Audio T Verdict
Sonos Ray is the straightforward way into Sonos home cinema. It is compact enough for bedrooms, smaller living rooms and modest TV units, but offers a considerable step up from the thin speakers built into most televisions. Dialogue is clearer, effects have more weight and the soundstage extends well beyond the little cabinet.
There is deliberately less complexity than further up the Sonos range. Ray connects to the television using optical rather than HDMI, and there is no Dolby Atmos processing, microphone array or built-in voice assistant. If you want those features, Beam (Gen 2) is the more appropriate step up. If you simply want clearer television sound, easy operation and the option to expand later with rear speakers or a Sub, Ray makes a great deal of sense.
It is also a proper Sonos music player when the television is switched off. Stream through the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2 and compatible services, group Ray with other Sonos rooms or add a pair of Era 100 speakers and Sub Mini later to turn a very simple soundbar into a genuine wireless surround system.
Sonos Ray Compact TV Soundbar
Sonos Ray is a compact soundbar designed to improve television, gaming and everyday music playback without taking over the room.
Four Class-D amplifiers drive two tweeters and two high-efficiency midwoofers, while proprietary waveguides and a bass-reflex system help create a surprisingly wide presentation from a cabinet only 557mm across.
- Compact Sonos TV soundbar
- Designed for smaller and medium-sized rooms
- Four Class-D digital amplifiers
- Two tweeters
- Two high-efficiency midwoofers
- Proprietary bass-reflex system
- Forward-firing acoustic architecture
- Split waveguides for wider sound dispersion
- Optical TV connection
- 1.5m optical cable included
- Stereo PCM support
- Dolby Digital support
- DTS Digital Surround support
- Speech Enhancement
- Night Sound
- Trueplay room tuning
- Compatible iOS device required for Trueplay
- Adjustable bass, treble and loudness
- TV remote control through IR receiver
- WiFi music streaming
- Apple AirPlay 2
- Spotify Connect and compatible network services
- 10/100 Ethernet
- Sonos multi-room audio
- Wireless rear-surround expansion
- Current official Era 100 surround package available
- Compatible with Sub Mini
- Compatible with Sub 4 and supported Sonos Sub models
- Sonos Ace TV Audio Swap
- TV Audio Swap with up to two Sonos Ace headphones
- Sonos Ace TrueCinema support
- Optional Ray Wall Mount
- Black or White matte finish
- No HDMI ARC or eARC
- No Dolby Atmos
- No built-in microphone
- No integrated voice assistant
- No Bluetooth audio
A Proper Upgrade From Your TV Speakers
Modern televisions have become progressively thinner, leaving very little internal volume for decent loudspeakers.
The result is often perfectly acceptable picture quality accompanied by dialogue that sounds thin, bass that disappears entirely and effects that never really escape from the television cabinet.
Ray places four dedicated amplified drivers in front of the screen, giving television sound much more physical scale without requiring an AV receiver and several separate loudspeakers.
Four Class-D Amplifiers
Ray contains four Class-D digital amplifier channels, individually tuned around its acoustic architecture.
The amplification, digital processing and drivers are designed together as one system, allowing Sonos to control the final response very precisely.
Two Tweeters
Two tweeters handle the high-frequency part of the soundtrack.
These are particularly important for dialogue intelligibility, small ambient details and the clarity of effects.
Two High-Efficiency Midwoofers
A pair of midwoofers provides the body of voices, music and effects while also extending Ray's low-frequency output considerably beyond what most television speakers can manage.
They are not a replacement for a dedicated Sub if genuinely deep bass is the goal, but they provide enough weight for Ray to work perfectly well as a self-contained soundbar.
Bass-Reflex System
Sonos uses a proprietary low-velocity bass-reflex port system to reinforce Ray's low frequencies while minimising unwanted port noise and distortion.
This gives the compact cabinet more useful bass output than its dimensions might initially suggest.
Split Waveguides
Sonos uses split waveguides to spread the sound outwards beyond the physical width of Ray.
This helps television effects and music feel less constrained to a narrow box beneath the screen.
All Acoustic Elements Face Forwards
Unlike Dolby Atmos soundbars that rely on upward- or side-firing drivers, Ray directs all of its acoustic output forwards.
This makes placement unusually forgiving and means the soundbar can work well inside an open TV stand or media unit without having upward-firing drivers blocked by a shelf above it.
