Overview
The Beam Gen2 and Ray are Sonos's compact soundbar options, but they're not as close as the price gap suggests. The Beam Gen2 has 5 drivers including a dedicated tweeter, supports Dolby Atmos (virtually processed, not true upfiring), and connects via HDMI eARC. The Ray has 4 drivers, no Atmos support, and uses an optical connection. That last point matters: optical can't pass Dolby Atmos or lossless audio formats.
In practice, the Beam Gen2 sounds noticeably wider and more detailed than the Ray. The Ray is surprisingly capable for its size -- dialogue is clear and it fills a small room adequately -- but it lacks the spaciousness that makes the Beam Gen2 feel like a real upgrade over TV speakers. The Beam Gen2 also has a center tweeter that anchors dialogue better in movies.
The Ray costs $279 and the Beam Gen2 runs $449. That $170 difference is the real question. If you're putting a soundbar in a bedroom or small den and mainly watch TV shows, the Ray does the job. If this is your main living room system and you care about movie audio, the Beam Gen2 is worth stretching for.
Key Differences
| Feature | Beam Gen2 | Ray |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers | 5 (incl. center tweeter) | 4 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes (virtual) | No |
| Connection | HDMI eARC | Optical |
| Voice assistant | Alexa + Google | Alexa + Google |
| Room size | 50-200 sq ft | 50-150 sq ft |
| Expandable to surround | Yes (Era 100/300 + Sub) | Yes (Era 100/300 + Sub) |
| AirPlay 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $449 | $279 |
Best For
Buy the Beam Gen2 if: This is your primary TV soundbar and you watch movies regularly. You want Dolby Atmos support, even if it's virtual rather than true height channels. Your TV has HDMI eARC (most TVs from 2020+). You might add a Sub Mini and surrounds later.
Buy the Ray if: You need a soundbar for a secondary TV -- a bedroom, guest room, or kids' room. You mostly watch news, sports, or TV shows where Atmos doesn't matter. Your budget is firm at under $300 and you want the best option in that range. Your TV only has optical out.
Skip If
Don't buy the Beam Gen2 if: Your room is over 200 sq ft. The Beam runs out of headroom in larger spaces. Step up to the Arc or Arc Ultra instead of cranking a Beam to its limits.
Don't buy the Ray if: You're going to be frustrated by the lack of Atmos in six months. If you're the kind of person who reads comparison guides, you probably care enough about audio to spend the extra $170. The Ray is best for people who just want "better than TV speakers" and nothing more.
Skip both if: Your room is over 250 sq ft. Neither of these compact bars can fill a large living room properly. You need an Arc-class soundbar for that.
Verdict
The Beam Gen2 is the better soundbar by a clear margin. Atmos support, HDMI eARC, and better driver configuration make it the right choice for anyone who takes their TV audio seriously. The Ray exists for secondary rooms and tight budgets -- it's a perfectly fine product, just don't mistake it for a cheaper Beam.
Buy Beam Gen2 from Velora -> Buy Ray from Velora ->