Customers are satisfied with the sound quality, comfort, battery life, design, and bass of the Sonos Ace Wireless Over-the-Ear Headphones. They appreciate the sleek and stylish design, the deep and powerful bass, and the long battery life. However, some customers have expressed concerns about the price, app connectivity issues, and limited Bluetooth functionality.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
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Pros mentioned:
Comfort, Sound quality, Weight
Cons mentioned:
Price
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Ace of spades
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Posted . Owned for 2 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Sonos has been known for making some really incredible home audio speakers, their take on the Bluetooth speaker world is also quite remarkable with their Sonos move and their roam so their take on headphones is a huge welcome to me. At first impression their design on the headphones is remarkable, they’re incredibly light weight and comfortable for hours of usage. The plushy leather band sits on the head well and the ear cups are great for not generating ear fatigue or sweat. The stainless steel rod feels great for adjustment doesn’t feel cheap and it’s a great choice to allow users with multiple head shapes and sizes. The logo on the side is subtle enough to not notice from a far but proud enough to know who and what it is. The Included carrying case is great for travel it’s quite thin making it fit in my bag with my PlayStation portal and some extra clothes perfect. Sonos also offers a tiny little case for extra cables for either charging or lined in audio that fits inside the carrying case of the headphones magnetically. The headphones themselves are quite simple with controls which is great for getting what you need access to, your left ear cup provides a power button, usb c connector for charging/lined in audio and a light indicator to show Bluetooth connection, your right ear cup provides your noise cancellation and transparency mode button, above that button you have what may be one of my favorite takes on volume controls for a headphones, you have a volume slider, adjusting the volume up or down gives a click through the headphone to indict the action but after releasing the mechanism it returns back to a center position, it’s a simple switch but makes the experience feel responsive and elegant. The design of these headphones is what I would expect from Sonos, it’s elegant and efficient I would say for its price you barely recognize that it using a plastic housing because it’s plastic doesn’t feel cheap, no creaks or squeaks when picking up or adjusting the headset. Coming from the brand I do expect great audio quality especially being an owner of their Sonos beam gen 2 and Sonos move, their noise cancellation are strong and what’s great about that is they aren’t strong with pressure. The noise cancellation is one of the best I’ve used and there is a great feedback to let you know you’ve entered and exited noise cancellation. Transparency mode is clear and at times feels as if you aren’t wearing headphones it’s very clear with voices. My own voice however when in transparency mode doesn’t feel robot. I can definitely tell my own voice is coming through a microphone. Actual sound quality of the headphones is quite great, voices like Lauryn hill, phill Collin’s, bob Marley sound incredible they support mid sections incredibly well I honestly think that’s where they shine. The highs are pretty well done, bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, rage against the machine and Metallica have some great guitar solos where I felt I could really let the headphones show their capability and I wasn’t dissatisfied. Their lows are quite good filling the space with some deep bass and heavy drums. Overall the Sonos headphones are a wonderful pair of headphones I would highly consider for my daily wear. My only gripe with these headphones is its price. I think it’s an excellent headset, had they been $50 or $100 less I would pick them up and never let them go
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Comfort, Sound quality
Cons mentioned:
Price
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Sonos Ace Headphones Review
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Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Pros:
1. Superior Active Noise Cancellation (ANC):
The standout feature of the Sonos Ace headphones is undoubtedly the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The ANC performance is top-notch, effectively drowning out ambient noise and creating an immersive listening experience. Whether you’re in a busy office, on a noisy commute, or simply trying to enjoy some quiet time at home, the ANC does an excellent job of keeping distractions at bay. Compared to other headphones in this price range, the Sonos Ace holds its ground remarkably well.
2. Sound Quality:
The sound quality is another high point. The audio is crisp, with a balanced mix of bass, mids, and highs. Music genres from classical to rock sound fantastic, and podcasts and audiobooks are clear and easy to listen to. The headphones handle both high and low volumes without distortion, making them versatile for different listening preferences.
3. Comfort and Build:
The Sonos Ace headphones are lightweight yet sturdy, crafted with high-quality materials that feel durable. The ear cups are well-padded and comfortable, even for extended listening sessions. The adjustable headband ensures a snug fit without being too tight, which is perfect for long-term wear.
