Sonos Ace: The Audiophile’s New Travel Companion?
Sonos. The name alone conjures images of meticulously crafted multi-room audio systems. For years, they’ve dominated the wireless speaker landscape. But until now, a crucial piece of the puzzle was missing: headphones. Enter the Sonos Ace, the company’s highly anticipated foray into the personal audio arena. Do they live up to the Sonos pedigree? Or are they just another pair of premium headphones in an already crowded market?
The first thing you’ll notice about the Ace is its understated elegance. Available in black and white (with other colors to come), the design is minimalist, almost austere. The plush memory foam earcups are wrapped in vegan leather and feel incredibly comfortable, even during extended listening sessions. The headband is equally well-padded, and the overall build quality exudes premium. The matte finish resists fingerprints nicely, a welcome change from the glossy plastic found on some competitors. Controls are intuitive, featuring a simple slider for volume and a button for playback and call management.
Sonos knows sound, and the Ace delivers. The custom-designed 40mm drivers provide a balanced and detailed sonic profile. Bass is present but not overpowering, midrange is clear and articulate, and highs are crisp without being harsh. The headphones excel at reproducing a wide range of genres, from classical to hip-hop, with impressive clarity. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is robust, effectively silencing ambient noise like airplane engines and office chatter. Transparency mode, which allows you to hear your surroundings, is also well-implemented, providing a natural-sounding awareness.
Beyond sound quality, the Ace packs a few tricks up its sleeve. Head tracking spatial audio, using technology similar to Apple’s Spatial Audio, creates an immersive listening experience. While impressive with certain tracks, its effectiveness varies depending on the source material. Sonos also promises TV audio swapping, allowing you to seamlessly switch the audio from your Sonos soundbar to your Ace headphones. This feature, however, is currently limited to Sonos Arc soundbars and is expected to expand to other Sonos products over time. Battery life is solid, offering up to 30 hours of listening with ANC enabled. Rapid charging provides a quick boost, adding several hours of playback time with just a few minutes of charging.
However, the Ace isn’t perfect. The lack of a customizable EQ is a glaring omission, particularly for audiophiles who like to fine-tune their sound. The reliance on USB-C for charging and audio is somewhat limiting, especially for those who prefer a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. Furthermore, the price tag places the Ace firmly in the premium category, making it a significant investment.
In the end, the Sonos Ace is a well-designed and excellent-sounding pair of headphones with innovative features that have room to grow. These headphones are best suited for users invested in the Sonos ecosystem looking for a premium listening experience with solid ANC and a focus on simplicity and comfort.
Where to Buy:
Sonos Ace Headphones Quick Summary
Key Scores:
- Value: 93%
- Design: 92%
- Performance: 91%
- Quality: 90%
- Popularity: 89%
Top Pros
- ✅ The headphones offer exceptionally comfortable earcups suitable for long listening sessions.
- ✅ The active noise cancellation effectively silences distractions and ambient noise.
- ✅ The sound quality is balanced and detailed, providing an enjoyable experience.
Key Cons
- ❌ The lack of a customizable EQ limits sound personalization options.
- ❌ The reliance on USB-C only might inconvenience some users.
- ❌ The price places these headphones in the premium segment.
