Contents

Unpacking the Sonos Ray: Who Is It For?

The Sonos Ray isn’t trying to be the ultimate home theater beast. it’s a finely tuned instrument for a specific purpose: elevating your TV audio significantly without the complexity or cost of high-end setups. Think of it as a meticulously engineered upgrade for the vast majority of TVs out there that suffer from notoriously thin, tinny built-in speakers. If you’re a Sonos ecosystem enthusiast looking for an affordable entry point, or someone with a smaller living space, dorm room, or bedroom TV, the Ray hits a sweet spot.

The Problem it Solves: Bad TV Audio

Let’s face it, modern flat-panel TVs, while visually stunning, often sacrifice audio quality for sleek designs.

Their built-in speakers point downwards or backwards, leading to:

Muffled Dialogue: Conversations can be hard to discern, especially in action scenes or movies with complex soundscapes.
Lack of Bass: Explosions sound like a wet thud, and podcast lacks any real punch.
Poor Soundstage: Audio feels confined to the TV, not extending into the room.

The Sonos Ray tackles these issues head-on, focusing on clarity and presence. It’s not about earth-shattering bass though you can add a Sub Mini later, but about making everything sound better, from late-night news to your favorite Netflix binge.

Ideal User Profile for the Ray

Small to Medium Rooms: The Ray is designed to fill these spaces effectively without being overpowering. Its acoustic design is optimized for environments where you’re not trying to create a cinema-level experience.
Budget-Conscious Buyers: At its price point, it offers premium sound quality within the affordable bracket for a reputable brand like Sonos.
Sonos Ecosystem Starters/Expanders: If you already have Sonos speakers or are looking to start building a multi-room audio system, the Ray slots in perfectly, allowing for seamless group playback with other Sonos devices.
Simplicity Seekers: The setup is incredibly straightforward, and the day-to-day operation is virtually hands-off once configured.
Those Prioritizing Dialogue Clarity: This is where the Ray truly shines. If you frequently find yourself cranking up the volume just to hear what characters are saying, the Ray will be a revelation.

Design and Build Quality: Compact Yet Substantial

Sonos has a knack for industrial design, and the Ray is no exception.

It’s a sleek, unassuming black bar that blends seamlessly into most home entertainment setups. You won’t find flashy lights or excessive branding. instead, it focuses on minimalist elegance.

Physical Dimensions and Placement

Size Matters: Measuring just 2.8 inches 71 mm high, 22 inches 559 mm wide, and 3.7 inches 95 mm deep, the Ray is incredibly compact. This makes it ideal for tucking under most TVs without blocking the IR receiver or screen, a common issue with larger soundbars.
Weight: At 4.29 lbs 1.95 kg, it feels solid and well-built, giving it a premium feel despite its relatively small stature. This isn’t some flimsy plastic toy.
Placement Options: It’s primarily designed to sit horizontally on a TV stand, but its discreet profile also makes it suitable for wall-mounting beneath a wall-mounted TV. Just remember, unlike some soundbars, it doesn’t have up-firing drivers, so placing it in a cabinet might impact sound dispersal, though Sonos’s Trueplay tuning can help mitigate some of these effects.

Aesthetic Integration

The all-black matte finish also available in white ensures it disappears into the background, letting your TV be the focal point.

There are no exposed grilles on the front, only a subtle Sonos logo and a single LED indicator light that subtly shows status.

This attention to detail reflects Sonos’s philosophy of creating products that are heard more than seen.

Connectivity and Setup: A Study in Simplicity with one caveat

One of the hallmarks of Sonos products is their remarkably straightforward setup process, and the Ray largely follows suit. Marshall Emberton Ii Review

However, its choice of connectivity is a key differentiator that savvy buyers should be aware of.