4. Aware Mode:
The Aware Mode (Sonos’ version of transparency mode) is another highlight. It seamlessly blends external sounds with your audio, making it easy to stay aware of your surroundings without removing the headphones. This feature is particularly useful when you need to have quick conversations or be alert in busy environments.
Cons:
1. Initial Charging Issues:
One frustrating aspect I encountered was the difficulty in getting the headphones to charge initially. Despite following the instructions, the headphones didn’t seem to charge properly the first few times. After some troubleshooting and trying different cables and outlets, the issue eventually resolved itself, but it was an inconvenient start. This could be a potential deal-breaker for those who expect a hassle-free setup out of the box.
2. Price:
While the Sonos Ace headphones offer great features and performance, they come with a premium price tag. For some, this might be a significant investment, especially when there are other competitive options available at lower price points.
Final Verdict
The Sonos Ace headphones excel in delivering high-quality sound and exceptional ANC, making them a great choice for audiophiles and frequent travelers. However, the initial charging issues can be a bit of a setback. If you’re willing to overlook this minor inconvenience, the Sonos Ace headphones are a solid investment for anyone seeking a premium audio experience.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The hype of these headphones prior to launch was unknown to me. I’m aware of their speakers for home & entertainment. Era 100 & 300 got me into the Sonos brand. When notified by Sonos of their Ace, I preordered.
Initially I was expecting a lot considering the price point. But after a few days of ownership I can say it’s a solid debut. The sound signature did take some getting used too without messing with the simple EQ avail (Bass, Treble, and Fade) The bass is apparent but not overwhelming and Treble is crystal clear but not ear piercing. With the likes of Bose QC Ultra for comparison; those seem more bright in signature. Sonos Ace has a more darker tone & balanced signature. I thought it was lacking personality initially, but after putting in more listening time, it’s definitely Sonos sound but in your ears. I don’t own an Arc soundbar to test its sound swap feature; that’s the one thing it has over its competitors. The look of the Ace is Sonos. Very simply & minimalistic. If AirPods Max & XM5’s had a child, this would be it. The carrying case is also well constructed with recycled materials. Plus despite weighing a few grams more than Sony’s & Bose top tier offering; these feel remarkably light & comfortable to wear. It’s not an exaggeration. The ear cups are held by strong magnets. If those need replacements down the line, that option is available to you. Overall satisfied with these headphones. Can improvement be made for a version 2? Yes. Wish it had WiFi support like it’s other products. But what is presented is a wonderful pair of premium headphones.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life, Comfort, Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Top Tier Quality for Sound & Comfort
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Posted . Owned for 2 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
SONOS ACE wireless headphones are exactly what you'd expect from the tech-forward, quality-focused company. Sound quality is crisp, clear, and full of nuanced audio notes that I never noticed when listening to other speakers or headphones. The comfort level of these headphones around the ears and on the head resemble a soft, comfortable cooling pillow feel -- able to be worn for hours without discomfort.
Pros: Adjustable frame, ultra fast charging, long battery life, easy to connect Bluetooth, flawless wired audio option, and bonus ability to connect into SONOS smartphone app make this a very desirable audiophile experience.
