In late May, Sonos announced it was getting into the headphone game with the $449 Ace. The addition made perfect sense: The company has spent the past 20-plus years establishing itself as a reliable, trusted name in the world of connected home audio. After all, almost every other consumer electronics manufacturer has entered the space at some point.
There’s a lot to be said for taking the time to get a product right, but waiting for the right moment risks arriving too late. In recent years, the category has turned from one dominated by Bose into something much more competitive. QuietComfort is no longer alone, as companies like Sony and Apple have introduced competing products.
Like those companies, Sonos has its own strong brand loyalty. For many people locked into the Southern California company’s ecosystem, there’s plenty of reason to believe it would successfully translate its speaker expertise into a pair of headphones. Indeed, Sonos delivers excellent sound with the Ace.
If there are Sonos users who have been holding off on buying a new pair of headphones until the company enters the category, have at it. They provide almost everything you’re looking for in a premium pair of wireless headphones. I have some issues, but nothing that’s going to stop me from continuing to wear the Sonos Ace.
I strongly suspect, however, that even some of Sonos’ most dedicated fans have already picked up the Sony WH-1000XM5 or AirPods Max, for example. The question, then, is whether Sonos can win them back with Ace. And, more importantly, is there enough here to convince people who have no connection to the brand to take the plunge?
Sonos certainly doesn’t want to compete on price. At $449, they’re as expensive as or more expensive than the biggest names in the space, including the Bose QC Ultra ($429), Sony WH-1000XM5 ($399), or Apple AirPods Max ($449). Sonos has always presented itself as a premium brand with prices to match, and there was no reason to expect the Ace to be any different. The company doesn’t care about the race to the bottom that dominates the other side of the market, but it also clearly doesn’t care about price as a selling point.
Looks are subjective, but for my money, Sonos nailed the design right out of the gate. I’ve never been a fan of fancy headphones or ones that support too much chrome. Ace takes a minimalist approach to design, with rounded colors and soft curves. Luckily we’re on the other side of attempts to replace every button with a touchpad, and Sonos puts all three of the Ace to work.
The overall design is slim and lightweight, opening conveniently into the included slim carrying case. There is no auxiliary entry for flights. Instead, the headphones come with a USB-C to audio jack cable.
The left ear cup houses a power button that’s large enough that you don’t have to look for it. There are two buttons on the right cup: The one at the bottom toggles between active noise cancellation and transparency/awareness modes. Above that is a “Content Key”. the elongated silver button manages important playback functions. Tap it to play or pause the sound, and drag it up or down to adjust the volume. It’s simple, easy to remember, and has just the right built-in functionality.
Comfort is a bit more of a mixed bag. In terms of fit, the Ace feels great on my head. The band and ears are nice and comfortable. I wore the headphones on a flight from New York to Austin and back last week. Not once did I feel that dull ache that comes with a set of ill-fitting headphones.
For better or worse (mostly worse), Austin also gave me a chance to try out the headset as the capital was in the summer before the game. This is where I come back to headphones. As nice as the leather lining is, it doesn’t breathe at all, instead turning my ears into a swampy mess. I’m not a big fan of over-the-ear headphones for working out or even walking, but if I were, these would be low on the list.
But in terms of sound, the Sonos Ace ranks right up there with the competition. The music is rich and full, with great separation. The default EQ is excellent, with no element overpowering the rest of the mix. Those choosing the Ace over similar headphones from Bose, Apple and Sony won’t be disappointed. The same goes for active noise cancellation, which is a godsend on the plane.
Sonos has always been an ecosystem play. Once you buy a speaker, you’re suddenly hooked. This will ultimately be a major selling point for Ace, although at press time, the benefits are limited. Currently, it doesn’t extend beyond being able to deliver audio between the headphones and the Arc soundbar.
The Aces are contenders in a crowded market, but they’re still looking for that magic bullet to really let them stand out from the pack. However, as first-generation products go, Sonos remains committed to great-sounding products.
