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Whether you’re an audiophile or not, Sonos is a brand synonymous with high-quality audio devices. The excitement was palpable when rumors of brand-new Sonos headphones surfaced. And now, the wait is over—they’re finally here!
What is the SONOS ACE?
The Sonos Ace is a premium wireless noise-canceling headphone with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Head tracking technology. Being Sonos’s first foray into the personal headphone market, we expect the best from them. Packed to the brim with the newest technologies, the Sonos Ace supports wired (USB-C and AUX) and wireless (Bluetooth 5.4 Qualcomm AptX Lossless and WIFI) connections with a custom 40mm dynamic driver in each cup.
The Sonos Ace features spatial audio that envelops you in hyper-realistic 3D sound, and wear detection that automatically pauses the music when the headphones are removed. With 30 hours of listening time on ANC or Aware mode, it offers extended enjoyment of high-quality sound throughout the day.
The Sonos Ace is available now in Luxurious Black or Soft White and can be purchased from major outlets or TC Acoustic for SGD699.00.
What’s in the box?
I was quite bit disappointed when I took out the carrying case as it felt cardboard and cheap (Due to their environmental policy of using recyclable materials). For SGD 699, I would have expected a better first impression.
But when I laid my eyes on the jet-black Sonos Ace headphones, all would be forgiven. It was stunning! like a young maiden in a little black dress.
The Sonos Ace exudes elegance with its sophisticated yet minimalistic design. Made entirely out of vegan leather, matt stainless steel and lightweight composite shell. The Sonos Ace beautifully blends metal accents with a sleek matte finish which not only elevates the overall visual appeal but promises an exceptional listening experience.
The smooth, flowing curve of the Sonos Ace is both visually striking and yet comfortable, complementing the metallic sheen, the soft vegan leather provides a luxurious feel enhancing both comfort and style.
The jet black earcups which only have a side profile of 3cm shimmer under the evening skies, slightly reflecting the embossed SONOS brand. I usually look top-heavy while wearing headphones, but the SONOS Ace looks great with it’s sleek profile.
There are only three buttons on the Sonos Ace, the power button on the bottom left earcup and two others on the right which controls ANC/Aware mode and the media controller which is a unique button/slider which is used to control all the media features for playback and calls.
Slide up and down to increase or lower the volume, press once to pause/start the music, and twice to skip the song. I love that the buttons are a good size, making them easy to navigate around. With every click of the button, there will also be a feedback sound to notify you of the changes that you had made.
However, I would prefer the ANC/Aware button to notify me in speech “ANC” / “Aware” rather than a transition sound.
Right below both earcups are the eight beamforming microphones hidden behind the matt steel mesh which were specially engineered to minimize noise from winds on phone calls. The Sonos Ace is charged using a usb-c wire which is included and a usb-c/Aux cable if you prefer wired connection. The USB C port is located right beside the power button.
A smart feature of the Sonos Ace is its magnetic ear cups. It’s common knowledge that ear cups often wear out first, whether due to regular use or during storage. Additionally, the detachable cups are a hygienic option for shared headphones.
Sonos has thoughtfully allocated distinct colors for each earcup to differentiate between left and right, demonstrating the company’s meticulous attention to detail and commitment to consumer care.
Specifications.
| Audio Drivers | 40mm Dynamic Driver |
| Microphones | 8 beamforming microphones |
| Spatial Audio | Dolby Atmos and Dynamic Headtracking |
| Lossless Audio | Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound AptX |
| Noise Control | Active Noise Cancellation and Aware (Transparency) Mode |
| TV Audio Swap | Swap sound from compatible Sonos soundbar to Sonos Ace |
| Wear Detection | Auto pause music when user removes phone and resume when worn back |
| Dimension | H191mm x W160mm x D85mm |
| Weight | 312g |
| Battery | Li-ion, 1060mAh up to 30hours with ANC/Aware mode enabled |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4 |
Sound Quality.
