Sonos Ace Review

Summary / TL;DR

The Sonos Ace headphones offer a sleek design and robust build quality, featuring a mix of matte and glossy finishes, memory foam padding, and metal hinges for durability. They are comfortable for extended use, although the clamping force may be tight for some users. The sound quality is impressive, with deep bass, clear mids, and detailed highs, complemented by active noise cancellation and a transparency mode. However, sound distortion can occur at maximum volume.

Connectivity is strong with Bluetooth 5.0, multi-device pairing, and aptX codec support, though NFC is missing. Battery life is decent at around 20 hours with quick-charge capability, but the non-removable battery may degrade over time. The user interface is straightforward with physical buttons and voice assistant integration, though button differentiation could be improved. The companion app allows for customization and easy firmware updates.

The package includes the headphones, a detachable audio cable, a USB-C charging cable, a power adapter, and a carrying case, but lacks extra ear pads. Priced on the higher side, the Sonos Ace offers good value for those seeking premium audio quality and features, though budget-conscious buyers might find it hard to justify the cost.

In summary, the Sonos Ace excels in design, sound performance, and user-friendly features, making it a solid choice for those willing to invest, despite minor drawbacks like tight fit, battery concerns, and high price.

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If you like this review, you might also like our review on the Sonos Arc or Sonos Era 100 or Sonos Sub Mini.

Introduction

Are you on the hunt for a new pair of headphones that combine sleek design with top-notch sound quality? Say hello to the latest offering from Sonos—the Sonos Ace. These headphones promise to deliver an immersive audio experience without compromising on style or comfort.

Before you decide to snag these, let’s break down what makes them stand out and where they may fall short. From design and build quality to sound performance and battery life, we'll cover all you need to know.

Whether you’re a casual listener or an audiophile, this review aims to give you a clear, unbiased look at what you can expect from these headphones.

Design and Build Quality

The Sonos Ace headphones catch your eye right away with their sleek, modern look. The blend of matte and glossy finishes gives them a sophisticated vibe that fits right in with any tech-savvy setup. If we talk materials, these headphones feel robust. The high-quality plastic and metal accents not only enhance durability but also add a touch of elegance. 

Comfortable Padding

The ear cups are padded with soft memory foam that molds to the shape of your ears. This padding is wrapped in a breathable mesh fabric that keeps things cool even during extended listening sessions. The headband is also padded and covered in synthetic leather, making it comfy for long use. 

Solid Construction

Despite their lightweight feel, these headphones are built like a tank. The hinges for folding the headphones are metal, ensuring they can withstand some rough handling. However, the clamping force can be a bit tight initially, which might be a downside if you wear glasses or have a larger head. 

Attention to Detail

One thing you’ll appreciate is the attention to detail. The buttons are tactile and well-placed, so you won’t fumble around trying to find the volume or playback controls. The branding is subtle, with a small logo on each ear cup that doesn’t scream for attention. 

On-the-Go Friendly

These headphones are also highly portable. They fold up neatly and come with a compact carrying case that slips easily into a backpack. The case is sturdy enough to protect the headphones from minor bumps and scrapes, which is great for travel. In summary, the design and build quality of these headphones are top-notch. They look good, feel solid, and come with thoughtful touches that make them easy to use and carry around. Though the tight fit might be uncomfortable for some, the overall construction makes them a reliable choice for daily use.

Sound Performance

The sound performance of these headphones is where they truly shine. Right out of the box, the audio quality is remarkable. The bass is deep and punchy without being overwhelming, which is perfect for genres like hip-hop and electronic dance music. If you love a good thump, you’re in for a treat. The mids are clear and well-balanced. Vocals come through crisply, whether you're listening to a podcast or your favorite pop songs. The highs are detailed and sparkly; you won't miss a beat or a cymbal crash. It's like having a mini-concert on your ears.

One standout feature is the active noise cancellation (ANC). It effectively drowns out background noise, making these headphones great for both commuting and working in a noisy office. However, the ANC is not the best for complete silence—it does leave some faint noises in the background. Interestingly, these headphones also have a transparency mode, which lets in external sounds. This is super useful when you need to be aware of your surroundings, like when crossing the street or having a quick chat without removing your headphones. There is also some room for improvement. Sometimes, at maximum volume, the sound can distort slightly, especially in the highs. This isn't a deal-breaker, but it's something to be aware of if you like to blast your music. Overall, the Sonos Ace delivers a solid audio experience with a few minor hitches. For most people, the sound quality will be more than satisfactory.

Connectivity and Compatibility

The Sonos Ace packs a punch in terms of connectivity and compatibility. First off, it comes with Bluetooth 5.0, so you get a stable and strong connection. No more annoying dropouts or lag when you're in the groove.

But that's not all. It also supports multi-device pairing. Imagine switching from your laptop to your phone without a hitch. It's a breeze. One cool feature is the inclusion of aptX codec. This ensures you get high-quality audio without latency issues. Perfect if you're a gamer or someone who streams a lot of video content. However, if you're an iPhone user, you might miss out since aptX works primarily with Android devices. Wi-Fi connectivity is another big win. You can connect the headphones to your home network and stream music straight from services like Spotify or Apple Music. It’s like magic, but with fewer wands and more sound. The Sonos Ace also plays nice with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. Just bark out your commands, and voila! It obeys, turning your listening experience into something straight out of a sci-fi movie. Now, let’s talk about the downside.

The headphones lack NFC support, which means you can't just tap to pair with compatible devices. It's a minor inconvenience, but worth mentioning. To sum it up, the Sonos Ace delivers stellar connectivity options that make your listening experience flexible and easy. Apart from the missing NFC feature, it ticks almost all the boxes you'd want in modern headphones.

