Sonos has managed to become synonyms with premium audio products and that’s the trend it wants to continue with its new product – Sonos Ace – its first over the ear headphones.
Sonos Ace is the company’s first headphones and for the first-generation product, Sonos has put a lot of effort into its look, sound and feel. The company has tried to strike a balance of premium everywhere they can, including the price – Rs 39,999.
That's a lot of money to ask, especially in a sea of Sony, Bose and Sennheiser. Well, my impression was – straightforwardly overpriced – unless I gave it a try and a few things certainly changed but few remain unchanged.
The question is whether Sonos has managed to pack enough within the Ace to make it a viable choice for the user over other offers that are somewhat more affordable. Well, here’s my review and answer to the question – whether you should be buying one.
Design
If someone asks you what Rs 39,999 headphones will give you, you can ‘swag’ out on the design. It’s premium. A notch above Sony and Bose. Super premium you can call it. The fit and finish and the material used is smooth and designed in such a way that everything feels in its place. Not a single thing that anyone can point out looking at Ace that it does not ‘ace’ when it comes to looks and design.
Attention to detail is another important factor here. For instance, Sonos has designed the headphones keeping the ergonomics in mind and convenience too. There’s this slightly curved shape to the entire headphone that makes it adapt to the user's head. I personally feel that Ace is the most comfortable headphones I have put on in years. The choice of materials, the cushioning and weight distribution is unmatched to any other headphones out there.
The extension mechanism is also metal–based with smooth in–out functional, making it easier to adjust as per the head size. That’s not it. Sonon really wants you to wear the headphones in the right direction. You can find the Sonos logo on the right side of the earcup or there’s this different coloured mesh on the right side – all just to let users know which is the ‘right’ side of the headphones. All of this has left me nothing else than – impressed. Plus, the angular hinge that can rotate and be more compact
If you are thinking that this, is it. Then there’s more – a lot more. For instance, Ace earcups are extremely comfortable and the overall weight of the headphones is done in a way to not make it feel heavy or too sweaty when wearing. Plus, the hidden hinge design adds to the overall design appeal of the Sonos Ace headphones.
Also, Sonos has opted for complete button mechanism instead of touch gestures which I personally like. The main navigation button is used for skipping songs, play/pause, taking calls, etc. There’s a power button and an ANC toggle button.
That’s not it. Sonos has also packed a nice sturdy case with a magnetic pouch for carrying additional cable – a nice touch and every other manufacturer should implement something like this.
Setup, Sonos app and more
It’s a Sonos product and it can’t be different that other offerings from the company. The complicated – slightly – setup process is still there. First, you’ll need to download the Sonos app and then pair the headphones using the app. Before that you’ll need to login into the app and then follow the setup process which isn’t as simple as pairing a Bluetooth earphone.
While the process is complicated, it was seamless, and I didn’t face any issue and failed pairing attempts with Sonos Ace. This is good considering the Sonos app is known for being mischievous in this regard.
Once the headphones were paired, the app’s layout is very good and intuitive as well. All the controls, options, etc. are right Infront of your eyes. Not having to fiddle around much just to find some feature of the headphones is the best part of it. You can control the ANC modes, change equaliser, setup the TV audio swap features and more right from the app.
Audio performance
The main reason why I talked about Sony, Bose and Sennheiser in the introduction is because of the way Sonos Ace is turned to sound. It’s balanced – completely balanced. So much so that it does not deviate from its set character irrespective of what music you through at it.
And, while I like balance more than the bass heavy nature of other headphones in this segment. I also like the sense of flexibility a little to fiddle around with slightly more bass, vocals or change things as per my likings.
There’re equalisers onboard and I will come to that later but for now the sound signature is balanced. For instance, you are listening to the ‘Aaj ki Raat’ song from the Stree 2 movie and while that song is vibrant and punchy, the Sonos Ace will make it sound the way the music director has intended it to. For instance, the bass will be pronounced just enough to give that sense of thump, the vocals will be crystal clear and detailed. Treble is also on point – not more nor less and it never gets harsh.
But that’s not with the one track. Throw any song – hip hop, Jazz, Country, etc. Everything sounds just perfect with full of details and dynamic range.
Now, where’s the problem? Well, the Ace stays too much in the character. It’s alright for the headphones – especially – in this price segment to go above and beyond to offer slightly more to listeners. For instance, the equalisers onboard works but does not essentially make things better. In my experience, the Ace sounds best in default factory settings and that’s the problem I have with the headphones.
Let’s talk about Dolby Atmos onboard. Well, the Atmos effect is again one of the best you can find in any headphones. Ace supports Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio with head tracking.
If you are listening to Lossless audio or Dolby Atmos track on Apple Music, you can experience some of the best audio experience here. The head tracking is accurate and moves the audio with accuracy. The last time any headphone did that is AirPods Max and Sonos Ace isn’t far behind.
But Ace truly comes alive when you watch movies and TV shows on it with Dolby Atmos support and this is where you’ll feel that every single penny in Rs 39,999 is worth it. The thump, effects and everything comes to your ear with details that’s hard to find. But that requires a compatible Sonos Soundbar and the app. Which limits its capabilities.
Sonos Ace comes with eight microphone setup and a voice targeting unit to deliver noise cancellation. Sonos says that they’ve tuned the Ace to deliver the best ANC experience in headphones. It’s true to an extent. But absolute best? I have some doubts there. Sonos Ace’s ANC capabilities are impressive and better than most headphones out there. However, sometimes in some situations, the headphones let the sound pass through the ears and that’s something I didn’t like much. For instance, in the gym, the background noise keeps coming inside. However, in most cases, the Ace does a good job at cancelling out the background noise and the best part is that it does without making you feel that hollowness. There’s the Aware mode too which keeps spatial awareness where necessary.
Overall, the audio quality and ANC performance is on-par with the competition. But its balanced sound signature will be liked by many.
Battery life
Sono claims 30 hours of battery life in a single charge. I got around 26 hours in a single charge with ANC and head tracking turned on. That’s impressive. The headphones also support fast charging via USB Type-C port.
Verdict
The Sonos Ace headphones deliver a premium design and balanced audio experience, making them a solid entry in the high-end over-ear headphone market. Their attention to detail, comfort, and sturdy build impress, while features like Dolby Atmos with head tracking elevate the listening experience, especially for movies. However, the balanced sound signature may feel too restrained for those seeking more flexibility in bass or treble adjustments. Active Noise Cancellation is effective but not the absolute best in its price range. At Rs 39,999, they're a strong option for audiophiles, though not without some limitations in ANC and app dependency. Having said that, the price might just turn out to be a big deterrent in face of competition from the likes of Sony, Bose and Sennheiser.
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