Sonos Ace Headphones: A Strong First Effort
Sonos, known for its high-quality wireless speakers, has entered the premium headphone market with its new Ace model. Priced at $450, these headphones aim to challenge industry leaders like Sony's WH-1000XM5. Here's how Sonos' first foray into headphones stacks up:
Design and Comfort
The Sonos Ace features a minimalist design with a stainless steel headband wrapped in vegan leather. At 312g, they're heavier than Sony's offering but distribute weight well for long-term comfort. The memory foam earcups are detachable and use magnets for easy replacement.
Audio Performance
Sonos brings its home theater expertise to the Ace, resulting in powerful bass and clear highs. Some key audio features include:
- Support for Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio
- aptX Lossless codec support (device dependent)
- Slightly bass-heavy tuning that may need EQ adjustment
Noise Cancellation and Transparency
While not quite matching Sony's gold standard, the Ace's active noise cancellation (ANC) performs admirably for a first attempt. The transparency mode, called Aware mode, is particularly impressive and on par with Apple's AirPods Max.
Battery Life and Charging
- 30 hours of battery life with ANC enabled
- USB-C charging
- 3-minute quick charge for 3 hours of playback
Software and Ecosystem Integration
The Sonos companion app offers basic EQ controls and feature toggles. A standout feature for Sonos ecosystem users is TV Audio Swap, allowing seamless audio handoff between Sonos soundbars and the Ace headphones.
Pricing and Availability
The Sonos Ace is available now for $450 in black or white colorways. While pricier than Sony's WH-1000XM5 ($400 MSRP), the Ace offers compelling features for Sonos fans and bass enthusiasts.
Verdict
Sonos has delivered an impressive debut in the premium headphone space. While there's room for improvement in software features and fine-tuning, the Ace offers excellent audio quality, comfort, and ecosystem integration for Sonos users. It's a strong alternative to established players, especially for those already invested in the Sonos ecosystem.