Sonos Ace Noise-Canceling Wireless Bluetooth Headphones Review: Is This the Best Premium Wireless Headphone?

Trying out the Sonos Ace gave us a pretty clear sense of where it shines and where it compromises. The sound feels rich and detailed, with spatial audio that really wraps around you music and shows just seem more immersive.

We noticed the active noise cancellation blocks outside noise well. Flipping to the mode that lets in surrounding sound is handy in busy spots, like a cafe or train station.

The comfort level genuinely stands out, thanks to those plush memory foam ear pads and the adjustable headband. They almost beg you to keep listening for hours.

Battery life impressed us, lasting nearly a whole day. Quick charging saved us more than once when we forgot to plug them in.

The controls are simple and react quickly, so managing calls and music never feels like a chore. You can just focus on what you’re listening to.

Overview Of Sonos Ace Wireless Headphones

We found the Sonos Ace headphones strike a solid balance between sound quality and comfort. The headphones create an immersive audio space, especially with spatial audio and active noise cancellation on.

The memory foam cushions, and adjustable headband kept them comfy for hours, though, honestly, wearing glasses sometimes made the seal less perfect. That affected the sound isolation for us.

Battery life surprised us, lasting about 30 hours with ANC active. The quick charge feature felt like a lifesaver when we needed more playtime fast.

Switching between devices worked smoothly, and the physical controls responded without lag. Oddly, plugging in a cable dropped the sound quality, so wireless is definitely the way to go here.

The Ace works well for daily listening, gaming, or movies with its rich sound. It can feel a bit hefty after a long session, though not a dealbreaker, but you’ll notice it.

Immersive Spatial Audio Experience

We found the spatial audio creates a real sense of space. Sounds come from all around, making music and movies feel more vivid and alive.

The dynamic head tracking shifts the audio as you move, which adds a nice layer of realism. That said, you’ll get the full effect only with certain apps and formats.

Bluetooth sometimes limits the highest sound quality, especially for lossless audio. Using a wired connection can help, but the overall 3D soundscape is still impressive for most uses.

Pros:

• Realistic 3D sound environment
• Smooth head tracking
• Enhances immersion with supported content

Cons:

• Some loss of clarity with certain wireless connections
• Best effect needs specific setups

Active Noise Cancellation And Aware Mode

The noise cancellation on the Sonos Ace blocks out most background sounds, letting us focus on music or calls even in crowded places. It isn’t the strongest ANC we’ve tried, but it’s good enough for everyday use without feeling overwhelming.

The Aware Mode comes in handy when you need to hear what’s going on around you like announcements or quick conversations without taking off the headphones. Switching between modes with the physical buttons is quick and easy.

In very noisy spots, the ANC can feel less powerful than some high-end competitors. Still, the balance between blocking noise and letting some in feels thoughtfully managed.

Exceptional Comfort And Premium Build

The headphones have a solid, well-made design. The materials feel premium, and the soft memory foam ear cushions sit gently over our ears, even after hours of listening.

The adjustable headband helps you find a good fit without creating pressure points. The weight is noticeable but not uncomfortable.

If you wear glasses, comfort drops off a bit after a long stretch. Still, the quality of the materials and sturdy construction make the headphones pleasant to wear and durable enough to handle daily use.

Long Battery Life And Fast Charging

The battery lasts through long listening sessions, which is great for travel or busy workdays. We got close to the advertised 30 hours of use, so we didn’t have to keep checking battery levels.

Charging is quick about an hour for a full charge so you’re not stuck waiting around if you forget to plug them in overnight. The fast charge isn’t instant, but it’s fast enough to be practical for most people.

Seamless Connectivity And Switching

Using the Ace, we noticed the connection stayed steady, whether over Bluetooth or USB-C. Switching between devices, like a phone and a laptop, went fast and didn’t interrupt what we were doing.

The headphones adapt well when moving from music to calls or toggling noise cancellation modes. If you wear glasses, you might feel a bit of discomfort during longer sessions, which can affect the audio experience slightly.

The Ace manages multiple connections easily, making it practical for daily use at home or on the go.

Enhanced Call Quality And Intuitive Controls

Calls sound clear, even in noisy places. Background noise gets knocked down, so conversations feel natural and you don’t need to raise your voice.

The headphones pick up our voice well during calls, which keeps things clear. Physical buttons respond quickly, letting us adjust volume, answer calls, or switch modes without hunting around for the right control.

Switching between noise cancellation and awareness mode feels smooth. Some people might prefer touch controls, but we liked the tactile buttons for their reliability.

Pros And Cons

After spending time with the Ace headphones, a few things stood out both positive and not so much. The blend of sound quality and comfort made a real difference in daily use.

Pros

• Comfort: Memory foam ear cushions and the adjustable headband fit well, even during long sessions.
• Sound Quality: The spatial audio feature creates a clear, immersive sound, especially with lossless Bluetooth or USB-C.
• Battery Life: Up to 30 hours with ANC on is impressive, and a quick charge gives hours of playtime after just a short break.
• Noise Cancellation: Blocks outside noise effectively, but Aware mode keeps you tuned into your surroundings if you need it.
• Controls: Physical buttons are easy to use for volume, calls, and switching modes.
• Seamless Switching: The headphones move smoothly between devices, which is great if you bounce between gadgets.
• Integration: Using them with Sonos soundbars, especially for TV audio, noticeably upgrades the home entertainment experience.