Optical Audio: The Primary Connection

The Sonos Ray exclusively uses an optical digital audio input to connect to your TV. This is a crucial point. While optical is a widely supported standard on virtually all modern TVs, it has limitations compared to HDMI ARC/eARC:

No HDMI ARC/eARC: This means the Ray won’t automatically turn on/off with your TV, nor will it be controllable directly by your TV remote for volume adjustments. You’ll primarily control the volume via the Sonos app, or if your TV supports it, by programming your TV remote to output volume signals over optical. This can sometimes be less seamless than HDMI ARC.
No Lossless Audio Formats: Optical audio typically supports stereo PCM and compressed Dolby Digital 5.1. It does not support higher-bandwidth formats like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, or even uncompressed multi-channel PCM. For the Ray, this isn’t a huge functional limitation because it doesn’t have the drivers to reproduce these formats anyway, but it’s important context.

Wi-Fi Connectivity: The Sonos Heartbeat

Like all Sonos speakers, the Ray connects to your home Wi-Fi network.

This is how it receives audio, integrates into your multi-room system, and accesses streaming services.

Reliable Wireless: Sonos is renowned for its robust Wi-Fi capabilities, often creating its own mesh network SonosNet for reliable multi-room audio, though the Ray usually operates on your existing Wi-Fi.
No Bluetooth: The Ray does not support Bluetooth. This means you can’t simply pair your phone directly to it to play podcast. All audio streaming is done over Wi-Fi via the Sonos app or supported services. This is a common Sonos design choice to ensure high-quality, uninterrupted streaming across multiple rooms.

The Setup Experience: Plug-and-Play Mostly

Setting up the Sonos Ray is designed to be as painless as possible:

Unbox and Plug In: Connect the power cable and the included optical cable to your TV.
Download the Sonos App: The app is your control hub for everything Sonos.
Follow On-Screen Prompts: The app guides you step-by-step through connecting the Ray to your Wi-Fi, tuning it with Trueplay, and integrating it with your TV.

The only potential hiccup for some users might be ensuring their TV’s audio output is set to “Optical” or “Digital Audio Out” and correctly configured for Dolby Digital or Stereo PCM, rather than a format like DTS that the Ray can’t decode.

Sound Quality: Clarity is King

When it comes to audio performance, the Sonos Ray prioritizes clarity, especially dialogue, and a balanced sound profile over raw power or expansive bass. Given its compact size and price, it truly punches above its weight in these areas.

Dialogue Enhancement: A Game Changer

This is arguably the Ray’s strongest suit.

If you’ve ever struggled to hear what characters are saying over background podcast or sound effects, the Ray is designed to be your solution.

Sonos has engineered the internal acoustics and processing specifically to lift voices out of the mix and project them clearly forward. Sony Bravia Xr 55 Inch Class A95K Oled Tv Review

Custom Waveguides: The Ray features custom-designed waveguides that project sound from the internal drivers from wall-to-wall, focusing on vocal frequencies.
Speech Enhancement Feature: Within the Sonos app, there’s a dedicated “Speech Enhancement” toggle. Activating this further isolates and boosts vocal frequencies, making conversations incredibly crisp, even at lower volumes. This is a boon for late-night viewing or for those with hearing difficulties.

Mid-Range and Highs: Detailed and Balanced

The Ray’s two full-range drivers and two tweeters all forward-firing deliver a remarkably clean and detailed mid-range and treble.

Instruments in podcast sound accurate, and effects like breaking glass or rustling leaves are distinct. The sound isn’t harsh or sibilant. it’s generally pleasant and well-controlled.

Bass Performance: Adequate, Not Astounding

Here’s where expectations need to be managed. The Ray does not have a built-in subwoofer, nor does it attempt to create artificial, boomy bass. Instead, it provides a clean, controlled bass response that is certainly an improvement over TV speakers but won’t rattle your walls.

Integrated Bass Reflex System: Sonos has incorporated a bass reflex system within the compact enclosure to maximize low-frequency output for its size.
Realistic Expectations: Don’t expect deep, rumbling explosions or chest-thumping bass from podcast. For movie enthusiasts craving that cinematic punch, adding a Sonos Sub Mini or even a full-sized Sonos Sub will transform the bass performance entirely. The Sub Mini is specifically designed to pair well with the Ray and Beam, offering a significant upgrade without excessive bulk.