Ray Works Well Inside TV Furniture
If you need to place the soundbar inside an open-fronted media unit, Ray is particularly suitable because its tweeters, midwoofers, ports and waveguides all operate towards the front rather than relying on ceiling or side-wall reflections.
Compact 557mm Width
At only 557mm wide, Ray is substantially narrower than Beam (Gen 2) and Arc Ultra.
This makes it especially useful beneath smaller televisions or in bedrooms and secondary rooms where a full-width soundbar would look disproportionately large.
Optical TV Connection
Ray connects to a television through a digital optical audio output.
The supplied 1.5m optical cable carries digital sound from the TV to Ray, while the Sonos app guides you through initial configuration.
Your TV Needs an Optical Audio Output
Ray does not have HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC. Your television, monitor or compatible PC audio setup therefore needs a digital optical output for direct TV or gaming audio.
No HDMI ARC or eARC
This is the biggest functional difference between Ray and Sonos Beam.
Ray is intended to be simple, affordable and broadly compatible with televisions that provide optical audio, but it does not support HDMI-based home cinema features.
There is therefore no:
- HDMI ARC
- HDMI eARC
- HDMI-CEC volume control
- Dolby Atmos over HDMI
- Dolby TrueHD
- Multichannel PCM over eARC
Supported TV Audio Formats
Current Sonos support specifies Ray for:
- Stereo PCM
- Dolby Digital
- DTS Digital Surround
The Sonos app can show the audio format currently being received from the television.
Dolby Digital 5.1
Dolby Digital allows Ray to receive compatible multichannel television and film soundtracks.
Ray can reproduce that programme through its own front soundstage or distribute the surround channels to a compatible pair of Sonos rear speakers when they are added.
DTS Digital Surround
Current Sonos software also supports DTS Digital Surround on Ray.
This can be particularly useful with compatible Blu-ray players, games consoles and other sources where DTS soundtracks are common.
No Dolby Atmos
Ray is not a Dolby Atmos soundbar.
There are no upward-firing height drivers and it does not decode the Dolby Atmos formats supported by Beam (Gen 2), Arc or Arc Ultra.
Choose Beam (Gen 2) if Dolby Atmos Is Important
If your priority is Dolby Atmos television and film playback, Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is the next model to consider. Ray is designed around straightforward optical Dolby Digital, DTS and stereo TV audio.
Ray Versus Beam (Gen 2)
Sonos Ray
- 557mm wide
- Optical TV connection
- Stereo PCM
- Dolby Digital
- DTS Digital Surround
- No Dolby Atmos
- No built-in microphones
- No integrated voice assistant
- Ideal for smaller TVs and rooms
- Lower price
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- 651mm wide
- HDMI eARC / ARC
- Optical possible via adapter
- Dolby Atmos
- Dolby Digital Plus
- Dolby TrueHD via eARC
- Multichannel PCM via eARC
- Built-in microphones
- Integrated voice control
- More advanced home cinema platform
Which One Should You Choose?
Ray makes sense if you want a compact soundbar for straightforward television, films, games and music and your TV provides an optical output.
Beam (Gen 2) is worth the extra investment if HDMI integration, Dolby Atmos, voice control or broader home cinema format support matters.
Ray Versus Arc Ultra
Arc Ultra sits at the opposite end of the Sonos soundbar range.
Ray is intended for smaller rooms and straightforward optical television audio, while Arc Ultra is a much larger flagship design built around Dolby Atmos, HDMI eARC and a far more ambitious spatial soundstage.
Clearer Dialogue
Ray has been tuned with dialogue intelligibility as a major priority.
The centre of the frequency range is carefully controlled so voices remain clear even when soundtracks become busy.
Speech Enhancement
Speech Enhancement can be switched on through the Sonos app when extra dialogue clarity is required.
The setting emphasises the frequencies associated with voices, helping whispered dialogue or speech buried beneath music and effects remain easier to follow.
Speech Enhancement Is Useful Beyond Hearing Problems
Modern film and television mixes can have an extremely wide dynamic range. Speech Enhancement can be useful whenever dialogue feels slightly buried, even if normal hearing is not an issue.
Night Sound
Night Sound reduces the intensity of louder effects while making quieter information easier to hear.
This is particularly useful for late-night viewing where you want intelligible dialogue without sudden explosions or soundtrack peaks waking the rest of the house.
Speech Enhancement and Night Sound Together
The two functions can be used independently or together according to the programme and listening situation.
