Sonos, the renowned audio company best known for its high-quality speakers, has finally entered the headphone market with its debut model, the Sonos Ace. Priced at $450, the Ace is now available for pre-order and positions itself among other premium headphones like Sony’s WH-1000XM5 and Master & Dynamic’s MW75. After spending some quality time with the Sonos Ace at a recent event in New York City, it’s clear that these headphones were worth the wait.
Design and Comfort
The Sonos Ace headphones have been meticulously designed with comfort, active noise cancellation (ANC), and sound quality as their primary focus. Weighing in at 312g, they are not the lightest on the market, especially compared to Sony’s WH-1000XM5, which weigh 250g. However, the memory foam in the headband and earcups wrapped in vegan leather provide exceptional comfort and balance. The weight distribution felt very balanced during my brief time with them, suggesting they could be comfortable even for extended listening sessions.
Sonos Ace – Black
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The Ace’s design is both thoughtful and practical. By using minimal metal, Sonos has managed to keep the weight in check while maintaining durability and a premium feel. The extenders and controls are the only parts featuring metal, adding a touch of class without increasing the weight significantly. One notable design feature is the concealed hinges inside the earcups, which prevent hair from getting caught—a problem encountered with some other headphones like JBL’s flagship Live 770NC.
Key Features
Seamless Integration with Sonos Ecosystem
One of the standout features of the Sonos Ace is its seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem, particularly the $900 Arc soundbar. The headphones include a Control Key that handles playback, calls, and an audio swap function between the Arc soundbar and the Ace. This feature allows for instant audio switching, which I tested while watching Barbie. The ability to effortlessly switch audio between the Arc and the Ace enhances the user experience, especially for those already invested in the Sonos ecosystem.
Active Noise Cancellation and Ambient Mode
The Sonos Ace excels in active noise cancellation. During a demo, the room was filled with bass-heavy, low-end white noise from multiple Sonos 300 speakers. Despite this, the Ace’s noise-canceling capabilities were impressive, effectively blocking out the noise. The ambient mode was equally efficient, allowing me to remain aware of my surroundings when necessary. While these tests were conducted in a controlled environment, I’m eager to see how the Ace performs in real-world scenarios.
Sonos Ace – Soft White
Sonos Ace perfects your personal listening experience. Feel every frequency with superior precision and clarity.
Sound Quality
Although detailed sound quality analysis requires more extensive testing, initial impressions of the Sonos Ace’s audio performance are promising. The headphones are designed to deliver high-quality sound that meets the expectations set by Sonos’ reputation in the audio industry. The balanced sound profile and clear audio output are likely to appeal to both casual listeners and audiophiles.
Final Thoughts
The Sonos Ace headphones are a strong debut in the premium headphone market. Priced at $450, they offer excellent comfort, advanced noise cancellation, and seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem. While they are slightly heavier than some competitors, the thoughtful design and high-quality materials used ensure that comfort is not compromised.
The ability to switch audio seamlessly between the Arc soundbar and the Ace is a unique feature that will appeal to existing Sonos users. The noise cancellation and ambient modes performed admirably in initial tests, and it will be interesting to see how they fare in everyday use.
For those already paying for a Netflix account or looking to expand their Sonos setup, the Ace headphones represent an excellent addition. With its combination of comfort, sound quality, and innovative features, the Sonos Ace is definitely worth considering for anyone in the market for high-end headphones.
