Choosing Between the Sonos Ray and JBL Bar 300: A Complete Guide

When it comes to upgrading your TV's sound, the Sonos Ray ($279) and JBL Bar 300 ($349) represent two different approaches to entry-level soundbars. Let's dive into how these soundbars stack up and help you decide which one best fits your needs.

Understanding Today's Soundbar Market

The soundbar market has evolved significantly in recent years, with even budget models now offering features that were premium just a few years ago. When the Sonos Ray launched in mid-2022, it represented a new entry point into the Sonos ecosystem. The JBL Bar 300, released in early 2023, brought more advanced features like Dolby Atmos (a technology that creates immersive 3D sound) to a lower price point than previously possible.

Sound Performance: The Heart of the Matter

Sonos Ray Performance

The Sonos Ray focuses on what matters most: clear dialogue and balanced sound. It uses specially designed waveguides (paths that direct sound waves) to create a wider soundstage than you might expect from its compact size. In my testing, dialogue comes through crystal clear, which is crucial for TV shows and movies. However, its bass response is notably limited without a separate subwoofer.

The Ray's sound profile works exceptionally well in smaller rooms, like bedrooms or modest living rooms. It's not trying to shake the walls - instead, it aims for clarity and precision.

JBL Bar 300 Performance

The JBL Bar 300 takes a different approach, offering more power (260 watts) and features like MultiBeam technology, which bounces sound off your walls to create a more immersive experience. Its virtual Dolby Atmos support attempts to create height effects without upward-firing speakers, though the results are subtle.

The Bar 300's built-in bass handling is more robust than the Ray's, thanks to carefully tuned passive radiators (speakers that enhance bass without requiring power). While it won't replace a dedicated subwoofer, it provides more low-end punch for action movies and music.

Connectivity and Smart Features

Sonos Ray Connectivity

The Ray keeps things simple - perhaps too simple for some users. It connects to your TV via optical cable only, with no HDMI port. While this ensures broad compatibility with older TVs, it means missing out on newer features like HDMI-ARC (which allows your TV remote to control the soundbar automatically).

However, it shines in wireless streaming, offering:

• Wi-Fi connectivity
• AirPlay 2 support
• Sonos app integration
• TruePlay tuning (which optimizes sound for your room - though only with iOS devices)

JBL Bar 300 Connectivity

The Bar 300 offers more modern connectivity options:

• HDMI eARC
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Wi-Fi with Chromecast built-in
• AirPlay 2
• Voice assistant compatibility

This broader connectivity makes the JBL Bar 300 more flexible for different setups and use cases. The HDMI eARC connection also allows for higher-quality audio formats and easier control integration with your TV.

Real-World Use and Value

Living with the Sonos Ray

The Sonos Ray excels in daily use for TV watching and music streaming. Its compact size (22 inches wide) fits nearly anywhere, and the setup process is remarkably straightforward. The Sonos app provides an excellent user experience for controlling multiple speakers and streaming services.

However, its limitations become apparent in larger rooms or when you want to watch action movies at higher volumes. The lack of Bluetooth can also be frustrating if you want to quickly play something from a friend's phone.

Living with the JBL Bar 300

The Bar 300 offers more versatility in both placement and use cases. Its room calibration feature helps optimize sound for your space, and the additional connectivity options make it more future-proof. The included remote provides easy access to different sound modes and settings, though the JBL app isn't quite as polished as Sonos's.

Long-Term Considerations

Ecosystem and Expandability

The Sonos Ray integrates seamlessly with other Sonos products, making it an excellent starting point for building a whole-home audio system. You can add a Sonos Sub and rear speakers later for a full surround setup.

The JBL Bar 300 works well as a standalone unit but doesn't offer the same ecosystem benefits. However, its broader connectivity options might make this less important for many users.

Future-Proofing

Both soundbars receive regular software updates, but they take different approaches to future-proofing:

• The Ray relies on its simplicity and ecosystem integration
• The Bar 300 offers more modern hardware features that should remain relevant longer

How to Decide

Choose the Sonos Ray if:

• You want to start building a Sonos whole-home audio system
• Clean, accurate sound is more important than raw power
• You have a smaller room
• Music streaming is a priority

Choose the JBL Bar 300 if:

• You want more powerful sound and better bass
• Modern connectivity options are important
• You have a larger room
• You want voice assistant integration
• Bluetooth connectivity is essential

Final Thoughts

The choice between these soundbars ultimately comes down to your priorities and use case. The Sonos Ray offers exceptional sound quality and ecosystem benefits at a lower price point, while the JBL Bar 300 provides more features and flexibility for a modest premium.

For most users, I'd recommend the JBL Bar 300 if you can afford the extra $70, as its additional features and connectivity options provide more value and flexibility. However, if you're already invested in the Sonos ecosystem or primarily care about music streaming and clear dialogue, the Ray remains an excellent choice.

Remember that both soundbars represent significant upgrades over built-in TV speakers, and either will greatly enhance your viewing and listening experience. The key is matching the features and capabilities to your specific needs and setup.

Sonos Ray Soundbar Deals and Prices

JBL Bar 300 5.0 Soundbar Deals and Prices