For very late viewing, combining Night Sound with Speech Enhancement can make television far easier to follow at modest volume levels.
Trueplay Room Tuning
Trueplay measures the acoustic effect of the room and adjusts Ray accordingly.
Furniture, flooring, walls and the position of the television all influence how a soundbar behaves, so Trueplay can provide worthwhile refinement once Ray is in its final location.
Trueplay Requires a Compatible iOS Device
Ray does not contain the microphones required for Quick Trueplay.
The standard tuning process therefore uses the microphone in a compatible iPhone or iPad while you move around the listening area.
Ray Trueplay Is Not Available From Android
Android devices can set up and control Ray normally, but a compatible iOS device is required to perform Ray's Trueplay room measurement.
Run Trueplay After Final Placement
If Ray is moved from a shelf onto a wall mount, moved into a different room or substantially repositioned relative to the television, run Trueplay again.
The acoustic relationship with the room has changed, so the previous measurement no longer reflects the new setup.
Adjustable EQ
The Sonos app allows further adjustment of:
This provides simple tonal adjustment without turning setup into a complicated AV-receiver exercise.
Control Ray With Your TV Remote
Because optical audio does not provide HDMI-CEC control, Ray uses an infrared receiver to recognise compatible TV remote commands.
The Sonos app guides you through remote setup during installation.
Infrared Remote Control
Most conventional television remotes provide an infrared signal and can therefore be configured to control Ray volume.
If a modern television remote communicates exclusively by Bluetooth or radio frequency, check whether it can also emit infrared commands for external audio equipment.
Optical Control Works Differently From HDMI
With Ray, the remote is taught to control the soundbar's IR receiver. Beam and Arc models connected through HDMI ARC/eARC can instead use HDMI-CEC for more automatic television integration.
Capacitive Touch Controls
Controls on top of Ray provide direct access to everyday functions without opening the Sonos app.
You can:
- Play and pause
- Increase volume
- Decrease volume
- Skip forwards
- Replay or return to the previous track
No Built-In Microphone
Ray contains no onboard far-field microphone array.
That means there is no directly integrated voice assistant listening from the soundbar itself.
For some customers this is a welcome simplicity, especially in a bedroom or secondary television room.
Optional Voice Control Through Another Device
Compatible external voice-enabled devices can still be used to control supported Sonos functions.
This allows voice control to be added to the wider system without building microphones directly into Ray.
No Bluetooth Audio
Ray is not a Bluetooth soundbar.
Music streaming is based around WiFi, the Sonos app, supported network services and Apple AirPlay 2.
WiFi Music Streaming
When the television is switched off, Ray functions as a normal Sonos music room.
Music, radio, podcasts and audiobooks can be streamed directly through the Sonos system without the TV being switched on.
2.4GHz WiFi
Sonos currently specifies Ray for 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n WiFi operation.
This should not be confused with newer WiFi 6 products such as Era 100 and Era 300.
10/100 Ethernet
A rear 10/100 Ethernet socket allows Ray to be hard-wired to the home network.
This can be useful where the television area already has network cabling or wireless coverage is unreliable.
Apple AirPlay 2
AirPlay 2 allows compatible iPhone, iPad and Mac users to send audio directly to Ray over WiFi.
This makes Ray useful for far more than television sound, including music and audio from compatible Apple apps.
Sonos Multi-Room Audio
Ray can operate independently or be grouped with compatible Sonos products elsewhere around the home.
You might watch television through Ray in one room while another room plays different music, or group the system together for synchronised playback.
Add Era 100 Rear Surrounds
A pair of Sonos Era 100 speakers can be added as wireless rear surrounds.
Sonos currently sells Ray and two Era 100 speakers together as an official surround package, making this one of the clearest expansion routes from the basic soundbar.
Why Physical Rear Speakers Matter
Ray creates a wide soundstage from the front of the room, but adding actual speakers behind the listening position is the most direct way of creating genuine rear-channel sound.
Effects can then move behind and around the sofa rather than relying entirely on processing from beneath the television.
Rear Surrounds Connect Wirelessly
Compatible Sonos rear speakers connect wirelessly to the home cinema system rather than requiring speaker cable back to Ray.
Each rear speaker still requires its own mains power connection.
Wireless Surrounds Still Need Power
You do not need speaker cable between Ray and the rear speakers, but each powered Sonos surround needs access to a mains socket.
