Sonos Enters the Headphone Market with a Twist
Sonos, known for its multi-room audio systems, has finally unveiled its first pair of headphones - the Sonos Ace. Priced at $449, these over-ear headphones are set to challenge high-end competitors like Apple's AirPods Max, Sony's WH-1000XM5, and Bose's QuietComfort Ultra.
Unique Home Theater Integration
The Ace's standout feature is its seamless integration with Sonos soundbars:
- Instantly beam audio from Sonos Arc soundbar to the headphones
- Support for Sonos Beam (2nd-gen) and Ray coming soon
- TrueCinema technology calibrates with Arc for optimized sound
- Full spatial audio Dolby Atmos experience with head tracking
- Wi-Fi connection allows Arc to handle audio rendering
This integration offers a private home theater experience without disturbing others, perfect for late-night movie sessions.
Key Features and Specifications
- Active noise cancellation with 8 microphones
- Aware Mode for ambient sound pass-through
- Lossless audio support (Qualcomm aptX Lossless, Apple Lossless)
- 30 hours battery life (Bluetooth mode)
- Quick charge: 3 minutes for 3 hours of playback
- USB-C charging
- Comfortable design with vegan leather ear cushions
- Intuitive controls including Content Key button
- Available in black and white
Audio Performance
While full reviews are yet to come, initial impressions suggest impressive audio quality. The Ace supports high-resolution codecs and offers a rich, immersive experience for both music and movies.
Limitations
It's worth noting that the Ace doesn't integrate into multi-room Sonos setups like some users may have hoped. For music, you'll need to use Bluetooth or the line-in jack rather than streaming directly through the Sonos app.
Availability
The Sonos Ace will be available starting June 5th, 2023. At $449, it's positioned as a premium offering, but still undercuts the Apple AirPods Max by $100.
The Verdict
Sonos has leveraged its audio expertise to create a compelling entry into the headphone market. The Ace's unique home theater integration could be a major selling point for existing Sonos users and movie enthusiasts. However, its success will ultimately depend on how it stacks up against established competitors in terms of overall sound quality and noise cancellation performance.