When it comes to upgrading your TV's sound, the gap between basic and premium soundbars has never been wider. Today, we're comparing the entry-level Sonos Ray ($279) with the high-end Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 ($1,099), two soundbars that showcase just how different these audio solutions can be.
Soundbars have evolved from simple TV speaker upgrades to sophisticated home theater solutions. The most basic models focus on improving dialogue clarity and adding some depth to TV sound, while premium options now rival traditional surround sound systems with advanced features like spatial audio (which creates a 3D sound effect) and room correction (which automatically adjusts sound based on your room's acoustics).
Released in 2023, the Sonos Ray represents a straightforward approach to better TV sound. It's Sonos's most affordable soundbar, designed for smaller rooms and simpler setups. On the other hand, the BRAVIA Theater Bar 9, released in early 2024, showcases Sony's latest audio technologies, including advanced spatial audio processing that creates a dome of sound around your viewing area.
The Sonos Ray delivers surprisingly good sound for its size and price. It excels at dialogue clarity, making it perfect for TV shows and movies where understanding conversations is crucial. The soundbar uses custom-designed waveguides (special channels that direct sound in specific patterns) to spread audio across your room, though without the height channels found in more expensive models.
The BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 operates on a different level entirely. With 13 speakers including upward-firing drivers (speakers that bounce sound off your ceiling for height effects), it creates a much more immersive experience. Its 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology can make it sound like you have speakers all around your room, even though everything's coming from the front soundbar.
In my testing, the Ray performed admirably for everyday TV watching. News programs, sitcoms, and most streaming content sound notably better than TV speakers. However, during complex action scenes or orchestral music, its limitations become apparent - there's only so much a compact stereo soundbar can do.
The BRAVIA Bar 9 shines in these more demanding scenarios. When watching movies with Dolby Atmos soundtracks (a technology that places sounds in three-dimensional space), the difference is dramatic. Helicopter sounds actually seem to move overhead, and raindrops appear to fall all around you. This immersive experience comes at a cost though - both in terms of price and setup complexity.
The Ray's simplicity extends to its connections - it only has an optical audio input. While this might seem limiting, it ensures compatibility with virtually any TV. The real magic happens through Wi-Fi, where it integrates seamlessly with other Sonos speakers for multi-room audio. You can start playing music in your living room and extend it to any Sonos speaker in your house.
The BRAVIA Bar 9 offers more modern connectivity with HDMI 2.1 (the latest standard for high-quality audio and video transmission) and eARC (which allows for high-quality audio passage between TV and soundbar). It particularly shines when paired with a Sony TV, using features like Acoustic Center Sync to combine the TV's speakers with the soundbar for better dialogue positioning.
The Sonos Ray provides exceptional value for what it does. At $279, it delivers noticeably better sound than TV speakers and most soundbars in its price range. It's also future-proof in its own way - you can add a Sonos Sub and rear speakers later if you want to expand to a full surround system.
The BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 at $1,099 represents a significant investment. However, for home theater enthusiasts or those with large rooms to fill, its advanced features and superior sound quality can justify the premium. The technology packed into this soundbar would have cost significantly more in separate components just a few years ago.
Consider your primary use case:
Think about your room size:
Consider your existing equipment:
Budget considerations:
Both soundbars offer different approaches to future expansion. The Ray can become part of a larger Sonos system, while the BRAVIA Bar 9 already includes most features you might want, with the option to add wireless rear speakers for even more immersion.
For most people, the Sonos Ray will provide a significant upgrade to their TV sound without breaking the bank. It's a smart choice if you want better audio quality for everyday viewing and possibly want to expand into multi-room audio later.
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 is for those who want the best possible sound from a single unit, particularly if they have a compatible Sony TV. Its advanced features and superior audio processing create a more cinema-like experience that justifies its higher price for the right user.