Add Sonos Sub Mini
Sonos Sub Mini is an especially natural partner for Ray.
Its compact size and wireless connection fit well with the smaller-room role of the soundbar, while the dedicated subwoofer handles the deepest bass and allows Ray to concentrate on the frequencies above the crossover region.
Current Official Ray and Sub Mini System
Sonos currently sells Ray and Sub Mini together as an official entertainment package.
This confirms Sub Mini as the manufacturer's natural bass upgrade for the compact soundbar.
Add Sub 4
Sonos Sub 4 is also compatible with Ray.
It offers much greater bass output than Sub Mini, although in many smaller Ray systems the compact Sub Mini will be the more proportionate match.
Ray Supports Full-Size Sonos Sub Models
Current Sonos support lists Ray as compatible with the wider range of supported Sonos Sub products.
It can even operate with two full-size Subs in supported combinations, although that is an unusually ambitious bass system for an entry-level Ray installation.
Sub Mini Is Usually the Sensible Starting Point
Ray can technically support much larger Sonos bass systems, but Sub Mini is likely to be the most balanced choice for the smaller rooms and televisions where Ray makes the most sense.
Build a Complete Wireless Surround System
A very capable Ray system can therefore consist of:
- Sonos Ray beneath the television
- Two Era 100 speakers behind the listening position
- Sonos Sub Mini for dedicated low bass
The television still connects to Ray with a single optical cable, while the additional Sonos products join the home cinema room wirelessly.
Surround Music Playback
The Sonos app provides separate surround settings for television and music playback.
This allows the level of the rear speakers to be adjusted differently depending on whether you are watching a programme or listening to music.
TV Level and Music Level
Surround speaker output can be tailored through the Sonos settings so rear effects are not too quiet or overpowering for the listening position.
Music surround behaviour can also be configured according to preference.
Sonos Ace TV Audio Swap
Ray now works with Sonos Ace headphones using TV Audio Swap.
Once configured, television sound playing through Ray can be transferred to the headphones for private listening.
One or Two Sonos Ace Headphones
Current Sonos software allows up to two compatible Sonos Ace headphones to join the same TV Audio Swap session.
This is particularly useful if two people want to watch television quietly without disturbing anyone else in the house.
Spatial Audio With Sonos Ace
During TV Audio Swap, Ray can create a virtualised spatial mix for Sonos Ace.
This allows the headphone experience to expand beyond straightforward left/right stereo even though Ray itself is not a Dolby Atmos soundbar.
Dynamic Head Tracking
Sonos Ace can use dynamic head tracking during compatible TV Audio Swap playback.
The virtual soundstage remains anchored towards the television as the listener moves their head.
If two Sonos Ace headphones are connected simultaneously, dynamic head tracking is disabled until one user disconnects.
TrueCinema With Ray and Sonos Ace
TrueCinema measures the listening space through the compatible Sonos home cinema system and uses that information to create a more room-specific private surround presentation through Sonos Ace.
Ray is included among the Sonos soundbars that currently support this feature.
Ray Has Gained Useful Features Since Launch
TV Audio Swap, support for two Ace headphones and TrueCinema are important current features that were not part of the original Ray story. They are worth including on an updated product page rather than relying only on the launch-era specification.
Gaming With Ray
Ray can also be used for gaming where the television, monitor or compatible PC audio arrangement provides a digital optical output.
Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround support give compatible consoles and games a route to multichannel sound without requiring an HDMI soundbar.
Using Ray With a PC
Sonos also positions Ray as suitable for PC gaming, but the same connection requirement applies: the PC, monitor or associated audio hardware must provide a compatible optical output.
USB and HDMI From a PC Do Not Connect Directly to Ray
Ray's direct television or gaming audio input is optical. A computer without optical output would require an appropriate external solution rather than connecting directly through USB or HDMI.
Designed for Smaller Rooms
Ray is particularly well suited to:
- Bedrooms
- Smaller living rooms
- Home offices
- Gaming rooms
- Secondary televisions
- Compact media units
- Smaller flats and apartments
Ray Can Still Fill a Medium Room
Its compact cabinet does not mean Ray needs to be used only with tiny televisions.
The driver array and waveguides are designed to create a broad soundstage, making it perfectly viable in many medium-sized rooms where the extra scale and Atmos capabilities of Beam or Arc Ultra are unnecessary.
