When it comes to upgrading your TV's audio, Sonos offers two compelling options: the Sonos Beam Gen 2 ($449) and the more affordable Sonos Ray ($279). Let's dive into everything you need to know to make the right choice for your home.
Today's soundbars have evolved far beyond simple speaker upgrades. They've become central pieces of home entertainment, often incorporating smart features, streaming capabilities, and advanced audio processing. The key is finding the right balance of features and performance for your specific needs.
Both of these Sonos models launched after 2021 (Beam Gen 2 in September 2021, Ray in June 2022), representing the company's latest approaches to different price points and use cases. While they share Sonos's acclaimed multi-room audio platform, they target distinctly different users.
The Beam Gen 2 stands out with its Dolby Atmos support - a technology that creates three-dimensional sound by making audio appear to come from above and around you. While it doesn't have upward-firing speakers like some premium soundbars, it uses sophisticated digital processing to create a convincing spatial effect. In real-world use, this makes movies and shows feel more immersive, especially in moderately-sized rooms with standard ceiling heights.
The Ray takes a more focused approach. Instead of trying to create a virtual theater, it concentrates on two core elements: clear dialogue and balanced stereo sound. It's particularly effective in smaller rooms, where its forward-facing speakers can create a precise soundstage without needing to bounce audio off walls.
Room size dramatically affects soundbar performance. In my testing:
The Beam's wider soundstage and more powerful amplification make it the clear choice for larger spaces, while the Ray's focused audio projection works wonderfully in smaller rooms where sound reflection might otherwise cause issues.
Here's where we see significant differences in flexibility:
The Beam Gen 2 offers:
The Ray provides:
This difference in connectivity affects both current usability and future-proofing. The Beam's HDMI eARC support means it can handle advanced audio formats and provides better sync between video and audio. The Ray's optical-only approach, while simpler, limits it to more basic audio formats.
Both soundbars integrate with Sonos's excellent multi-room audio system, but the Beam Gen 2 adds several premium features:
The Ray shares the Trueplay and Night mode features but lacks voice control and some advanced sound processing options. In daily use, this means the Beam can become part of a smart home ecosystem, while the Ray remains focused on its core audio duties.
At their respective price points, both soundbars deliver strong value but for different users:
The Beam Gen 2 at $449 offers:
The Ray at $279 provides:
For home theater enthusiasts, the Beam Gen 2's Dolby Atmos support and eARC connectivity make it the clear choice. It can be part of a larger surround system by adding:
The Ray can also be expanded with surrounds and a sub, but without Atmos support and advanced audio formats, it's better suited for casual viewing than serious home theater use.
Consider these factors in order:
Remember, both soundbars can be expanded later with additional Sonos speakers, but the Beam Gen 2's superior processing and connectivity make it a better foundation for a growing system.
After extensive testing, I find both soundbars excel at their intended purposes. The Beam Gen 2 is the clear choice for those wanting premium features and better performance, while the Ray offers remarkable value for basic TV audio enhancement.
For most users, the decision will come down to room size and budget. If you have the space and funds for the Beam Gen 2, its additional features and superior sound quality make it the better long-term investment. However, the Ray's focused performance and lower price make it an excellent choice for smaller rooms or simpler needs.
| Sonos Beam Gen 2 ($449) | Sonos Ray ($279) |
|---|---|
| Room Size Compatibility - Determines if sound will fill your space effectively | |
| Medium to large rooms (up to 20x25 ft) | Small to medium rooms (up to 12x15 ft) |
| Audio Processing - Affects how immersive movies and shows will sound | |
| Dolby Atmos, Virtual Surround | Basic stereo processing |
| Connectivity - Important for future-proofing and audio quality | |
| HDMI eARC, Optical, WiFi | Optical only, WiFi |
| Voice Control - Convenient for smart home integration | |
| Built-in Alexa & Google Assistant | None |
| Driver Configuration - Impacts sound quality and volume capability | |
| 5 drivers (4 woofers, 1 tweeter) | 4 drivers (2 woofers, 2 tweeters) |
| Maximum Volume - Critical for larger rooms and home theater use | |
| 95 dB (fills large rooms easily) | 85 dB (sufficient for small rooms) |
| Advanced Features - Affects overall versatility | |
| TruePlay, Night Mode, Speech Enhancement, Atmos | TruePlay, Night Mode, Speech Enhancement |
| Expandability - Important for future surround sound setup | |
| Full surround support with Atmos | Basic surround support, no Atmos |
| Power Consumption - Impacts energy usage | |
| 25W typical | 15W typical |
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 ($449) is significantly better for movies due to its Dolby Atmos support and more powerful drivers. The Sonos Ray ($279) lacks surround sound processing, making it more suitable for casual TV viewing.
For home theater use, the Beam Gen 2's additional features justify its higher price. The Dolby Atmos support, HDMI eARC, and superior sound quality make the Sonos Beam Gen 2 a better long-term investment compared to the Ray.
The Sonos Ray is ideal for small rooms under 12x15 feet. Its focused audio projection works well in compact spaces, while the Beam Gen 2 might be overkill for such environments.
Yes, both soundbars can be expanded with Sonos One speakers for surround sound. However, the Beam Gen 2 provides better surround processing and Atmos support, creating a more immersive experience than the Ray.
Both perform well, but the Beam Gen 2 edges out the Ray with its dedicated center channel and more sophisticated audio processing, especially during complex movie scenes.
For the best home theater experience, yes. The Beam Gen 2's HDMI eARC allows for higher-quality audio formats and better sync. The Ray's optical-only connection limits its audio format compatibility.
The Beam Gen 2 delivers fuller, more room-filling music playback with better bass response. The Ray performs adequately but lacks the same depth and richness.
The Beam Gen 2 integrates fully with smart homes through built-in voice assistants. The Ray lacks voice control but can still be controlled through the Sonos app.
While both work well standalone, a subwoofer benefits each differently. The Beam Gen 2 offers better bass on its own, making a subwoofer optional. The Ray would benefit more from adding a subwoofer.
The Beam Gen 2 is superior for gaming due to its HDMI eARC connection, which provides better audio-video sync and supports more audio formats than the Ray's optical connection.
Yes, both the Beam Gen 2 and Ray can be wall-mounted, though mounting brackets are sold separately.
The Beam Gen 2 performs better with streaming content, especially from services offering Dolby Atmos audio. The Ray provides good stereo playback but lacks advanced audio format support.
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: whathifi.com - en.community.sonos.com - techradar.com - youtube.com - consumerreports.org - bestbuy.com - youtube.com - sonos.com - wave-electronics.com - en.community.sonos.com - epicsystems.tech - tomsguide.com - bestbuy.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
