loading
reading
writing
saving
searching
Like new Sonos Ray Soundbar - $175 (Chula Vista)
QR Code Link to This Post
By Matt Bolton — June 25, 2025
Most of us have been here before: you’ve got a TV that still looks great, but the sound is weak, voices aren’t clear, and the built-in apps feel sluggish. This isn’t just an issue with older sets—many affordable new TVs have the same problems.
Fixing the software is simple with a streaming stick, but the bigger upgrade is a soundbar. The catch? Many soundbars use HDMI ARC, and older or budget TVs don’t always have enough HDMI ports to spare. Even when they do, one of those ports often doubles as the ARC connection, leaving you with fewer inputs for 4K players, consoles, or streamers.
That’s exactly the problem I faced with my Sony XE90/X900E. It has four HDMI ports, but only two support 4K video, and one of those is the ARC port. I didn’t want to waste it on a soundbar. Enter the Sonos Ray, which sidesteps the issue entirely by using an optical digital connection—a port nearly every TV has, no matter how old.
Why the Sonos Ray Stands Out
Plenty of soundbars support optical audio, but they come with a headache: remote control. Normally, optical connections don’t carry volume commands, meaning you’d need to juggle multiple remotes or dive into clunky “remote learning” menus.
Sonos fixed that. During setup, the Ray automatically learns your TV’s remote commands—you just point and click once, and from then on, your TV remote controls the soundbar volume seamlessly. No extra steps, no extra remotes.
How It Sounds
For something compact enough to fit under a 24-inch TV, the Ray delivers a surprisingly big sound. Speech comes through clearly, music is full, and action scenes have more punch than you’d expect from a small, budget-friendly speaker. On my 55-inch TV, it sounds plenty powerful.
Yes, you miss out on Dolby Atmos and uncompressed Blu-ray audio with an optical connection, but if you’re upgrading a budget or older TV, those likely aren’t your priorities. The Ray nails what matters most: better dialogue, louder sound, and a hassle-free setup that leaves your HDMI ports free.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve been frustrated by bad TV sound but don’t want to sacrifice HDMI ports or wrestle with multiple remotes, the Sonos Ray is a perfect solution. It’s affordable, cleverly designed, and makes upgrading older or cheaper TVs refreshingly easy.