The wait is finally over. For years, Sonos fans have been asking about headphones from the wireless speaker brand, itching to be able to take their personal audio on the go. The brand has finally answered the call and released its first pair of headphones called the Sonos Ace.
The Sonos Ace are premium over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones that offer lossless audio playback and spatial audio support. They feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and an Aware Mode when you want to let in some ambient sounds.
Available in black and soft white for $599 in Canada starting June 5, 2024, the headphones boast two custom designed drivers. As is expected, the headphones work within the entire Sonos ecosystem, so you can easily swap sound from a compatible Sonos soundbar like to the Sonos Arc via the tap of a button and vice versa. This will be useful for late-night TV watchers (like me!) who want to be able to crank the volume but don’t want to disturb others who have gone to bed.
Enjoy spatial audio with Dolby Atmos for a more enveloping audio experience, along with dynamic head tracking that keeps the action centered regardless of how your head is moving or positioned. Coming later this year, Sonos’ TrueCinema technology precisely maps your space then renders a complete surround sound.
Ideal for commuting and travel as well, the Sonos Ace headphones incorporate ANC technology so you can cancel out distracting ambient noises, from the hum of an airplane or train to a neighbour mowing the lawn next door while you’re working from home. Activate Aware Mode when you want to be more aware of your surroundings, like while walking down a busy city street.
The headphones can operate for up to 30 hours per charge thanks to the extended energy-efficient battery. They also support ultra-fast charging so you can get an additional three hours after a three-minute charging boost, when using the included USB-C cable. An included 3.5mm cable can be used for connecting to things like in-flight entertainment systems, or when a wired set-up is preferred.
Aesthetically, the Sonos Ace blends metal accents with a sleek, matte finish. They are made using lightweight premium materials including soft memory foam wrapped in vegan leather. A custom headband and ear cups hide the hinge to create both a favourable acoustic seal and to prevent them from catching on hair, a welcome detail for those with longer locks.
With contrasting colours inside the ear cups, it makes it easy to quickly know which way to put them on. The ‘phones also feature tactile buttons for easy control of music playback and answering and ending calls. Wear detection pauses the music automatically when you remove the headphones from your ears, which helps conserve battery life. They fold flat into the included travel case.
Sticking with Sonos’ commitment to sustainability, the headphones feature replaceable ear cushions, circular materials that are made of 17% less virgin plastic. They ship with a 75% recycled felt travel case made from plastic bottles.
As noted, the Sonos Ace headphones will be available on June 5 for $599. Stay tuned for my review.