The very first Sonos headphones have finally arrived. Initially slated for a 2021 launch, early impressions of the new Sonos ACE headphones suggest that the wait has been worth it. The king of multiroom audio stays true to its innovative philosophy with the launch of headphones that are entirely designed and developed in-house, crafted with the same attention to quality, performance, and finish we have come to expect from Sonos.
What to Expect?
Inside each earcup is a custom-designed 40mm dynamic driver by Sonos, promising to render each frequency with impeccable precision and clarity. They also support lossless audio via Bluetooth thanks to the Snapdragon Sound aptX Lossless codec, as well as through wired listening with the supplied USB-C cable.
They are also designed for home theater and everyday TV use. Spatial audio with Dolby Atmos adds height channels for a more immersive experience, while dynamic head tracking keeps the sound anchored to the screen when you look away. You can instantly switch the audio from the Sonos Arc soundbar to your Sonos Ace with the press of a button, allowing for an equally faithful and immersive individual experience.
Comfort and Features
Sonos emphasizes the use of high-quality lightweight materials that give the headphones properties that will flexibly and comfortably fit a wide range of head sizes. The earcups, attached to a seamless headband, are constructed with a memory foam interior wrapped in vegan leather, maximizing isolation from external noise without creating pressure points.
The built-in active noise cancellation (ANC) also contributes to exceptional listening comfort - an Aware transparency mode ensures that ambient sounds can pass through when needed (if you need to talk to a colleague or cross a busy road, for example). They are equipped with eight beamforming microphones for noise control and voice targeting.
They promise to be intuitive to use as well. Contrasting colors inside the ear cups indicate the correct way to wear them, proper push buttons let you know when your command is registered, and their articulated design allows them to fold flat for easy storage. Finally, wear detection pauses playback when you take them off and resumes when you put them back on, seamlessly.
No discussion of Bluetooth headphones is complete without mentioning battery life - up to 30 hours of playback on a single charge for the Sonos ACE. The headphones also boast an impressive quick-charge feature, providing 3 hours of battery life after just 3 minutes of charging!
Constant Evolution
True to its philosophy of support and product evolution, Sonos has already announced the introduction of a brand-new calibration feature for the ACE headphones later this year - Sonos' TrueCinema technology. Similar to TruePlay on Sonos speakers, it maps your room and then adjusts the audio accordingly, making it sound like you're not wearing headphones.
Discover them In-Store
The first units of the Sonos Ace will be available in store starting June 5th. While online reviews and specifications provide valuable insights, nothing compares to the personal experience of trying on headphones and comparing them to other models in a controlled environment. Visit us in-store and let our team of advisors assist you in considering and making an informed choice for your next pair of headphones.
