Kane William 
Overview
The Sonos Ace earphones mark Sonos’ foray into the individual audio field, venturing out of its successful niche in home speakers. Released in June 2024 for $449, Sonos’ earphones have been generating buzz for its premium looks, sound, and compatibility with Sonos’ ecosystem.
Design and build quality
Available in white and black with a semi-matte finish, the Ace headsets have a sophisticated aura surrounding them. Polished metal brings headband and ear cups together seamlessly, and circumaural (around-the-ear) earcups seal firmly over the ears, with rich comfort through use of memory foam and ear and headband cushions with a soft, vegan-leather lining.
While the tight seal helps with effective sound insulation, a few users may perceive the pressure during long listening sessions. The earphones fold for convenient storing but don’t fold down completely. There is a protective case included, a small hard-shell case, that stores the USB-C-to-USB-C and USB-C-to-3.5mm cords.
Sound Quality
The Ace over-ear headphones feature custom-designed 40mm dynamic drivers, delivering a balanced and dynamic sound character. Sonos tuned them for detail and accuracy, and a warm, rich sound with a powerful performance in a range of genres is delivered. Mid-range is full of detail, and instruments and voice become salient, with a satisfying sparkle in the high range.
Bass response is present but not over-emphasized, satisfying for those preferring a balanced sound stage. Bass-lovers, however, might prefer less low-end output than its competition, with a bias towards bass output in its alternatives.
Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
The Ace earphones feature effective active noise cancelation (ANC), with a function to cancel both high and low-pitched sound waves. In loud environments, such as city streets and public transportation, the ANC performs flawlessly, canceling out ambient sound effectively.
The transparency mode, Sonos labels “Aware Mode,” lets sound pass through, allowing a listener to have awareness of one’s environment when desired. Aware Mode will let in a little too much sound for a few, but it works for situational awareness. It is worth noting that both ANC and Aware Mode settings lack level controls; one can only switch them off and on.
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Connectivity and Features
The Ace earphones feature Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Adaptive and Snapdragon Sound for lossless streaming over wireless connectivity. For wired use, a USB-C-to-USB-C and a USB-C-to-3.5mm cable have been included for lossless digital connectivity. There is head tracking with Dolby Atmos spatial audio for a 3D listening experience.
A standout feature is “TV Audio Swap,” in which one can switch audio between a compatible Sonos soundbar and the headphones with a single button press, for private listening sessions. That feature, for the present, works only with a Sonos Arc soundbar, with future expansion in store for compatibility with additional soundbar models.
Battery Life
Sonos claims 30 hours of battery life when both ANC and Aware Mode are active, and real-life testing bears out that claim. With a three-hour boost in three minutes, a two-hour full charge, and a 10-hour life when paired with a Sonos soundbar for use with TV Audio Swap, its battery life reduces to approximately 10 hours, consuming approximately 10% an hour.
User Experience and Controls
The on-ear controls are convenient and easy to use. There is a power/pairing button and a USB-C charging port in the left earcup. On the right earcup, a Content Key controls playback, volume, and switching of noise cancelling.
The headphones have sensors that detect wear and stop and resume audio when removed and reinserted, but at times, it fails to work reliably. There is a basic equalizer in Sonos software for customizing, but it can only adjust bass and treble settings.
Price and Value Proposition
At $449, Sonos’ Ace earphones occupy the high-end section of the market. That positions them in competition with equivalent options including Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Apple’s AirPods Max.
While the sound profile of the Ace is well balanced, with efficient noise cancelation and such standout features as TV Audio Swap, it is competing with powerful, mature competition. That no ANC settings can be tuned and not much can in terms of app customizability may be a disappointment for a few, but for Sonos ecosystem devotees, integration is a perfect one that brings listening to a new level.
Conclusion
The Sonos Ace headsets represent a distinguished first for Sonos in headsets. With a premium build, balanced sound, and effective noise cancellation, and additional capabilities that audiophiles and home cinema enthusiasts will enjoy, these headsets have a lot to contribute.
While there is room for improvement in tweak ability and customizability in an app, the Ace headphones make a strong case for one looking for a high-fidelity listening environment, specifically for owners of current Sonos speakers in search of an audio upgrade.
FAQs
1. How is sound quality in Sonos Ace headphones?
The Sonos sound boasts a balanced and nuanced sound profile, with a powerful performance in mids, ideal for voiceovers and audiobooks. On top of that, it boasts native integration with Dolby Atmos spatial audio, offering an immersive listening atmosphere for both supported audio and movies.
2. Are Sonos Ace earphones comfortable enough for long-term use?
Yes, the Sonos Ace headsets have been crafted for long-term comfort. They feature soft, breathable, and durable coverings of vegan leather and a stainless steel headband, and therefore, can sit comfortably for extended listening sessions.
3. What is the battery life of Sonos Ace headsets?
The Sonos Ace earphones have a 30-hour battery life when active noise cancelling is in use. However, when utilizing such capabilities as TV Audio Swap with Sonos soundbar, battery life can fall to approximately 10 hours due to increased processing loads.
