Is The Sonos Ray Worth The Money?

Sonos Ray: The Budget-Friendly Soundbar We’ve Been Waiting For?

When Sonos released the Ray, a compact and affordable soundbar, many audiophiles were thrilled. The promise of a Sonos-quality sound system at a lower price point was music to their ears. But the question remains: is the Sonos Ray worth the money?

Table of Contents

What Sets The Sonos Ray Apart?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s establish what makes the Sonos Ray unique. In a market saturated with soundbars, Sonos aimed to create a product that stands out from the competition.

Compact Design

The most striking feature of the Sonos Ray is its sleek, compact design. Measuring only 22 inches wide, 3.7 inches tall, and 2.8 inches deep, it’s perfect for smaller rooms, apartments, or dorms. This compactness allows the Ray to blend seamlessly into any environment, making it an excellent option for those with limited space.

Trueplay Tuning

Sonos’ Trueplay tuning technology ensures that the Ray adapts to its surroundings, producing an optimal sound experience regardless of the room’s acoustics. This innovative feature uses the microphone on your smartphone to detect the sound reflections in the room, then adjusts the sound output accordingly. The result is a rich, immersive sound that rivals more expensive soundbars.

User Experience: Simplified and Intuitive

Setting up the Sonos Ray is a breeze, thanks to the user-friendly Sonos app. Connect the soundbar to your Wi-Fi network, download the app, and follow the on-screen instructions. You’ll be enjoying your favorite tunes in no time.

Seamless Integration with Existing Sonos Systems

If you’re already part of the Sonos ecosystem, the Ray integrates effortlessly with your existing speakers. Create a whole-home audio system by linking the Ray to your Sonos speakers, amplifying your listening experience.

Alexa and Google Assistant Compatibility

The Sonos Ray is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control your music, adjust the volume, and access various smart features with just your voice.

Sound Quality: Does It Live Up To Expectations?

Now, onto the most critical aspect: sound quality. Given the Ray’s compact size and affordable price, some might expect compromised sound. However, Sonos has managed to deliver a surprisingly robust audio experience.

Clear and Detailed Audio

The Sonos Ray boasts a surprisingly detailed and clear soundstage, with crisp highs and decent bass response. The sound is well-balanced, making it an excellent choice for music, podcasts, and casual TV watching.

Limited Bass Response: A Necessary Compromise

While the Ray’s sound is impressive, it’s not without limitations. The compact design means the bass response is lacking, which might disappoint bass enthusiasts. However, this is a necessary compromise for a soundbar of its size and price.

Value for Money: Is The Sonos Ray Worth The Investment?

So, is the Sonos Ray worth the money? Let’s weigh the pros and cons.

Pros:

Compact design perfect for small spaces
Trueplay tuning technology for optimal sound
Simplified setup and intuitive user experience
Seamless integration with existing Sonos systems
Affordable price point (compared to other Sonos products)

Cons:

Limited bass response due to compact design
No HDMI input (uses optical audio input instead)

A Fair Price for a Quality Product

Considering the Sonos Ray’s unique feature set, compact design, and impressive sound quality, the price is remarkably fair. At around $300, it’s an excellent entry-point into the Sonos ecosystem or a great addition to an existing setup.

Alternatives to Consider

Before making a final decision, it’s essential to explore alternative options in the same price range.

Bose Home Speaker 500

The Bose Home Speaker 500 is a formidable competitor, offering similar sound quality and a sleek design. However, it lacks the Trueplay tuning technology and has a higher price point.

Yamaha YAS-209

The Yamaha YAS-209 is another popular option, boasting a more extensive feature set, including HDMI inputs and a built-in subwoofer. However, its larger size and higher price make it less appealing to those seeking a compact, affordable soundbar.

Conclusion: Is The Sonos Ray Worth The Money?

The Sonos Ray is an exceptional soundbar that packs a punch despite its compact size. While it has its limitations, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. If you’re seeking a quality soundbar for a small space, the Ray is an excellent choice.

