Launched in June 2022, the Sonos Ray marks a turning point in the Californian manufacturer’s strategy. This compact soundbar opens up the Sonos universe to a wider audience without compromising on build quality or the multiroom integration that built the brand’s reputation. With its four front-firing drivers and universal optical connection, it’s designed for small spaces and medium-sized TVs, while serving as a gateway to a scalable audio system.
The Sonos Ray uses an entirely front-facing design: all drivers fire forward, allowing it to perform even inside a TV cabinet or tight space without acoustic issues.
Compact (7.1 × 55.9 × 9.5 cm, 1.95 kg), it features a matte polycarbonate front, touch controls on top, and comes in black or white. Wall mounting is possible thanks to the rear M5 insert.
Designed for screens up to 55 inches and small to medium rooms, the Ray remains discreet and slips easily under the TV.
The Sonos Ray houses four drivers, each powered by a Class-D digital amplifier: two central tweeters for vocal clarity and two mid-woofers for soundstage and bass.
Its bass-reflex system, coupled with anti-distortion technology, delivers clean low end even at high volume. Acoustic processing ensures wide dispersion, creating a larger-than-expected soundstage for such a compact bar.
The Sonos Ray uses an optical input (1.5 m cable included) instead of HDMI. A surprising choice, but one that ensures maximum compatibility with all TVs, even those without ARC. There’s an RJ45 Ethernet port for wired connection; Wi‑Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz is, of course, available. The built-in IR receiver lets you control volume directly with your TV remote.
The Sonos S2 app on iOS/Android handles setup, provides access to over 100 streaming services, and manages multiroom. The speaker supports AirPlay 2 for audio streaming from Apple devices.
Trueplay calibration (iOS only) automatically adjusts EQ based on room characteristics after a quick environmental analysis, significantly improving the final result.
The Ray’s built-in digital signal processing (DSP) offers several modes to adapt playback to the content. The voice enhancement mode boosts dialogue intelligibility, especially useful when characters whisper or the soundtrack swells. A customizable equalizer lets you adjust bass and treble to taste.
Night mode flattens dynamic range by reducing loud peaks while boosting quieter passages. Explosions become less harsh, whispers more audible, without constant volume adjustments—a boon for late-night sessions.
The Ray supports stereo PCM, Dolby Digital 5.1, and DTS Digital Surround. It does not decode Dolby Atmos, which clearly sets it apart from the Beam Gen 2 and the Arc. This limitation stems directly from the choice of optical connection, which lacks the bandwidth for advanced audio formats.
The Sonos philosophy is all about scalability. The Ray works on its own, but it truly shines as part of a larger setup. You can pair Sonos speakers (One, One SL, Era 100) in a surround configuration to create an immersive sound bubble. The subwoofer Sub or Sub Mini can be wirelessly linked to bolster the low end and add depth to soundtracks.
Pairing is done entirely through the app, with no extra cabling. The mesh network created between Sonos devices ensures perfect synchronization. This modular approach lets you start with a single bar and gradually expand the system according to your needs and budget.
The Ray can also join an existing multiroom setup. It can stream music to multiple rooms simultaneously or play a distinct role in each zone. This versatility makes it not just a TV soundbar, but also a connected speaker ready for music listening when the screen is off.
The Ray sits at the entry level of the Sonos catalog, below the Beam Gen 2 and the Arc. A few markers help position these three models. The Beam Gen 2, launched a few months before the Ray, measures 65.1 cm wide and weighs 2.8 kg. It has an HDMI eARC connection, decodes Dolby Atmos via psychoacoustic processing, and includes microphones for voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant, Sonos Voice Control). Its side-firing drivers project sound outward to widen the soundstage.
The Arc, the brand’s flagship, goes further with upward- and side-firing transducers to create vertical spatialization and fully leverage Dolby Atmos. It’s aimed at large rooms and 65-inch-and-up screens.
The Ray focuses on the essentials: significantly improving TV sound in small spaces while granting access to the Sonos ecosystem and its expansion options. It doesn’t compete with the Beam or Arc in terms of spatialization or advanced features, but it fully delivers as a gateway into the Californian brand’s universe.
Does the Sonos Ray work with all TVs?
The Ray connects via an optical input, making it compatible with most TVs equipped with an optical output. Older models without HDMI ARC can use it without issue. However, you should check your TV for this optical output, as some very recent sets sometimes omit this connector.
Can you control the Ray with the TV remote?
Yes, the built-in infrared receiver allows the bar to sync with your TV remote. The Sonos app guides you through the initial setup to establish this link. Most infrared remotes on the market are compatible, though a few newer models using other protocols may pose problems.
Is Trueplay essential?
Trueplay noticeably improves sound by tailoring playback to the room’s acoustic characteristics. This feature requires an iOS device (iPhone or iPad) to perform measurements. Android users can’t access it, but the Ray already offers a balanced sound without this calibration. Trueplay is a welcome bonus, not an absolute necessity.
Can you add a subwoofer and surround speakers to the Ray?
Absolutely. The Ray integrates into the Sonos ecosystem and can be complemented with a Sub or Sub Mini to reinforce the bass, as well as Sonos speakers (One, One SL, Era 100) placed at the rear to create a surround setup. These additions are made wirelessly through the app, which greatly simplifies installation.
The Sonos Ray is primarily designed to replace the often very mediocre speakers of a television, with a simple connection (optical port), in an ultra-compact and discreet format.
For such a small soundbar, the Sonos Ray packs a punch and impresses with its balance at high volume. Its smooth sound signature, identical to that of other Sonos speakers, makes it suitable for music listening. Additionally, its voice reproduction deserves praise, an essential feature for a soundbar. It's a pity that it is so directional and unable to create a surround sound atmosphere.
Gilbert
Not suitable for all Amazon remotes, otherwise good for sound.
Comment from February 18, 2026 — Experience from February 05, 2026
Jacques
Recommended by a music-loving friend, he told me it was a good basic but quality soundbar.
I don’t regret my purchase, the sound is very good and the dialogues much more audible, the settings are quite simple, and the setup is easy.
Comment from January 27, 2025 — Experience from January 16, 2025
Michel
Extremely simple installation and configuration.
Superb sound quality.
Comment from May 10, 2024 — Experience from April 29, 2024
