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Choose the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) if your TV has HDMI eARC/ARC, you want Dolby Atmos support and extra listening controls, and its wider body fits your setup. Choose the Sonos Ray if you prefer or need an optical connection, want a shorter bar, and stereo meets your needs. Start by checking your TV’s ports and measuring the available space; Sonos’s recommended TV sizes are guidelines, not guarantees about how a soundbar will perform in a particular room.
At a glance: Beam (Gen 2) vs. Ray
| Decision point | Sonos Ray | Sonos Beam (Gen 2) |
|---|---|---|
| TV connection listed by Sonos | Optical | HDMI eARC/ARC. For a TV with only optical output, Sonos says to use the included optical audio adapter. |
| Audio description | Stereo | Stereo with Dolby Atmos support |
| Dimensions and weight | 21.93 × 3.66 × 2.76 inches; 4.19 lb | 25.63 × 3.94 × 2.68 inches; 6.35 lb |
| Sonos-recommended TV size | Up to 55 inches | Up to 65 inches |
| Documented room and listening controls | Adjustable EQ and Trueplay | Adjustable EQ, Trueplay, Speech Enhancement and Night Sound |
These are manufacturer specifications and feature descriptions from Sonos’s current U.S. comparison page and Beam (Gen 2) fact sheet. Sonos’s TV-size recommendations are not compatibility limits or a measure of room acoustics.
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Check the TV connection before choosing
If your TV has HDMI eARC or ARC
The Beam (Gen 2) connects to an HDMI eARC/ARC port using its included HDMI cable. This is the more direct fit if you want Beam’s Dolby Atmos support, but the soundbar alone cannot guarantee Atmos playback: the TV, content source and connection chain must also support the format. Sonos’s Beam fact sheet notes that some listed home-cinema formats require HDMI eARC.
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If your TV has only optical audio output
The Ray is designed for an optical connection. Beam can also be connected to an optical-only TV with the included Sonos optical audio adapter. Before choosing Beam for advanced audio formats, check which formats your TV and source can pass over that connection; support for a format on the soundbar does not ensure it will be delivered through every setup.
#1 Best Overall
- Enrich your entertainment experience with vibrant bass, crystal clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage.
- Experience a 3D surround sound effect with Dolby Atmos.
- Stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services when the TV is off.
- Control with the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and your voice.
- Effortless setup with only two cables and smart Trueplay tuning.
Measure the space where the bar will go
Ray is 21.93 inches wide, while Beam (Gen 2) is 25.63 inches wide—a 3.70-inch difference. Ray is lighter at 4.19 lb compared with Beam’s 6.35 lb. Beam is also slightly shorter in height: 2.68 inches versus Ray’s 2.76 inches. These are Sonos-listed dimensions and weights.
Measure the clear width and height of the TV stand, shelf or mounting location, and account for nearby objects and the TV’s own stand. Sonos recommends Ray for TVs up to 55 inches and Beam (Gen 2) for TVs up to 65 inches. Treat those figures as rough manufacturer guidance: the TV’s diagonal size alone does not establish whether a bar fits the furniture or suits the room.
Rank #2
- Enrich your entertainment experience with vibrant bass, crystal clear dialogue, and a panoramic soundstage.
- Experience a 3D surround sound effect with Dolby Atmos.
- Stream music, radio, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services when the TV is off.
- Control with the Sonos app, your TV remote, Apple AirPlay 2, and your voice.
- Effortless setup with only two cables and smart Trueplay tuning.
What Beam’s extra features do
Dolby Atmos support
Sonos describes Beam (Gen 2) as stereo with Dolby Atmos support, while it describes Ray as stereo. Atmos is a reason to consider Beam if the rest of your equipment and content support it; it is not a promise that every program or TV connection will play in Atmos.
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Speech Enhancement and Night Sound
Sonos says Speech Enhancement boosts voice frequencies to clarify dialogue. Night Sound reduces the intensity of loud sounds while raising quieter ones. These controls may suit households that often watch dialogue-heavy programs or keep the volume down late at night. They are feature descriptions, not independent test results comparing the two bars.
