Courtesy Sonos
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Some debuts can change everything.
After decades of reinventing the home audio system landscape with its pairable speakers, Sonos did something it’s never done before: It entered the headphones space with the Ace, the audio brand’s very first pair of Bluetooth cans.
But how do the new Sonos Ace headphones hold up, and do you really need to spend $449 for a pair of new noise-canceling cans? After hours — and hours — of testing and listening, here’s my honest review.
John Lonsdale for Rolling Stone
In This Article
- What Are the Sonos Ace Headphones?
- Sonos Ace Headphones Review
- Unboxing & Design
- How They Sound
- Sonos Ace Headphones: Pros & Cons
- How Do the Sonos Ace Headphones Compare to Others?
- Sonos Ace Headphones: Final Verdict
What Are the Sonos Ace Headphones?
Released in June 2024, the Sonos Ace headphones are the speaker brand’s first pair of over-ear noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones, retailing for $449.
Sonos Ace Headphones Review
John Lonsdale for Rolling Stone
Unboxing & Design
When I first unboxed the Sonos Ace headphones, I wasn’t expecting anything out of the ordinary. I test plenty of headphones, and it’s all a relatively similar experience. But I immediately realized, much like Sonos’ speaker packaging, the brand once again wasn’t using plastic. It’s a small touch, but it set the tone and shows the brand pays attention to every last detail. The headphones come in a felt travel case with a zipper, which Sonos explains features a majority of recycled materials crafted from plastic bottles.
Once I powered on the Sonos Ace headphones, the Bluetooth cans quickly paired with my phone — no messing with the Sonos app needed to get started, save for a quick software update. Putting the headphones on, I noticed the left and right earcups feature different interior colors, meant to eliminate the need for looking for “L” or “R” when you’re commuting, though that’s still there if you need it.
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The Sonos Ace cans look –and feel — luxurious, sleek, and sophisticated, boasting a modern design that mimics the style of the audio brand’s speakers. They also feel comfortable on your head, thanks to their super-lightweight frame, soft earcup cushions, and adjustable headband. Sonos kept the Ace design straightforward and minimal, with a single, unique-to-the-touch sliding button for controlling volume (slide up or down), and press for play, pause, or answering a call. They’re extremely functional to use right out of the box, getting you on your way to the most important part: rocking out on the go.
How They Sound
Taking the Sonos Ace headphones out for a walk on a busy street with lots of traffic noise, I cued up “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish, a song I’ve listened to nonstop over the last few weeks. With the active noise cancellation on with the press of the button on the right earcup, I noticed intimate details I’d never heard before, like birds chirping in the background of the track beneath Billie’s vocals. Outside noise, from passing cars to wind, were blocked out, fully immersing me in my tunes, just like I like it.
Next up I threw on Cleo Sol’s laidback “Go Baby,” an intimate track that sounded more realistic than ever, with the singer’s vocals as crisp as I’ve ever heard them. The mic felt like it was right next to my ears, even though I was in the middle of Los Angeles next to passing cars and barking dogs. The same goes for Cat Power’s “New York,” the song’s opening boom of percussion and organs coming through the headphones with full, detailed clarity without any overpowering muddiness.
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Sonos also designed its new Ace headphones to pair with their Arc soundbar, essentially creating a more immersive, surround-sound setup for watching action-packed movies or shows at home thanks to the built-in spatial audio and dynamic head-tracking tech. While it sets the headphones apart from the competition, you don’t have to own other Sonos products to get the most out of these cans. That said, you can customize how they sound inside the Sonos app, personalizing their EQ settings by boosting the bass or treble on tracks, as well as turning on active noise cancellation and Aware mode — all within the app on your phone. They’re also equipped for lossless and spatial audio.
Overall, the Sonos Ace headphones deliver expressive, rich, and warm audio, track after track. As a music lover, it’s impossible not to love the Ace headphones. Like their name suggests, Sonos aced their debut with these headphones. All in all, the Sonos Aces stand on their own as some of the best-sounding headphones we’ve ever tested.
Sonos Ace Headphones: Pros & Cons
From their easy-to-control buttons to their flawless audio experience, here are a few of our favorite parts about the Aces.
Sonos Ace Pros:
- Easy to use: The Sonos Ace headphones were immediately easy to use thanks to their intuitive touch controls on the left and right memory foam earcups, as well as their quick connectivity.
- Crisp, well-balanced sound: No matter which track we listened to, the Sonos Ace headphones deliver excellent sound quality when streaming music, especially when we activated their active noise cancellation feature.
- Long battery life: Sonos claims the Ace headphones have a 30-hour battery life. For comparison, Apple AirPods Max aim to last up to 20 hours per charge.
Sonos Ace Cons:
- They’re not workout-friendly: Now, they’re not marketed as workout cans, but if you’re looking for over-ear headphones for breaking a sweat or lots of movement, you might consider other options. While the Sonos Aces are among some of the lighter over-ear headphones I’ve worn, they’re not what I’d prefer to wear for workouts or for a hike in warmer weather (we like Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra earbuds for that). After wearing them in the heat on a walk, they didn’t feel comfortable after I got sweaty and moved around quite a bit, and I had to take them off more frequently than I would’ve liked. It’s a nitpick, but something to keep in mind when paying $449. Then again, it’s only a matter of time until Sonos reveals a pair of sweat-friendly earbuds.
- Their price tag: They’re not as cheap as earbuds or other over-ear headphones. If you have budget to afford them, they’re a good option, and they’re cheaper than their most direct competitor, the Apple AirPods Max headphones, which normally retail for $549.
Sonos
How Do the Sonos Ace Headphones Compare to Others?
When it comes to comparing the Aces to other cans on the market, they outperform other competitor headphones in a few ways, including battery life. For instance, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, which sound excellent, feature a 24-hour battery runtime versus the Aces’ 30-hour battery life, while Apple’s AirPods Max headphones last for 20 hours on a charge.
The Sonos Ace headphones are considerably more expensive than, say, a pair of the Beats Studio Pros ($179.95), which also boast spatial and lossless audio capabilities, along with a whopping 40-hour battery life. Still, they’re still more affordable than Apple’s top-of-the-line, over-ear headphones, which cost $549 when they’re not discounted.
Sonos Ace Headphones: Final Verdict
Does the world really need another new pair of headphones? That also depends on what you’re looking for — there’s enough gear out there that often ends up quickly getting replaced with new updates and new technology at every turn. So it makes sense that Sonos took its time with the Aces, and you can feel and, most importantly, hear that these are essential headphones built for the long haul.
But are they really worth your money? With their long-lasting runtime, sleek design and functionality, and immersive sound quality, the Sonos Aces are the only headphones you’ll ever need. Now, let the former speaker brand reintroduce itself: Sonos just became one of the best headphone makers in the game and dropped the hottest headphones of the summer.