Headphones Only Hardcore Sonos Fans Will Adore

Sonos is making a significant return to the hardware market, building on the success of its Play wireless speaker.

Joining the Sonos lineup are two exciting new products: the Sonos Ace Ultra wireless headphones and the Sonos Beam Ultra soundbar. While neither device revolutionizes their respective categories within the Sonos range, they both bring innovative features and hardware enhancements designed to deepen your engagement with the Sonos ecosystem.

The decision to upgrade will depend on individual preferences. For Sonos’ new wireless headphones, priced at $449, you’ll need to consider how deeply invested you are in the Sonos experience before making a purchase. Ask yourself, “Am I truly a Sonos enthusiast?”

Enhancing Sound Quality for a Superior Listening Experience

Before diving into Sonos-specific features, let’s focus on the core audio experience. In this generation of Ace wireless headphones, the second model released by Sonos, the company has upgraded the sound profile with custom 40mm drivers designed to deliver richer bass, enhanced clarity, and improved balance. Sonos presents the Ace Ultra as a comprehensive upgrade in terms of audio performance.

While I haven’t had the chance to use the original Sonos Ace headphones, my extended experience with the Ace Ultra reveals a solid audio performance. During testing with my favorite tracks, the sound quality impressed me. The stereo separation was excellent, and the soundstage felt spacious. If I were to characterize the sound, it would be described as “balanced.” Unlike some wireless headphones that favor either mids or highs, the Sonos Ace Ultra delivers a harmonious sound profile.

For instance, in Steely Dan’s “Any Major Dude Will Tell You,” I experienced a well-rounded mix of mids, highs, and lows. The vocals stood out, providing clarity and balance.

In electronic tracks such as Daft Punk’s “Da Funk,” the low-end performance was particularly noteworthy. I felt a satisfying bass response without it being overwhelming or artificially exaggerated. In genres that emphasize one part of the frequency spectrum, Sonos’ balanced tuning truly shines, allowing each element to coexist beautifully.

Notably, the Ace Ultra features adaptive EQ for the first time. This technology allows the headphones to adjust the sound profile dynamically based on factors like the fit around your ears, whether you’re wearing a hat or glasses, or if your hair interferes with the seal. I tested the Ace Ultra with and without a hat and noticed no apparent change in sound quality, indicating that the feature functions effectively. The headphones also support spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, along with dynamic head tracking. While dynamic tracking isn’t usually a priority for me, it enhances the experience when watching movies, which is one of the selling points of Sonos wireless headphones.

In summary, I consider the sound quality of the Sonos Ace Ultra to be commendable but not exceptional, especially when compared to Sony’s WH-1000XM6, which retails for around $460. When stacked against Bose’s $449 QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), the sound quality seems comparable; however, I believe Bose still holds a slight advantage. While the Ace Ultra delivers good sound quality, it falls short of greatness, which is somewhat disappointing given its price point. being a part of the Sonos ecosystem adds significant value to this purchase.

Seamless Integration with the Sonos Ecosystem

One of the most compelling reasons to purchase Sonos-branded wireless headphones is their seamless compatibility with the wider Sonos ecosystem. This time around, Sonos has enhanced that compatibility by introducing new Wi-Fi features that enable effortless switching between your headphones and home speakers. Having multiple Sonos speakers at home, I had the opportunity to test the “Headphone linking” feature, and it performed reliably, aside from a few initial glitches.

With a simple long press of the “Content Key” button, I effortlessly switched the audio from the Ace Ultra to my Sonos system, which consisted of two Sonos Plays and an Era 100 SL connected via Wi-Fi. While it may seem like a minor feature, it significantly enhances the user experience. At times, when returning home from work, I appreciate being able to remove my headphones and transition directly to enjoying audio through my home speakers. Having a dedicated button for this function is a thoughtful addition.

Keep in mind that this feature is currently in early access, and some users may experience bugs. Initially, when I attempted to link the Ace Ultra, I encountered issues with audio switching to my home speakers. After a day or so, the feature started to work as intended.

To switching audio using the Content Key, you can now control the Ace Ultra headphones through the Sonos app while streaming over Wi-Fi. This feature promises higher fidelity and more stable audio compared to Bluetooth connections. While it may not be a game-changer for everyone, I appreciated being able to select the Ace Ultra in the Sonos app for playback, just as I would with any other Sonos speaker. I did encounter some bugs during this process as well.

On a few occasions, when attempting to switch the audio playback to the Ace Ultra in the Sonos app by selecting it from a group, I experienced issues with audio synchronization across the other speakers. To resolve the issue, I had to exit the app and restart the process. As of this review’s publication, it seems that some of these bugs have been resolved, but it’s important to be aware that you might encounter similar challenges. it’s worth noting that you cannot group the Ace Ultra in the same way as a Sonos Wi-Fi speaker.

