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Sonos’ first headphones sound great — for a price
In late May , Sonos announced that it was puzzle into theheadphone game with the $ 449 Ace . The plus made perfect sensation : The company has drop the retiring 20 - plus years establishing itself as a trust , reliable name in the world of connected menage audio frequency . Besides , well-nigh every other consumer electronic manufacturer has entered the space at some point .
There ’s a lot to be say for taking one ’s time to get a product right , but waiting for the correct moment risks catch in too latterly . Over the last several old age , the class has transformed into one dominate by Bose into something far more competitive . QuietComfort no longer stands alone , as ship’s company like Sony and Apple have field competitive products .
Like those troupe , Sonos command its own vivid brand loyalty . For many people locked into the Southern California firm ’s home ecosystem , there ’s flock of reason to trust that it would successfully translate its talker expertise into a pair of headphone . Indeed , Sonos is delivering excellent sound with the Ace .
If there are any Sonos drug user who have been holding off on buy a Modern duet of headphones until the firm entered the category , have at it . They save pretty much everything you ’re look for in a premium pair of wireless headphones . I ’ve sustain a few colic , but nothing that ’s going to break me from continue to wear the Sonos Ace .
I strongly surmise , however , that even some of the most devoted Sonos fan have already picked up the Sony WH-1000XM5 or AirPods Max , for example . The question , then , is whether Sonos can win them back with the Ace . And , more significantly , is there enough here to convince the great unwashed without any affinity to the brand to take the plunge ?
Sonos sure as shooting is n’t looking to compete on price . At $ 449 , it is as or more expensive as the big names in the space , includingBose QuietComfort Ultra($429),Sony WH-1000XM5($399 ) orApple AirPods Max($449 ) . Sonos always presented itself as a premium brand with toll shred to match , and there was no reason to expect the Ace would be any different . The company has no interest in the raceway to the bottom that dominate the other side of the market place , but it ’s also understandably not interested in cost as a merchandising point .
Looks are immanent , but for my money , Sonos nailed excogitation right out of the gate . I ’ve never been a fan of flashy headphones or those sustain spare chrome . The Ace takes a minimalist approach to pattern , with rounded colors and gentle curves . We ’re fortunately on the other side of attempts to replace every button with a touch surface , and Sonos puts all three of the Ace ’s to work .
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The overall design is thin and lightweight , slotting comfortably into the included slim carrying character . There ’s no auxiliary input for flight . Instead , the phone are bunch with a USB - C to audio jack overseas telegram .
The left ear cupful houses a power button that ’s large enough to avoid have to fumble for it . There are two clitoris on the right cup : The one on the bottom toggle switch between dynamic noise cancellation and foil / awareness modes . Above that is a “ Content Key ” — the oblong silver grey push button manages important playback functions . Tap it to play or pause audio and slide it up or down to adjust the volume . It ’s straight , easy to call up and has just the proper amount of work up - in role .
Comfort is a piece more of a motley bag . In term of conniption , the Ace feels great on my point . The band and ear cups are skillful and easygoing . I wore the headphones on a New York to Austin flying and back last week . Not once did I feel that dull aching that comes with an badly - fitting set of over - ear phone .
For better or worse ( mostly worse ) , Austin also afforded me the opportunity to test the phone as the capital metropolis was pre - gaming summertime . It ’s here that I tack back to earbuds . As gracious as the leather padding is , it does n’t take a breather at all , instead turning my ears into a swampy mess . I ’m not a big fan of over - ear headphone for working out or even walking around , but if I were , these would rank low on the tilt .
But sound - wise to , the Sonos Ace ranks right up there with the competition . euphony is rich and full , with expectant separation . The default EQ is excellent , with no single element overwhelming the quietus of the admixture . Those who do opt for the Ace over tantamount headphones from Bose , Apple and Sony wo n’t be disappointed . The same cash in one’s chips for the active noise cancellation , which is a windfall on the plane .
Sonos has always been an ecosystem free rein . Once you ’ve buy into one speaker , you ’re all of a sudden crochet . That will at last be an authoritative selling point for the Ace , though at press time , the benefits are special . It presently does n’t prolong beyond the ability to hand off audio between the phone and the Arc sound bar .
The Ace is a contender in a crowded market , but it ’s still in search of that charming bullet to sincerely let it remain firm out from the pack . As first - generation Cartesian product go , however , Sonos delivers on its commitment to great - sounding merchandise .