Trueplay Tuning: The Secret Sauce

Like all Sonos speakers, the Ray benefits immensely from Trueplay tuning. This patented technology uses the microphone on your iOS device iPhone or iPad to analyze how sound reflects off the walls, furniture, and other surfaces in your room. It then customizes the EQ settings of the Ray to optimize its sound for your specific environment.

Room Optimization: Trueplay accounts for the unique acoustics of your space, correcting for anomalies that can negatively impact sound quality.
Significant Improvement: While you can use the Ray without Trueplay, taking the few minutes to complete the tuning process will noticeably enhance the soundstage, clarity, and overall balance. It truly unlocks the Ray’s full potential.

Features and Smart Home Integration: Beyond the Basic Soundbar

The Sonos Ray isn’t just a speaker.

It’s a networked audio device within the broader Sonos ecosystem.

This brings a host of features and smart home capabilities that extend its utility beyond merely improving TV sound.

Sonos App Control: Your Command Center

The Sonos app is central to the Ray experience. It allows you to:

Control Volume: Precise volume control for the Ray.
Adjust EQ: Basic bass and treble adjustments, though Trueplay often makes these unnecessary.
Toggle Features: Enable/disable Speech Enhancement and Night Sound which compresses dynamic range for quieter late-night viewing.
Manage Podcast Services: Integrate dozens of streaming podcast services Spotify, Apple Podcast, Tidal, Amazon Podcast, etc. and play podcast directly through the Ray.
Group Speakers: Group the Ray with other Sonos speakers in your home for multi-room audio, playing the same content simultaneously across different rooms, or different content in different rooms.
Add Components: Easily add a Sonos Sub Mini or a pair of Sonos One SL speakers as rears to create a true 3.1 or 5.0 surround sound system.

Podcast Streaming: A Built-In Jukebox

While it primarily serves as a TV soundbar, the Ray is also a fully capable Sonos podcast speaker.

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This is a significant advantage over many budget soundbars.

Wi-Fi Streaming: Access your entire podcast library, podcasts, and internet radio stations directly through the Sonos app over your home Wi-Fi. This ensures higher quality audio than Bluetooth.
AirPlay 2: If you’re an Apple user, the Ray supports AirPlay 2, allowing you to stream audio directly from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to the Ray, often with better reliability than standard Bluetooth.

Expanding the Ecosystem: Future-Proofing Your Audio

The real magic of Sonos lies in its modularity.

The Ray is an excellent starting point that can evolve with your needs and budget.

Adding a Subwoofer: The most impactful upgrade is adding a Sonos Sub Mini. This offloads low-frequency duties from the Ray, allowing it to focus on mids and highs, resulting in a much richer, fuller sound experience for movies and podcast. The difference is truly transformative.
Surround Sound: You can easily add a pair of matching Sonos speakers e.g., Sonos One SL or Sonos Era 100 as dedicated rear surrounds. The Sonos app guides you through this process, creating a wireless 5.0 system for a much more immersive cinematic experience.
Multi-Room Audio: Group the Ray with Sonos speakers in other rooms e.g., a Sonos Era 300 in the living room or a Sonos Roam in the bathroom to play the same podcast throughout your home for parties, or different audio zones for individual listening.

Smart Home Compatibility Indirect

While the Ray itself doesn’t have built-in voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant unlike the Beam or Arc, it can be controlled indirectly through other Sonos speakers that do have voice assistants. For example, if you have a Sonos One in the same room, you can tell it to control the Ray’s volume or play podcast through it. This maintains privacy on the Ray itself while leveraging your existing smart home setup.

Ray vs. Beam Gen 2 vs. Arc: Sizing Up the Sonos Soundbars

Choosing a Sonos soundbar often comes down to budget, room size, and desired features.

The Ray sits at the entry-level, while the Beam Gen 2 is the mid-range option, and the Arc is the premium flagship. Understanding their key differences is crucial.