Wall Mounting
Ray can be mounted beneath the television using the separately sold official Sonos Ray Wall Mount.
The soundbar includes an M5 threaded mounting socket for its purpose-designed mounting system.
Why Wall Mount Ray?
Wall mounting can:
- Free space on the media unit
- Create a cleaner visual installation
- Position Ray closer to a wall-mounted television
- Keep the soundbar away from other equipment on the cabinet
All Drivers Still Face Forwards When Wall Mounted
Because Ray does not depend on upward-firing Dolby Atmos drivers, wall mounting does not require the same type of overhead clearance considerations as Arc Ultra.
The front of the soundbar should simply remain unobstructed.
Ray Beneath the Television
For normal furniture placement, centre Ray beneath the television where possible.
Make sure the cabinet does not block the TV's own remote-control sensor and that nothing obstructs the front grille of the soundbar.
Black or White
Ray is available in Black and White with a matte finish.
The compact understated design is intended to disappear visually beneath the television rather than become the focal point of the room.
Dimensions and Weight
- Height: 70mm
- Width: 557mm
- Depth: 93mm
- Weight: 1.9kg
Quad-Core Processor
Ray uses a quad-core A53 processor running at 1.4GHz.
The processing platform handles network streaming, home cinema decoding, Sonos multi-room synchronisation and features such as Trueplay, Speech Enhancement and Night Sound.
Universal Internal Power Supply
Ray accepts 100–240V AC at 50/60Hz through its internal universal power supply.
A 2m mains power cable is included.
No External Power Brick
The power supply is built into the soundbar, leaving only the mains cable and optical audio cable to manage behind the television.
Simple Two-Cable Hardware Setup
The physical installation is deliberately uncomplicated:
- Connect Ray to mains power.
- Connect the included optical cable between the television and Ray.
The Sonos app then guides you through network setup, television configuration and remote-control programming.
Current Sonos App Required
Ray requires the latest generation of the Sonos app.
It is not compatible with the legacy Sonos S1 Controller.
Check Older Sonos Systems Before Adding Ray
If you still operate legacy Sonos equipment solely through the S1 Controller, Ray cannot simply be added to that same S1 household. Check the compatibility of the wider system before purchase.
Ray Is Not a Smart Speaker in the Microphone Sense
The term smart soundbar can sometimes imply an onboard voice assistant.
Ray is networked, app-controlled and capable of streaming services, but it deliberately has no integrated microphones or native hands-free voice assistant.
Why Ray Still Works Well for Music
Although television is the obvious application, Ray's two tweeters, two midwoofers and network streaming capability also make it a useful compact music system.
You can listen with the television completely switched off and later group Ray with other Sonos products around the home.
Recommended Ray Setup Routine
- Check that the television provides a digital optical audio output.
- Choose a position centred beneath the screen where possible.
- Place Ray inside an open media unit or on top of the cabinet, or use the appropriate wall mount.
- Keep the front grille unobstructed.
- Connect the supplied 2m mains power cable.
- Connect the supplied 1.5m optical audio cable to the television.
- Download or open the latest Sonos app on a compatible iOS or Android device.
- Add Ray to a new or existing current-generation Sonos system.
- Follow the TV setup process in the app.
- Configure the television to output through its optical digital connection.
- Choose Stereo PCM, Dolby Digital or DTS Digital Surround as appropriate for the source and television.
- Program the compatible TV remote to control Ray's volume through IR.
- Use a compatible iOS device to perform Trueplay once Ray is in its final position.
- Try Speech Enhancement if dialogue needs additional clarity.
- Use Night Sound for quieter evening viewing.
- Add your preferred music and radio services.
- Enable Apple AirPlay 2 where required.
- Add Era 100 rear speakers later if genuine surround sound is wanted.
- Add Sub Mini if deeper bass is required.
- Configure Sonos Ace TV Audio Swap if private listening is wanted.
