Sonos Ace
VERDICT
Sonos nailed their first attempt. The Ace looks like a mix between Sony and Apple, taking the best of both worlds. It is lighter than the AirPods Max but feels more premium than the Sony XM6. The audio quality is neutral and precise. But the "TV Audio Swap" feature is the real reason to buy this if you already own a Sonos soundbar.
The Big Picture
Most Bluetooth headphones lag when connected to a TV. The Sonos Ace uses Wi-Fi technology to connect directly to your Sonos Arc soundbar. This allows for lossless, zero-latency Dolby Atmos audio. It’s basically a private IMAX theater on your head.
📺 TV Audio Swap
The Magic Button: One press.
How it works: You are watching a movie on your TV with the Sonos Arc. Your partner goes to sleep. You long-press the button on the headphone, and the audio instantly jumps from the soundbar to your ears, complete with head-tracking spatial audio.
☁️ Memory Foam Earcups
All-day comfort.
Design: The ear cushions are magnetic and replaceable (like Apple), but made of a plush vegan leather that seals incredibly well around glasses. They are significantly more comfortable than the AirPods Max for long listening sessions.
✅ The Pros
- Integration: Flawless ecosystem play with Sonos speakers.
- Battery: 30 hours with ANC on.
- Controls: Physical tactile buttons (no unreliable touch gestures).
- Case: Comes with a slim, protective hard case made of recycled felt.
❌ The Cons
- Wi-Fi Limitation: Wi-Fi audio only works with the Soundbar; for phone listening, it uses Bluetooth like everyone else.
- No Multi-Room: Surprisingly, you can't group the headphones with other Sonos speakers to play music throughout the house.
- Price: Expensive ($449).
🤔 Should you buy it?
YES if you own a Sonos Arc or Beam (Gen 2) and watch movies at night.
NO if you don't own any Sonos products (the Sony WH-1000XM6 is better value for standalone use).
See the showdown: Sonos Ace vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Comparison