Sonos bounces back from disaster

After a catastrophic app crisis in 2024 and a CEO resignation, Sonos has rebuilt its platform and released the Ace Ultra headphones at $449, the same launch price as the original Ace.

What makes Ace Ultra different

The biggest upgrade is headphone linking, a new feature that lets you send audio between the headphones and Sonos speakers via Wi-Fi, making them feel like a true member of your Sonos system.

How headphone linking works

Start music on a Sonos speaker and press a button to send it to the Ace Ultra headphones, or vice versa. You must initiate playback through the Sonos app, not AirPlay or other services.

Better noise cancellation

The Ace Ultra added two more microphones for a total of ten, enabling Adaptive ANC that monitors your surroundings and adjusts noise blocking in real time.

Adaptive EQ for comfort

New Adaptive EQ automatically tweaks sound based on fit changes, helpful for people wearing glasses or with long hair. You can also customize with a 3-band or 8-band equalizer.

Battery life gets a boost

The Ace Ultra delivers up to 35 hours per charge, about five hours more than the original Ace. The battery is now user-replaceable for $25.

Sound quality is noticeably better

Sonos tuned the 40mm drivers with Grammy and Oscar-winning sound engineers, delivering deeper bass, finer detail and zero distortion compared to the original Ace.

“deeper bass, finer detail and zero distortion”

TV audio sounds more detailed

Even before enabling TrueCinema, the Ace Ultra excels at emphasizing dialogue and picking up subtle audio details, with more spatial quality than most headphones or soundbars.

ANC blocks constant noise well

The Ace Ultra's noise cancellation is significantly better at blocking steady sounds like dryers and HVAC systems, though it doesn't block human voices as effectively.

Transparency mode rivals AirPods Max

Sonos' Aware mode offers the most natural-sounding ambient mode on over-ear headphones, even matching the AirPods Max 2 in quality.

“the most natural-sounding ambient mode I've experienced on over-ear headphones”

Call quality is above average

The Ace Ultra picks up your voice clearly and reduces background noise without over-processing, so you sound natural even in loud environments.

TV Audio Swap works reliably

Sending sound from your TV to the headphones takes a second or two but works consistently in both directions. One tester experienced occasional audio skips, though others had no issues.

Headphone linking is seamless

Moving music between speakers and headphones works smoothly without the audio skips seen in TV Audio Swap, likely because the headphones act as a standalone Sonos device.

Minimal competition in the space

Bose is the closest competitor with SimpleSync and Cinema Mode features, but few headphones offer living room integration for private home theater use.

The verdict: finally complete

The Ace Ultra is what the original Ace should have been, with true system integration, better audio, improved ANC and longer battery life. Sonos appears to have recovered from its disastrous 2024.

“The Ace Ultra is what the original Ace should've been two years ago”