The quest for better TV audio is universal - those thin built-in TV speakers just don't cut it. Let's explore two popular but very different soundbar solutions: the premium Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar ($699) and the budget-friendly Sonos Ray ($279).
Soundbars have evolved dramatically in recent years, moving from simple stereo solutions to sophisticated home theater replacements. Today's options range from basic TV audio enhancement to immersive Dolby Atmos systems that create a three-dimensional sound field. The key is finding the right balance of features, performance, and value for your needs.
The Bose Smart Ultra represents the cutting edge of soundbar technology, featuring Dolby Atmos support through a 5.1.2 channel configuration. This means it has dedicated drivers for center, left, right, and surround channels, plus two upward-firing speakers that bounce sound off your ceiling for height effects. Released in late 2023, it incorporates Bose's latest spatial audio processing and room calibration technology.
The Sonos Ray, launched in mid-2022, takes a more straightforward approach with a 2.0 channel stereo configuration. While it lacks surround sound processing, it excels at its core mission: delivering clear dialogue and balanced stereo sound that significantly outperforms TV speakers.
The real-world performance difference is substantial. The Bose creates a much larger, more immersive soundstage - you'll hear helicopters seemingly fly overhead and effects that extend well beyond the TV's width. The Ray focuses on forward-facing sound with excellent clarity but minimal spatial effects.
Both units handle dialogue well but through different approaches. The Bose uses dedicated center channel processing and AI-enhanced dialogue modes that actively separate speech from background effects. The Ray achieves impressive clarity through careful tuning of its stereo drivers and Sonos' speech enhancement processing.
This is an area where the price difference becomes apparent. The Bose includes sophisticated bass management and can produce meaningful low frequencies down to about 40Hz. The Ray's compact design limits bass extension, though it remains surprisingly capable for its size. Both can be expanded with optional subwoofers, but only the Bose creates convincing bass on its own.
The Bose Smart Ultra offers comprehensive wireless options including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect. It integrates with both Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. The companion app provides detailed EQ settings and sound customization.
The Sonos Ray connects via Wi-Fi only - no Bluetooth here. While this might seem limiting, the Sonos app ecosystem is excellent, offering robust streaming options and multi-room audio capabilities. The lack of voice control and Bluetooth might be deal-breakers for some users.
Connectivity shows another clear distinction:
The Bose's HDMI eARC support enables higher-quality audio formats and easier integration with modern TVs. The Ray's optical-only approach works fine for most uses but can't handle advanced formats like Atmos.
For movie enthusiasts, the Bose offers a significantly more immersive experience. The additional channels and Atmos support create a convincing surround sound field that approaches the experience of separate speakers. While it can't match a full speaker system, it's remarkably effective for a single unit.
The Ray excels at dialogue clarity and stereo separation but won't create the same sense of immersion. It's perfect for everyday TV watching but might leave movie buffs wanting more.
Both soundbars handle music well, with distinct approaches:
The Ray particularly impresses with music given its price point, benefiting from Sonos' extensive experience in streaming audio.
For gamers, the Bose's surround processing and low latency through HDMI make it the clear choice. The spatial audio helps locate enemies and adds immersion to atmospheric games. The Ray works fine for casual gaming but won't provide the same positional audio benefits.
The Bose Smart Ultra commands a significant premium but delivers features and performance that justify its price for the right user. The Sonos Ray provides exceptional value, focusing on core audio performance while trimming premium features.
Consider these key factors:
The final choice often comes down to your primary use case and budget. The Bose Smart Ultra represents the state of the art in single-unit home theater audio, while the Sonos Ray delivers impressive performance for everyday use at a more accessible price point.
Choose the Bose if you're serious about home theater and want the most immersive experience possible from a soundbar. Opt for the Ray if you want significantly better TV audio without breaking the bank, or if you're already invested in the Sonos ecosystem.
