When you're looking to upgrade your TV's sound, soundbars offer an elegant solution that balances performance and simplicity. Today, we're comparing two popular options: the Sonos Ray ($279) and the Yamaha SR-B40A ($399). Let's explore how these two soundbars stack up and help you decide which one best fits your needs.
Before diving into the specifics, it's worth understanding what makes a good soundbar. The primary goal is to improve upon your TV's built-in speakers, which are typically thin and weak due to modern TV designs. A quality soundbar should provide clearer dialogue, better sound separation (making it easier to distinguish different sounds), and stronger bass response.
The Sonos Ray was released in June 2022 as Sonos's entry-level soundbar, positioned below their more premium Beam and Arc models. It represented a new approach for Sonos, focusing on simplicity and affordability while maintaining the company's reputation for sound quality.
The Yamaha SR-B40A arrived in 2023, bringing Dolby Atmos support (a technology that creates three-dimensional sound) to a more affordable price point. It builds upon Yamaha's previous soundbar successes, adding features like improved dialogue enhancement and a redesigned wireless subwoofer.
The Ray delivers surprisingly robust sound for its size. Its strength lies in vocal clarity - dialogue in TV shows and movies comes through crystal clear. While it lacks a dedicated subwoofer, Sonos has engineered impressive bass response for such a compact unit. The soundstage (how wide and deep the sound feels) is notably good for its price point.
Key features include:
The SR-B40A takes a different approach, pairing a capable soundbar with a wireless subwoofer. This combination delivers more impactful bass and overall fuller sound. The Dolby Atmos support adds height to the soundstage, creating a more immersive experience.
Notable features include:
The Ray keeps things simple with an optical connection only - no HDMI. While this might seem limiting, it ensures broad compatibility with older TVs. The lack of Bluetooth might surprise some, but Sonos emphasizes Wi-Fi streaming through their app, which offers better sound quality and reliability.
Setup process:
The SR-B40A offers more connection options:
Setup is straightforward, with the wireless subwoofer automatically pairing to the main unit.
Having tested both units extensively, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
The Sonos Ray at $279 represents solid value, especially if you're already invested in the Sonos ecosystem or prioritize music streaming. The ability to expand your system later with additional Sonos speakers adds future flexibility.
The Yamaha SR-B40A at $399 includes a wireless subwoofer and more features, making it strong value for home theater enthusiasts. The added Dolby Atmos support and multiple connection options future-proof your investment.
Consider choosing the Sonos Ray if:
The Yamaha SR-B40A makes more sense if:
Both soundbars represent different approaches to improving your TV audio. The Sonos Ray focuses on simplicity and ecosystem integration, while the Yamaha SR-B40A delivers a more traditional home theater experience. Both companies regularly update their products' software, adding features and improving performance over time.
The choice ultimately comes down to your specific needs and preferences. If you're still unsure, consider your primary use case - that's often the best way to make the final decision. Remember, either choice will be a significant upgrade from your TV's built-in speakers.
| Sonos Ray ($279) | Yamaha SR-B40A ($399) |
|---|---|
| Primary Audio Output - Determines overall sound capability and room size suitability | |
| 2.0 channel, no subwoofer | 2.1 channel with wireless subwoofer |
| Connectivity - Affects compatibility and ease of use with your devices | |
| Optical only, Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth | HDMI eARC, Optical, Bluetooth |
| Audio Format Support - Important for home theater enthusiasts | |
| PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital | Dolby Atmos, DTS Digital Surround |
| Room Size Optimization - Critical for matching to your space | |
| Small to medium rooms (up to 200 sq ft) | Medium to large rooms (up to 400 sq ft) |
| Bass Performance - Key factor in movie and music enjoyment | |
| Limited bass from compact design | Dedicated wireless 6.25" subwoofer |
| Smart Features - Affects integration with other devices | |
| Sonos app, AirPlay 2, multi-room audio | Basic app control, Bluetooth streaming |
| Voice Enhancement - Important for clear dialogue | |
| Speech Enhancement mode, custom waveguides | Clear Voice technology, dedicated processing |
| Setup Complexity - Consider your technical comfort level | |
| Simple optical connection, detailed app setup | More options but straightforward setup |
| Future Expandability - Important for system growth | |
| Can add Sonos speakers for surround | Limited to standalone operation |
| Power Output - Affects maximum volume and clarity | |
| Not specified (typically around 60W total) | 200W total system power |
The Yamaha SR-B40A is better for movies due to its wireless subwoofer and Dolby Atmos support. The Sonos Ray lacks deep bass and immersive audio features, making it less suitable for a true home theater experience.
Both soundbars will work with most TVs. The Sonos Ray uses optical connection only, while the Yamaha SR-B40A offers both HDMI eARC and optical connections, providing more flexibility.
The Sonos Ray is ideal for small spaces due to its compact design and no separate subwoofer. The Yamaha SR-B40A requires more space for the wireless subwoofer placement.
The Sonos Ray offers superior music streaming through Wi-Fi and the Sonos app, while the Yamaha SR-B40A provides Bluetooth streaming capability.
Both perform well, but the Sonos Ray is particularly praised for dialogue clarity in TV shows. The Yamaha SR-B40A includes Clear Voice technology that's equally effective.
For true home theater experience, a subwoofer is recommended. The Yamaha SR-B40A includes a wireless subwoofer, while the Sonos Ray would require purchasing a separate Sonos Sub.
Yes, both the Sonos Ray and Yamaha SR-B40A can be wall-mounted, though brackets may need to be purchased separately.
The Yamaha SR-B40A is better for gaming due to its HDMI connection and dedicated game sound mode. The Sonos Ray is limited by its optical-only connection.
Only the Yamaha SR-B40A supports Dolby Atmos. The Sonos Ray supports basic Dolby Digital.
The Yamaha SR-B40A can be controlled with most TV remotes through HDMI-CEC. The Sonos Ray has IR learning capability for basic functions.
The Sonos Ray typically holds better resale value due to the strong Sonos brand reputation and regular software updates. The Yamaha SR-B40A is too new to assess resale value.
For home theater enthusiasts, the extra $120 for the Yamaha SR-B40A is worth it over the Sonos Ray due to the included subwoofer and Dolby Atmos 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: 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 - crutchfield.com - visions.ca - shop.usa.yamaha.com - bestbuy.com - bestbuy.com - usa.yamaha.com - my.yamaha.com - europe.yamaha.com - adorama.com - usa.yamaha.com - digitalhomecreations.com - europe.yamaha.com - sundownone.com
