The wait is over!
After much anticipation, Sonos has taken the wraps off their very first headphones, the Sonos Ace. Priced at $449, these over-ear Bluetooth headphones come with advanced features you’d expect from premium ANC cans.
That said, not every hyped features made the cut. This left some prospective buyers – particularly diehard Sonos loyalists – feeling a tad underwhelmed.
Sonos Ace Features
On paper, the Sonos Ace headphones boast an impressive list of features to deliver an immersive sound experience.
Active noise cancellation, Dolby Atmos spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, and Snapdragon Sound with aptX Lossless codec support? Check, check, and check.
The 40mm angled dynamic drivers have been adjusted for precise audio delivery. And being the eco-conscious brand it is, Sonos has made the headphones’ sturdy travel case from recycled materials.
A neat feature is the Ace’s ability to wirelessly connect to Sonos soundbars for a personal Dolby Atmos listening session.
Ergonomics seem well-accounted for too. Replaceable memory foam earpads and a stainless steel headband promise a comfy, secure fit. At 312 grams, they strike a nice balance between substance and portability.
Plus, you also don’t need to worry a lot with the battery life as it maxes out at a decent 30 hours with ANC on. The best part is, you can get an extra 3 hours with just a 3-minute charge.
Rounding out the specs are:
- Bluetooth 5.4 with multi-point pairing
- USB-C for wired lossless playback (including Apple Lossless support)
- Spatial audio setup/EQ adjusting through the Sonos app.
There’s even a TrueCinema mode coming to virtually mimic a home theater environment.
What’s Missing?
For all their merits, the Ace fall short somewhat in terms of ecosystem integration. This is surprising as it’s usually a Sonos strength.
These headphones lack compatibility with the company’s popular multi-room wireless audio platform. So, no using the Ace as a Sonos Wi-Fi music source, nor any automatic device switching as you move about the home.
The Ace also can’t be grouped with other Sonos speakers or set as an independent zone within the app’s interface.
Other omissions include the inability to route vinyl playback through the Ace from a Sonos-friendly turntable setup.
There’s also no mention of true lossless wireless streaming, contrary to previous speculation.
They do still have a WiFi connection feature. But, it’s exclusive for the home theater mode, where they connect with Sonos soundbars to stream music from the TV and to the headphones through the soundbar in spatial audio format.
It’s also not lossless and limited only to up to 345 kbps.
Where to Buy
The Sonos Ace headphones are now available for pre-order at $449, with a full retail launch set for June 5th, 2024. Head over to the Sonos website to secure your pair.