Sonos Ray vs Bose TV Speaker: Soundbar Showdown!
Tired of tinny TV audio? You’re not alone. Upgrading your sound is one of the easiest ways to transform your entertainment experience, and soundbars offer a sleek, space-saving solution. But with so many options, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.
In this comparison, we’re putting two popular contenders head-to-head: the Sonos Ray and the Bose TV Speaker. Both promise to deliver impressive sound quality in a compact package, but which one reigns supreme? We’ll dive deep into their features, performance, and value to help you make the best choice for your home theater.
Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or just looking to boost your TV’s sound, this guide will provide you with the insights you need. Get ready to discover the strengths and weaknesses of the Sonos Ray and the Bose TV Speaker, and find out which soundbar is the perfect fit for your needs.
Specs at a Glance:
| Feature | Sonos Ray | Bose TV Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Compact | Compact |
| Wireless Connectivity | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 | Bluetooth, HDMI-ARC |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Voice Assistant Compatibility | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Alexa |
| Subwoofer Compatibility | Yes (Sonos Sub) | Yes (Bose Bass Module 500/700) |
| Surround Sound Compatibility | Yes (Sonos surrounds) | Yes (Bose surrounds) |
| HDMI ARC | Yes | Yes |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-room Audio | Yes (Sonos ecosystem) | Yes (Bose ecosystem) |
| Number of Speakers | 3 | 2 |
| Wall Mountable | Yes | Yes |
| Control Method | App, Touch Controls, Voice | App, Remote, Voice |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Sound Quality
- Sonos Ray: The Sonos Ray offers a balanced sound profile with clear dialogue and decent bass for its size. It utilizes Trueplay tuning (iOS only) to optimize sound for your room. However, it may lack the deep, room-filling bass of larger soundbars.
- Bose TV Speaker: The Bose TV Speaker delivers clear and balanced audio, with a focus on dialogue clarity. It provides a wider soundstage than the Ray, giving a more immersive experience. However, the bass response is not as strong as some other options.
- Winner: Bose
Size & Design
- Sonos Ray: The Sonos Ray is compact and designed to fit discreetly under most TVs. Its minimalist design and matte finish blend well with various home decor styles. However, the small size can limit the size of drivers, impacting bass performance.
- Bose TV Speaker: The Bose TV Speaker is similarly compact, designed to be unobtrusive. It has a simple, clean aesthetic. It may be slightly wider than the Ray, but its low profile remains a key advantage.
- Winner: Sonos
Connectivity
- Sonos Ray: The Sonos Ray connects via Wi-Fi for multi-room audio and Apple AirPlay 2. It also has an optical audio input for connecting to your TV. It lacks Bluetooth.
- Bose TV Speaker: The Bose TV Speaker offers Bluetooth for easy music streaming and an optical audio input. It lacks Wi-Fi for multi-room, but it has a more universal connectivity approach.
- Winner: Bose
Voice Assistant Integration
- Sonos Ray: The Sonos Ray is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing for voice control of music playback and other smart home functions.
- Bose TV Speaker: The Bose TV Speaker works with Alexa, providing voice control functionality. It doesn’t offer Google Assistant.
- Winner: Sonos
Price
- Sonos Ray: The Sonos Ray is typically priced in the mid-range.
- Bose TV Speaker: The Bose TV Speaker is usually at a similar price point.
- Winner: Tie
Bass Performance
- Sonos Ray: The Ray’s bass response is good for its size, but it may require a subwoofer for those wanting a more impactful low-end experience.
- Bose TV Speaker: The Bose TV Speaker provides decent bass, but it may not be as powerful as some other soundbars, especially without a subwoofer.
- Winner: Tie
Multi-Room Audio
- Sonos Ray: The Sonos Ray excels in multi-room audio, seamlessly integrating with other Sonos speakers for synchronized playback throughout your home.
