In late May, Sonos announced it was getting into the headphone game with the $449 Ace. The addition makes perfect sense: The company has spent the last 20-plus years establishing itself as a trusted, trusted name in the world of connected home audio. In addition, nearly every other consumer electronic manufacturer has entered the space at some point.
There’s a lot to be said for taking the time to get the product right, but waiting for the right moment risks being too late. Over the past several years, the category has transformed from one dominated by Bose to one that is somewhat more competitive. QuietComfort is no longer alone, as companies like Sony and Apple have fielded competing products.
Like those companies, Sonos commands its own intense brand loyalty. For many locked into the Southern California firm’s home ecosystem, there’s plenty of reason to believe it will successfully translate its speaker expertise to a pair of headphones. Indeed, Sonos is delivering excellent sound with the Ace.
If there are any Sonos users who are holding off on buying a new pair of headphones until they enter the firm category, this has it. They deliver everything you’re looking for in a premium pair of wireless headphones. I’ve got a few gripes, but nothing that would stop me from continuing to wear the Sonos Ace.
However, I strongly suspect that even some very dedicated Sonos fans have already picked up, for example, the Sony WH-1000XM5 or the AirPods Max. The question then is whether Sonos can win them back with the S. And, more importantly, is it enough to convince people to take the plunge without any brand attachment?
Sonos certainly isn’t looking 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), the Sony WH-1000XM5 ($399) or the Apple AirPods Max ($449). Sonos has always presented itself as a premium brand with price tags to match, and there’s no reason to expect the Ace to be any different. The company has no interest in a race to the bottom dominating the other side of the market, but it’s also clearly not interested in 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 flashy headphones or those that support extra chrome. Ace takes a minimalist approach to design with rounded colors and soft curves. We’re luckily on the other side of attempts to replace every button with a touch surface, and Sonos puts all three Aces to work.
The overall design is slim and light, which fits comfortably in the included slim carrying case. There is no auxiliary input for flight. Instead, the headphones are bundled with a USB-C to audio jack cable.
The left ear cup has a power button that’s large enough to not fumble for. There are two buttons on the right cup: the bottom one toggles between active noise cancellation and transparency/awareness modes. Above it is a “content key”; A rectangular silver button manages important playback functions. Tap the audio to play or pause it, and slide it up or down to adjust the volume. It’s straightforward, easy to remember, and has the right amount of built-in functions.
Comfort is a bit more of a mixed bag. In terms of fit, the Ace feels great on my head. The band and ear cups are nice and juicy. I wore headphones on a flight from New York to Austin last week. Not once did I feel the dull ache that comes with an ill-fitting set of over-ear headphones.
For better or worse (mostly worse), Austin also gave me a chance to test out the headphones because it was pre-gaming summer in the capital city. This is where I switch back to earbuds. As nice as the leather cushion is, it doesn’t breathe at all, instead turning my ears into a swampy mess. I’m not a big fan of over-ear headphones for working out or even walking around, but if I were, these would be low on the list.
But sound-wise, the Sonos Ace is right up there with the competition. The music is rich and full, with great separation. The default EQ is excellent, with no single component on the rest of the mix. Those who prefer the Ace over headphones on par with Bose, Apple and Sony won’t be disappointed. The same goes for active noise cancellation, which is a godsend on a plane.
Sonos has always been an ecosystem play. Once you buy into a speaker, you’ll be instantly hooked. That will ultimately be an important selling point for the Ace, though at press time, the benefits are limited. It currently doesn’t go beyond the ability to hand off audio between headphones and the Arc Sound Bar.
Ace is a contender in a crowded market, but they’re still looking for that magic bullet to really set them apart from the pack. As first generation products, however, Sonos delivers on their commitment to great-sounding products.
