Sonos, a name synonymous with premium audio solutions, and exciting products has just unveiled its first pair of headphones, the Sonos Ace. Set for release in early June 2024, these headphones mark a significant expansion of the brand’s product line, bringing the high-quality sound Sonos is known for into the world of personal audio.
Design and Build
The Sonos Ace headphones feature a minimalist design, staying true to Sonos’s aesthetic. Available in Black and Soft White, these headphones sport a sleek look with a subtle shimmer on the logo that matches the headphone colour. The build quality includes memory foam earpads covered in vegan leather and stainless steel yokes for durability and comfort. The earcups are designed to be smaller yet still effective in covering the ears completely.
Key Features
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Audio Quality and Connectivity:
- The Sonos Ace supports the latest Bluetooth 5.4 and offers lossless audio playback via Snapdragon Sound’s aptX Lossless and Apple’s ALAC codecs. This ensures high fidelity audio whether you are listening wirelessly or through a wired connection.
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Active Noise Cancellation (ANC):
- With eight microphones dedicated to ANC and voice calls, the Sonos Ace provides robust noise cancellation capabilities. Users can switch between full ANC and an Aware mode, which allows ambient sounds for safety and awareness
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Battery Life:
- These headphones offer up to 30 hours of battery life with ANC and Bluetooth active, which is on par with other top-tier models like the Sony WH-1000XM5.
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Smart Features:
- The Sonos Ace includes features like TV Audio Swap, enabling users to switch audio from their Sonos soundbar to the headphones for private listening. Additionally, TrueCinema calibration tailors the sound experience to your environment, enhancing spatial audio for a more immersive experience.
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Physical Controls:
- Unlike many modern headphones that rely on touch controls, the Ace uses physical buttons, offering reliable and tactile control over playback and settings.
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Integration with Sonos Ecosystem:
- While the Ace primarily uses Bluetooth, it can connect to the Sonos ecosystem for specific features, like streaming audio from Sonos soundbars, though it does not integrate into the full multi-room system.
Pricing and Availability
The Sonos Ace will be available in South Africa for R12,999, with both colour options launching simultaneously in early June 2024. This positions the Ace in the premium segment, directly competing with the likes of Sennheiser, Bose and Sony.
Conclusion
The Sonos Ace represents a significant move for Sonos into the competitive market of wireless headphones. With its blend of sleek design, high-quality audio, and smart features, it is poised to attract both existing Sonos users and new customers looking for a premium listening experience. Keep an eye out for these groundbreaking headphones as they hit the shelves next month or if you're anything like us in the office, pre order now.
SONOS ACE HEADPHONES (EACH) |