Light Ray

Sonos Ray soundbar

Here’s a far smaller soundbar solution than those so far, and more affordable too, at just $399. And yet it’s a Sonos, from the company that gained a massive first-to-market advantage in the whole genre of streaming and multiroom audio. As a result of this and the ‘Apple-like’ design of its elegantly-crafted but pricey speakers, the brand has an aspirational cachet that attracts many users. We find that their sound can sometimes be more populist than really hi-fi quality in general, but we do acknowledge that the Sonos wireless system is a leader in terms of robust and reliable connection, and for that combination of qualities we’re unlikely to steer anyone away from the brand.

But now here’s a rather less pricey Sonos ticket, and for a soundbar too, just $399. If successful, we