Sonos Ray: The Essential Upgrade

Price: Most affordable $279
Connectivity: Optical only
Audio Formats: Stereo PCM, Dolby Digital 5.1 compressed
Dolby Atmos: No
Voice Assistant: No built-in
Drivers: Two full-range woofers, two tweeters forward-firing
Best For: Smaller rooms, budget-conscious buyers, dialogue clarity, first-time soundbar users, existing Sonos users needing a TV speaker for a secondary room.

Sonos Beam Gen 2: The Versatile All-Rounder

Price: Mid-range $499
Connectivity: HDMI eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi
Audio Formats: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, DTS, PCM uncompressed
Dolby Atmos: Yes virtualized, via psychoacoustics
Voice Assistant: Built-in Alexa, Google Assistant
Drivers: Four elliptical mid-woofers, one tweeter, three passive radiators
Best For: Medium to larger rooms, users wanting virtualized Dolby Atmos, simpler HDMI connectivity, built-in voice control, better bass than Ray.

Sonos Arc: The Premium Cinema Experience

Price: Premium $899
Dolby Atmos: Yes true, with up-firing drivers
Drivers: Eight elliptical woofers, three silk-domed tweeters including up-firing
Best For: Large rooms, dedicated home theater setups, audiophiles, users demanding true Dolby Atmos, expansive soundstage, deepest bass for a soundbar.

Key Comparison Points:

HDMI eARC vs. Optical: The biggest functional difference. HDMI eARC simplifies setup and allows for control with your TV remote, as well as supporting higher-bandwidth audio formats like Dolby Atmos. The Ray’s optical-only input is its primary limitation for some users.
Dolby Atmos: If immersive, overhead sound is important to you for movies and games, the Beam Gen 2 and especially the Arc offer it. The Ray does not.
Bass Response: The Arc has the most substantial bass on its own, followed by the Beam Gen 2. The Ray, while improved over TV speakers, benefits most significantly from the addition of a Sub Mini.
Size: Ray is the most compact, followed by Beam, then Arc. This dictates placement options.
Price vs. Performance: The Ray offers exceptional value for its price for basic TV sound improvement. The Beam offers a significant step up in features and sound for nearly double the price. The Arc is for those who prioritize the ultimate soundbar experience and are willing to pay for it.

The practical takeaway: If you’re on a tighter budget, have a smaller room, and just want vastly improved dialogue and clearer TV audio, the Ray is fantastic. If you want virtualized Atmos, easier TV control, and built-in voice assistants, the Beam Gen 2 is the sweet spot. If you want the most immersive soundbar experience possible, especially with true Atmos, and have the budget and space, the Arc is your play.

Living with the Ray: Daily Use and Experience

Beyond the technical specifications, how does the Sonos Ray fit into daily life? The experience is largely defined by its simplicity, integration with the Sonos ecosystem, and its specific audio strengths.

Seamless TV Integration with a catch

As mentioned, the Ray connects via optical. This means: Logitech Mx Mechanical Keyboard Review

No Auto-Power On/Off: You’ll typically need to power it on separately via the Sonos app or rely on your TV to send an optical signal when it turns on. Some TVs can be configured to always output audio over optical, which helps.
Volume Control: You’ll likely primarily control the volume via the Sonos app. Some TV remotes can be programmed to send volume commands over optical, but this isn’t as universal or seamless as HDMI ARC’s CEC Consumer Electronics Control functionality. This is probably the single biggest “user friction” point for some.

However, once it’s on and playing, it’s remarkably stable and reliable.

No audio dropouts, no connection issues, just consistent, clear sound.

Podcast Playback: An Underrated Feature

Many soundbars are just that – soundbars.

The Ray, by being a Sonos speaker, is also a fantastic podcast player.

Background Podcast: Perfect for ambient podcast while cooking or cleaning.
Party Mode: If you group it with other Sonos speakers, it becomes part of a cohesive multi-room audio system. This is a huge benefit for Sonos users.
Sound Quality for Podcast: While it’s not a dedicated stereo setup, the Ray delivers surprisingly enjoyable podcast playback. It’s clean, detailed, and the midrange is very present, making vocals and acoustic instruments shine. For casual listening, it’s more than adequate.