Rank #3
- Take your TV, music, and gaming to the next level with this compact smart soundbar and subwoofer.
- This set is ideal for smaller or medium-sized rooms and low to moderate volume levels.
- Use the Sonos app to easily set up your home theater system and sync with your existing TV remote.
- Sub Mini balances out the lowest frequencies so Beam sounds even better.
- When the TV is off, stream music and more over WiFi from hundreds of services using the Sonos app, your voice, and Apple AirPlay 2.
Trueplay room tuning
Sonos lists Trueplay for both models. Its Beam fact sheet says the software measures room acoustics and fine-tunes the soundbar; using Trueplay requires a supported iOS device. If room tuning is important to your decision, confirm current app and device compatibility before buying.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which one should you choose?
Choose Beam (Gen 2) if
- Your TV has HDMI eARC/ARC, or you are prepared to use the included optical adapter with an optical-only TV.
- You want Dolby Atmos support and understand that playback also depends on the TV, source and connection.
- You will use Speech Enhancement, Night Sound or Trueplay and have a supported iOS device for Trueplay.
- The additional width and weight work for your stand, shelf or mounting location.
Choose Ray if
- An optical connection suits your TV setup.
- You prefer its shorter body or need a bar that fits a narrower space.
- Stereo meets your needs and Beam’s documented additional controls are not a priority.
Sonos’s published specifications establish differences in connections, dimensions and features, but do not establish that either bar sounds better in a particular room. Choose based on your TV, fit and desired controls rather than assuming a smaller soundbar is automatically better for a small room.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- HEAR YOUR TV BETTER: Designed with simplicity in mind, the Bose TV Speaker is an all-in-one soundbar that clarifies speech and is a simple fix for better TV sound
- WIDE, NATURAL SOUND: 2 angled full-range drivers deliver a more realistic, spatial audio experience for overall better TV sound from a small soundbar
- ENHANCED DIALOGUE: This sound bar for smart tv is designed to specifically focus on clarifying and elevating vocals and pronunciation
- BLUETOOTH TV SPEAKER: Pair your device to this Bluetooth soundbar to wirelessly stream your favorite music and podcasts. Connect up to 3 devices through the inputs (HDMI, Optical in, and AUX in); the first powered on device will automatically connect
- SIMPLE SETUP: A single connection from this compact soundbar to the TV via an optical audio cable (included) or an HDMI cable (sold separately) has you up and running in minutes
Rank #4
- 【𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭】: Elevate faint sounds to vibrant with automatic loudness boost. Experience immersive sound through 4 versatile placements—horizontal for distortion-free audio, vertical for room-filling sound, tabletop for vibrant clarity, or wall mount for 360° cinematic magic. Transforms your room into a personal theater.
- 【𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨】: Powered by 4 high-performance drivers, 80W powerful sound output, it provide richer details, like soft whisper or subtle croon, whether deep thunder or sonorous roar, turn flat audioto vivid, adding weight to music, making the virtual game experience immersive.
- 【𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝】: Fine-tune your listening experience with 3 dynamic equalizer modes—movie, music, and news. Enjoy rich, cinematic audio, luxurious melodies, and crystal-clear dialogue, tailored to enhance every scene and soundtrack. Spreading the audio evenly throughout a room, ensures that everyone, regardless of seating position, experiences the full range of sound.
- 【𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐔𝐬𝐞】: Enjoy seamless setup with cutting-edge Bluetooth 5.0 or reliable ARC, OPT, and AUX connections. In ARC mode, control your soundbar with ease using your TV remote, guided by our easy-to-follow instructions and video tutorials.
- 【𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭】: Your satisfaction is our top priority. Enjoy peace of mind with our 18-month warranty and 24/7 online tech support. Our 60-day hassle-free replacement policy, with top-tier assistance whenever you need it.
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