If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Sonos changed the game when it introduced its line of smart home speakers more than a decade ago, successfully — and seamlessly — merging high-end audio with high design. But when the brand announced the launch of its Sonos Ace headphones in June, reaction from shoppers was somewhat muted (pun intended).
Could the audio brand really transform its cinema-sized sound experience for one of the most popular audio categories in the world? Turns out, the answer is a resounding yes ! Sonos has never relied on “big bass” as a selling point, like some of its competitors , and in the Ace headphones , the bass was clearly “big” and booming, but not overpowering. In fact, everything was impeccably well-balanced, to deliver a listening experience that sounded like it was custom mixed for you in the studio. Spatial audio technology, meantime, lets the music move with you as you move, creating a three-dimensional soundstage no matter where you’re facing or how your head is tilted (it’s like being at an actual show).
We typically test out headphones by listening to a wide variety of songs and genres, from rap to rock to EDM. But in our experience, the best indication of a good pair of cans is when listening to live jazz. Here, an album like The Quintet: Jazz At Massey Hall sounded as if we were right there in the famed Toronto concert venue ourselves.
That’s thanks to Sonos’ finely-tuned drivers, which deliver impeccable precision and clarity, allowing us to hear every beat and brushstroke of the drums, even in the background of a song. It’s also thanks to Sonos’ cushy earpads and advanced noise-cancellation features , which truly immerse you into what you’re listening to. The pads are made from a memory foam base wrapped in vegan leather (Sonos touts the Ace headphones as being “responsibly made,” with a recycled travel case and 17% less plastic used in the construction, in addition to the vegan leather wrap) and we found the earcups to be soft and gentle on our ears.
Things did get slightly stuffy after wearing the over-ears on a long flight, and we had to take them off for a few minutes to avoid getting too sweaty. But for a few hours of regular use, the earpads are incredibly comfortable — even for a glasses wearer like myself. The headband and earcups are also incredibly lightweight.
How lightweight? Paired with the Sonos Arc soundbar while listening to the latest Fred Again album, we were so immersed in the music that we actually forgot that we were wearing headphones (note: we tested the headphones out with music, but multiple reviewers rave about using the Sonos Ace for gaming and movie watching too). As for the active noise cancellation? Sonos’ ANC tech is among the best in the industry, with an ability to completely block external sounds to let you zone out, and tune in , to the music. “Aware” mode, meantime, is incredibly intuitive, letting in some ambient noise (like oncoming traffic or someone calling out for you at the office) when you need to stay alert.
Speaking of the office, our Sonos Ace headphones definitely turned heads when we brought them to work, with colleagues commenting on the sleek and minimalist good looks, as well as the luxury craftsmanship. But the Ace headphones are also super practical at the office too, with a beamforming microphone that focuses on your voice for calls (rather than say, picking up external chatter), and up to 30 hours of battery life — no more worrying about your headphones dying during an important conference or presentation. And if your headphones are dying? A quick three-minute charge gets you up to three hours of playtime.
How’s that for better battery boosting? There are a ton of well-made headphones on the market these days but ultimately what makes Sonos stand out is the brand’s continued ability to deliver what feels like a bespoke listening experience every time. The perfectly-tuned, high-fidelity sound has become a Sonos signature, but it’s the little details that make an impression, like the sculptural design and chic matte finish, or the way the headphones easily fold flat to tuck into a bag for travel . Compared to the popular Apple Max headphones , the Sonos Ace felt grippier on our ears and sealed out more background noise, in our testing.
Sonos also gets up to 10 hours on Apple when it comes to battery life. In our review, the Sonos Ace headphones soar above the competition, with best-in-class sound, gallery-worthy design and ANC technology that offers a truly upscale and immersive experience. Welcome to the new standard for wireless headphones.
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