Night Sound and Speech Enhancement: Practical Utilities

These are not just marketing buzzwords.

They are genuinely useful features for real-world scenarios.

Night Sound: This feature reduces the intensity of loud effects and boosts quieter sounds, making dialogue audible without disturbing others in the house. Great for watching movies late at night after the kids are asleep.
Speech Enhancement: As discussed, this dramatically improves dialogue clarity, making it easier to follow conversations in complex movie scenes or TV shows with muddled audio mixes.

The Trueplay Advantage: A Set-and-Forget Optimization

Once you run Trueplay tuning, you rarely need to think about it again.

It works in the background, ensuring your Ray sounds its best in your specific room, adapting to the unique acoustic signature of your space.

This level of environmental optimization is something you simply don’t find on most soundbars in this price range.

In essence, living with the Ray is about enjoying better audio without fuss. Samsung 50 Inch Class Qn90B Neo Qled Tv Review

It’s not about being the center of your home theater.

It’s about being a reliable, high-quality audio companion that quietly elevates your everyday listening.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sonos Ray?

The Sonos Ray is a compact, entry-level soundbar designed to significantly improve TV audio clarity and bass response over built-in TV speakers, while also integrating into the broader Sonos multi-room audio ecosystem.

How does the Sonos Ray connect to my TV?

The Sonos Ray connects to your TV exclusively via an optical digital audio cable. It does not support HDMI ARC or eARC.

Does the Sonos Ray support Dolby Atmos?

No, the Sonos Ray does not support Dolby Atmos or any other immersive, object-based audio formats.

It processes stereo PCM and compressed Dolby Digital 5.1.

Is the Sonos Ray good for podcast?

Yes, the Sonos Ray is surprisingly good for podcast.

As a full-fledged Sonos speaker, it connects to your home Wi-Fi and streams podcast directly from dozens of services via the Sonos app or AirPlay 2, offering clear and balanced audio for casual listening.

Does the Sonos Ray have Bluetooth?

No, the Sonos Ray does not have Bluetooth connectivity.

All audio streaming for podcast and TV is done over Wi-Fi. Pantum Bm5100Adn Review

Can I add a subwoofer to the Sonos Ray?

Yes, you can add a Sonos Sub Mini or a Sonos Sub to the Sonos Ray for significantly improved bass performance. This is a highly recommended upgrade for movies.

Can I add surround speakers to the Sonos Ray?

Yes, you can add a pair of matching Sonos speakers e.g., Sonos One SL or Sonos Era 100 as wireless rear surrounds to create a 5.0 home theater system with the Ray.

What is Trueplay tuning and how does it work with the Ray?

Trueplay is Sonos’s proprietary tuning technology that uses the microphone on an iOS device iPhone or iPad to analyze how sound reflects in your room.

It then customizes the Ray’s EQ settings to optimize its sound for your specific environment, ensuring the best possible audio quality.

Does the Sonos Ray have a built-in voice assistant Alexa/Google Assistant?

No, the Sonos Ray does not have a built-in voice assistant.

If you want voice control, you would need another Sonos speaker with a built-in assistant like a Sonos One or Beam in the same room.

Is the Sonos Ray worth it for its price?

For its price point, the Sonos Ray offers excellent value, providing a significant upgrade in dialogue clarity and overall sound quality compared to most built-in TV speakers, especially for smaller rooms or those seeking a simple, integrated Sonos experience.

What are the main differences between the Sonos Ray and Sonos Beam Gen 2?

The Ray uses optical audio, lacks Dolby Atmos, and has no built-in voice assistant.

The Beam Gen 2 uses HDMI eARC, supports virtualized Dolby Atmos, and has built-in voice assistants, making it more versatile but also more expensive. Adata Elite Se880 External Ssd Review

What are the main differences between the Sonos Ray and Sonos Arc?

The Ray is Sonos’s most compact and affordable soundbar, using optical audio and no Atmos.

The Arc is Sonos’s flagship soundbar, larger, much more expensive, connects via HDMI eARC, and provides true Dolby Atmos with up-firing drivers for an immersive cinema experience.

