Sonos Ace: Can These Headphones Finally Conquer the Wireless Audio Throne?
Sonos. The name itself conjures images of seamless multi-room audio and meticulously crafted speakers. But headphones? That’s a different ballgame, and the Sonos Ace is their ambitious attempt to redefine the wireless audio landscape. Entering a market dominated by giants like Sony and Bose, the Ace needs to bring more than just the Sonos name to the table. Do they deliver? Let’s dive in.
From the moment you unbox the Ace, it’s clear that Sonos has prioritized design. The earcups boast a sleek, minimalist aesthetic with premium materials. The matte finish feels luxurious, and the stainless-steel headband slider offers satisfyingly smooth adjustments. While the overall look is undeniably sophisticated, the headband’s curve may not be universally flattering, and some may find the aesthetic a tad too understated. The earcups also rotate flat, making them relatively easy to stow away.
Performance-wise, the Ace delivers a sound signature that is distinctly Sonos – balanced, clear, and articulate. The bass is present but not overpowering, allowing the mids and highs to shine. Detail retrieval is excellent, making these headphones suitable for critical listening. While they may not offer the bass-heavy punch that some users crave, the neutrality is refreshing and allows you to hear music as the artist intended. The active noise cancellation (ANC) is effective at blocking out ambient noise, though it doesn’t quite reach the gold standard set by Sony or Bose. In particularly noisy environments, some degree of external sound can still bleed through.
Beyond audio quality, the Ace boasts a compelling feature set. The USB-C wired connection supports lossless audio, a welcome addition for audiophiles. The “Wear Detection” which automatically pauses and resumes music playback when you take the headphones off or put them on is smooth and reliable. The spatial audio capabilities are impressive, creating a more immersive listening experience with compatible content. However, the integration with the Sonos ecosystem, while promising, feels somewhat limited at launch. Future software updates will likely expand the capabilities in this area.
Battery life is solid, offering up to 30 hours of listening with ANC enabled. A quick three-minute charge provides up to three hours of playback. While this is commendable, a full charge can take a considerable amount of time. The call quality is clear and crisp, with effective noise reduction ensuring that your voice is easily heard during phone calls. The controls are intuitive and easy to use, thanks to the physical buttons located on the right earcup.
The price point of the Sonos Ace places them firmly in the premium headphone category. While the performance, design, and feature set are impressive, the competition is fierce. Ultimately, the value proposition depends on your priorities. If you’re deeply invested in the Sonos ecosystem and value a balanced, high-fidelity sound signature, the Ace is a compelling option. However, if you’re primarily looking for the absolute best noise cancellation or prefer a more bass-heavy sound, other options might be more suitable. The Ace’s sleek build does feel more plasticky than other similarly priced headsets.
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Sonos Ace Headphones Quick Summary
Key Scores:
- Value: 93%
- Design: 92%
- Performance: 91%
- Quality: 90%
- Popularity: 89%
Top Pros
- ✅ The sound signature is balanced, clear, and articulate, well-suited for critical listening.
- ✅ The design is sleek and minimalist with premium materials and a luxurious feel.
- ✅ Active noise cancellation is effective at blocking out most ambient sounds.
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Key Cons
- ❌ The ANC is not the best in the industry and some external noise leaks through.
- ❌ The integration with the Sonos ecosystem is limited and needs improvement.
- ❌ The headband’s curve may not be universally flattering for all users.
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