Remember, both manufacturers offer solid build quality and regular software updates, making either choice a sound long-term investment in better audio.
| Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar ($699) | Sonos Ray ($279) |
|---|---|
| Audio Channels - Determines sound immersion and spatial effects | |
| 5.1.2 channels with Dolby Atmos height speakers | 2.0 stereo channels |
| Sound Processing - Impacts overall audio quality and features | |
| Dolby Atmos, TrueSpace, AI Dialogue Enhancement | Basic stereo processing with Speech Enhancement |
| Connectivity - Affects compatibility and ease of use | |
| HDMI eARC, Optical, Bluetooth, WiFi | Optical only, WiFi |
| Smart Features - Important for integration and control | |
| Built-in Alexa/Google Assistant, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect | Basic app control, AirPlay 2, no voice assistant |
| Room Calibration - Optimizes sound for your space | |
| Advanced ADAPTiQ with microphone calibration | Basic Trueplay tuning (iOS only) |
| Frequency Response - Determines bass performance | |
| 40Hz - 20kHz (deep bass capable) | 52Hz - 20kHz (limited bass) |
| Power Output - Affects maximum volume and clarity | |
| 120W total system power | Not specified, estimated 60W |
| Expandability - Future upgrade potential | |
| Compatible with Bose wireless surrounds and subwoofer | No surround expansion, basic subwoofer support |
| Physical Design - Consider room placement | |
| 34.5" x 4.5" x 3.5", 7.5 lbs | 22" x 2.79" x 3.66", 4 lbs |
| Wireless Standards - Network performance impact | |
| WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, RF remote | WiFi 5 only, IR remote |
| Value Proposition - Price vs. Performance | |
| Premium price with matching premium features | Excellent value for basic audio enhancement |
The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar ($699) is significantly better for movies due to its Dolby Atmos support and 5.1.2 channel configuration. The Sonos Ray ($279) provides good movie audio but lacks surround sound capabilities.
The Bose Smart Ultra costs $699, while the Sonos Ray is priced at $279, making it $420 less expensive.
Yes, both soundbars work with any TV. The Bose Smart Ultra connects via HDMI or optical, while the Sonos Ray uses optical connection only.
Both offer good dialogue clarity, but the Bose Smart Ultra has superior AI-powered dialogue enhancement. The Sonos Ray still provides clear dialogue that's notably better than TV speakers.
The Bose Smart Ultra provides good bass on its own but can be enhanced with a subwoofer. The Sonos Ray has limited bass response and would benefit more from a subwoofer addition.
Both perform well with music. The Bose Smart Ultra offers fuller sound with better bass, while the Sonos Ray provides excellent stereo separation and clear midrange.
The Bose Smart Ultra works with Alexa and Google Assistant. The Sonos Ray doesn't have voice control capabilities.
The Sonos Ray is ideal for small rooms due to its compact size. The Bose Smart Ultra, while more powerful, might be overkill for very small spaces.
Yes, both support streaming. The Bose Smart Ultra offers Bluetooth and WiFi streaming, while the Sonos Ray supports WiFi streaming only through the Sonos app.
Both are straightforward to set up, but the Sonos Ray has a simpler setup process due to fewer connection options and features.
The Bose Smart Ultra can be expanded with wireless surrounds and a subwoofer. The Sonos Ray has limited expansion options but works in a Sonos multi-room system.
For basic TV audio enhancement, the Sonos Ray offers better value. For home theater enthusiasts wanting premium features, the Bose Smart Ultra justifies its higher price with superior performance and features.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: techradar.com - bose.com - bestbuy.com - tomsguide.com - pcrichard.com - rtings.com - bose.com - boselatam.com - avsforum.com - bose.com - techradar.com - soundandvision.com - youtube.com - appleinsider.com - youtube.com - sonos.com - cnet.com - howtogeek.com - pcrichard.com - en.community.sonos.com - epicsystems.tech - en.community.sonos.com - cepro.com - videoandaudiocenter.com