Can I control the Sonos Ray with my TV remote?

It depends on your TV.

Since the Ray uses optical audio, it doesn’t support HDMI CEC.

Some TVs allow you to program their remote to control the optical output volume, but this isn’t universally seamless. The primary control is via the Sonos app.

Is the Sonos Ray good for gaming?

Yes, the Sonos Ray can enhance gaming audio by providing clearer dialogue and effects, making games more immersive than typical TV speakers.

However, if you seek deep, rumbling bass or surround sound, you’d benefit from adding a Sub Mini and/or surrounds.

Does the Sonos Ray improve dialogue clarity?

Yes, dialogue clarity is one of the Sonos Ray’s strongest features.

It’s specifically engineered with custom waveguides and a “Speech Enhancement” feature in the app to boost vocal frequencies, making conversations exceptionally clear.

Does the Sonos Ray include a remote control?

No, the Sonos Ray does not come with its own remote control. Dell Xps 15 Oled 9520 Review

It is primarily controlled via the Sonos app, or potentially your TV remote if configured.

Can the Sonos Ray be wall-mounted?

Yes, the Sonos Ray can be wall-mounted using a separately sold Sonos Wall Mount for Ray.

Its compact size makes it suitable for discreet mounting.

What colors does the Sonos Ray come in?

The Sonos Ray is available in both Black and White matte finishes.

Can I use the Sonos Ray with an older TV?

Yes, as long as your older TV has an optical digital audio output, the Sonos Ray will be compatible.

This makes it a great upgrade for many older flat-panel TVs.

Is the Sonos Ray portable?

No, the Sonos Ray is not portable.

It requires a power outlet and a constant Wi-Fi connection to function, unlike portable Sonos speakers like the Roam or Move.

What is “Night Sound” on the Sonos Ray?

Night Sound is a feature in the Sonos app that compresses the dynamic range of audio, reducing the intensity of loud sounds and boosting quieter sounds, making it ideal for watching TV late at night without disturbing others.

Does the Sonos Ray work with Apple AirPlay 2?

Yes, the Sonos Ray supports Apple AirPlay 2, allowing you to stream audio directly from your Apple devices iPhone, iPad, Mac to the Ray over Wi-Fi. Apple Macbook Pro 13 Inch 2022 M2 Review

Can I use the Sonos Ray as part of a multi-room audio system?

Absolutely.

The Sonos Ray is designed to be a core part of the Sonos multi-room audio system, allowing you to group it with other Sonos speakers throughout your home to play the same podcast or different podcast in different rooms.

What kind of power supply does the Sonos Ray use?

The Sonos Ray uses a standard AC power cable, connecting directly to a wall outlet.

How much bass does the Sonos Ray have?

The Sonos Ray provides a clean and controlled bass response that is a significant improvement over built-in TV speakers.

However, it does not have deep, rumbling bass like a dedicated subwoofer.

For impactful bass, a Sonos Sub Mini is recommended.

Is the Sonos Ray loud enough for a large living room?

For a large living room, the Sonos Ray might feel a bit underpowered, especially if you desire a truly room-filling sound experience.

While it will improve clarity, for larger spaces, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 or Sonos Arc would be more suitable.

Can I connect a turntable directly to the Sonos Ray?

No, the Sonos Ray only has an optical audio input for TV audio.

To connect a turntable to Sonos, you would need a Sonos Five or a Sonos Port. Samsung 43 Inch Class The Serif Qled Tv Review

How do I update the firmware on my Sonos Ray?

Firmware updates for the Sonos Ray are handled automatically through the Sonos app.

When an update is available, the app will prompt you to install it.

Does the Sonos Ray require a Sonos Bridge or Boost?

No, the Sonos Ray connects directly to your home Wi-Fi network.

A Sonos Bridge or Boost is generally not required for modern Sonos systems unless you have a very large home or specific network challenges.

What audio codecs does the Sonos Ray support?

The Sonos Ray supports stereo PCM and compressed Dolby Digital 5.1. It does not support DTS or uncompressed multi-channel audio formats.

Sonos Ray Review