Key Features
- Sonos Ray
- Compact TV soundbar
- Four Class-D amplifiers
- Two tweeters
- Two high-efficiency midwoofers
- Bass-reflex acoustic system
- Low-velocity port design
- Split waveguides
- Forward-firing acoustic architecture
- Optical TV audio
- 1.5m optical cable included
- Stereo PCM
- Dolby Digital
- DTS Digital Surround
- Speech Enhancement
- Night Sound
- Trueplay room tuning
- Compatible iOS device required for Trueplay
- Adjustable bass
- Adjustable treble
- Loudness control
- Infrared TV remote receiver
- Capacitive touch controls
- 2.4GHz WiFi
- 802.11b/g/n
- 10/100 Ethernet
- Apple AirPlay 2
- Sonos multi-room audio
- Music streaming without TV
- Wireless rear-surround support
- Era 100 surround compatibility
- Sub Mini compatibility
- Sub 4 compatibility
- Compatible Sonos Sub support
- Sonos Ace TV Audio Swap
- Two-headphone TV Audio Swap support
- Sonos Ace spatial audio
- Sonos Ace dynamic head tracking
- Sonos Ace TrueCinema
- M5 threaded wall-mount socket
- Official wall mount available separately
- No HDMI ARC
- No HDMI eARC
- No Dolby Atmos
- No Bluetooth audio
- No built-in microphones
- No integrated voice assistant
- Current Sonos app required
- No Sonos S1 compatibility
- Quad-core A53 processor
- 1.4GHz processor
- 70mm height
- 557mm width
- 93mm depth
- 1.9kg weight
- Black finish
- White finish
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sonos Ray still current?
Yes. Ray remains part of the current Sonos soundbar range.
What size room is Ray designed for?
Sonos positions Ray primarily for smaller and medium-sized rooms, although room acoustics and preferred listening level will influence what works best.
How many amplifiers does Ray have?
Four Class-D digital amplifiers.
How many speaker drivers are inside Ray?
Four active drivers: two tweeters and two high-efficiency midwoofers.
Does Ray have passive radiators?
Sonos specifies a proprietary bass-reflex port system rather than passive radiators.
Do any drivers fire upwards?
No. Ray's acoustic elements face forwards.
Can Ray sit inside a TV cabinet?
Yes. Sonos specifically designed the forward-firing acoustic system to reduce interference from nearby surfaces, making an open-fronted media unit a suitable option.
Does Ray use HDMI?
No.
Does Ray have HDMI ARC?
No.
Does Ray have HDMI eARC?
No.
How does Ray connect to my TV?
Through a digital optical audio connection.
Is the optical cable included?
Yes. Sonos supplies a 1.5m optical audio cable.
Will Ray work if my TV has HDMI ARC but no optical output?
Ray itself requires optical input. If the television genuinely provides no optical output, Ray is not the most straightforward Sonos option; Beam (Gen 2) or Arc Ultra may be more appropriate.
Does Ray support Dolby Atmos?
No.
Does Ray support Dolby Digital?
Yes.
Does Ray support Dolby Digital 5.1?
Yes. Sonos home cinema products support Dolby Digital 5.0 and 5.1.
Does Ray support DTS?
Yes. Current Sonos software supports DTS Digital Surround.
Does Ray support Dolby Digital Plus?
No. Sonos lists Dolby Digital Plus for Arc-family products and Beam (Gen 2), not Ray.
Does Ray support Dolby TrueHD?
No.
Does Ray support Multichannel PCM?
Ray's supported formats are Stereo PCM, Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround.
Can I see which audio format Ray is receiving?
Yes. The Sonos app's Now Playing information can display the television audio format being decoded.
Can Ray control my TV?
Ray itself does not provide HDMI-CEC television control. Its infrared receiver allows a compatible television remote to control soundbar volume.
Will my normal TV remote work?
Most infrared remotes can be configured during Sonos setup. Some Bluetooth- or RF-only remotes may require their IR mode or an alternative control arrangement.
Does Ray have Trueplay?
Yes.
Does Ray Trueplay work on Android?
No. A compatible iOS device is required for Ray's Trueplay measurement.
Can Android users still set up Ray?
Yes. Android can be used for normal setup and control; the limitation applies specifically to the Trueplay acoustic measurement.
What is Speech Enhancement?
It emphasises voice frequencies so dialogue is easier to hear.
What is Night Sound?
Night Sound reduces louder peaks while raising quieter sounds, making late-night viewing easier at lower overall volume.
Can Speech Enhancement and Night Sound be used together?
Yes.
Does Ray have WiFi?
Yes. Sonos currently specifies 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n WiFi.
Does Ray support 5GHz WiFi?
Sonos' current Ray technical specification identifies the soundbar as a 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n product.
Does Ray have Ethernet?
Yes. One 10/100 Ethernet connection is provided.
Does Ray have Bluetooth?
No.
