Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Easy setup with a simple app-enabled process
- Clear dialogue, making it ideal for vocal-centric content
- Provides a punchy, lively sound suitable for gameplay
- Compact design fits well in smaller spaces and under TVs without blocking the screen
- Can be integrated into the wider Sonos ecosystem for multi-room audio
- Optical connection.
Product Considerations
- Lacks low-bass, potentially underwhelming viewers of action-packed movies
- Only has an optical connection, without HDMI support
- No in-built voice assistant
- Relatively narrow soundstage
- Requires an iOS device for Trueplay tuning
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sonos Beam: The Beam is better with a discrete center channel to improve dialogue reproduction, and a wider, more immersive listening experience
- Vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2): The Beam (Gen 2) is better with a more extended low-bass, and HDMI connectivity
- Vs Sonos Arc: The Arc has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and offers HDMI connectivity
Takeaway: The Sonos Ray is a compact and easy-to-use soundbar that significantly improves TV audio with its clear dialogue and punchy sound. It's a great starting point for those looking to enhance their listening experience and enter the Sonos ecosystem.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Ray (Soundbar)
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Amplifiers: Four Class-D digital amplifiers
- Drivers: Two tweeters, Two high-efficiency midwoofers
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 70 x 557 x 93 mm
- Weight: 1.9 kg
- CPU: Quad Core 1.4 GHz A-53
- Memory: 1GB SDRAM 4GB NV
- Connectivity: WiFi (2.4 GHz 802.11/b/g/n), Ethernet 10/100 port, Optical
- Power: 100-240V 50/60Hz AC universal input
Description
Upgrade your TV, music, and gaming experiences with this impressively compact and easy-to-use soundbar.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Sonos emphasizes ease of setup, offering a streamlined process through its app that integrates with various streaming services and guides users in optimizing sound for their space.
- Sonos ecosystem allows for scalable audio solutions, from a single speaker to a multi-room setup with wireless surround sound and a subwoofer, all controlled through a central app.
- They've created a simplified home cinema approach with the "Beam (Gen 2)" which balances high-end cinematic immersion with user-friendly home integration.
Select products
Select product comparisons
Ray
- Positioning: Entry-level soundbar, designed for affordability and compactness.
- Description: Offers impressive sound quality in a compact form, making it ideal for small to medium-sized rooms. Features custom acoustics that balance high and mid-range frequencies, unlike the Beam and Arc which provide more advanced spatial audio capabilities. This makes it a great choice for budget-conscious users who want to enhance their TV audio without the need for HDMI connectivity.
Beam (Gen 2)
- Positioning: Mid-range soundbar, offering a balance of performance and price.
- Description: Delivers powerful sound with Dolby Atmos support, providing a virtual surround sound experience. Includes a faster processor and more audio paths than the Ray, making it suitable for larger rooms and users who want a more immersive audio experience.
Arc
- Positioning: High-end soundbar, designed for premium home theater experiences.
- Description: Offers a cinematic audio experience with Dolby Atmos and eleven internal speakers, including dedicated height channels for a multidimensional soundstage. It surpasses the Beam with its ability to fill oversized rooms with rich, detailed sound.
Arc Ultra
- Positioning: Flagship soundbar, featuring the most advanced audio technology.
- Description: The pinnacle of Sonos soundbars, featuring Sound Motion technology and 14 drivers for an exceptional audio experience. It offers double the bass output of the Arc and includes Bluetooth connectivity, setting it apart from other models.
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Avg. Product Price
$500
Used For Sale
0
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
84
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
16
Founding Year
2002
Our take on the brand
Sonos pioneered multi-room wireless audio with their proprietary SonosNet mesh network, which ensures synchronized streaming across multiple speakers without relying on traditional Wi-Fi. Their products feature Trueplay technology that automatically tunes speakers to room acoustics, while supporting multiple voice assistants and streaming services across their platform-agnostic ecosystem.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
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What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
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Sonos
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What if you spend more?
