Head-to-head

Sonos Ray vs Sonos Arc Ultra vs Vizio V-Series 2.1

Sonos Ray

8.7 $219

Sonos Arc Ultra

9.4 $1,099

Vizio V-Series 2.1

8.6 $180

Verdict

Sonos Ray

The small-room pick. At 22 inches it tucks under a modest TV and delivers the crisp, forward dialogue most people want, at volumes that won't carry through walls. It's optical-only, so no HDMI or Atmos and bass is light, but for an apartment those are the right trade-offs.

Sonos Arc Ultra

The best single bar most people can buy. A SoundMotion woofer brings real bass without a sub, upfiring drivers throw convincing Atmos, and Speech Enhancement keeps dialogue clear from any seat. It costs as much as some full systems, but as one bar nothing beats it.

Vizio V-Series 2.1

The biggest upgrade per dollar. Under $200 buys a bar and a wireless subwoofer, and real low end is the single biggest jump over thin TV speakers, with every cable in the box. The sub can get boomy and there's no Atmos, but nothing this cheap improves TV sound more.

Best for

Sonos Ray

Small rooms, bedrooms, and apartments: a compact, genuinely good-sounding bar that won't disturb neighbors and starts a Sonos system.

Sonos Arc Ultra

People who want the best one-bar sound and dialogue clarity without boxes of extra speakers, and who may add a Sonos sub or rears later.

Vizio V-Series 2.1

Anyone upgrading from TV speakers on a tight budget who wants a clear, bassier 2.1 setup with a wireless sub for under $200.

Avoid if

Sonos Ray

You want big bass or Atmos — the Ray has no subwoofer out and no height channels; choose the Beam or a 2.1 bundle if bass matters.

Sonos Arc Ultra

You want a bundled subwoofer and rear speakers in the box — the Arc Ultra is a standalone bar, and a true 5.1.4 system like the Samsung delivers more for movie nights.

Vizio V-Series 2.1

You want Dolby Atmos height or true rear surround — at this price those aren't on the table; step up to the Vizio Elevate for a full system.

Score breakdown

fit

Sonos Ray

8.8

Sonos Arc

9.4

Vizio V-Se

8.6

ease

Sonos Ray

9.0

Sonos Arc

9.3

Vizio V-Se

8.7

value

Sonos Ray

8.8

Sonos Arc

8.1

Vizio V-Se

9.3

quality

Sonos Ray

8.4

Sonos Arc

9.5

Vizio V-Se

8.1

Specs

size

22 x 3.5 x 2.8 in; 4.3 lb; black/white

—

~36in bar; compact sub

type

Compact 2.0 soundbar (no sub, no Atmos)

Premium standalone Atmos soundbar (single bar)

—

price

~$219 (MSRP $279)

$999

~$180 (list $200)

drivers

2 tweeters + 2 midwoofers; forward-firing

14-driver array with SoundMotion woofer

2 bar drivers + wireless sub woofer

formats

Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS Digital Surround (no Atmos)

—

DTS Virtual:X (virtual surround); Dolby Audio (no Atmos)

features

Sonos app, Trueplay tuning (iPhone), IR remote learning

Trueplay tuning, touch controls, voice assistant

—

expandable

Add Sonos Sub + rears later

Add Sub 4 + Era 300 rears (sold separately)

—

connectivity

Optical in + Ethernet; Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 (no HDMI, no Bluetooth)

HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2

HDMI ARC, optical, USB, aux, Bluetooth 5.0

atmos

—

9.1.4 virtual Dolby Atmos

—

setup

—

Simple; Sonos app

—

in box

—

All cables + wall-mount brackets included

system

—

2.1 - soundbar + wireless subwoofer

tuning

—

EQ presets, bass/treble, dialogue + night modes

Buy →Buy →Buy →

	Sonos Ray	Sonos Arc Ultra	Vizio V-Series 2.1
Score	8.7	9.4	8.6
Price	$219	$1,099	$180
Verdict	The small-room pick. At 22 inches it tucks under a modest TV and delivers the crisp, forward dialogue most people want, at volumes that won't carry through walls. It's optical-only, so no HDMI or Atmos and bass is light, but for an apartment those are the right trade-offs.	The best single bar most people can buy. A SoundMotion woofer brings real bass without a sub, upfiring drivers throw convincing Atmos, and Speech Enhancement keeps dialogue clear from any seat. It costs as much as some full systems, but as one bar nothing beats it.	The biggest upgrade per dollar. Under $200 buys a bar and a wireless subwoofer, and real low end is the single biggest jump over thin TV speakers, with every cable in the box. The sub can get boomy and there's no Atmos, but nothing this cheap improves TV sound more.
Best for	Small rooms, bedrooms, and apartments: a compact, genuinely good-sounding bar that won't disturb neighbors and starts a Sonos system.	People who want the best one-bar sound and dialogue clarity without boxes of extra speakers, and who may add a Sonos sub or rears later.	Anyone upgrading from TV speakers on a tight budget who wants a clear, bassier 2.1 setup with a wireless sub for under $200.
Avoid if	You want big bass or Atmos — the Ray has no subwoofer out and no height channels; choose the Beam or a 2.1 bundle if bass matters.	You want a bundled subwoofer and rear speakers in the box — the Arc Ultra is a standalone bar, and a true 5.1.4 system like the Samsung delivers more for movie nights.	You want Dolby Atmos height or true rear surround — at this price those aren't on the table; step up to the Vizio Elevate for a full system.
Score breakdown
fit	8.8	9.4	8.6
ease	9.0	9.3	8.7
value	8.8	8.1	9.3
quality	8.4	9.5	8.1
Specs
size	22 x 3.5 x 2.8 in; 4.3 lb; black/white	—	~36in bar; compact sub
type	Compact 2.0 soundbar (no sub, no Atmos)	Premium standalone Atmos soundbar (single bar)	—
price	~$219 (MSRP $279)	$999	~$180 (list $200)
drivers	2 tweeters + 2 midwoofers; forward-firing	14-driver array with SoundMotion woofer	2 bar drivers + wireless sub woofer
formats	Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS Digital Surround (no Atmos)	—	DTS Virtual:X (virtual surround); Dolby Audio (no Atmos)
features	Sonos app, Trueplay tuning (iPhone), IR remote learning	Trueplay tuning, touch controls, voice assistant	—
expandable	Add Sonos Sub + rears later	Add Sub 4 + Era 300 rears (sold separately)	—
connectivity	Optical in + Ethernet; Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 (no HDMI, no Bluetooth)	HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2	HDMI ARC, optical, USB, aux, Bluetooth 5.0
atmos	—	9.1.4 virtual Dolby Atmos	—
setup	—	Simple; Sonos app	—
in box	—	—	All cables + wall-mount brackets included
system	—	—	2.1 - soundbar + wireless subwoofer
tuning	—	—	EQ presets, bass/treble, dialogue + night modes
	Buy →	Buy →	Buy →

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