Choosing the Right Soundbar: Simple Elegance vs. Complete Theater Experience

When I first started reviewing soundbars five years ago, the category seemed straightforward—anything would sound better than built-in TV speakers. But as I've tested dozens of models since then, I've realized that choosing the right soundbar involves understanding your specific needs, room setup, and entertainment habits. Today, I'm comparing two fundamentally different approaches to better TV audio: the Sonos Ray, which launched in 2022 as a minimalist solution, and the LG S70TR, released in 2024 as part of LG's push toward complete home theater systems.

Understanding Modern Soundbar Categories

The soundbar market has evolved dramatically over the past few years. What started as simple speaker bars has branched into distinct categories serving different user needs. At one end, you have compact stereo soundbars designed for simplicity and space efficiency. At the other, you'll find complete surround sound systems that rival traditional home theater setups while maintaining the convenience of wireless connectivity.

The most important factors when choosing a soundbar haven't changed much: dialogue clarity remains paramount since most people buy soundbars because they can't hear conversations clearly through TV speakers. However, secondary considerations like bass response, surround sound capabilities, gaming features, and smart home integration have become increasingly important as our entertainment habits evolve.

Room acoustics play a crucial role that many buyers overlook. A soundbar's performance can vary dramatically between a small bedroom and a large living room with high ceilings. Similarly, your content preferences matter enormously—someone who primarily watches news and sitcoms has very different needs than someone who enjoys action movies and plays video games.

The Minimalist Approach: Sonos Ray

The Sonos Ray represents Sonos's entry-level offering, but don't let that designation fool you. Released in 2022, it embodies the company's philosophy of elegant simplicity and seamless integration. At roughly half the price of premium soundbars at the time of writing, the Ray focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well rather than trying to be everything to everyone.

What strikes me most about the Sonos Ray is its commitment to dialogue clarity. The Speech Enhancement technology specifically targets the 1-4 kHz frequency range where human voices naturally sit. This isn't just marketing speak—when I tested it with everything from news broadcasts to dense drama series, conversations remained crystal clear even at lower volumes. The soundbar uses dedicated processing to boost these critical frequencies while preventing harsh sibilance that can make voices sound sharp or unnatural.

The compact form factor proves surprisingly effective. Measuring just over two feet wide, the Ray fits comfortably under most TVs without overwhelming smaller entertainment centers. The acoustic design uses forward-firing drivers that minimize interference from nearby surfaces—a smart approach for TV stand placement where many soundbars struggle with reflections.

However, the Sonos Ray's limitations become apparent when you crave more bass or spatial audio effects. The internal drivers, while well-tuned, simply cannot move enough air to produce the room-filling low-end that makes action movies exciting. There's no subwoofer connection option, and the stereo-only configuration means surround sound content gets downmixed to two channels.

The Sonos ecosystem integration remains a compelling advantage. If you already own Sonos speakers or plan to build a multi-room system, the Ray connects wirelessly and can play in sync with other Sonos devices throughout your home. The Trueplay room correction feature, available through iOS devices, actually measures your room's acoustics and adjusts the sound accordingly—a sophisticated feature typically found on much more expensive systems.

The Complete Theater Experience: LG S70TR

The LG S70TR, launched in 2024, takes an entirely different approach. This isn't just a soundbar—it's a complete 5.1.1 channel home theater system that includes a wireless subwoofer and rear speakers. The ".1" in the middle indicates the dedicated subwoofer, while the final "1" represents the up-firing drivers that create overhead sound effects for Dolby Atmos content.

The difference in bass response between the S70TR and simpler soundbars is immediately apparent. The wireless subwoofer features a 7-inch front-firing driver supplemented by a 3-inch rear port, powered by a substantial 220-watt amplifier. This isn't subtle bass enhancement—it's room-shaking low-end that can reproduce the rumble of explosions and the deep thump of electronic music. The subwoofer connects wirelessly, so you can position it optimally for your room without running cables.

The surround sound capabilities truly set the LG S70TR apart. The included rear speakers create authentic surround effects by physically placing sound sources behind your listening position. When a helicopter flies overhead in a movie, you hear it move from front to back rather than just imagining the movement. The up-firing center channel, combined with Dolby Atmos processing, adds a height dimension that makes explosions feel like they're happening above you.

LG's AI Sound Pro technology represents the kind of smart processing that's becoming standard in premium soundbars. The system analyzes incoming audio in real-time and adjusts the sound balance automatically. When it detects dialogue-heavy content, it reduces bass to prevent voices from being overwhelmed. During action sequences, it opens up the dynamic range to maximize impact.

For LG TV owners, the WOW Orchestra feature creates something unique in the soundbar world. Instead of replacing your TV's speakers, it coordinates them with the S70TR to create an expanded soundstage. Your TV's built-in speakers handle upper frequencies and ambient effects while the soundbar system manages dialogue and bass. It's an elegant solution that maximizes the audio hardware you already own.

Performance Deep Dive: Where It Really Matters

Dialogue Clarity: The Foundation of Good TV Audio

Both soundbars excel at dialogue reproduction, but through different approaches. The Sonos Ray uses precise frequency shaping to ensure voices cut through background music and sound effects. During my testing with dialogue-heavy shows like "The West Wing," every conversation remained intelligible even during walking-and-talking scenes where the audio mix can become challenging.

