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Sonos Ray + Apple TV

  • April 20, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 444 views
C

I just picked up the Sonos Ray on clearance on Best Buy and am aiming to use with the latest Apple TV (4K 128GB 3rd gen) and Samsung TV (65" Q70C QLED 4K UHD Smart Tizen).

 

Sadly, I cannot set the Sonos Ray as the default Audio Output on Apple TV. Each time I power Apple TV on or even evening opening a new app (YouTube TV, Hulu, Netflix, etc), I need to manually select the Sonos Ray as the audio output.

 

once it is manually selected, I am able to change volume and mute without issue using the Apple TV remote, so I do not believe this is a remote issue.

 

Additionally, the Sonos Ray does show up in my Home app and I’m able to play music/audio from my iPhone without issue.

Any advice/suggestion on how to avoid the need to manually set Sonos Ray as the audio output EVERY time on Apple TV?

Best answer by Corry P

HI ​@Chase Peso 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

Sorry to hear of these issues you are having with your Sonos Ray and your Apple TV.

The problem lies with selecting the Ray as the output device in your Apple TV's settings - this is not the correct thing to do, as it will initiate a direct AirPlay connection to the Ray which is not able to carry a surround sound signal. Instead, the output should be set to the TV - the TV will then make up it’s own mind what to do with the audio (which will be to pass it to the Ray via optical, as should happen).

I hope this helps.

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5 replies

bockersjv
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  • bockersjv
  • Local Superstar
  • 2638 replies
  • April 20, 2025

Is the Ray connected via optical to your Samsung TV?

Have you set the Audio out on the TV for each Source?

C
  • Chase Peso
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 2 replies
  • April 20, 2025

Yes, Optical cable to Samsung TV.

I disabled the Samsung TV speakers, forcing all audio to Optical Out (Sonos Ray). Yet, when powering on Apple TV, or Xbox or any other media, it is still defaulted to “TV Speakers” and while it plays the audio itself does play through the Sonos Ray, the volume is uncontrollable via any remote until the Audio Output is manually changed.

N
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  • nik9669a
  • Senior Virtuoso
  • 6212 replies
  • April 20, 2025

Yes, Optical cable to Samsung TV.

I disabled the Samsung TV speakers, forcing all audio to Optical Out (Sonos Ray). Yet, when powering on Apple TV, or Xbox or any other media, it is still defaulted to “TV Speakers” and while it plays the audio itself does play through the Sonos Ray, the volume is uncontrollable via any remote until the Audio Output is manually changed.

Seems you should be asking Apple and Samsung the question? The Ray will simply play whatever is sent to it. 

C
  • Chase Peso
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 2 replies
  • April 20, 2025

This was a waste of time. I’ll just return the unit.

I shouldn’t have tried to save cash with the Ray. Beam seems to be a far better device overall, especially given the earc connectivity.

Corry P
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  • Corry P
  • Sonos Staff
  • 9154 replies
  • Answer
  • April 24, 2025

HI ​@Chase Peso 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

Sorry to hear of these issues you are having with your Sonos Ray and your Apple TV.

The problem lies with selecting the Ray as the output device in your Apple TV's settings - this is not the correct thing to do, as it will initiate a direct AirPlay connection to the Ray which is not able to carry a surround sound signal. Instead, the output should be set to the TV - the TV will then make up it’s own mind what to do with the audio (which will be to pass it to the Ray via optical, as should happen).

I hope this helps.

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein
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