Sony STRDH190
Score: 68/100
Sonos RAYG1US1BLK
Score: 66/100Rankings
The Sony STR-DH190 is a compact 2-channel stereo receiver delivering 100 W per channel with a built-in phono preamp and Bluetooth receive-only streaming. It targets vinyl enthusiasts and casual listeners who value analog sound quality and a sturdy, low-profile design.
The Sonos Ray is a compact 2.0 soundbar that delivers clear dialogue and balanced music, integrating smoothly with the Sonos ecosystem via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and AirPlay 2. Its small footprint and easy setup suit small rooms, but the lack of HDMI, Dolby Atmos, and deep bass limit home-theater capabilities.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
100 wattsbest | — | |
2best | 2best | |
| ↓ lower better | 7.756 kg | 1.95 kgbest |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest | |
1 countbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Physical Specs(1) | ||
Weight (kg) | 7.756 kg | 1.95 kg |
Audio Performance(1) | ||
Supported Audio Formats | WMA | Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS Digital Surround |
Design & Build(1) | ||
Finish | Black | Matte |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the STR-DH190 for its solid build, reinforced chassis, and clear analog performance, noting the phono stage as a strong point for vinyl users while the lack of digital inputs is seen as a deliberate strength for analog-focused setups.
Everyday users consistently rate the receiver highly for sound quality and ease of use, especially appreciating the built-in phono input and stable Bluetooth streaming, though they miss digital inputs and wish Bluetooth could transmit.
Professional reviewers commend the Ray for its compact footprint, clear and balanced sound, and effortless integration into the Sonos ecosystem, noting it as a solid upgrade over built-in TV speakers. However, they criticize the absence of HDMI, Dolby Atmos, and deep bass.
Everyday users appreciate the Ray's noticeable improvement over TV speakers, easy app-based setup, and sleek look, especially when paired with existing Sonos gear. Common complaints focus on the missing HDMI connection, weak bass that often requires a separate Sub, and the lack of built-in voice assistants or Bluetooth for direct phone playback.
“Great sound quality and the phono input works perfectly with my turntable.”
“I wish it had HDMI or optical inputs for my TV.”
“The remote is handy, but the front display is hard to read in low light.”
