TV-first tech research

Methodology
Which TV Should I Buy?
Search

Research · 2.0-channel soundbar

Sonos Ray: what the testing says

The Ray is a dialogue upgrade for a small room. What Hi-Fi?, TechRadar, and Tom's Guide all gave it four stars for vocal clarity, and it streams like any Sonos. But it connects by optical only, has no Atmos, and RTINGS calls it disappointing for movies.

By The WhichTVShouldIBuy editorsUpdated Released Jun 2022
Sonos Ray soundbar in black, three-quarter view
Image: Sonos (official product page, opens in a new tab)
Sonos Ray soundbar in black, straight-on front view
Image: Sonos (official product page, opens in a new tab)

Our take

The short version

Sonos's smallest bar is a 22-inch stereo speaker with two tweeters and two midwoofers. What Hi-Fi? praises its 'excellent vocal clarity' and gave it 4 of 5, as did TechRadar and Tom's Guide. RTINGS is cooler: 'acceptable for mixed usage', decent for dialogue, and disappointing for movies, with no Atmos and little low bass.

It's the only bar we cover with no HDMI at all. It plugs into the TV's optical port, learns your TV remote over infrared, and joins a Sonos system over Wi-Fi with AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect. There are no mics, so no voice control. You can add a Sub Mini or a pair of Era 100s later, but those cost more than the bar.

At $219 from Amazon.com on October 26, it's an easy, tidy upgrade over TV speakers in a bedroom or small living room.

Pros and cons

What we like

  • Clear voices: 4 of 5 from What Hi-Fi?, TechRadar, and Tom's Guide
  • Wi-Fi streaming with AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect
  • Small enough for any TV we cover
  • Optional Sonos sub and rears

Trade-offs

  • Optical only: no HDMI, so no one-cable CEC control
  • No Dolby Atmos; RTINGS calls it disappointing for movies
  • Little low bass
  • Trueplay tuning needs an iPhone

Who it's for

Buy it if…

  • Bedrooms and small living rooms
  • Sonos owners who want TV sound in another room
  • Older TVs with only an optical output

Skip it if…

  • Movie fans: the Samsung HW-B750F adds a sub and a center channel for $79 more
  • Anyone who wants HDMI control
  • Big rooms

Your TV

TVs it fits and syncs with

At 21.9 in (557 mm) wide, the Ray fits under a 42-inch screen, whose picture is 36.6 inches wide, and every size we cover. Our rule: a bar fits when it's no wider than the picture, since every TV is a little wider than its picture and the bar then won't overhang it. Check the gap under the screen too: the bar is 2.8 inches (70 mm) tall.

Sonos doesn't name a feature for any TV brand, so it works the same with every TV, over optical.

TVs we cover that it fits under

Sizes are the ones each TV is sold in. A sync feature is listed where Sonos names one for that TV's brand and model year.

Spec sheet

Ray specs

Sonos Ray specifications
ChannelsNot stated by Sonos ("stereo sound"; RTINGS: 2.0)
Drivers2 tweeters and 2 midwoofers; 4 amplifiers
Audio formatsStereo PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS Digital Surround; no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
HDMINone
HDMI passthroughNone
OpticalOptical input (cable included)
WirelessWi-Fi (2.4 GHz), AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect; no Bluetooth
Voice / micsNo built-in mics
SubwooferNone in the box; optional Sonos Sub Mini or Sub 4
Rear speakersNone in the box; optional pair of Era 100s or other compatible Sonos speakers (not Era 300)
Bar dimensions21.93 x 2.76 x 3.66 in (557 x 70 x 93 mm)
Bar weight4.19 lb (1.9 kg)
Room calibrationTrueplay (iOS device required)
Dialogue / night modesSpeech Enhancement; Night Sound
Also notableEthernet port; IR receiver for your TV remote

From the manufacturer sources listed below. “Not specified” means those sources don't state it. Model number: RAYG1US1BLK.

Published testing

What the testing says

Other outlets tested the Ray; we didn't. Each finding is theirs, with the page and its date.

  • Calls it 'acceptable for mixed usage', 'a simple bar that shines for vocal clarity', but 'disappointing for movies', with no Dolby Atmos and no HDMI.

    RTINGS, Sonos Ray Soundbar Review (opens in a new tab), June 16, 2023

  • Gave it 4 of 5 for 'excellent vocal clarity' and 'punchy, forthright projection', with 'not much low-end extension' and a narrow soundfield.

    What Hi-Fi?, Sonos Ray review (opens in a new tab), March 10, 2025

  • Gave it 4 of 5: 'a major sound upgrade compared to the built-in speakers of just about any TV', though 'we don't love the lack of HDMI'.

    TechRadar, Sonos Ray review (opens in a new tab), May 31, 2022

Cross-shop

Alternatives to consider

  • Roku Streambar SE soundbar with its remote, three-quarter view
    Image: Roku (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Roku Streambar SE

    Channels
    2.0
    Approx. price
    ~$113.99
    In the box
    Bar only
    Fits under
    42" and up
    TV sync
    Roku
    Width
    9.6 in

    A small 2.0 bar with a 4K Roku streamer built in: an upgrade for old TV speakers, not a movie bar.

    Pros

    • Pro: Built-in 4K HDR Roku streaming player
    • Pro: AirPlay, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi
    • Pro: Tiny: fits under any TV we cover

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: PCM stereo only: no Dolby Digital, DTS, or Atmos
    • Trade-off: RTINGS: poor for movies, compresses at max volume

    Top fit scores

    Value
    5 out of 5
    Dialogue
    2 out of 5
    Movies
    1 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Roku Streambar SE
  • Samsung HW-S60D soundbar, three-quarter view
    Image: Samsung (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Samsung HW-S60D

    Channels
    5.0 Atmos
    Approx. price
    ~$277.99
    In the box
    Bar only
    Fits under
    42" and up
    TV sync
    Samsung
    Width
    26.3 in

    An all-in-one Atmos bar under $300 with Wi-Fi and AirPlay; RTINGS rates it great for dialogue.

    Pros

    • Pro: RTINGS: great for dialogue, good for music
    • Pro: Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa built in
    • Pro: HDMI eARC and SpaceFit room calibration

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: No up-firing drivers; RTINGS rates it okay for movies
    • Trade-off: Lacks low bass without the optional sub

    Top fit scores

    Value
    5 out of 5
    Dialogue
    4 out of 5
    Music
    3 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Samsung HW-S60D
  • Sonos Beam Ultra soundbar in black, three-quarter view
    Image: Sonos (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Sonos Beam Ultra

    Channels
    7.1.2 Atmos
    Approx. price
    ~$695.50
    In the box
    Bar only
    Fits under
    42" and up
    TV sync
    None stated
    Width
    29.5 in

    Sonos's new compact bar with real up-firing drivers; What Hi-Fi? and TechRadar gave it five stars.

    Pros

    • Pro: 5 of 5 from What Hi-Fi? and TechRadar
    • Pro: Two up-firing drivers for real Atmos height
    • Pro: Fits under a 42-inch screen

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: Not yet tested by RTINGS
    • Trade-off: No DTS:X and no HDMI input

    Top fit scores

    Dialogue
    4 out of 5
    Music
    4 out of 5
    Bass
    3 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Sonos Beam Ultra

Sources

Manufacturer specs

Manufacturer specs and published testing, researched October 26, 2026. The Amazon price is the buy-box price for a new unit that day ($219, sold by Amazon.com). We didn't test this soundbar ourselves; findings credited to an outlet are that outlet's.