Soundbar Showdown: Sonos Ray vs Samsung HW-B550D - Which Should You Choose?

Looking to upgrade your TV's sound without filling your living room with speakers? Let's dive into a detailed comparison of two popular soundbars: the Sonos Ray ($279) and the Samsung HW-B550D ($178). These soundbars take different approaches to improving your TV audio, and understanding these differences will help you make the right choice for your setup.

Understanding Soundbar Basics

Before we compare these specific models, let's talk about what soundbars actually do. TV manufacturers have been making displays thinner and thinner, which leaves very little room for decent speakers. A soundbar fixes this by providing dedicated speakers in a slim bar that sits below or in front of your TV. They're designed to deliver clearer dialogue, better bass, and a more immersive experience without the complexity of a traditional home theater setup.

The Contenders

The Sonos Ray launched in June 2022 as Sonos's entry-level soundbar, targeting apartment dwellers and smaller rooms. It's a compact 2.0 channel system, which means it has left and right speakers but no separate subwoofer or center channel.

The Samsung HW-B550D also launched in 2022, offering a 3.1 channel configuration (left, center, and right channels, plus a separate subwoofer) at a surprisingly competitive price point. The ".1" refers to the included wireless subwoofer, which handles the low bass frequencies.

Sound Quality and Performance

Dialogue Clarity

Both soundbars significantly improve dialogue clarity compared to built-in TV speakers, but they do it differently:

• The Sonos Ray uses sophisticated processing to create clear dialogue from its stereo speakers. In testing, it manages to make voices sound clear and natural despite not having a dedicated center channel.
• The Samsung's dedicated center channel speaker gives it an advantage for dialogue, especially in complex action scenes where lots of sounds compete for attention.

Bass Performance

Here's where the differences become dramatic:

• The Samsung includes a wireless subwoofer, giving it immediate capability for deep bass in explosions and music. While it's not the most refined subwoofer I've heard, it definitely adds impact to movie soundtracks.
• The Sonos Ray relies on clever acoustic design to produce surprisingly good bass for its size, but physics are physics - it can't match a dedicated subwoofer. However, you can add the Sonos Sub (though this is an expensive upgrade).

Music Playback

I've tested both units extensively with music, and there's a clear distinction:

• The Sonos Ray excels at music playback, delivering detailed stereo separation and a balanced sound that works well across genres. This isn't surprising given Sonos's music streaming heritage.
• The Samsung delivers decent music performance but seems more focused on movie and TV sound. The subwoofer can sometimes sound a bit boomy with music.

Connectivity and Setup

Physical Connections

• The Sonos Ray keeps it simple with just an optical input. No HDMI means no ARC (Audio Return Channel) support, which might disappoint some users.
• The Samsung offers more flexibility with HDMI ARC, optical input, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Wireless Capabilities

• The Sonos Ray shines with Wi-Fi streaming, AirPlay 2 support, and integration into the Sonos ecosystem. However, it lacks Bluetooth, which some users might miss.
• The Samsung focuses on Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to play music from your phone but lacking the more advanced networking features of the Sonos.

Smart Features and Ecosystem

This is where the products really diverge in their approach:

The Sonos Ray is part of the larger Sonos ecosystem, which means:

• Multi-room audio capability
• Regular software updates and improvements
• Integration with dozens of streaming services
• Voice control through other Sonos speakers (though the Ray itself doesn't have mics)

The Samsung HW-B550D operates more as a traditional soundbar:

• Works especially well with Samsung TVs through special features
• Simple Bluetooth connectivity
• Basic remote control functions
• Fewer smart features but potentially easier to use

Real-World Performance and Value

After several months of testing both units in different settings, here's what stands out:

Small to Medium Rooms

• The Sonos Ray performs admirably in smaller spaces, where its precise sound and excellent stereo imaging shine.
• The Samsung might be overkill in very small rooms, but its subwoofer can be adjusted to suit the space.

Larger Spaces

• The Samsung's additional power and subwoofer give it an advantage in larger rooms.
• The Sonos Ray can feel underpowered in bigger spaces, especially without a subwoofer.

Value Proposition

• At $178, the Samsung delivers impressive features for the price, including that wireless subwoofer.
• The Sonos Ray's $279 price tag buys you superior build quality and future expandability, but less immediate impact.

How to Decide

Choose the Sonos Ray if:

• You value music playback quality
• You're interested in building a multi-room audio system
• You prefer Wi-Fi streaming over Bluetooth
• You want the option to expand your system later
• You use Apple devices and want AirPlay 2 support

Choose the Samsung HW-B550D if:

• You want immediate impact from the included subwoofer
• You're primarily watching movies and TV
• You need HDMI connectivity
• You're on a tighter budget
• You prefer simpler setup and operation

Future Considerations

Both soundbars have received software updates since their 2022 launch, with Sonos typically providing more frequent updates that can add features or improve performance. The Samsung's hardware-focused approach means what you buy is largely what you get, but it also means there's less that could potentially go wrong with software updates.

Final Thoughts

Both soundbars represent different philosophies in TV audio improvement. The Sonos Ray is a sophisticated device that's part of a larger ecosystem, while the Samsung HW-B550D is a more traditional, self-contained solution that delivers immediate impact for less money.

Your choice should ultimately depend on your priorities: if you want a simple solution for better TV sound right now, the Samsung is hard to beat for the price. If you're thinking about building a larger audio system over time and appreciate superior music playback, the Sonos Ray makes more sense despite its higher initial cost.

Remember, both options will significantly improve your TV's sound - it's just a matter of choosing the one that best fits your specific needs and future plans.

Sonos Ray Soundbar Deals and Prices

Samsung HW-B550D 3.1 Channel Sound Bar Deals and Prices