Bowers & Wilkins
Panorama 3
999
999
/
35
Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
Expand Details
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Product Strengths
- Stunning design and premium build quality, using a mix of textures and materials for a tailored look
- Clear and intelligible dialogue, especially with a slight emphasis on the vocal range
- Easy to set up and use, with a straightforward app interface
- Powerful sound that can fill a small-to-medium-sized room, driven by a 400-watt amplifier
- Impressive Dolby Atmos performance, creating a taller, broader, and deeper soundstage, especially with Atmos content
- Only one HDMI input and no HDMI input passthrough
Product Considerations
- Lacks adjustability and customization options like individual channel level controls, EQ presets, or dialogue enhancements
- Bass performance lacks physicality and visceral impact compared to soundbars with separate subwoofers
- The soundbar requires a true Dolby Surround or Atmos signal for best results, stereo mixes can sound constrained
- Some reviewers noted occasional HDMI handshake issues when switching between Atmos and stereo content
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Samsung Q950A—the Samsung is better overall, sounds good with almost any signal, and has more bass and features, but the Panorama 3 has better design and ease of use
- Vs Sonos Beam Gen 2—the Panorama 3 is more convincing and confident in larger spaces, but the Beam Gen 2 is expandable and more affordable
- Vs Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage—the Beosound Stage does a better job with non-Atmos content and offers more flexibility and customization, but the Panorama 3 is equal to or slightly better spatially with Atmos content
- Vs Bose 900—the Bose 900 sounds great with non-Atmos content and is expandable, but the Panorama 3 does a better job spatially with Dolby Atmos movies as an all-in-one solution
Takeaway: The Panorama 3 is a stylish and simple to use soundbar that delivers a powerful and detailed audio experience. With its impressive Atmos performance, it's a good choice for those looking to upgrade their TV's sound without the complexities of a full home theater system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
Product Page
Product Page
Bluesound
Pulse Soundbar+
999
999
/
7
Reviews
Take your home theater to a new dimension with the PULSE SOUNDBAR+, compatible with Dolby Atmos for fully immersive sound. The PULSE SOUNDBAR+ is designed to seamlessly fit in with your existing TV set-up and enhance Atmos-encoded sound experience with precision that will make you feel like you are right in the center of the action
Bluesound is one of the best entry-level amps if you're looking to dip your toes into hifi. Reviewers love it for what it offers at the price—solid dynamics and tight bass, which is exactly what you expect from good Class D. It’s the go-to pick for people new to hifi since it gives you about 75% of the high-end experience without needing a ton of power. It’s perfect for smaller setups where you want good sound without going all-in on expensive gear.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Impressively detailed, solid, and satisfying Dolby Atmos delivery
- Effectively combines spaciousness and clarity when playing non-Atmos soundtracks
- Sound is clear and crisp
- Has a rich, wide sound and handles Dolby Atmos content well
- The soundbar is more musical than most and is able to exhibit a lot of subtlety and has great dialogue reproduction
Product Considerations
- Music lacks drive and drama
- The soundbar is taller than average and may block part of the screen if placed on the same surface as a TV
- Initial setup can be difficult
- Lacks HDMI inputs, requiring the TV to be connected via optical cable
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sonos Arc: The Pulse Soundbar+ offers music tracks full of sound color splendor, but the Sonos Arc is punchier, better organized, and more engaging overall
- Vs Sonos Arc: Sonos has dedicated upward-firing speakers, while the Bluesound does not
- Vs Sonos: Bluesound has a richer soundstage than Sonos
Takeaway: The Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ provides detailed and solid sound for both movies and music. It is a good choice for those who appreciate nuance and detail, with the added benefit of BluOS streaming and multiroom capabilities.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Bluesound is one of the best entry-level amps if you're looking to dip your toes into hifi. Reviewers love it for what it offers at the price—solid dynamics and tight bass, which is exactly what you expect from good Class D. It’s the go-to pick for people new to hifi since it gives you about 75% of the high-end experience without needing a ton of power. It’s perfect for smaller setups where you want good sound without going all-in on expensive gear.
Product Page
Product Page
Sonos
Ray (Surround Set)
637
637
/
18
Reviews
Sonos pioneered multi-room wireless audio with their proprietary SonosNet mesh network, which ensures synchronized streaming across multiple speakers without relying on traditional Wi-Fi. Their products feature Trueplay technology that automatically tunes speakers to room acoustics, while supporting multiple voice assistants and streaming services across their platform-agnostic ecosystem.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Clear dialogue and good vocal clarity, making it a solid choice as an upgrade over TV speakers for vocal-centric content
- Compact size makes it ideal for smaller TVs (around 40-55 inches) and rooms
- Easy to set up and integrate into the Sonos ecosystem using the Sonos app
- Balanced, crisp sound that surpasses many budget soundbars and offers better sound than the majority of internal TV speakers
- Full Sonos wireless support with AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect
Product Considerations
- Lacks low bass, which can make it disappointing for movies or music with a lot of bass, if listening to music with a higher value soundbar
- No HDMI connectivity, relying on optical input, which may cause control issues for some users
- No Dolby Atmos support
- Trueplay room correction is only available for iOS devices
- IR volume adjustments can be problematic
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Beam Gen 2 is the 'utmost winner' with better sound, connectivity, fit, build, and aesthetic
- The Sonos Beam is better with a discrete center channel to improve dialogue reproduction
Takeaway: The Sonos Ray is a compact and capable soundbar that greatly improves the TV's sound, making it easier to hear dialogue and enjoy music. Its small size and easy setup make it a good fit for smaller spaces and those new to the Sonos ecosystem.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Sonos pioneered multi-room wireless audio with their proprietary SonosNet mesh network, which ensures synchronized streaming across multiple speakers without relying on traditional Wi-Fi. Their products feature Trueplay technology that automatically tunes speakers to room acoustics, while supporting multiple voice assistants and streaming services across their platform-agnostic ecosystem.