Battery Life

So, let's talk about battery life. We all know how frustrating it is when headphones die in the middle of our favorite song or podcast. Luckily, the Sonos Ace does a pretty solid job in this department. With a full charge, these headphones offer about 20 hours of playtime. That's more than enough to get you through a long flight or a full day at work. However, if you're a heavy user who listens to music non-stop, you might find yourself needing to charge them every other day.

One of the most convenient features is the quick-charge capability. Just 10 minutes of charging can give you up to 2 hours of playback time. This is super handy for those moments when you forget to charge them overnight. On the downside, the battery is non-removable, so once it starts to degrade over time, you're kind of stuck with it. Also, some users have reported that the battery life does drop a bit when using the headphones at higher volumes or with active noise cancellation turned on. Overall, the battery life of these headphones won't leave you high and dry, but it's something to keep an eye on if you're an all-day listener.

User Interface and Controls

The user interface and controls on these headphones are pretty straightforward, which is a refreshing change. On the right ear cup, you'll find a set of physical buttons that handle most functions. There’s a button for power, play/pause, volume up, and volume down. It’s nice that they didn’t go overboard with touch controls, which can sometimes be finicky to use.

One cool feature is the dedicated button for voice assistants. Press and hold to activate Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa, depending on what you’ve got set up. This makes it easy to adjust settings or get information without fiddling around with your phone.

However, it would have been nice if the buttons were a little more tactically varied. Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between them just by feel, especially if you’re in a hurry or on the go. A slight texture difference would’ve solved this easily.

One of the standout aspects is the seamless integration with the app. The companion app lets you fine-tune the equalizer and other settings, giving you more control over your listening experience. Plus, firmware updates are a breeze. Just make sure your headphones are connected, and the app does the rest.

Overall, the controls are reliable but could use a bit more differentiation. The app support is a strong win, making these headphones a solid choice for those who like a bit of customization in their tech gadgets.

Comfort and Fit

Getting the right pair of headphones is all about comfort and fit, and the Sonos Ace does a pretty good job here. The ear cups are generously padded with memory foam, which means they conform to the shape of your ears. This is a huge plus for long listening sessions, as it minimizes ear fatigue. The headband is adjustable and also padded, adding an extra layer of comfort. Whether you've got a smaller head or need to accommodate a larger one, you'll find these headphones easy to adjust. However, if you have a particularly large head, you might find the clamping force a bit tight.

The headphones are also relatively lightweight, which is always a bonus for portability. You can wear them for hours without feeling weighed down. But, if you're prone to sweating, you might find the ear pads get a bit warm during extended use. In terms of fit, these headphones offer a snug grip that stays put even when you move around. This makes them a good option for casual workouts or commutes. However, they're not designed specifically for sports, so if you're a fitness junkie, you might want to consider something more specialized. In short, the Sonos Ace balances comfort and fit fairly well, but there's always room for improvement. The snug fit and memory foam padding are great for most users, but those with larger heads or who sweat a lot should take note.

What's in the Box

So, you've got your hands on the Sonos Ace and you're probably itching to know what's inside the box, right? Let's break it down for you.

Main Components

First off, you get the headphones themselves, which are neatly packed to avoid any damage during transit. They come with a detachable audio cable, which is a nice touch, especially if you prefer a wired connection sometimes.

Charging and Power

Included is a USB-C charging cable. It's pretty standard these days, but it's great to see Sonos keeping up with modern tech. You also get a power adapter, which means you can start charging right out of the box.

Extra Goodies

Aside from the essentials, you’ll find a nice carrying case. This is perfect for keeping your new headphones safe while you're on the move. You also get a quick start guide to help you get set up without any fuss.

Missing Elements

One thing that might be missing for some users is a set of extra ear pads. If you’re heavy on the usage, having a backup set would be handy. Also, you won't find any fancy accessories like a headphone stand, but that's pretty standard.

Overall, the box has all the essentials you need to get going, but don’t expect too many extras. It's straightforward, which isn't a bad thing at all.

Video by: Digital Trends

Price and Value

Let's talk about the nitty-gritty: the price tag. The Sonos Ace lands on the pricier side of the spectrum. You're looking at a premium investment, but does it offer bang for your buck? Absolutely. This isn't just another pair of headphones; you're paying for top-notch sound quality, robust build, and a suite of smart features.

However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. If you're on a tight budget, you might find it hard to justify the splurge. But if audio excellence and cutting-edge tech are your jam, then the value becomes crystal clear. Think of it like buying a luxury car versus a regular sedan. Both will get you from point A to point B, but one does it with a whole lot more style and comfort.

Still, it's worth considering your priorities. If you need a dependable, high-quality audio experience and are willing to invest, these headphones are a solid bet. On the other hand, if you just need something basic for occasional use, you might find more affordable options elsewhere.

In summary, the Sonos Ace offers a lot of value for those who can afford to invest in premium audio. Just make sure it's within your budget and meets your specific needs before pulling the trigger.

Conclusion

So, what's the final verdict? The Sonos Ace is a solid choice if you value sound quality and a sleek design. It's got a lot going for it with its impressive audio performance and a user-friendly interface. The comfort level is pretty good too, making it a go-to for long listening sessions.

However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The price might be a bit steep for some, and the battery life isn't groundbreaking. Plus, if you're a hardcore audiophile, you might find the bass a tad lacking.

Overall, if you're looking for a pair of headphones that deliver on most fronts and you don’t mind the investment, then these could definitely be worth considering. They’re a nice blend of style, performance, and ease of use – just keep those minor drawbacks in mind.

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Pros & cons

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Technical specifications