Con: if you're a current SONOS owner and use their other Wi-Fi based audio products, these headphones do NOT use the Wi-Fi technology leveraged by other SONOS devices. Additionally, SONOS has a product development roadmap that includes future features for the ACE -- such as seamless audio switching from some TVs using SONOS sound bars -- but those features are not fully available as of 08/2024.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life, Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
God Tier Audio While Staying Quiet For The Baby
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
At first I was a little skeptical on how useful these could be. I knew someone else was going to deliver a high quality product, but wasn't sure how much I would actually use these. I've come to find myself using them around 3 hours a day. Originally I thought they were going to be uncomfortable and a burden, but they've actually become the most comfortable headphone I've ever worn and sound amazing. The 3D audio and head tracking is a very unique feature and makes movies even more immersive. The ability to quickly switch from having audio on my Sonos Arc straight to my headphones is a godsend. I love hearing every detail in movies and games, but that was difficult with having a newborn. I had to settle for very low volumes at certain times, and that just doesn't utilize the awesomeness of having a Sonos system. Now with these headphones I can listen "as loud as I want" at any time of the day. With the simple press of a button on the headphones, audio is rerouted from my soundbar straight to my headphones. They even have Bluetooth support to listen to your favorite music or other media on your phone. They can be used to make phone calls and are just all around something I don't know how I lived without. I recommend them to everyone I know, and can't believe how useful they have become. I caught them on sale for $100 off, but I honestly would pay full retail price for these headphones. One final note is how awesome the battery life is. I swear with using it every single day, I've only had to charge it maybe once a week. And charging is extremely fast. Battery seems to go from 0 to 100% in around half an hour
Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
These headphones were a nice surprise and a bit of a letdown at the same time. Without Wavelet my go to custom EQ app these wouldnt even make my top 5. The Sonos app has been buchered as im sure all you Sonos fans are aware and these werent spared that fate. The lack of bass doesnt just negatively affect songs it affects movies too missing that key depth of sound. Dont get me wrong tho despite these shortcomings things got better. With a little EQ magic these actually sound really good. Still not nearly as much bass as I and many may personly prefer but mids and highs are really solid. Speaking of solid the build quality and material used in these are only second to the Airpods Max and so much lighter. If Sonos would fix their awful app, give these things a proper EQ and find a way to get some actual bass, these things would be the best on the market. So much potential... too bad.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Comfort, Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Nicest headphones I’ve owned.
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Nicest headphones I’ve had. They adjust nicely to my head and are relatively light. Because of the comfort factor, I am able to wear them for longer periods of time without discomfort. The sound is amazing. I like that you can adjust bass and treble from the Sonos app. These are not WIFI driven like other Sonos products, but if you want a nice pair of Bluetooth headphones, I recommend these.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
way better than expected. i have been able to pair with them with all of my sound bars. The headphones pack a nice full sound via bluetooth but they truly shine when plugged directly into the source. i believe these headphones are well worth the price given how resilient they can be.
The battery life is pretty unreal. I have been on multiple walks with noise cancelation on and still left with plenty of battery to spare.
I took my time on making this purchase. i have air pods max and i would highly recommend these over the air pods max.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Let me start off by saying I’ve tried Bose QC Ultra Headphones, Apple AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro, and more, but these are the best by far. I love the Audio Swap option with my Sonos Beam 2, the head tracking to keep sound centered, the quality materials used, the Noise Cancellation is superb, the buttons are simple & easy to use, and lastly the travel case & magnetic cord holder just finishes off this great headphone.
For the Audio Swap to work with Sonos soundbars, ensure you have Wi-Fi turned on for both & you’ll have no problems swapping the TV sound to your headphones.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Aces are light while still feeling solidly built, have a smooth but appropriately firm sliding hinge for headband fit, have easily removable ...
Pros Easy to wear for hours without discomfort ⋅ Very comfortable you can hear every instrument and sound clearly bass and treble controllable with the App
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Anc
Cons mentioned:
Bass
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great headphones!
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
These are great headphones! The ANC works well, Bluetooth switching between devices is super easy, and they look great. I do wish the bass was a little bit louder but I adjusted that in the Sonos apps.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
No WIFI WTF ?!?!
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Why would Sonos decide to produce one product that doesn't fully connect to Sonos systems? It is what they are known for and the only reason buy Sonos. I dont want to be teathered by bluetooth. Sometimes i want to leave my device behind, but stay connected to whatever show or music I am engaged in. I think they should have made it clear in their marketing that the Sonos Ace is just another overpriced bluetooth headphone. I currently the following Sonos products; Playbar, Sub, four Play 1's, two Ones, Roam 2, and a Sonos amp hooked up to sonance landscape speaker system. Unfortunately, the Sonos Ace interacts with these products the same as AirPod Max or Bose Quiet Comfort. Please fix this in an update ASAP. There is no reason it doesnt have both Bluetooth and Wifi capabilities like the Roam 2! Of course the Roam 2 is clunky and loses connection constantly needing factory reset, so maybe programming is difficult...
Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Waited a few months until after release and for the first sale before purchasing. The funny thing is the updated Sonos App was working pretty good until I added the headphones, then the crashing issues started! I have the Arc at home and Ray at our lake home. I take the headphones in between and simply hit the button to move sound to the headphones. Would be 5 stars without the App issues.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Amazing, clear, sound need to improve the noise cancelling, very comfortable to use in long time and the battery works great in large period of charged, overall you won’t be dessapointment.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Comfort, Sound quality, Weight
Cons mentioned:
Bass
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent first foray by Sonos
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Sonos has finally come to market with a upper end set of cans in the $400+ price range, but can they compete with other similarly priced headphones?
Arriving in very industrial but basic packaging, you get your headphones semi pre-charged, a USB-C to USB-C cable, USB-C to 1/8", carrying case, smaller carrying pouch inside for your two cables and some literature. I very much like Sonos packaging and looks.
Taking a first look and wear of the Aces, they are aesthetically pleasing and streamlined. Compared to Apple's Airpod Max's, they are much lighter and incredibly comfortable. If you're worried about having a larger sized head, don't be. I wear a size 8 hat and they fit very nicely. They feel much better than Apple's Airpod Max's and Studio Pro's 2 and 3 for fitment. I was very pleased with how they feel and look.
I compared the Aces versus my original Studio Detox wired headphones, Studio 2 and Studio 3 Pros and Apple's Airpod Max's. I also have a range of lesser priced headphones thrown in the mix for comparison.
You can use them right out of the box, but you will definitely want to download and use the Sonos App as there is a sizeable update waiting for them which can be installed via bluetooth.
Speaking of the app, as soon as you pair them to an iphone you will have the opportunity to install the app as you can click right through to the store and download it. Be warned there are two apps for Sonos. Their older app they've used for quite some time and their newer version released this year. You will need to use the newer version.
I tested the Ace's in a number of scenarios including wired directly into a DAC on my computer along with wireless with my phone and my AppleTV which is the newest 3rd generation 4k model. For headphone song testing I always use the following selections:
The Spinners "Rubber Band Man" Remastered - I like this one because it has excellent mids with the twang of the strings that lesser headphones can lose pretty quickly.
Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" - The extreme highs on this at 50%+ will crack and break up lesser headphones very badly.
Kitaro's "Caravansary" - Perfect blend of highs and lows with a bit of bass punch to give you an overall soundscape with subtle harp mids that can get lost on some headphones
Lil Wayne's "6x9" - Will absolutely show the limitations of bass on some headphones that can't hit that deep thump of the hook
BASS:
The Ace's faired very well. Let me start this off by saying if you prefer a lot of rich, deep, heavy Bass the Ace's are not for you. They lack the teeth rattling bass of the Detox's and the bottom hit of the Studio 2/3. Their Bass doesn't even match a few pairs of very low end gaming headphones in terms of punch and vibrate. Is this a bad thing? Not really as what Sonos has done is present a very balanced soundscape from top to bottom and usually what is sacrificed in that is enhanced Bass. Even adjusting for more bass, it just doesn't hit like some of the other headphones. I love bass, but I prefer that soul jarring bass to be external so it's ok. Lil Wayne's "6x9" quickly showed the limitations of the Ace headphones.
HIGHS:
They passed the Adagio for Strings test with flying colors and didn't even have a hint of cracking or breaking even at 75% volume (which I had to hold away a bit from my ears as it was too loud) which is fantastic. All the subtle highs of Caravansary were there and on full display. I even picked up on some subtle little studio clicks and sounds on Rubber Band Man that I had only heard on my Airpod Max's. When you're in this price range, the separation is the subtle little nuances in sound and the Ace delivered where it needed.
MIDS:
The ultimate test for mids, for me at least, continues to be Rubber Band Man. The snapping and twanging of the rubber bands as the song hums along really will let you know where your mids rank and the Aces had no problems presenting them front and center and easy to discern from everything else.
Audio quality the Aces are a solid 9/10.
ANC (aka noise cancellation):
Phenomenal. Out of all my ANC enabled headphones, I think the Sonos do the best job and where I test I have a very strong and loud blower. I didn't even realize it was on till I took them off even with no audio playing. With my Studio headsets I can always hear the blower in all situations to a degree even farther away. I can even hear it a bit with the Max's. Some of it has to do with the absolute comfortable seal the Aces provide around my ear. One other thing is I have found in the past some ANC can cause me slight ear discomfort rather quickly. I did not experience this with the Aces.
