Sonos Ace: Can Sonos Re-invent the Headphone?
Sonos. The name conjures images of seamlessly integrated multi-room audio, effortless setup, and premium sound. But until now, their domain remained within the four walls of your home. Enter the Sonos Ace, their first foray into the intensely competitive world of premium headphones. The question isn’t just whether they sound good, but whether they can deliver the Sonos experience, untethered.
The Ace certainly looks the part. The minimalist design, available in black and white (plus, later, other colorways), screams understated elegance. The protein leather earcups feel luxurious against the skin, and the stainless steel headband provides a sturdy, yet surprisingly light, frame. Build quality is undeniably top-notch. Everything feels precisely engineered, from the smooth articulation of the earcups to the satisfying click of the physical controls.
Sonically, the Ace delivers a refined and balanced listening experience. The custom-designed 40mm drivers offer a wide soundstage and impressive clarity. Bass is present, but never overpowering, instead providing a solid foundation for the mids and highs to shine. These aren’t bass-heavy cans designed for headbanging; they’re engineered for critical listening. Spatial audio, powered by Dolby Atmos, adds a compelling sense of immersion, particularly with compatible content. The head-tracking is subtle and effective, grounding the soundscape in your environment.
One of the Ace’s key features is its seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem. Headphone-to-soundbar swapping is remarkably slick, allowing you to effortlessly transfer audio between your Arc, Beam (Gen 2), Ray, or Era 100/300 soundbar and the headphones with a single button press. This is where the “Sonos experience” truly begins to translate outside the home. Active noise cancellation (ANC) is effective, blocking out a significant amount of ambient noise, although it isn’t quite class-leading. Transparency mode is also well-implemented, providing a natural-sounding awareness of your surroundings.
However, the Ace isn’t without its shortcomings. While the audio quality is excellent, it lacks a certain excitement and punch that some listeners might crave. The reliance on the Sonos app for some settings, while familiar to existing Sonos users, might be a turn-off for newcomers. Furthermore, the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack feels like a missed opportunity, limiting connectivity options for audiophiles with dedicated DACs or vintage equipment. While the USB-C port can deliver lossless audio, its cable connectivity is still not ideal. Finally, the Ace enters the market at a premium price point, placing it in direct competition with established players like Sony and Bose.
The Sonos Ace represents a confident first step into the headphone market. It delivers on the Sonos promise of premium audio, seamless integration, and a refined user experience.
Where to Buy:
Sonos Ace Headphones Quick Summary
Key Scores:
- Value: 93%
- Design: 92%
- Performance: 91%
- Quality: 90%
- Popularity: 89%
Top Pros
- ✅ The audio quality is balanced and detailed, providing a refined listening experience.
- ✅ The design is sleek and minimalist, embodying a premium aesthetic.
- ✅ Active noise cancellation effectively reduces ambient sounds.
- …
Key Cons
- ❌ The lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack limits connectivity options.
- ❌ The price point is high, placing it in direct competition with established brands.
- ❌ Reliance on the Sonos app might be inconvenient for some users.
- …
