Sonos’ long-awaited premium wireless headphones, the Sonos Ace, are now official. Despite being the company’s first-ever headphones, the product looks impressive and could pave the way for a strong debut in a new device category for Sonos. The headphones compete directly against Apple’s AirPods Max and Sony’s WH-1000XM5.
The Sonos Ace is official with an impressive set of features
The Sonos Aces boasts all the features you’d expect from a premium pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones. You get spatial audio support with dynamic head tracking for a hyperrealistic listening experience. The company promises lossless audio with Dolby Atmos surround sound technology. ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) ensures no external disturbance. The headphones have optimally positioned microphones to neutralize external sounds.
If you need to listen to your environment or have a conversation with someone, aware mode lets you do that without pausing your music. Beamforming microphones that target your voice and minimize background noise for crystal clear audio during calls. The headphones have a specially engineered mesh over the microphones to filter out wind noise. The Sonos Ace also boasts wear detection and seamless connection switching.
Sonos says its new wireless headphones are designed with comfort in mind. They feature an extendable steel headband that ensures precise adjustment and equalized pressure for an effective acoustic seal. The soft vegan leather ear cushions with plush memory foam give you a lightweight feel. The cushions are magnetic and easily removable. The headphones also have a fingerprint-resistant coating on the outside.
Wired connection support via a USB-C cable or 3.5mm jack
The Sonos Ace wirelessly connects to your device via Bluetooth (no, you cannot play music over Wi-Fi like on the company’s home audio speakers). However, if Bluetooth is unavailable, the headphones support wired listening via a USB C-to-C cable or USB C-to-3.5mm jack. Sonos rates them to last a whopping 30 hours on a single charge even with ANC enabled. With quick charging support, you get three hours of playtime with just three minutes of charging.
The Sonos Ace is compatible with Android and iOS devices, as well as the Sonos platform. The latter enables you to transfer TV audio from a supported Sonos soundbar to the headphones with just a push of a button. Speaking of which, you get physical controls for volume, media playback, and calls. The retail box includes the two aforementioned cables for wired listening and a magnetic pouch that attaches to the travel case.
Price and availability
Sonos has priced its first-ever premium wireless headphones at $449. The headphones are now available for pre-order in White and Black colors. The company will begin shipping the device on June 5. It is an impressive package even with its premium price tag. Sonos plans to add its all-new TrueCinema technology later this year. It enhances the sound experience by accurately mapping the space. It remains to be seen how well the Sonos Ace sells against established rivals, including the Apple AirPods Max.