The Verdict: Yes, the Sonos Ray is worth the money. Its unique feature set, impressive sound quality, and affordable price make it an excellent addition to any home audio setup.

By investing in the Sonos Ray, you’ll experience the signature Sonos sound without breaking the bank. So, go ahead, give it a try – your ears will thank you.

What is the Sonos Ray and how does it differ from other Sonos speakers?

The Sonos Ray is a compact, affordable soundbar designed to provide high-quality audio for smaller spaces. It’s a more budget-friendly option compared to Sonos’ other soundbars, such as the Beam or Arc. The Ray is specifically designed for smaller rooms, like bedrooms or home offices, where a larger soundbar might be overwhelming.

The Ray’s compact design and lower price point make it an attractive option for those who want to experience Sonos quality without breaking the bank. However, this also means that it lacks some of the features and connectivity options found in higher-end Sonos models. Despite these limitations, the Ray is still a powerful and impressive little speaker that’s capable of delivering rich, detailed sound.

How does the Sonos Ray’s sound quality compare to other Sonos speakers?

The Sonos Ray’s sound quality is surprisingly good, considering its compact size and affordable price. It’s able to produce a rich, detailed sound with clear highs and decent bass response. However, it’s not quite on the same level as Sonos’ higher-end speakers, such as the Beam or Arc. The Ray lacks some of the depth and complexity found in those models, and the bass response can be a bit lacking at times.

That being said, the Ray is still a significant step up from many other budget-friendly soundbars on the market. It’s able to deliver a much more immersive and engaging listening experience, with a wider soundstage and better dialogue clarity. If you’re looking for a high-quality soundbar for a small room, the Ray is definitely worth considering.

Can the Sonos Ray be used as a standalone speaker or does it require a TV?

The Sonos Ray is designed to be used as a soundbar, which means it’s intended to be connected to a TV. However, it can also be used as a standalone speaker, allowing you to stream music and other audio content from your phone or tablet. This makes it a great option for small rooms where you might not always be watching TV, but still want to enjoy your music.

In standalone mode, the Ray can connect to your Wi-Fi network and access a wide range of music services, including Spotify, Apple Music, and more. You can control the speaker using the Sonos app, which makes it easy to play, pause, and adjust the volume from anywhere in the room. This added flexibility makes the Ray an even more attractive option for those who want a high-quality, compact speaker.

Is the Sonos Ray compatible with other Sonos speakers?

Yes, the Sonos Ray is compatible with other Sonos speakers, including the One, Beam, and Arc. This means you can easily add the Ray to an existing Sonos system, or use it as a starting point and add more speakers later. The Ray can be paired with other Sonos speakers to create a whole-home audio system, allowing you to control and play music in multiple rooms.

Sonos’ Trueplay technology also allows the Ray to automatically adjust its sound output to work in harmony with other Sonos speakers, ensuring a seamless and cohesive listening experience. This makes it easy to expand your Sonos system over time, or to use the Ray as part of a larger whole-home audio setup.

Does the Sonos Ray support Dolby Atmos or other immersive audio formats?

The Sonos Ray does not support Dolby Atmos or other immersive audio formats, which is one of the main differences between it and Sonos’ higher-end soundbars. This is due to the Ray’s more compact design and lower price point, which make it less suitable for complex audio processing.

However, the Ray is still capable of delivering a highly immersive and engaging listening experience, thanks to its impressive sound quality and wide soundstage. While it may not offer the same level of immersion as a Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbar, it’s still a great option for those who want a compact, affordable soundbar that can deliver high-quality audio.

How easy is the Sonos Ray to set up and use?

The Sonos Ray is extremely easy to set up and use, even for those who are not tech-savvy. The included quick-start guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions for getting the speaker up and running, and the Sonos app makes it easy to customize settings and adjust the sound output to your liking.

In addition, the Ray features a simple, intuitive design that makes it easy to control using the included remote or the Sonos app. The speaker also features automatic software updates, which ensure that it stays up-to-date with the latest features and improvements.