When the Sonos Ace was introduced, expectations were high. The brand is known for its high-quality multi-room speakers, but can it live up to this reputation with headphones? iPhoned test the Sonos Ace for you in this review.
Pros Sonos Ace
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Excellent sound quality
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Comfortable for long-term use
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Unique integration with Sonos speakers
Negatives Sonos Ace
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TV Audio Swap only works with Sonos soundbars
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Content Key does not feel very sturdy
Sonos Ace review
Let’s get straight to the point. Sonos has maintained its reputation as a top brand in the field of audio with the Ace. It sounds good, fits comfortably and offers strong integration with the Sonos app and the brand’s existing speakers. Are you a Sonos fan and have you been waiting for the release of the headphones? Then you can strike anyway. Do you have some more doubts about whether the Sonos Ace are the best headphones for you? Then read the entire Sonos Ace review.
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Design and inspiration
The headphones feel robust and light, weighing just 312 grams. The design is a perfect combination of the elegance of the Apple AirPods Max and the functionality of the Sony WH-1000XM5.
It is available in black and white, making the Ace fit seamlessly into the Sonos family. The materials used, including vegan leather and stainless steel, contribute to the luxurious look and comfort of the headphones. In addition, the ergonomically designed ear cushions ensure that the Ace still feels comfortable even after hours of wear, without creating pressure points on your head. Even with glasses, the Ace is pleasant to wear.
Sound quality of the Sonos Ace
The most important aspect of headphones is of course the sound, and the Sonos Ace does not disappoint in that regard. Thanks to the specially developed 40 mm drivers, the Ace delivers a clear and balanced sound without excessive bass. This ensures a true-to-life reproduction, exactly as the artist intended.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) works excellently, although the noise cancellation of the AirPods Max is even more convincing. Aware mode (transparency mode) allows ambient sounds to pass through when necessary. This makes the Ace ideal for use in a variety of environments, from busy city streets to quiet libraries. Unfortunately, there is no adaptive noise cancellation like the AirPods have nowadays. So you always have to switch between the different modes yourself.
In addition, the Ace also supports lossless audio via a USB-C connection (or via Bluetooth on Android devices), further improving sound quality for audiophiles who want the best from their music collection. In that respect, the Ace is better than the AirPods Max.
Integration with your existing speakers
What really sets the Ace apart is its integration with the Sonos speaker systems. The TV Audio Swap function makes it possible to send the sound from your Sonos soundbar to the headphones at the touch of a button, ideal for private viewing pleasure without loss of quality and with surround sound. Currently this feature only works with the Sonos Arc, but support for the Beam and Ray will follow later.
In addition, Sonos will introduce the TrueCinema feature later this year, which analyzes the acoustics of your room and tailors the sound from the headphones accordingly for an immersive home theater experience. TrueCinema ensures that the sound adapts to the specific characteristics of your listening room, giving you an even richer and deeper sound reproduction.
Ease of use and design
The Ace is designed with ease of use in mind. The physical buttons, including the Content Key, make operation simple and intuitive. Although the buttons are plastic and don’t have the premium feel of Apple’s Digital Crown, they work fine. The headphones also feature magnetically attached ear pads that are easy to replace, and they fold flat for easy transport. The seamless button integration and intuitive design mean you can access all the headphones’ features quickly and easily, without having to search for the right button or setting.
Conclusion Sonos Ace review
Sonos has made a strong entry into the headphone market with the Ace. The combination of excellent sound quality, comfortable design and unique features such as TV Audio Swap makes the Ace an attractive choice for audiophiles. Although there are some minor drawbacks, such as the Content Key feeling a little less robust, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. The Ace not only offers high-quality audio, but also an easy-to-use experience that fits perfectly with the rest of the Sonos ecosystem.
For those looking for a premium listening experience and already investing in the Sonos ecosystem, the Ace is an excellent choice. With its stylish design and advanced features, the Ace is ready to win many audiophile hearts.
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