
New Sonos Ray SoundBar
Sonos Ray: everything you need to know about Sonos' cheapest ever
soundbar
By Mary Stone What
HiFi?
If the Sonos Beam is a step too far, how about the super-affordable new
Sonos Ray?
After numerous leaks, hints and rumours, Sonos
has announced it's adding a new member to its lauded soundbar family. The Sonos Ray is
more compact and more affordable than any Sonos soundbar before it, but it does
without the immesive format support of its siblings.
Ever since it launched the Sonos Arc with upward firing drivers and
Dolby Atmos in 2020, Sonos has, unlike its rivals, eschewed the push of bigger
and showier and has instead focused on going smaller, more practical and more
affordable, and that's an area that the company has had plenty of success in
with the original Sonos Beam.
The Sonos Beam was released in 2018, offering 3.0 channels of clear,
exceptional sound in a compact design. Key to the Beam's success was a
simplicity of design that, remarkably for its size, was able to overcome two of
the usual limitations of compact speakers: scale and weight.
Sonos believes there's room for a soundbar that's even more affordable
and even more simple.
So what features and functionality does the Ray have? Will it be compatible
with older models? And just how cheap is it? Read on to find out...
When is the Sonos Ray release date?
The Sonos Ray will launch in Africa, Europe, North America, Australia
and the Middle East on 7th June 2022, with availability in China, Japan and
India to follow.
How much does the Sonos Ray cost?
Launching at R6490, the Sonos Ray is firmly in budget soundbar
territory. It's a fair chunk cheaper than the Sonos Beam Gen 2 (R10590), for
example, and significantly more affordable than the Arc, which currently costs R21990.
What audio technology does the Sonos Ray have?
The Ray is the first Sonos soundbar to have a completely perpendicular
front face, with all the drivers facing forwards. Measuring 7 x 56 x 10 cm
(hwd), it's comparable size-wise to the Beam Gen 2 but shortened width-wise by
around 9cm.
At first glance it looks a bit like a Sonos Beam Gen 2 that's fallen
over. It's actually slightly tapered, with the rear smaller than the front and,
as all the drivers in the Ray are front-facing, it can be placed on a shelf
within a TV cabinet without any of the sound projection being impeded.
Inside are four class D drivers powering two centrally positioned
high-efficiency elliptical mid-woofers. On either side of these sit a pair of
angled tweeters. Split waveguides with apertures are used to separate and
project high frequencies forwards and outwards for a sense of spaciousness
that, used in conjunction with audio processing, will apparently create
extension from wall to wall. Sonos has also confirmed that, as with its other
soundbars, the Ray will use boundary reflections to help create a more
immersive soundstage for listeners.
The Ray doesn't have an in-built woofer; instead, low frequencies are
handled by propriety low-velocity bass reflex ports that Sonos says deliver a
weighty low end without any distortion.
What connectivity does the Sonos Ray have?
Unlike its bigger siblings, the Sonos Ray does not have eARC
connectivity. At the rear you'll find an optical input for connection to
your TV (cable included) as well as an ethernet port for hardwired network
access.
Some might be disappointed to see there’s no HDMI, but Sonos' reasoning
behind its omission is that Ray doesn't decode high bitrate formats such
as Dolby Atmo, DTS:X, Dolby
TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio, so there's no need to include connectivity for
cabling that supports them.
Of course, ARC/eARC is also handy because it means you can use your
regular remote to control a soundbar's functions, but the Sonos Ray has an
infra-red receiver that will allow the soundbar to sync with your TV remote for
better-unified control.
As well as hardwired ethernet there is, of course, 2.4 GHz wireless
connectivity. You add the Ray into a Sonos multiroom system and stream music
using the S2 app, and there's also Airplay 2 onboard too.
Which audio formats are supported?
With only an optical input the format support for the Ray is more
limited than with other Sonos soundbars. It can decode Stereo PCM, Dolby
Digital 5.1 and DTS Digital Surround with confirmation of the codec type
displayed on the app's 'Now Playing' page. This makes it the only
non-Dolby Atmos soundbar in the Sonos range.
Is the Ray compatible with other Sonos
speakers?
Interoperability is Sonos' middle name so you won't surprised to
discover that, as well as multi-room streaming, the Ray offers the flexibility
to create a multi-channel surround system that can be added to over time.
Options to expand the Sonos Ray include the addition of two One SL rear speakers
(£358 / $358 / AU$538) and the Sonos Sub (£699 / $699 / AU$999), as well as
models from Sonos' more affordable Symphonisk IKEA rage, such as the Symphonisk Bookshelf speaker
(£99 / $99 / around AU$176) and Symphonisk lamp,
starting at £159 ($140 / AU$269)
Contrary to early leaked reports, which suggested that the Ray itself
could be rotated and used as a wall-mounted surround, Sonos has confirmed that
this functionality is not present.
What other features does the Sonos Ray have on
board?
Tags: sonos ray, new sonos soundbar
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Add to CartSonos Ray : Upgrade your TV, music, and gaming experiences with this impressively compact and easy-to-use soundbar.More infoExperience precisely balanced sound, including crisp dialogue and solid bass, plus streamlined control with your TV remote, the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2, and more. It only takes two cables and a few minutes to get set up, and the forward-facing acoustics make Ray ideal for an enclosed space, like a shelf in your TV stand. Enjoy the flexibility to create the Sonos system you want over time when you add speakers for surround sound and multiroom listening.Blockbuster sound - Get ready to be blown awayExperience clearer, more powerful sound than ever before possible by a small standalone soundbar.All about balanceEnjoy stereo sound that's just right. The custom acoustics precisely harmonize high and mid-range frequencies while proprietary anti-distortion technology produces perfectly weighted bass.Crisp dialogueNever miss a word. Fine-tuned with help from award-winning Hollywood sound engineers, Ray ensures you can always follow the story.Brings the dramaFeel like you're at the center of it all. Split waveguides project sound from wall to wall, and advanced processing accurately positions elements in the room.Tuned to perfectionTrueplay tuning technology adapts the sound for the unique acoustics of your space so content always sounds just the way it should.*Supported iOS device required.Designed to be tucked awayAll the acoustic elements face forward to minimize interference from nearby surfaces so, even if you place it in your TV stand, Ray always sounds phenomenal.Nothing gets in the way of your entertainmentThe compact and understated design seamlessly blends into your home and won’t pull focus from what’s happening on screen.Zero-stress setupGo from unboxing to unbelievable sound in minutes. Just plug in the power cable, connect your TV, and open the Sonos app. It does most of the work for you.Works with your TVConnect Ray to virtually any TV, and use your existing remote to control the sound. For a next-level gaming setup, connect your PC.*TV or PC must have optical output.Stream your favorites from your favoritesWhen the TV is off, play music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your services over WiFi using the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and more.**Voice requires a compatible third-party device, such as Sonos One, Amazon Echo, or Google Nest Home. Availability varies by country and language.Tailor your home theater experience with the Sonos appTurn on Speech Enhancement for even clearer dialogue when characters whisper or the music swells. Turn on Night Sound to reduce the intensity of loud effects when you don't want to disturb anyone else at home.No strings attachedMake game days, movie nights, and music more immersive when you add a pair of rear speakers for wireless surround sound.Listen here, there, everywherePlay your way with speakers in every room. Enjoy TV in the living room while you stream music in the bedroom, and group your system for whole-home listening...
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