Easy 10/10
AppleTV:
Since the Aces are standard bluetooth equipped headphones, pairing them to my AppleTV, just like my iphone, was straight forward and easy. I tested them compared to my Studio 2 and 3 Pro sets along with Airpod Max's.
Watching Foundation Season 2, especially key moments like Episode 8 when Sal is trapped in the prison the Sonos Ace are miles ahead of both the Studio 2 and 3 studio headsets. Subtle sounds like the insects and ambient noises were so front and center with the Sonos Ace. The sounds of the thought suppressor blades were much more separated and clear with the Ace headset too. There was so much more warmth and richness overall. The Sonos Aces are much closer to the Airpod Max's than the Studio 2 and 3 Pros in regards to quality of sound and total balanced soundscape. I would say they are on par with the Max's even. They're really good.
Another solid 9/10
SONOS Eco System:
We have a Sonos Arc soundbar in our bedroom we use but we also use the older app on my wife's system/account along with the older app and it appears either your devices must be on the same account and/or use the same version of the app. The blessing of a completely seamless eco system is the synergy and flexibility of all the devices working in a shared, cohesive fashion. The curse obviously is to achieve this level of functionality all devices have to be on the same page to work which can be problematic when you have a series of devices under your roof being used/managed by different people/accounts/wifi networks. I will eventually update and merge everything on the same eco system from top to bottom as I do want to try out the room mapping feature to see what type of surround sound landscape can be provided.
7/10
Overall:
I will be the first to admit I was a little wary of the price tag and was unsure what the Sonos Ace headphones could bring to the table but after having held them and used them for several days now I think they are worth the price even standing on their own outside of the Sonos eco system. Like Apple, integrating them into your Sono eco system brings even more usefulness and quality of life functionality but even if you're not a Sonos user, the Sonos Ace headphones can stand on their own. They are relatively light weight and comfortable, stylish, well built and they have a very balanced and lush soundscape especially when watching selections with my AppleTV.
The negatives they do have are few. They do not have an over abundace of bass so if you're into bass heavy headphones these are not for you. If you're on the older version of the app you will need to upgrade to the new version to not only update and keep your headset current but to integrate your pre-existing Sonos network/items with the Aces and take advantage of the soundbar synergy.
Again, overall, I am highly impressed with Sonos's first foray into the high end headphone market and I can officially declare the Sonos Ace headphones as my new preferred set for watching my streaming programs.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Finally Sonos entered the headphones race! I was waiting for them to do so for a while now and i am happy they did it.
*The Price it is a little high i would say for this great but not perfect set of headphones. They missed a great opportunity to make a difference on this audio/headphones race and wished they came with something new the competition doesn't offer.
*Design is great and i do love the fact that they used physical buttons for commends! I also apreciate the dual color of the earpieces i think it is a smart move, it makes it easier/more intuitive to put them on right/faster. Also light weight and very comfortable!
*App works fine and i do recommend adjusting a little the EQ, try the audio track head movement. I wish here the EQ would be a little more complex with more settings.
*Noise canceling it is amazing. One of the best if not the best i ever tried so far, even the other mode Aware it really works and makes it possible having a conversation without having to remove your headphones to do so!
It's a very good pair of headphones with a nice good quality sound and feel to it! There is some improvements that can be done to the app and maybe add wifi connectivity even though that might affect de battery life which currently is good.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
PROS:
premium feeling
lightweight and comfortable
physical buttons
beautiful case in the box (all $300+ headphones should have a case, but sadly they don't)
CONS:
lacks a signature sound (too neutral with no punch)
doesn't work with all Sonos soundbars
doesn't function fully with Android devices (the Arc switch)
relies too much on Apple's influence
no audio over wifi (a feature we all wanted)
price
doesn't work wired without battery turned on
Sonos has been my go-to for audio speakers for quite some time now. I purchased a pair of the original Play 1s in 2014, less than a year after they debuted. Since then, I've gotten nine additional speakers from them to use all around the house and outside the home (Sonos Move and Sonos Roam). I've had very few negative experiences with owning them throughout those years.