Cons

• Sound with Cable: Plugging in by cable makes the sound feel flatter and quieter, which is a letdown.
• Glasses Users: If you wear glasses, you might lose some noise isolation because of how the cushions fit around the frames.
• Price: The price is fair for what you get, but it’s still a big investment compared to simpler options.
• Setup: The app connection is mostly smooth, but setting up multiple devices can feel a bit tricky at first.

Unique Listening With Sonos Soundbar Integration

Pairing the headphones with a Sonos soundbar changes the way we listen at home. Switching TV audio from the soundbar to the headphones feels seamless, adding a new dimension to movies or shows.

Spatial audio and head tracking bring a 3D effect, making dialogue and effects feel more natural and immersive. Sometimes the setup takes a minute, and the switch isn’t always instant, but the sound detail and clarity make the extra effort worth it.

It’s a practical way to enjoy high-quality audio privately, without losing that surround sound vibe.

Customer Reviews

We noticed a lot of users appreciate the sturdy build and clean design of the Sonos Ace. Most rate the sound quality as good, with clear audio that works well for everyday listening.

Bluetooth connection and app setup usually go smoothly. Some people said wearing glasses reduces noise-canceling performance, and others mentioned the cable connection drops sound quality, especially for lossless audio.

Battery life and comfort got mixed reviews, but most found them adequate.

Key points from customers:

• Very solid build and premium feel
• Good sound when used wirelessly
• Noise canceling less effective with glasses
• Mixed feelings on wired sound quality
• Easy to set up and connect

The Ace seems best for casual listening, especially if you mostly use them wirelessly.

Frequently Asked Questions

When trying out the Sonos Ace headphones, we ran into a few common questions. Here’s what we found about their real-world use and how they compare to other popular models.

How does the noise cancellation of the Sonos Ace compare to the Bose QuietComfort series?

The Sonos Ace’s active noise cancellation works well, but it doesn’t quite match the Bose QuietComfort line. The Ace blocks most background noise, especially in quieter places, but it’s less powerful in really loud environments.

Bose still leads in pure noise blocking, but the Ace tries to balance that with a more natural sound. It’s a trade-off, but not a bad one if you’re after comfort and overall listening quality.

What audio qualities can be expected from the Sonos Ace Noise Canceling Wireless Bluetooth Headphones?

The Ace brings a clear, balanced sound with satisfying depth. Its spatial audio and dynamic head tracking really add a 3D-like quality that pulls you into the music.

When I switched to a wired connection, the sound lost a bit of its vibrancy compared to wireless streaming. Still, you get solid Hi-Fi audio that suits both casual listening and more critical ears.

Can the Sonos Ace headphones connect to various devices simultaneously?

Yep, the Ace lets you switch between devices pretty easily. I bounced between a phone and a laptop—calls on one, music on the other without much fuss.

But keep in mind, it doesn’t do true multipoint, so you can’t play audio from both devices at the same time.

Are there any special features that distinguish the Sonos Ace from other competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5?

Dynamic head tracking and spatial audio definitely make the Ace stand out. It also pairs up neatly with Sonos soundbars for TV audio, which is a unique plus if you’ve already got Sonos gear at home.

The Ace skips some of the advanced sound tweaking you’ll find on Sony’s WH-1000XM5, but its physical controls and focused voice pickup for calls give it a more hands-on feel.

What is the battery life performance of the Sonos Ace when using active noise canceling?

I got close to 30 hours of battery life with noise cancellation on, which is honestly impressive compared to a lot of wireless headphones out there. Fast charging’s a lifesaver too just three minutes plugged in gave me around three hours of playback.

How comfortable are the Sonos Ace headphones for extended use?

The memory foam ear cushions and adjustable headband kept things comfortable for hours. If you wear glasses, though, you might notice a bit of pressure after a while.

For most people, the weight and padding make long listening sessions pretty easy on the head.

Explore More Headphone Reviews

We regularly test and review top wireless headphones to help you find the perfect fit. From sound quality and noise cancellation to comfort and battery life we cover it all in detail. Whether you’re a casual listener or a serious audiophile, our reviews are written to give you clear and honest insights.

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Final Thoughts: Should You Buy the Sonos Ace?

I’ve spent some time with the Ace, and honestly, the sound’s solid. The noise canceling really steps up when you need to tune out the world.

Those ear cushions feel soft almost cloud-like so you can wear them for hours without much fuss. Switching between devices? It just works, no drama.

Spatial audio brings a bit of magic if you’re into that kind of thing. But, if you wear glasses, the fit can mess with the noise canceling sometimes.

There’s also the wired connection, which just doesn’t sound as good as wireless. That might bug you, or maybe not.

Battery life holds up, and the quick charging is genuinely handy if you’re always on the go.

In short: The Ace makes sense if you want quality sound and comfort, especially for wireless listening. Just watch out for the fit with glasses and don’t expect miracles from the wired sound.

Ready to experience it for yourself? Check the latest price here at Amazon.