Product Page
Product Page
SVS
Prime Wireless Pro Powered
899
899
/
2
Reviews
With SVS Prime Wireless Pro, we weren't content with making the best sounding wireless speakers, but rather a solution that competes with the finest sounding speakers of any type well beyond their price. Couple that with an amazing user interface and versatile connectivity options and Prime Wireless Pro appeals to anyone who loves convincing, immersive sound.
192kHz/24-bit DAC and precision tuned digital crossover; the speakers deliver powerful dynamics, deep bass, and pristine clarity for all your content. Audiophiles will love that it streams lossless High-Resolution audio wirelessly via WiFi, Apple Airplay 2 for iPhones and iOS, and Chromecast for Android phones and other devices. Enjoy the best wireless stereo system sound from all your streaming services with no compromises. It's also Bluetooth-enabled.
For use as a superior sounding soundbar replacement or compact home theater system, SVS Prime Wireless Pro Powered Speakers connect directly to a TV via HDMI with ARC/eARC. Additional devices can be connected with line level, optical, 3.5mm AUX, and ethernet inputs. Plus, a subwoofer output for deeper, heart-pounding bass.
Bringing it all together is easy control via the smartphone and desktop app, IR remote, voice commands, and a data rich front panel interface with loads of unique features. Finally, wireless audio meets the Sound R|Evolution.
SVS is a hifi brand known for its subwoofers that feature dual 8-inch voice coils and 17-inch drivers, delivering deep bass with precise control through their force-balanced woofer array design. Their Ultra Evolution series uses diamond-coated aluminum dome tweeters and acoustically centered time alignment cabinet architecture to ensure all sound reaches listeners' ears simultaneously for a coherent soundstage.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Impressive build quality and a beautiful gloss white finish is available in black
- HDMI ARC input allows for easy use with a TV, using the TV remote for volume control
- Versatile with streaming capabilities, line input, and subwoofer output
- Excellent clarity in the top end, dialogue intelligibility, and neutral midrange
- Can play extremely loud, exceeding comfortable listening levels
- Connectivity options include HDMI ARC, streaming, line input, and subwoofer output
Product Considerations
- Larger than other speakers in its class, specifically tall, so may not fit under a monitor
- Plastic remote is not backlit and basic
- Requires multiple wires—one for power and one to connect the two speakers
- Bass rolls off around 40-50Hz without a subwoofer
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to passive speakers (Triangle Bro 3s + IOTAVX SA-3), the SVS Prime Wireless Pro has better treble separation and more impactful bass, while the Triangle has a warmer, richer midrange; the SVS Prime Wireless Pro also provides HDMI ARC
- Compared to Polk Reserve R100 + Arylic A50+, the Polk Reserve R100 is a warmer speaker overall, but the SVS Prime Wireless Pro has a more neutral and accurate sound, with superior bass output and power
- Compared to Cabasse's The Pearl Keshi, the SVS Prime Wireless Pro sounds better at less cost
- Compared to SoundArtist LS3/5A speakers, the SVS Prime Wireless Pro speakers are far more sonically balanced, with a little more bass plus better overall soundstaging and presentation
Takeaway: The SVS Prime Wireless Pro is a versatile, all-in-one speaker solution with great build quality, a neutral sound, and many useful features like HDMI ARC and streaming. It's a fantastic option for improving TV, movie, gaming, and music listening experiences in a single, convenient package.
Video review
Our take on the brand
SVS is a hifi brand known for its subwoofers that feature dual 8-inch voice coils and 17-inch drivers, delivering deep bass with precise control through their force-balanced woofer array design. Their Ultra Evolution series uses diamond-coated aluminum dome tweeters and acoustically centered time alignment cabinet architecture to ensure all sound reaches listeners' ears simultaneously for a coherent soundstage.
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