- Bose TV Speaker: The Bose TV Speaker does not have native multi-room capabilities through Wi-Fi. It relies on Bluetooth for music streaming but can be limited to one room.
- Winner: Sonos
Ease of Use
- Sonos Ray: The Sonos Ray is easy to set up and control through the Sonos app, offering a streamlined user experience.
- Bose TV Speaker: The Bose TV Speaker is also straightforward to set up, with simple controls and a user-friendly remote.
- Winner: Tie
Winner by Category:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Sound Quality | Sonos Ray |
| Ease of Use | Bose TV Speaker |
| Features | Sonos Ray |
| Connectivity | Tie |
| Ecosystem | Sonos Ray |
What They Have in Common:
- Compact Design: Both soundbars are designed to be compact and fit easily under most TVs, making them ideal for smaller spaces or those who want a minimalist setup.
- HDMI Arc: Both soundbars support HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel), allowing for a single cable connection to your TV for both audio and control.
- Optical Input: Both provide an optical input, ensuring compatibility with older TVs or devices that don’t support HDMI ARC.
- Easy Setup: Both soundbars are designed for straightforward setup, typically involving a few simple steps to connect to your TV and network.
- App Control: Both offer companion apps for controlling the soundbar, adjusting settings, and accessing additional features.
Sonos Ray Vs Bose Tv Speaker Buying Guide
Sound Quality for Your Ears
Both the Sonos Ray and Bose TV Speaker prioritize delivering clear dialogue, a critical factor for enjoying movies and TV shows. The Ray, with its focused acoustic design, excels at creating a defined soundstage, making it perfect for smaller rooms. Its ability to separate audio elements is remarkable, allowing you to discern subtle sound details. The Bose TV Speaker, while also offering clear sound, tends to produce a wider, more encompassing sound, which can be advantageous in larger spaces, although it may lack the precision of the Ray. Choosing between them depends on the size of your room and your preference for sound focus.
Design and Aesthetics
The Sonos Ray boasts a compact and minimalist design, easily blending into any home entertainment setup. Its sleek, matte finish and subtle branding exude sophistication. The Bose TV Speaker, with its slightly larger footprint, also offers a clean aesthetic, but its design is more functional. The Ray’s smaller size is particularly advantageous for placement, allowing it to fit snugly under most TVs or on shelves. Both speakers are designed to be unobtrusive, but the Ray’s compactness gives it a slight edge in terms of versatility and discreetness. Consider how it will fit into your entertainment area.
Connectivity and Features
The Sonos Ray and Bose TV Speaker offer different connectivity options. The Ray focuses on simplicity, featuring Wi-Fi connectivity for streaming and an optical input for connecting to your TV. It integrates seamlessly with the Sonos ecosystem, allowing you to expand your sound system over time. The Bose TV Speaker provides Bluetooth for easy pairing with mobile devices, alongside its optical input. While both offer basic features, the Sonos Ray’s Wi-Fi integration provides a more robust and expandable audio experience. The Bose TV Speaker is simpler, ideal for those seeking ease of use.
Ease of Use and Setup
Setting up both the Sonos Ray and the Bose TV Speaker is designed to be straightforward. The Sonos Ray relies on the Sonos app for setup and control, offering a user-friendly interface. The app guides you through the process, making it easy to connect the speaker to your Wi-Fi network. The Bose TV Speaker also boasts a simple setup process. Both speakers feature auto-calibration to optimize sound for your room. The simplicity of setup, control, and use is a high priority for both brands, making them accessible to all. However, you need to use the Sonos app to control the Ray.
Price and Value
The Sonos Ray and Bose TV Speaker are positioned in a similar price range, representing excellent value for their sound quality and features. The Ray, with its advanced acoustic design and ecosystem integration, may be considered a premium offering. However, the Bose TV Speaker’s competitive pricing makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. Considering the features, performance, and brand reputation, both speakers provide solid value. Your decision should consider your budget and your priorities for features and sound quality. Compare the offerings to determine the best price and value.
