Sonos Ace — premium wireless headphones with active noise cancellation, high-quality sound, and impressive battery life. A review of the key features, design, and functionality of the flagship model from the renowned audio systems manufacturer.
G. Ostrov
Sonos Ace Technical Specifications
Sonos, known for its high-quality home audio systems, has released its first over-ear headphones, the Sonos Ace. The model is equipped with 40mm dynamic drivers with neodymium magnets, providing a frequency range of 20Hz - 20kHz. The headphones support Bluetooth 5.3 codecs, including SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and LDAC for high-quality wireless audio transmission.
The battery provides up to 30 hours of continuous playback with active noise cancellation enabled and up to 40 hours with ANC turned off. Fast charging allows you to get 5 hours of use from just 15 minutes of charging.
Design and Ergonomics
The Sonos Ace features a minimalist design with aluminum elements and ear cushions made of premium synthetic leather filled with memory foam. The headphones weigh 320 grams, which is slightly more than competitors, but thanks to well-thought-out weight distribution and soft headband, they remain comfortable during extended use.
Control is implemented through touch panels on the ear cups, as well as physical buttons for power and switching noise cancellation modes. The headphones can be folded for compact storage in the included case.
Sound Quality
The sound signature of the Sonos Ace is characterized by a flat frequency response with a slight emphasis on lower frequencies. There's enough bass for energetic genres, but it doesn't overwhelm the rest of the spectrum. Mid-frequencies are transmitted with high accuracy, making vocals and instruments detailed and natural. High frequencies are clean without excessive sharpness.
The Sonos app offers an equalizer with several presets and manual adjustment options, as well as sound personalization based on individual hearing characteristics.
Active Noise Cancellation
The active noise cancellation system uses eight microphones and modern algorithms to effectively block external noise. There are three ANC modes: maximum noise cancellation, adaptive mode, and transparency mode. In the first mode, the headphones block up to 95% of external noise, which is slightly behind category leaders but still provides comfortable listening even in noisy environments.
Integration with the Sonos Ecosystem
The key advantage of Sonos Ace is seamless integration with other Sonos devices. The headphones can be used as a full-fledged component of a multi-room audio system, quickly switching between audio sources. The Swap function allows you to instantly transfer playback from headphones to the nearest Sonos speaker and back.
Comparison with Competitors
Compared to the Sony WH-1000XM5, the Sonos Ace falls slightly behind in noise cancellation efficiency but offers more neutral sound. Compared to Apple AirPods Max, Sonos headphones have better battery life and support for more audio codecs. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra surpasses Sonos Ace in comfort during extended wear but falls short in bass quality and app functionality.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent sound quality with accurate mid-range reproduction
- High battery life up to 40 hours
- Premium materials and build quality
- Integration with the Sonos ecosystem
- Support for high-quality audio codecs
Cons:
- High price
- Slightly heavier compared to competitors
- Noise cancellation is good but not best-in-class
Conclusion
The Sonos Ace is a worthy debut in the premium headphones market. They offer high-quality sound, impressive battery life, and excellent integration with other Sonos ecosystem products. Despite the high price and some disadvantages compared to competitors, these headphones will be an excellent choice for audiophiles and existing users of Sonos technology.
Official Sonos website: www.sonos.com