Despite minor hiccups with internet-dependent devices, my experience with Sonos products has been premium. The recent app update may have sparked some debate among Sonos owners, but it hasn't affected the seamless integration of the new Sonos Ace headphones. These headphones, which connect effortlessly via Bluetooth to any device and through a user-friendly app, have been a breeze to use. I was able to add them to my collection using my Android app, even with my wife's iOS device nearby.
According to Sonos, headphones have long been the most requested product. They've been in the lab for years, developing what they believe is one of the best ANC headphones on the market. When unboxing them, you will soon see they are another premium device that shows how much care the company puts into quality. These are incredibly lightweight yet feel premium in every single way. From the physical buttons to the steel adjustable headband, these headphones feel and look like a Sonos product. You can tell the Apple Airpod Max inspired them - which makes sense because Sonos has always felt like an Apple device.
Owning an Apple device enhances your experience with Sonos. For example, an iOS device can use Trueplay (an advanced auto-tuning tool for your speakers), yet an Android device cannot. And even though the Android Sonos app has improved much over the years, the iOS app has always been more fluid and trouble-free. As far as these Ace headphones go, owning an iOS device is required to use the function of changing from Bluetooth audio to listening through your Sonos Arc. Currently, this is the only soundbar available to listen to TV audio. The beam will be available later, which is nice to know. As an Android user, Sonos chose to prioritize Apple in this regard, and I can't help but feel slighted by that. Especially considering Apple is their biggest competitor in this headphone space. It makes sense to prioritize Android for the Ace because Apple users have the Airpod Max available, which works seamlessly with Apple devices. Sonos wants to be known as either a product for all or just for iOS users. Having some features available on one platform and not the other doesn't make sense.
Thankfully, in my case, my wife's work phone is an iPhone, and I could test the "button" to switch from music to TV audio through our Arc. The audio switching works well. It's reasonably seamless and doesn't have trouble with lagging after the button is pressed. This is causing many Sonos users to use the Arc. I do wish, however, that it worked for ALL products before launch - when I hear the words "it's coming..." it makes me feel like the product is in a beta phase.
What about the sound? That's the number one crucial feature for me. I'm a headphone lover. I own more than ten different over-the-ear headphones. Each has a distinct sound stage and signature, yet I have my favorites to listen to regularly. For reference, I'll list some of my own: Blue Ellas, Mark Levinson no.5909, Bowers & Wilkins PX8, and PX7s. The Mark Levinson's, for example, retails for $1000, so comparing them with Ace's may be unfair. On the other hand, each of these sets of cans has a distinct sound signature that differentiates them from one another, and that is where the Sonos Ace lacks, in my opinion.
The sound is very balanced and crisp but lacks much bass or soundstage. In other words, it's too neutral. You can, however, change the equalizer in the Sonos app. It works well if you want to raise the bass, for example. But a sign of a new headphone is not having to use the equalizer. Most people who wish for a distinct sound will use the equalizer. I was also surprised that Ace does not have a passive mode. You have to turn it on for both Bluetooth and wired audio. I'd love for it to be used with no battery and a wire.
The ANC works very well, too. The sound is isolated quite well when you turn it on, and the transparency is better than average. In that regard, they aren't better than the AirPods Max, but those are tough to beat. The Ace's ANC features do well for a $450 pair of headphones.
The battery is excellent, though. It is supposed to last 30 hours, and for listening to them often for about a week, I only had to charge them once towards the end of that period.
The one feature I looked forward to the most with the Sonos Ace was audio over wifi (like the Sonos speakers do). That would have set these headphones apart from the plethora of other options. I'd love to listen over wifi and hear superior audio that doesn't rely on Bluetooth. You'd think Sonos would have continued to develop that feature into their debut headphones, but I understand that technologically, that may not be possible in 2024.
The Sonos Ace is a good pair of headphones if you want something to use with your Sonos Arc. If you don't have an Arc, I'd say there are plenty of other headphones that sound better or the ANC better. My favorite ANC headphones are my Mark Levinson, but there are also the Focal Bathys if you want to get top-of-the-line ANC wireless headphones. For $450, I think the price point may be a bit high. I'd like to see these go for the $350 mark due to the need for more separation from other products. Sure, you can listen to TV audio through the Sonos Arc easily, but most TVs have Bluetooth capabilities anyway, so it's not a groundbreaking feature - it's just a tad convenient.