As with the previous generation, the TV Audio Swap feature allows you to toggle audio between your wireless headphones and your Sonos soundbar. This is particularly useful for late-night listening without disturbing others or for honing in on audio details. While I don’t consider it a total game-changer, it functions well and adds convenience.

Regarding standard features like active noise cancellation (ANC), my experience with the Sonos Ace Ultra mirrors my assessment of the sound quality—they perform well but aren’t the best in class. I put the Ace Ultra through various ANC tests, including long flights and rides on the New York City subway, and while their ANC abilities are commendable, they don’t lead the pack.

If you’re accustomed to the original Ace, you might notice a considerable improvement—Sonos claims the Ace Ultra offers double the ANC effectiveness compared to its predecessor. I believe competitors like Sony’s WH-1000XM6 and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) still provide superior noise cancellation, effectively blocking a wider range of frequencies.

For instance, on the subway, the Ace Ultra managed to suppress a significant amount of train noise, but I could still hear conversations and screeching sounds quite clearly. During a flight, the Ace Ultra allowed more ambient airplane noise to seep through compared to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), which I also used on that trip.

Overall, I would liken the Ace Ultra’s performance to that of the Nothing Headphone 1, placing them in the mid-tier category. Unfortunately, the Ace Ultra is priced at $150 more than the Nothing Headphone 1, which raises questions about their overall value.

On a positive note, the transparency mode performed surprisingly well; I appreciated the natural sound quality when I turned off ANC and utilized the passthrough feature via the Ace Ultra’s 10-microphone array. It didn’t provide me with overly heightened hearing (which can be unsettling), nor did it sound artificial.

Stylish Design and Comfort

I appreciate the aesthetic of most Sonos products, and the Ace Ultra is no exception. Their design is minimalist yet effective. I particularly like the new grayish-blue Agave shade, along with the addition of a Sand color, which complements the previous black and white variants of the first generation. Aside from the new color options, their design remains reminiscent of the original Ace. The matte finish adds a nice touch, though it tends to attract fingerprints.

One notable change includes the swivel design of the earcups, which allows them to lie flatter when resting on your neck and increases their rotational range. The earcups are also magnetically attached, making it easy to remove or replace them as needed.

During extensive testing across several coast-to-coast flights, I found the Ace Ultra generally comfortable; however, after prolonged use, I did experience some discomfort, likely due to the earcups pressing against my ears. It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause, but I did not experience this level of discomfort with other wireless headphones, like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen).

The button layout is user-friendly. The “Content Key” on the right earcup allows you to adjust volume, play/pause tracks, and switch audio to your Sonos home system. There’s a circular button on the right earcup for toggling between noise cancellation modes. On the left earcup, a power button can be held to turn the headphones on or off or to initiate Bluetooth pairing. Personally, I prefer a dedicated on/off switch to avoid any guesswork regarding functionality, but this is a minor issue.

While the Ace Ultra features USB-C connectivity, it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack. Sonos includes a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter for wired listening. If you plan to use the Ace Ultra outdoors, be cautious, as there is no official IP rating for water resistance. Sonos states in their FAQ that the Ace Ultra are “not waterproof,” so avoid exposure to rain.

A thoughtful design feature is the removable magnetic earcups, allowing for easy cleaning, and the included case, although its material could be improved; it is somewhat bulky since the Ace Ultra do not fold.

Regarding battery life, Sonos claims the Ace Ultra offers 35 hours on a full charge with ANC activated, which is five hours longer than the previous generation. My testing indicated that the battery dropped from 100% to 97% after an hour of listening with ANC on at 50% volume, suggesting around 33 hours of effective battery life.

Navigating a Competitive Market

On paper, the Ace Ultra presents as a strong contender in the wireless headphone market: solid sound, reliable ANC, and an appealing design. Sonos aims to distinguish itself through its Wi-Fi features, enabling users to swap audio between their headphones and a Sonos home speaker system, a capability unique to Sonos products.

The challenge lies in whether these Wi-Fi functionalities justify the Ace Ultra’s premium price over competing headphones in the same bracket. Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) offer superior ANC and greater comfort, while Sony and Apple outshine the Ace Ultra and the QuietComfort Ultra in sound quality with their WH-1000XM6 and AirPods Max 2, respectively.

Your evaluation of the Ace Ultra will hinge on how much you value these Wi-Fi features. For dedicated Sonos fans, these headphones may be a perfect fit. for others, the Ace Ultra may not meet expectations given their $449 price point.