STATE OF RAY Sonos Ray

The smallest and cheapest Sonos soundbar will appeal to many, but does it best the competition?

Sonos already has two very successful soundbars, the Beam and the Arc. The Ray slots in beneath those, becoming the most affordable and least complicated soundbar in the burgeoning Sonos line-up. But the Ray will compete in arguably an even more keenly contested sector of the market than its stable mates.

The Ray is a compact, mildly horn-shaped soundbar, nicely built and finished in the established Sonos manner. Although it's small enough to be a realistic option for screens of as little as 40 inches, its height of over 70mm means it may well foul the bottom of any low-sitting television screen. There's a cost-option wall-bracket available though, and the Ray is perfectly happy to sit on a middle shelf.