Sonos Ace Review: Are these noise-cancelling headphones worth the hype, and offer the best sound quality?

Introduction

Finally, Sonos has introduced headphones to the market with the long-awaited Ace that combines the best aspects of Bose, Apple, and similar premium competitors. From the above analysis, these headphones are expected to deliver not only excellent sound quality but also comfort and aesthetic look. If you have a Sonos soundbar at home, then you will get to experience one feature that is exclusive to this product.

First Impressions and Design

As soon as you unpack the Sonos Ace headphones, you are immediately struck by the minimalist and elegant design. The over-ear cushions are not bulky and protrude out; the headband is made of dual foam and comes with soft padding on top for comfort in long listening sessions. I only discovered that they secured me well without any hint of tightness; a feature that most headphones usually lack.

Key Features and Functionality

Here’s a rundown of the key specifications:

On the left ear cup, there is a power button and USB-C port for charging and/or for plugging in headphones for audio output. On the right ear cup, there is a noise-canceling control button and a stylish sliding button for volume and music control. The controls were easy to navigate and handle, thus improving the flow of the experience.

Battery Life

Sonos says the Ace provides more than 30 hours of battery life with ANC engaged through Bluetooth, which in my experiments, was exceeded. The battery requires three hours for complete charging, although a three-minute charging gives up to three hours of playback. This rapid charging feature was useful during my testing at least a couple of times.

Sound Quality

Now, let’s talk about the most crucial aspect: acoustics. In terms of sound quality, the Ace headphones perform extremely well and can be compared to other top-tier headphones. The sound quality is exceptional at all frequencies, whether it is deep bass, warm mid-range, or crisp trebles. They also enable Dolby’s spatial audio with head-tracking, which results in excellent surround sound, especially when watching films or series with Atmos soundtracks.

Connectivity and Compatibility

The Ace headphones are Bluetooth capable and can pair with two devices at the same time, for easy switching between your phone and tablet. They also offer lossless music playback using USB-C, guaranteeing excellent sound quality from several devices. Nevertheless, they do not integrate with the other Sonos speakers for Wi-Fi-based whole-home audio streaming, which came as a disappointment.

Unique Features

The best feature for owners of a Sonos soundbar is a ‘TV swap.’ With a single button, you can listen to the sound of the bar through the headphones, which is great for watching films in solitude without disturbing others. One feature that was tested perfectly while using the Sonos Arc was the surround sound with head tracking.

Noise Cancelling

The level of noise cancellation exhibited by Ace is at the top tier of headphones available in the market. It successively attenuates the loud bass frequencies and mid and high-frequency tones, which makes these headphones suitable for commuting and office use. The awareness mode is also very good, allowing for adequate levels of external noise for monitoring surroundings without being highly disruptive.


Call Quality

Audio quality is decent with clear, natural sound reproduction in various environments ranging from quiet to noisy. Nevertheless, during outdoor calls, wind noise could be heard at the other end of the connection. These onboard mics are wired and have Bluetooth connectivity which makes them quite versatile.

Sustainability

It is noteworthy that Sonos has pursued the concept of sustainability with the Ace headphones.
It uses 17% post-consumer recycled content, and it also has a trade-in and recycling system in place. It has a battery life that is capable of lasting at least 500 full charges and can be replaced when out of warranty by an out of warranty service, therefore giving the headphones a longer life span.

Comfort and Fit

While it is 10g heavier than some of its counterparts, the Ace headphones are easy to wear for prolonged periods. The ear cups and headband are very soft and comfortable for wearing and when not in use the cushions allow the headset to be worn around the neck. Occasionally the foot pedals can become slightly warm during extended use, but it’s not too uncomfortable.

Audio Performance

The sound quality is outstanding and has a wide and clear frequency response that makes clear all the characteristics of a song. The bass is impactful yet controlled, the mids are smooth, and the highs are clear and extended. In terms of the overall sound quality, the AirPods Max do have a slightly better performance than the Ace headphones but when it comes to the customization with the help of the Sonos app, which allows changing the EQ settings, the latter is a good match for the former

Competitors

Here’s a quick comparison with other high-end headphones:

Sony WH-1000XM5: It has more features and slightly better noise canceling, however, the Ace outperforms it in design and ease of use.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Improved noise cancellation and portability but the Ace design and battery life are much better.

Apple AirPods Max: The earphones offer better audio quality and noise cancellation than the Ace, but their comfort and battery life are worse.

Price and Verdict

As you would expect from a Sonos product, the Sonos Ace headphones come at a premium price of £449 (€499/$449/A$699). However, their design, comfort, and unique features like TV swap make them a worthy contender for high-end headphones. Essentially, if you are a fan of Sonos or simply seeking high-end headphones, then the Ace should be your go-to product.

Pros:

1. Sleek, comfortable design

2. Great noise isolation and sound performance

3. Long battery life

4. Exclusive TV swap functionality for Sonos soundbar users

5. Replaceable battery

Cons:

1. Expensive

2. Do not fold up for travel

3. Mics cannot be used with a 3. 5mm cable

4. It is slightly heavier than some of its counterparts in the market.

The Sonos Ace headphones are a great option for those, who care about quality and are ready to spend; these headphones will improve your listening experience at home and outside.

Want to try out the juicy Sonos Ace?  You can visit their page on Amazon - Sonos Ace for more information and to buy them.

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