Sonos Ray Review | 109 Data compared

The Sonos Ray is a compact, entry-level soundbar designed for smaller spaces, offering an affordable entry into the Sonos ecosystem with excellent vocal clarity. Key advantages include its easy setup, integrated Wi-Fi for multiroom audio, and robust dialogue performance, though it lacks HDMI connectivity. The primary drawbacks are reliance on an optical connection, no Dolby Atmos support, and a lack of deep bass, making it suitable for TV and music rather than immersive cinema experiences.

The Sonos Ray is a compact, affordable soundbar designed as a "gateway" into the Sonos ecosystem, delivering clear dialogue and balanced sound for small spaces. It features a versatile, 71mm high design with solid, balanced audio performance for music and movies, complemented by Trueplay tuning for room optimization. However, it lacks an HDMI port, relying on optical connectivity without Dolby Atmos support, and lacks built-in microphones for voice assistants, providing limited low-end bass.

The Sonos Ray is a highly compact, entry-level soundbar (55.9 cm wide) designed specifically for smaller spaces, featuring a minimalistic "wedge" design suitable for TV stands or enclosed cabinets. It excels in vocal clarity and midrange detail, utilizing forward-facing drivers and Trueplay tuning to deliver superior sound compared to standard TV speakers. However, the unit lacks HDMI connectivity (relying on optical) and Dolby Atmos support, resulting in a 2.0 system that requires additional, expensive Sonos hardware for robust bass. Pros: Ultra-compact, versatile design for small spaces.Excellent, clear dialogue and vocal performance.Seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem and app. Cons: No HDMI port; relies solely on optical connection.No Dolby Atmos or advanced spatial audio formats.Weak, thin bass output without a dedicated sub.

The Sonos Ray is a compact, entry-level soundbar designed for smaller spaces, offering superior vocal clarity via Speech Enhancement, forward-firing speakers suitable for enclosed spaces, and full integration into the Sonos ecosystem. Key pros include an aesthetic, minimalist design, ease of use, and advanced software features like Trueplay tuning. However, notable cons stem from its budget constraints, including the lack of an HDMI port (relying only on optical) and the absence of Dolby Atmos support. Additionally, it lacks built-in microphones for voice assistants and omits Bluetooth connectivity. While providing a wide soundstage for its size, the 2.0 channel system lacks deep bass, making it best suited for dialogue-driven content rather than immersive cinema experiences.

The Frandroid review of the compact Sonos Ray highlights its balanced audio performance, offering exceptional dialogue clarity and a rich midrange suitable for smaller spaces and entry-level setups. While it features seamless Sonos ecosystem integration, the review notes significant limitations, including the lack of HDMI connectivity, limited soundstage width, and a reliance on optical audio, resulting in no Dolby Atmos support. Despite these constraints, the Ray is considered a solid, affordable option for secondary rooms, provided users can accept its and aged connectivity, as highlighted by Frandroid.

The Sonos Ray (S36) is a compact, entry-level soundbar ideal for smaller spaces, offering balanced audio via two mid-woofers and tweeters. Key pros include a sleek, minimalist design, effective Speech Enhancement and Night Sound modes, and seamless integration into the Sonos Wi-Fi ecosystem. Key cons involve limited connectivity, specifically lacking HDMI eARC in favor of an optical input, which restricts high-definition audio support. Additionally, the unit provides limited low-end power compared to larger, dedicated subwoofer systems. Features include iOS-only Trueplay calibration, app-based EQ settings, and top-mounted touch controls. Overall, it serves as a high-quality, entry-level, connected TV speaker, rather than an immersive home theater solution.

The Sonos Ray is a compact, 22-inch soundbar designed for smaller spaces, offering a budget-friendly entry into the Sonos ecosystem with a solid build and front-firing drivers suited for enclosed shelves. It delivers excellent, clear dialogue and a wide soundstage for its size, yet suffers from limited bass depth and lacks immersive Dolby Atmos support. Key trade-offs include an optical-only connection instead of HDMI-ARC and the omission of built-in microphones, though it retains full App-based functionality and Trueplay tuning.

The Sonos Ray is a compact, affordable 22-inch soundbar designed for smaller spaces, offering exceptional vocal clarity, a wide soundstage, and seamless integration into the Sonos ecosystem. While its front-firing design allows for versatile placement, the unit relies on an optical connection instead of HDMI, resulting in a lack of Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support and no HDMI-CEC functionality. Although it significantly boosts dialogue over native TV speakers, the Ray struggles with deep bass and lacks a built-in microphone for voice assistants, positioning it as a capable entry-level option rather than a full home theater solution.

According to the 01net review, the Sonos Ray is a compact, entry-level soundbar designed for smaller spaces, offering impressive vocal clarity and a significant upgrade over standard TV audio. Its design allows for versatile placement, including inside furniture. However, a major drawback is the lack of HDMI connectivity, relying instead on an optical port, which limits its capabilities to basic stereo for 5.1 content and removes HDMI-CEC control. Additionally, it lacks integrated smart assistant microphones. Despite these limitations, it serves as a high-quality, budget-friendly entry point into the Sonos ecosystem, featuring AirPlay 2 and robust Wi-Fi capabilities. 01

The Sonos Ray is a compact, entry-level soundbar designed for smaller spaces, featuring a unique forward-facing acoustic design that allows for placement inside media consoles, say Maison Adam. It relies on an optical connection rather than HDMI ARC and integrates into the Sonos Wi-Fi ecosystem for easy setup. Performance-wise, the review notes excellent dialogue clarity and effective "Speech Enhancement" modes, although the soundstage is narrow and lacks Dolby Atmos support. Users can expect limited bass and a less immersive experience compared to larger models, making it unsuitable for large rooms. Pros include a compact design and great app integration, while cons include the lack of HDMI/Bluetooth and limited low-end frequencies. The Ray is a premium budget option ideal for bedrooms or secondary TVs, provided users do not require deep bass.

The Sonos Ray is a compact, entry-level soundbar featuring a front-firing design that fits in tight spaces and offers a cost-effective entry into the Sonos multi-room ecosystem. It delivers improved dialogue clarity and balanced sound for its size, with setup enhanced by the Sonos app and Trueplay tuning. However, it lacks an HDMI ARC port—relying solely on optical connectivity—and lacks Dolby Atmos support or built-in microphones for voice assistants.

The Sonos Ray is a compact, entry-level soundbar designed for smaller spaces, utilizing four Class-D amplifiers to deliver clear audio for its size. Key advantages include exceptional vocal clarity, seamless integration with the Sonos app, and useful features like Trueplay calibration and Night Sound. However, the unit lacks HDMI connectivity, relying solely on an optical input, and does not support high-end formats like Dolby Atmos. Furthermore, while suitable for smaller rooms, it lacks deep bass and offers lower maximum volume compared to more advanced models. YouTube +6For more details, visit iGen.fr.

The Sonos Ray is a compact, affordable soundbar designed for small spaces, offering surprisingly robust sound and punchy bass that significantly upgrades standard TV audio. Its forward-facing design is optimized for placement in tight spots like shelves, and it integrates seamlessly into the Sonos ecosystem with support for AirPlay 2 and Trueplay tuning. While offering excellent vocal clarity and app-controlled, the unit notably lacks an HDMI port—relying on optical—and does not support Dolby Atmos. Other limitations include the lack of built-in voice assistants and weaker bass performance compared to higher-end models like the Sonos Beam.