Initial setup is simple: connect the two corresponding cables and open the Sonos app on an Android or iOS device. In my case, I used an iPhone, and the process took several minutes, in which the bar made a sound for the app to identify it and connect it to the Wi-Fi network.
Then it was enough to turn on the television to which it was connected, select the external audio option and configure its remote control to control the volume of the bar, in my case, via infrared. On iOS devices there is a function called “Trueplay” which is a Sonos technology that measures the acoustics of the room in which the speaker is to adapt it to it, and that takes a couple of extra minutes to perform the measurements with the speaker. iPhone microphone.
At that point I could already hear the audio from the TV very clearly and with very good audio, but from there I was able to explore the rest of the possibilities offered by this bar, and what differentiates it from similar products. Before talking about audio quality, it is worth clarifying that the capabilities of the Sonos ecosystem are the same with the Sonos Ray.
As with the brand’s other speakers, the app allows you to manage different audio sources, via Wi-Fi, from Spotify or YouTube Music to radio stations from around the world, as well as having the option of adding more speakers to create a surround system, for example.
But once we zeroed in on the sound of this bar, we found that it provides very good audio for both movies and music. The best test is to watch or listen to content that we are already familiar with, so that we can perceive the differences. But even with new movies or music we don’t know about, it’s easy to tell the quality of the Sonos Ray.
In music, depending on the genre, the instruments are clearly appreciated, the stereo effect is heard and, surprisingly for a bar, the bass tones stand out without distorting.
When watching TV programs, the audio is clear and powerful, and without being a surround system, it manages to handle the effects of sounds going from one side to another, in action movies or in scenes that use them. Although not in many cases it was necessary to use it, the Sonos app offers an option called “speech enhancement” that highlights the voices -making them a little higher- and another called “night sound”, which is designed for when you watch TV at night and you want to avoid very loud sounds.
With the same app you have access to a bass and treble equalizer and to the “Trueplay” function described above. The bar has its speakers and components directed to the front, and at the top it has touch controls for volume and play/pause/forward, as well as an LED indicator that activates when the sound of the TV is muted.
Sonos Ray price in Mexico
The Sonos Ray works great in a small living room or bedroom, and enhances the “old” or new TV experience when looking for quality audio other than surround formats like Dolby Atmos.
The difference with the bar that follows, the Sonos Beam, is voice control, a couple more speakers that give it more power, and more advanced audio formats.
And of course, the price, approximately five thousand pesos extra. However, the Sonos Ray maintains, in addition to all the software features, support for Apple’s Airplay 2 format, and an Ethernet network connector. The official price in Mexico is $6,000 pesos and will be available in black and white colors from June 7.