The Sonos Ace offers a magnitude of high-end audio connectivity supporting most codec like AAC, SBC, Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound AptX Lossless connection and spatial audio technology like Dolby Atmos with headtracking feature. Given the the high price point with the latest technology built-in, we would expect the Sonos Ace to ace the sound test.
It delivered! We were amazed by the clarity and power delivered by the 40mm dynamic drivers. Listening to “Can’t Stand The Rain” by The Rescue on the Sonos Ace was delightful. The headphone delivers a crystal-clear rendition of the song’s intricate details.
From the rich warm tones of the vocals to the subtle nuances in the instrumental backdrop. The deep, resonant bass lines are powerful yet controlled, enhancing the track’s emotional depth without overpowering the mids and highs. The balanced soundstage allows each element of the song—whether it’s the gentle rain effects or the intricate layers of the melody—to be heard with impressive clarity and separation, making for a truly immersive listening experience.”
If listening to music on the Sonos Ace is great, then the movie experience is really amazing! “Experiencing Top Gun: Maverick with these headphones is nothing short of extraordinary, thanks to their integration of Dolby Atmos and advanced head-tracking technology.
Dolby Atmos elevates the audio experience by providing a multidimensional soundscape that immerses you in the action. The jet engines roar with incredible clarity and depth, creating a sensation of being right in the midst of high-speed aerial maneuvers. Explosions and ambient sounds are rendered with a spatial richness that enhances the film’s dramatic impact.
The head-tracking technology further amplifies the immersion by adjusting the audio perspective in real time as you move your head. This means that as you turn or shift your gaze, the soundscape dynamically adjusts to maintain a consistent and realistic positional audio experience.
During intense flight sequences, you’ll feel as though the sounds of jets zooming past you are accurately placed around you, adding a layer of realism and engagement to the viewing experience.
You will be able to customize the EQ of the Sonos Ace via the Sonos App, other than the basic EQ settings you can also toggle the ANC/Aware mode and other sensors like wear detection/wear to answer via the app.
Functions.
Advertised to deliver 30 hours of pure enjoyment with ANC/Aware mode, I’ve managed to get two full days of use on a single charge. This is quite remarkable battery life for headphones of this size. I use them for my daily Zoom meetings and phone calls, with my playlist playing in the background when I’m not on a call.
I enjoy taking my Zoom calls on the balcony, where I can savor the cool breeze and soak up the sunlight. However, this also means contending with Singapore’s heat, which causes my ears to sweat after a while. When this happens, I simply remove the magnetic ear cups, wipe them down, and they’re ready for use again. In my air-conditioned office, these issues are non-existent, and wearing the Sonos Ace feels almost imperceptible. The headband rests comfortably on my head without any tightness, and the oval-shaped ear cups encase my ears without making contact, allowing for better breathability.
The ANC is exceptional; coincidentally, my neighbor is renovating his house, resulting in daily drilling and hammering. This is one of the reasons I wear the Sonos Ace daily—the timing for this review is impeccable. The Aware mode is akin to the transparency setting found in other brands, allowing ambient sounds for safety or simply to hear oneself sing along to the music.
The microphone worked well, and the custom grill works by minimizing wind noise while taking calls outdoor.
The Bottom Line.
The Sonos Ace stands out as one of the market’s most aesthetically pleasing headphones, offering not just style but also high-resolution connectivity. Watching movies with Dolby Atmos and spatial headtracking technology elevates the cinematic experience by enhancing the audio, accentuating the immersive and dynamic features of the Sonos Ace.
For SGD 699.00, it is expensive but if you have the cash to spare or already in the Sonos Ecosystem it can be a worthwhile investment as Sonos’s TrueCinema technology will be released at the later part of the year enhancing the Sonos Ace potential.
TLDR:
Best of both worlds, posh looking with amazing sound.
The Good.
- Luxurious looks and feel.
- Hi Res connectivity.
- Awesome sound.
The Bad.
- Carrying case can be better.
- To have more Sonos Ecosystem functions
- Expensive.
Sky Oh, Contributor
Sky's The Technovore's International Man of Mystery. He travels the world, enjoying the high life but still finds the time to write!
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