They look like the love child of AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM5.
Sonos’s highly anticipated wireless headphones, the Sonos Ace, are set to launch in Q3 2024, according to CEO Patrick Spence. But not much detail have been known about these headphones… until now.
The now-deleted leaked images from authorized Sonos parts dealer, Schuurman, have given us a glimpse into what the headphones will offer ahead of their rumored release.
Users on the Sonos subreddit also discovered early mentions of the Ace on Sonos’s website. This was further proven by the domain “sonosace.com” redirecting to the main Sonos homepage.
Here’s what we know so far:
Design and Build
From the leaked images, it’s clear that the Sonos Ace are a sleek and stylish pair of premium over-ear headphones.
Based on these, the black design seem understated yet refined. This is complemented with both ear cups featuring visible buttons and a toggle switch, which hints at various on-device controls.
The images show that Sonos has evidently taken design cues from the AirPods Max.
This includes the oversized headband, the single pivot connection from the headband to the earcups and the magnetic ear cushions.
These are all good and understandable based on the trends. However, they also seem to have copied the fact that the AirPods Max can only fold flat and not all the way.
We don’t know much about the build yet. But, the headphones do look sturdy based on the photos. This is something we’d expect to be on par with Sonos’ reputation.
Audio Performance
According to reports, the Sonos Ace will be the company’s first product to offer lossless audio, both wired and wireless.
The dual USB-C cable is expected to allow lossless digital audio transmission, while the wireless lossless audio is likely powered by Qualcomm’s aptX Lossless codec.
Sonos may also be using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound audio platform and Qualcomm chips. If so, this will be a first for the company.
Rumor has it that the Ace will feature active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes that could match the performance of the best in the industry. This potentially puts them in the same league as industry leaders like Apple, Sony, and Bose.
However, Sonos likely decided to rely on Qualcomm’s built-in ANC algorithms. So, we’re curious to see how this will fare in comparison with their competitors who developed their own ANC tech.
The headphones are also said to support head-tracked spatial audio. This could work with Sonos’ soundbars to create a surround sound experience and Dolby Atmos compatibility.
There’s nothing special about the battery life, though. It’s reported to be around 30 hours with ANC on. But the playback time with ANC off and the charging time remain a secret.
Seamless Integration With Sonos Ecosystem
One of the most appealing aspects of the Sonos Ace is their smooth integration with the Sonos ecosystem.
The ability to connect the headphones with Sonos soundbars and listen to TV audio through the headphones is a game-changer for those who have already invested in the Sonos home audio system. This feature alone sets the Ace apart in an increasingly competitive market.
Sonos also released a fully redesigned version of its mobile app on May 7th (version 80.0) in lieu of the headphones’ launch.
The updated app promises a more personalized experience.
It now has a simpler interface that offers quicker access to content from the Home screen. With this, users can view and control Sonos devices with a simple swipe up from the bottom of the Home screen or by selecting the system name in the top left corner.
Pricing and Availability
While an official launch date has not been announced, the Sonos Ace are expected to hit the market sometime next month.
These headphones are rumored to have a price tag of $450. This means, they’re set to go head-to-head with other high-end wireless headphones like Apple’s AirPods Max.
Sonos’ History of Product Leaks
Sonos has struggled to keep its upcoming products confidential, with leaks tracing back to 2019.
A Bloomberg report from that year first revealed that Sonos was developing headphones, suggesting a potential launch the following year. However, this timeline did not happen as planned.
Then, the interest grew in 2020 as enthusiasts discovered designs and patents filed by Sonos. But the specifics remained a mystery until December 2023, when Sonos teased new products on Threads.
Yet, the saga of delayed announcements continued into 2024.
Another Bloomberg update claimed that Sonos intended to unveil the product early that year. Unfortunately, delays with the headphones’ Wi-Fi functionality pushed the release to June 2024 or later.