Sonos, the company known for its excellent speakers and soundbars and often dubbed the "Apple of speakers," has entered the hot new market of wireless headphones. Last week, Sonos announced the Sonos Ace, a new model joining a crowded market with brands like Apple, Sony, and Bose. With a high price tag of $450 (around NIS 2,000), the question arises: Can it stand out? We received the headphones for review from Bug, the official importer in Israel, and came back with some conclusions.
Design and Controls
At first glance, the Ace looks like a lovechild of the Sony XM5 and AirPods Max. They have the minimalist and elegant appearance of Apple but with a bit more heft in the Sony style. Available in black and white, they connect to the headband via an ultra-thin metal connector, with a sleek matte finish that resists fingerprints and removable, replaceable ear pads thanks to their magnetic attachment. The hinges are hidden within the headphones themselves, giving them a smooth look and helping to prevent hair from getting caught in the mechanism.
The subtle Sonos logo adorns the right earcup, where you'll also find a dedicated button for activating/deactivating active noise cancellation. Additionally, in a clever move for its first headphone generation, Sonos opted for physical volume control buttons instead of touch surfaces—a smart choice, especially for people like me who miss the tactile feel of a real button.
On the left earcup, there is a single button for power on/off, alongside a USB-C port. The headphones can be rotated 90 degrees for easy storage in the included slim carrying case, but they cannot be folded inward.
Comfort
Another crucial aspect is comfort, especially with over-ear headphones that can put pressure on the head, heat it up, and cause discomfort during prolonged use. In practice, after days of listening at different times, my ears did not cry out for help. The soft and lightweight cushions do an excellent job of distributing pressure and air, and the adjustable headband ensures a perfect fit while maintaining a relatively slim profile.
Moreover, even during treadmill running and the most intense workout, they stayed put. Unlike other models I've tested before, there's no need to stop every moment to adjust them or make sure they won't fall off.
Sound and Connectivity
Sonos is known for its excellent sound quality, and the Ace does not disappoint. Some who tried the headphones we tested claimed they surpass the quality of Sony's XM5 or AirPods Max. To me, it’s hard to notice the difference, and the model joins the top 3 headphones I’ve reviewed in recent years.
I enjoyed listening to everything on the Ace: they deliver rich, detailed, and remarkably balanced sound, with deep bass and clear highs. Although the sound is impressive right from the start, it's recommended to use the new Sonos app to adjust the EQ (equalizer) to your personal taste, if needed.
One standout feature of the Ace is the ability to switch audio from the TV to a Sonos soundbar with a button press, including support for spatial audio and head tracking. However, if you expected the Ace to inherit the same functionality as the company’s home speakers, you’ll be disappointed—the Ace mainly operates on Bluetooth and switches to Wi-Fi only when connected to a soundbar. A long press on the Content Key transfers sound from the soundbar to the headphones, but at this stage, only the Arc, Sonos' most advanced soundbar, supports this feature, with support for other models coming later.
Overall, especially with products like headphones intended to connect to a wide range of devices, Sonos's transition to Bluetooth-only is a welcome decision that should have been made a long time ago. We can only hope Sonos applies the same logic to its speakers, allowing for easy and simple Bluetooth connectivity alongside the existing Wi-Fi connection, which limits users.
Noise Cancellation
Okay, it might be a bit strange to focus on this, but I have to talk about the seal of these headphones. It's like Sonos created a hermetic seal around my ears, and I mean this in the best way possible. The feeling is like switching from a noisy street to a quiet room at the press of a button (on the right earcup). Even in the loudest environments—a crowded street, a gym with music at full volume, and even aggressive typing on the keyboard—once the music started playing, it felt like the outside world just faded away. I heard nothing but the music, as if I entered my private bubble. It was complete isolation, and honestly? It's quite addictive, and the score here is 10.
App
Although not mandatory to download the Sonos app to use the Ace headphones, it certainly enhances the experience. Beyond adjusting your personal EQ, the app allows you to track battery status, see the number of devices connected to the headphones, set spatial audio and head tracking, and receive regular firmware updates that improve performance and add new features to your headphones. In short, if you want to get the most out of your Ace, the app is definitely a must-have.
Battery
This point deserves a mention. The company promises 30 hours of listening on paper, but in practice, it felt even longer. Only after 4 days of intense use, including listening to music, watching movies, and running in the gym, the battery was still around 30 percent, and I still hadn't connected them to the charger. By the way, Sonos says that a 3-minute charge will provide 3 hours of music listening.
Bottom Line
The Sonos Ace is not just another pair of headphones. They are a statement of intent from a sound giant, proving it can enter the headphone market and offer a premium product that competes head-to-head with the biggest names. The build quality is excellent, the materials are top-notch, and the sound... simply wow. The sound is rich, detailed, and precise, and the active noise cancellation is among the best I've encountered. The comfort is also not disappointing, with a lightweight design and soft ear cushions that allow for prolonged listening without headaches.
On the flip side, the price is certainly a barrier. The Ace is not cheap, to say the least. But if you are true audiophiles willing to invest in high-quality headphones that will provide you with an exceptional listening experience and uncompromising comfort, the Ace is definitely an option worth serious consideration. Sonos did an excellent job on its first model, and I'm already eagerly waiting to see what it will offer us next.