Does Ray support Apple AirPlay 2?
Yes.
Can Ray play music when the TV is off?
Yes. It operates as a normal Sonos network music player independently of the television.
Can Ray be grouped with other Sonos rooms?
Yes.
Does Ray have Alexa built in?
No. Ray has no built-in microphone or integrated voice assistant.
Can I still control Ray with voice?
Yes, through compatible external Sonos or third-party voice-control products where supported.
Can I add rear surround speakers?
Yes. A compatible matching pair of Sonos speakers can be added wirelessly.
Does Era 100 work as Ray surrounds?
Yes. Sonos currently sells an official Ray and Era 100 pair surround package.
Can I use one Era 100 as a rear speaker?
No. Sonos surround systems require an appropriate matching pair of rear speakers.
Do wireless rear speakers need mains power?
Yes. Their audio connection is wireless, but each powered Sonos speaker still needs mains electricity.
Can I add Sub Mini?
Yes. Ray is officially compatible with Sub Mini.
Can I add Sub 4?
Yes. Sub 4 supports Ray.
Can Ray use older Sonos Sub models?
Yes. Current Sonos compatibility includes supported previous generations of Sub.
Can Ray use two Subs?
Yes, in certain supported full-size Sub combinations specified by Sonos. For most Ray installations this is likely to be considerably more bass capability than necessary.
Can Ray use Sonos Ace headphones?
Yes. Ray supports TV Audio Swap with Sonos Ace.
How many Sonos Ace headphones can listen at once?
Current Sonos software supports up to two Ace headphones in a single TV Audio Swap session.
Does Ray support spatial audio through Sonos Ace?
Yes. During TV Audio Swap, Sonos can create a virtualised spatial mix for Ace.
Does Ray support TrueCinema?
Yes. Ray is among the compatible home cinema speakers supported by Sonos Ace TrueCinema.
Does Sonos Ace head tracking work with Ray?
Yes during compatible TV Audio Swap operation. Dynamic head tracking is disabled while two Ace headphones are connected simultaneously.
Can I use Ray for gaming?
Yes. Ray is well suited to compact gaming systems provided the television, monitor, PC or associated audio hardware can supply optical digital audio.
Can I connect a PC directly to Ray?
Yes if the PC or its audio hardware provides a compatible optical output. Ray does not accept USB audio or HDMI directly.
Can Ray be wall mounted?
Yes. Sonos sells an official Ray Wall Mount separately.
Does Ray have a threaded mounting point?
Yes. Sonos specifies an M5 threaded mounting socket.
How wide is Ray?
557mm.
How tall is Ray?
70mm.
How deep is Ray?
93mm.
How much does Ray weigh?
Approximately 1.9kg.
What colours are available?
Black and White.
Does Ray have touch controls?
Yes. Volume, play/pause, skip and replay can be controlled directly from the soundbar.
What processor does Ray use?
Sonos specifies a quad-core 1.4GHz A53 processor.
Does Ray work with Sonos S1?
No. Ray requires the current Sonos app.
What comes in the box?
Sonos Ray, a 2m mains power cable, 1.5m optical audio cable, Quickstart Guide and legal/warranty documentation.
Related Sonos Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy Sonos Ray From Audio T?
Ray is deliberately simple, but checking that it is the right soundbar for your television is still important. The optical-only connection is perfect for many TVs, but if HDMI ARC, Dolby Atmos or built-in voice control matter to you, Beam or Arc Ultra may make more sense.
Audio T can demonstrate Ray on its own and as part of an expanded Sonos system, compare it with Beam, show the benefit of Era 100 rear surrounds or Sub Mini, and help make sure your television is outputting the correct Dolby Digital, DTS or stereo format.
- In-store Sonos demonstrations
- Sonos Ray demonstrations
- Ray versus Beam comparisons
- Ray versus Arc Ultra advice
- TV optical-output compatibility checks
- TV audio-format setup guidance
- Dolby Digital setup
- DTS setup guidance
- Trueplay setup advice
- Speech Enhancement demonstrations
- Night Sound demonstrations
- Era 100 surround demonstrations
- Sub Mini demonstrations
- Sub 4 matching
- Sonos Ace TV Audio Swap guidance
- TrueCinema setup guidance
- Wall-mounting advice
- Sonos multi-room planning
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to hear Sonos Ray, compare soundbars or plan a complete Sonos television and surround-sound system.