The LG S70TR takes a more comprehensive approach with its Clear Voice Plus technology. The dedicated center channel means vocals get their own dedicated driver, isolated from left and right channel effects. The up-firing design helps project voices directly toward the listening area rather than bouncing off surfaces. In practice, this means better dialogue clarity from more seating positions—important if you have a couch rather than a single viewing chair.

Bass Response: Feeling the Impact

This is where the fundamental difference between these products becomes most apparent. The Sonos Ray produces adequate bass for its size, but physics imposes real limitations on what small drivers can achieve. You'll hear bass lines in music and some impact from movie sound effects, but you won't feel the rumble that makes action scenes exciting.

The S70TR's dedicated subwoofer changes everything. The 220-watt amplification and 7-inch driver can reproduce frequencies down to about 35Hz—low enough to handle most movie sound effects and music with authority. The wireless design lets you experiment with subwoofer placement to find the optimal spot for your room's acoustics, which can make a dramatic difference in bass quality.

Surround Sound: Immersion vs. Simulation

Here's where these products serve completely different audiences. The Sonos Ray cannot produce true surround sound—it's physically impossible with a single soundbar. While some processing can create the illusion of width and spatial effects, you're essentially getting very good stereo sound.

The LG S70TR delivers authentic 5.1.1 surround sound through physical speaker placement. The rear speakers create genuine surround effects that work regardless of your room's acoustics or seating position. The Dolby Atmos support adds overhead effects through up-firing drivers that bounce sound off your ceiling. When it works well—and it usually does in rooms with standard ceiling heights—the effect is genuinely immersive.

Gaming Performance: The Modern Consideration

Gaming audio has become increasingly important as consoles support advanced audio formats and high refresh rates. The Sonos Ray, with its optical-only connection, provides basic stereo gaming audio without any special optimizations.

The LG S70TR includes dedicated gaming features that matter for serious players. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) support ensure smooth, responsive gameplay with modern consoles. The HDMI eARC connection provides full bandwidth for uncompressed gaming audio, and the dedicated Game mode EQ setting optimizes the sound profile for competitive gaming where directional audio cues matter.

Setup and Living With These Systems

The Sonos Ray exemplifies plug-and-play simplicity. You connect the power cable and optical audio cable, download the Sonos app, and you're playing music or improving your TV audio within minutes. The system even works with your existing TV remote through CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) protocols, so volume adjustment feels natural.

The LG S70TR requires more initial investment in setup time. You'll need to position five separate components: the main soundbar, subwoofer, and two rear speakers, plus find power outlets for each wireless component. The rear speakers need optimal placement for effective surround sound, which might require some furniture rearrangement or creative cable management.

However, once properly set up, both systems integrate well into daily life. The Ray disappears into your routine—it simply makes TV audio better without requiring any thought. The S70TR offers more control and customization through its app and remote, but the complexity only emerges when you want to fine-tune the experience.

Value Analysis: What You Get for Your Money

At the time of writing, the Sonos Ray represents exceptional value for buyers seeking clear dialogue and music playback without complexity. You're paying for refined tuning, excellent build quality, and ecosystem integration rather than raw features or power. For secondary TV installations or smaller rooms, this focused approach delivers exactly what most people need.

The LG S70TR costs significantly more but provides a complete home theater transformation. You're getting four additional speakers (subwoofer and two rears) plus advanced processing and gaming features. When you consider that a decent standalone subwoofer often costs half the Ray's price, the S70TR offers substantial value for buyers wanting comprehensive audio improvement.

The price difference reflects different product philosophies entirely. The Ray optimizes for simplicity and integration within a specific ecosystem, while the S70TR maximizes performance and features for buyers willing to handle additional complexity.

Making the Right Choice for Your Situation

Choose the Sonos Ray if you prioritize simplicity above all else. It's perfect for bedrooms, offices, or any secondary TV location where you want better audio without complexity. The dialogue clarity alone justifies the investment for most TV watching, and the Sonos ecosystem integration provides a clear upgrade path if you decide to expand your audio system later.

The Ray also makes sense for renters or anyone who moves frequently. The simple setup and compact footprint make it easy to pack up and reinstall in a new space. If your entertainment consists primarily of TV shows, news, and dialogue-heavy content, the Ray will exceed your expectations.

Choose the LG S70TR if you want a true home theater experience with room-filling bass and surround sound. This system transforms movie watching and gaming into more immersive experiences. The gaming features alone justify the investment for console players, and the comprehensive connectivity ensures compatibility with current and future devices.

The S70TR works best in dedicated entertainment spaces where you can optimize component placement and don't mind the additional complexity. If you regularly watch action movies, play video games, or listen to bass-heavy music, the performance improvement over basic soundbars is substantial enough to justify the higher investment.

Both products succeed at their intended purposes, but they serve fundamentally different needs. The Sonos Ray perfects the simple soundbar concept with elegant execution and ecosystem integration. The LG S70TR provides the complete home theater experience with true surround sound and comprehensive features. Your choice depends on whether you value simplicity or comprehensiveness—and both approaches have their place in modern home entertainment.

Sonos Ray Soundbar Deals and Prices

LG S70TR 5.1.1 Channel Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and WOW Orchestra Soundbar Deals and Prices