Sonos Ace: A Premium Pair of Headphones for Audiophiles and Home Theater Enthusiasts
Sonos, a renowned audio brand with over 20 years of experience, has finally unveiled its highly anticipated innovation: the Sonos Ace headphones. These premium Bluetooth headphones have been three years in the making and offer much more than just a typical listening experience. They are designed to seamlessly integrate with Sonos soundbars, allowing users to swap audio between their headphones and the soundbar for a truly immersive home theater experience.
Priced at $449, the Sonos Ace headphones are competitively priced compared to other high-end options on the market. For example, Apple AirPods Max retail for $549, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, a recipient of the Mashable Choice Award, are priced at $400. Considering Sonos’ reputation for producing high-quality speakers at a premium price point, the Ace’s price tag is not surprising.
In terms of specifications, the Sonos Ace headphones feature custom 40mm drivers in each ear cup, the same drivers that power Sonos speakers. This ensures exceptional audio quality. The headphones weigh 11 ounces and offer a battery life of up to 30 hours with active noise cancellation (ANC) turned on. They also feature convenient USB-C charging and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity.
Setting up and connecting the Sonos Ace headphones is a breeze. They enter pairing mode as soon as they are turned on, allowing for quick and seamless connection to your device. Pairing them with a second device is just as simple. The headphones also support lossless audio through a 3.5mm headphone jack and are compatible with Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound AptX Lossless and Apple Lossless Audio Codec.
One of the standout features of the Sonos Ace headphones is their ability to swap audio with compatible Sonos soundbars. This feature is easy to set up and offers a truly immersive surround sound experience. By simply tapping a button on your phone’s screen or using the content key button on the headphones, you can switch audio between the headphones and the soundbar. This feature is perfect for movie nights or when you want to enjoy a cinematic experience at home.
In terms of design and comfort, the Sonos Ace headphones are sleek and premium-looking. The low-profile ear cups resemble those of the AirPods Max, with a soft, smudge-proof finish and a simple Sonos logo engraved on the right cup. The headband and ear cups are made from memory foam wrapped in vegan leather, providing a plush and comfortable fit. The headphones are also designed with sustainability in mind, using circular materials that reduce virgin plastic usage by 17%. The carrying case is made from 75% recycled plastic bottles.
When it comes to comfort, the Sonos Ace headphones excel. They are incredibly lightweight and do not dig into the top of the head or create pressure points. The spacious ear cups provide ample room for the ears, ensuring a comfortable fit. However, it should be noted that wearing sunglasses may affect the seal and ANC performance. While the headphones are not IP-rated for water or sweat resistance, they have been tested for sweat and can withstand moderate workouts.
The on-headphone controls of the Sonos Ace headphones are tactile and intuitive. Button controls allow for easy access to power, ANC toggle, content key, and volume control. The content key is particularly useful for controlling music playback and accessing the soundbar audio swap feature. The headphones also come with an exceptional aware mode, which allows you to hear your surroundings without compromising your music experience.
Sonos is known for its superior audio quality, and the Ace headphones are no exception. They offer outstanding sound quality that surpasses competitors in the market. Songs with spatial audio sound incredibly immersive on these headphones, allowing you to experience the audio exactly as the producer intended. The Sonos Ace headphones provide a crisp and immersive sound experience that is hard to match.
While the noise cancellation of the Sonos Ace headphones is decent, there are some limitations. The slim design of the ear cups, while aesthetically pleasing, may cause the headphones to pop off slightly when turning the head, disrupting the noise-cancelling seal. However, the aware mode on these headphones is exceptional and strikes a perfect balance between hearing your surroundings and enjoying your music.
The true standout feature of the Sonos Ace headphones is the TV audio swap function. This feature allows you to switch audio between a compatible Sonos soundbar and the headphones with the press of a button. The result is a surround sound-like experience in the headphones, complete with Dolby Atmos spatial audio and head tracking. This feature truly elevates your home theater experience and brings movies and shows to life.
Battery life is another strong suit of the Sonos Ace headphones. With up to 30 hours of battery life with ANC turned on, these headphones can easily last through long listening sessions. Early findings indicate that the battery went from 100% to 30% after 22 hours and 10 minutes of playback, suggesting that they are on track to meet the advertised battery life.
In terms of competition, the Sonos Ace headphones are priced competitively compared to other high-end options like the AirPods Max, Sony WH-1000XM5, and Bose 700. While other brands may offer better noise cancellation, Sonos takes the lead when it comes to sound quality.
Ultimately, whether or not the Sonos Ace headphones are worth it depends on your priorities and use case. If you are an audiophile who values exceptional sound quality and have a Sonos ecosystem at home with a compatible soundbar, these headphones are a great investment. The TV audio swap feature will enhance your home theater experience, and the outstanding sound quality will elevate your music listening. However, if noise cancellation is your top priority, other brands may offer better options.
Overall, the Sonos Ace headphones offer a premium and immersive audio experience for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts. With their sleek design, exceptional sound quality, and convenient features like the TV audio swap function, these headphones are a worthy addition to the Sonos lineup.