Expandability and Ecosystem
The Sonos Ray shines in expandability, seamlessly integrating with the broader Sonos ecosystem. You can easily add other Sonos speakers to create a multi-room audio system or build a full home theater setup. This future-proofs your investment, allowing you to grow your system over time. The Bose TV Speaker, while not offering as extensive an ecosystem, can be paired with other Bose products via Bluetooth. However, the Sonos system offers more comprehensive options. Consider your long-term audio needs and the ability to expand your system when making a decision.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy Sonos Ray If…
- You are invested in the Sonos ecosystem and want seamless multi-room audio integration.
- You prioritize a wider soundstage and more immersive sound, despite the compact size.
- You want access to a wider range of streaming services directly through the Sonos app.
- You value the ability to expand your system with additional Sonos speakers for true surround sound.
Buy Bose TV Speaker If…
- You want a simple, straightforward soundbar with easy setup and use.
- You prioritize Bluetooth connectivity for easy music streaming from your phone or other devices.
- You prefer a dedicated remote control for convenient volume and setting adjustments.
- You prefer Bose’s signature sound profile and brand recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which speaker is better for a small room?
The Sonos Ray is often preferred for smaller rooms due to its focused soundstage and compact design. Its acoustic design is optimized to deliver clear and balanced audio in confined spaces. The Bose TV Speaker, while good, may not offer the same level of sound focus as the Ray in a small room. The Ray’s ability to create a defined sound image makes it ideal for rooms where space is limited.
Does the Sonos Ray support Bluetooth?
No, the Sonos Ray does not natively support Bluetooth. It relies on Wi-Fi for streaming and connectivity, integrating seamlessly with the Sonos ecosystem. This allows for a more robust and reliable connection for streaming music and other audio content. The Ray focuses on Wi-Fi to provide a more stable and high-fidelity audio experience.
Can I use the Bose TV Speaker with other Bose speakers?
Yes, the Bose TV Speaker can be paired with other Bose Bluetooth speakers for a more expanded audio experience. This allows you to create a multi-room setup or enhance the sound in your entertainment area. The ability to connect via Bluetooth adds flexibility to your system. While not part of a full ecosystem like Sonos, it gives you some options.
Which speaker has better bass?
Neither speaker is designed to produce deep, thumping bass on its own. Both are compact soundbars and rely more on mid-range and high frequencies for clarity. To enhance the bass, you would need to add a dedicated subwoofer to either system. The Sonos Ray, when combined with a Sonos Sub, will produce greater bass.
How easy is it to set up each speaker?
Both speakers are designed for easy setup. The Sonos Ray uses the Sonos app, which guides you through the process. The Bose TV Speaker is also very easy to set up. Both have automated room calibration features. The simplicity of setup is a key selling point for both. The setup is typically completed within a few minutes.
Which speaker offers better streaming options?
The Sonos Ray, with its Wi-Fi connectivity and integration with the Sonos ecosystem, provides more robust streaming options. It supports a wide range of streaming services directly through the Sonos app, and it allows for multi-room audio. The Bose TV Speaker offers streaming via Bluetooth. The Ray gives you more streaming flexibility.
Which speaker is better for voice clarity?
Both speakers prioritize voice clarity, but the Sonos Ray’s focused acoustic design and ability to separate audio elements can give it a slight edge in this area. It’s designed to make dialogue clear and distinct, making it easier to understand conversations in movies and shows. The Bose TV Speaker also performs well, but the Ray is designed with clarity in mind.
Final Verdict
Both the Sonos Ray and Bose TV Speaker are excellent options for enhancing your TV’s sound. The Sonos Ray excels in sound clarity, room integration, and ecosystem expandability, making it ideal for those seeking a premium audio experience. The Bose TV Speaker offers a simpler setup and Bluetooth connectivity, which are great features. The Sonos Ray is the better overall performer.
Winner: Sonos Ray