When it comes to improving your TV's audio, soundbars offer an elegant solution without the complexity of traditional home theater setups. Today, we're comparing two very different approaches: the premium Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus ($1,499) and the budget-friendly Sonos Ray ($279).
Before diving into the specifics, let's talk about what matters in a soundbar. The primary goal is to upgrade your TV's built-in speakers, which are typically thin and lacking in both volume and clarity. A good soundbar should provide clearer dialogue, better music reproduction, and a more immersive experience for movies and shows.
Key factors to consider include:
Released in late 2022, the AMBEO Plus represents the cutting edge of soundbar technology. It uses advanced virtual surround processing (which creates the illusion of speakers all around you) and room calibration (automatically adjusting sound based on your room's acoustics). The technology has matured significantly since release, with firmware updates adding features and refining performance.
The Sonos Ray, launched in mid-2022, takes a simpler approach. Instead of trying to simulate a full home theater, it focuses on delivering clear, balanced sound in a compact package. It's part of Sonos' strategy to provide an entry-level option for their popular multi-room audio system.
The AMBEO Plus delivers impressive virtual surround sound through its 7.1.4 channel system (meaning seven main speakers, one subwoofer channel, and four height channels). In practice, this creates a convincing illusion of sound coming from all around you, including overhead. For movies like "Dune" or "Top Gun: Maverick," you'll hear jets and spacecraft moving convincingly through space.
The Ray, while more basic, excels at its core mission. Dialogue is notably clearer than TV speakers, and music has good stereo separation (the ability to hear instruments and sounds positioned distinctly left and right). However, it won't create the same immersive experience as the AMBEO Plus.
Here's where the price difference really shows. The AMBEO Plus includes powerful built-in woofers that deliver impressive low frequencies, though serious home theater enthusiasts might still want to add a separate subwoofer. The Ray's bass is adequate for casual viewing but won't shake your room during action scenes.
The AMBEO Plus offers:
The Ray provides:
For serious movie watching, the AMBEO Plus is clearly superior. Its virtual surround capabilities create a convincing theater-like experience, especially in medium to large rooms. The ray is better suited for casual TV viewing in smaller spaces like bedrooms or apartments.
Both handle music well, but differently. The AMBEO Plus offers more detail and dynamic range (the difference between quiet and loud sounds). The Ray integrates seamlessly with Sonos' excellent multi-room music system, making it ideal for whole-home audio setups.
Gamers will appreciate the AMBEO Plus's immersive sound and low latency (minimal delay between action and sound). The Ray works fine for casual gaming but won't provide the same positional audio benefits for competitive players.
While the price difference is substantial, it's important to consider long-term value. The AMBEO Plus effectively replaces a traditional home theater system that could cost significantly more. The Ray, while more limited, provides excellent value as both a TV speaker upgrade and an entry point into the Sonos ecosystem.
Choose the AMBEO Plus if:
Choose the Ray if:
Both soundbars are likely to improve through software updates. The AMBEO Plus regularly receives new features and optimizations, while Sonos has a strong track record of supporting their products long-term.
The AMBEO Plus and Sonos Ray represent opposite ends of the soundbar spectrum, but both excel at their intended purposes. Your choice ultimately depends on your specific needs, room size, and budget. Either way, you'll get a significant upgrade from built-in TV speakers.
| Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus ($1,499) | Sonos Ray ($279) |
|---|---|
| Audio Channels - Determines how immersive and spacious the sound feels | |
| 7.1.4 virtual channels (theater-like experience) | 2.0 channels (basic stereo) |
| Power Output - Impacts maximum volume and sound clarity at higher levels | |
| 400W (fills large rooms easily) | Not specified (suitable for small-medium rooms) |
| Surround Format Support - Affects compatibility with modern movie/streaming content | |
| Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, MPEG-H (full format support) | Basic Dolby Digital (limited format support) |
| Room Calibration - Helps optimize sound for your specific space | |
| Advanced automatic calibration with built-in mics | Basic Trueplay tuning (iOS devices only) |
| Connectivity Options - Determines how you can connect devices | |
| HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast | Optical only, Wi-Fi (no Bluetooth) |
| Bass Capability - Important for movie impact and music depth | |
| Dual 4" built-in subwoofers (impressive bass) | No dedicated woofers (limited bass response) |
| Smart Features - Adds convenience and future-proofing | |
| Voice assistant, app control, multi-room audio | Sonos ecosystem, app control, multi-room audio |
| Size - Consider your available space | |
| 41.5" x 4.7" x 3.4" (larger footprint) | 22" x 2.79" x 3.66" (compact design) |
| Ecosystem Compatibility - Important for expanding your audio system | |
| Works with any brand components | Sonos ecosystem only (but excellent integration) |
The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus ($1,499) is significantly better for movies, offering Dolby Atmos support and virtual 7.1.4 surround sound. The Sonos Ray ($279) provides basic stereo sound that's good for casual viewing but lacks immersive features.
There's a substantial price difference - the AMBEO Plus costs $1,499 while the Sonos Ray is $279. The AMBEO justifies its higher price with premium features and superior sound quality.
The Sonos Ray is ideal for small rooms due to its compact size and focused sound. The AMBEO Plus performs better in medium to large rooms where its surround capabilities can shine.
The AMBEO Plus includes built-in subwoofers that provide strong bass response, though you can add an external sub. The Sonos Ray would benefit from adding a subwoofer for better bass performance.
Both handle music well, but differently. The AMBEO Plus offers higher fidelity and more powerful sound, while the Sonos Ray excels at multi-room streaming within the Sonos ecosystem.
The AMBEO Plus provides superior gaming performance with virtual surround sound and low latency. The Sonos Ray works for casual gaming but lacks spatial audio features.
Both are user-friendly, but the Sonos Ray has a simpler setup process. The AMBEO Plus requires more initial configuration but includes automatic room calibration.
The AMBEO Plus works with multiple voice assistants including Alexa and Google Assistant. The Sonos Ray doesn't have built-in voice control but can be controlled via other Sonos devices.
The AMBEO Plus offers more connection options including HDMI, optical, and Bluetooth. The Sonos Ray only has an optical input and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The Sonos Ray integrates perfectly with other Sonos speakers for multi-room audio. The AMBEO Plus can work with any brand's subwoofer but doesn't have a specific ecosystem.
Both perform well for TV content, but the AMBEO Plus offers superior dialogue clarity and sound separation. The Sonos Ray provides clear dialogue improvement over TV speakers.
Both support major streaming services, but the AMBEO Plus offers more format compatibility including Dolby Atmos streaming. The Sonos Ray handles standard streaming well through the Sonos app.
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 - pocket-lint.com - moon-audio.com - stereonet.com - rtings.com - abt.com - projectorscreen.com - youtube.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - crutchfield.com - sennheiser-hearing.com - newsroom.sennheiser.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