Remember, the best soundbar for you depends on your specific needs, room size, and how you plan to use it. Both these options excel in their respective categories - it's just a matter of choosing which approach better suits your situation.
| Sonos Ray Soundbar ($279) | Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 ($1,099) |
|---|---|
| Audio Channels - Determines how immersive and spacious the sound feels | |
| 2.0 (basic stereo) | 7.0.2 (full surround with height channels) |
| Size - Important for placement and room fit | |
| 22" x 2.79" x 3.66" (compact) | 51.25" x 2.625" x 4.5" (requires wide space) |
| Connectivity - Affects compatibility and setup options | |
| Optical only, Wi-Fi | HDMI 2.1/eARC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Room Size Support - Critical for choosing the right power level | |
| Small to medium rooms (up to 200 sq ft) | Medium to large rooms (up to 500 sq ft) |
| Special Features - Key differentiators that may justify premium pricing | |
| Basic dialogue enhancement, night mode | 360° Spatial Sound, Voice Zoom 3, room calibration |
| Ecosystem Integration - Important if you have existing audio equipment | |
| Works with Sonos multi-room audio | Optimized for Sony TVs, works with any brand |
| Expandability - Future upgrade possibilities | |
| Can add Sub + rear speakers later | Optional wireless rear speakers only |
| Power Output - Indicates volume capability and clarity at high levels | |
| Not specified (suitable for casual viewing) | 62W (powerful enough for movie theater experience) |
| Audio Format Support - Affects compatibility with streaming content | |
| Basic (PCM, Dolby Digital) | Advanced (Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, 360 Reality Audio) |
| Value Proposition - Who should consider this model | |
| Excellent for basic TV enhancement and smaller spaces | Premium choice for home theater enthusiasts and larger rooms |
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 ($1,099) is significantly better for home theater due to its Dolby Atmos support, 360° spatial audio, and powerful 7.0.2 channel configuration. The Sonos Ray ($279) is more suited for basic TV audio enhancement.
The Sonos Ray handles basic movie audio well, especially dialogue, but lacks the immersive features found in the BRAVIA Theater Bar 9. It's suitable for casual movie watching but won't deliver the cinematic experience of higher-end soundbars.
The Sonos Ray is ideal for small apartments due to its compact 22-inch width and optimized sound for smaller spaces. The BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 at 51 inches may be too large for small rooms.
Neither includes a subwoofer. The BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 has better built-in bass response, while the Sonos Ray would benefit more from adding an optional subwoofer for home theater use.
Both excel at dialogue clarity. The Sonos Ray uses speech enhancement technology, while the BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 features Voice Zoom 3 powered by AI. Both will significantly improve dialogue compared to TV speakers.
Yes, both can stream music via Wi-Fi. The Sonos Ray integrates with the excellent Sonos music ecosystem, while the BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 supports Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay, and Bluetooth.
The BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 is superior for gaming with HDMI 2.1 support, low latency, and spatial audio features. The Sonos Ray works for casual gaming but lacks advanced gaming-specific features.
The Sonos Ray works with any TV with optical output. The BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 works with any TV but offers additional features when paired with Sony BRAVIA TVs.
Both soundbars are wall-mountable, though mounting brackets are sold separately. The Sonos Ray is lighter and easier to mount, while the BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 requires more robust mounting due to its size.
For sports, the BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 offers a more immersive experience with better crowd atmosphere reproduction. The Sonos Ray is adequate for sports but won't create the same stadium-like effect.
The Sonos Ray is simple to set up yourself with just an optical cable connection. The BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 is more complex but still manageable for most users, though professional calibration might maximize its advanced features.
The Sonos Ray offers excellent value for basic audio enhancement at $279. The BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 at $1,099 is a premium investment that's worth it if you'll utilize its advanced home theater 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 - 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 - rtings.com - residentialsystems.com - rtings.com - bestbuy.com - valueelectronics.com - sony.com - sony.co.uk - sony.co.uk - rtings.com - sony.co.in - sony.com - pocket-lint.com - sony.com - crutchfield.com
