Editor’s note: this article was published on August 1, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Sonos Ace compared to the Bose QuietComfort Headphones?

The headphones share similar ear pads and headbands.

The Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort Ultra share a very similar design. In terms of style, I’d give the edge to the Sonos Ace, thanks to its metal accents on the headband and buttons. While the headband of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones may look metallic, it is an all-plastic design. At this price, that’s underwhelming.

On the other hand, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have the edge in comfort. Thanks to its plastic construction, the Bose headphones are lighter at only 253g, compared to the Sonos Ace at 320g. The ear pads on the Bose headphones are also slightly softer. While I can still wear the Sonos Ace for multiple hours at a time, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have all-day comfort.

Both headphones come with a nice carrying case along with cables for charging and wired listening. Neither have any water or sweat resistance, so you should think twice before buying the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones for the gym.

Should you use the apps of either the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

It’s important to download the companion app to get the most out of either set of headphones. For the Sonos Ace, that’s the Sonos app. For the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, it’s the Bose app. Both apps let you install the latest firmware updates, adjust noise canceling, and have basic equalizer functionality to adjust the bass and treble.

Each app also has some spatial audio features. Within the Bose app, you can activate Still Immersive Audio mode, which simulates the effect of your music coming from a speaker in front of you. Alternatively, there is a Motion Immersive Audio mode which keeps the music centered as you move your head around. Similarly, the Sonos app lets you toggle Dolby Atmos and head tracking modes.

If you have a compatible Sonos soundbar, you can set up TV Audio Swap within the Sonos app. This allows you to seamlessly transfer audio from your soundbar to your Sonos Ace headphones.

How do the Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort Ultra connect?

Both headphones support wired and wireless listening.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have Bluetooth 5.3 with support for LE audio. If you have a newer flagship Android phone, you may enjoy near-CD quality via aptX Lossless. Another way to get lossless listening is to simply use the included 2.5 to 3.5mm TRS cable.

Not to be outdone, the Sonos Ace have Bluetooth 5.4 and also bring support for aptX Lossless. You can listen wired with the Sonos Ace with the included USB-C to C and USB-C to 3.5mm cables.

I didn’t experience connection issues with either the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones when paired to my iPhone. Both headphones have Bluetooth Multipoint support so you can seamlessly switch from your phone to laptop.

Is battery life better on the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

In our standardized battery test, the Sonos Ace survived 32 hours and 13 minutes while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones only lasted for 27 hours and 37 minutes of continuous playback. While Sonos has the edge here, both last long enough to survive any plane trip or a week of normal use.

When it comes to fast charging, Sono also takes the crown. Three minutes of charging from empty gets you three hours of listening time with the Sonos Ace. On the other hand, 15 minutes of charging the Bose headphones only gets you two and half hours of listening time.

Do the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Headphones block noise better?

Bose has been making noise canceling headphones a lot longer than Sonos, and it shows. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones easily best the Sonos Ace when it comes to blocking out ambient noise. With ANC enabled, our testing shows that the Bose headphones block out an average of 85% of ambient noise, whereas the Sonos Ace only blocks out 74%.

As you can see in the noise attenuation charts above, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones block out more low, mid, and high-frequency noise than the Sonos Ace. That said, the Sonos Ace still have good enough noise canceling for most people. I found that either headphone drowns out most of the noise around me on my commute to work.

Do the Sonos Ace sound better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

Both the Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have good sound quality. Whichever headphones you buy, you’ll probably be satisfied, though each have strengths and weaknesses. The Bose headphones have a default sound that more people will enjoy, but the Sonos Ace have much better spatial audio performance.

Both headphones have very basic equalizer functionality in their companion apps. You can broadly adjust the bass or treble, but you can’t fine-tune the frequency response to your liking with either. The Bose app has EQ presets, whereas the Sonos app does not.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have a slight edge thanks to their higher Timbre score.

On a scale from 1-5, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones get an Overall score of 4.6, whereas the Sonos Ace have an Overall score of 4.3. You’ll notice they each receive the same score in Distortion and Immersiveness. The difference in Overall score is due to the fact the algorithm puts the most weight on Timbre. In practice, the difference in scores here are non-significant.

Objective Measurements

The default frequency response of the Sonos Ace isn’t very different from that of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Both roughly follow our headphone preference curve, so there’s a good chance most people will enjoy the sound quality of either set of headphones. The Sonos headphones emphasize high frequencies from 2-8kHz more than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, which brings out more details in vocals and guitars. Disabling noise canceling on the Sonos Ace has a significant impact on its sound quality, resulting in a roll-off in the lows below 100Hz.

Do the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have a better microphone?

The Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones both have quality microphones for taking phone calls. That said, the Bose microphones are much better at blocking out background noise. You can hear the difference in our microphone demos below.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sonos Ace microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Street conditions):

Sonos Ace microphone demo (Street conditions):

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Sonos Ace vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: Price and availability

The Sonos Ace have a slightly higher starting price than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. The Bose headphones are also a year older, which means you have a better chance of finding them on sale. You should be able to find either at most major tech retailers.

Should you get the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

Most people are better off buying the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones instead of the Sonos Ace. They have slightly better noise canceling, sound quality, and comfort. You will also typically find the Bose headphones on sale for much less money than the Sonos Ace.

The Sonos Ace are a valiant first effort from the speaker brand but are simply overpriced for what you get. Unless you already have a Sonos soundbar or really value Dolby Atmos, these aren’t worth the money.

Should you get the Sonos Ace or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones instead of the Apple AirPods Max?

The Sonos Ace and AirPods Max look very similar in white.

In our Sonos Ace vs Apple AirPods Max comparison, we determined that the AirPods Max are the better option for most people integrated into the Apple ecosystem. Similarly, in our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Apple AirPods Max breakdown, we found the AirPods Max are a good option for Apple device owners. However, the AirPods Max do have a much higher price tag than the Bose headphones, which may have some Apple fans leaning towards Bose.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 26th, 2024, and is the first version. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Beats Pill compared to the Sonos Roam 2?

The Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2 are competent but different portable Bluetooth speakers. The Pill is a bit larger, weighing 680g, while Roam 2 is much lighter at 430g. Both speakers feature a relatively sleek and packable design and an IP67 protection rating, making them dust and waterproof.

Of course, the big difference lies in the tech. While the bigger Beats Pill is a beach party starter with straightforward operation, the Sono Roam 2 is a smart speaker capable of starting or integrating into an entire Sonos ecosystem. It also offers voice commands via Sonos Voice Control or Amazon Alexa, and its slender size makes it easy to move from room to room around the house.

With its updated Bluetooth connectivity, the Roam 2 can function as a dead simple stand-alone Bluetooth speaker without relying on the Sonos app. A welcome update, but if you’re shelling out for a smart speaker, you’ll likely want to take advantage of the available tech.

How do you control the Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2?

Both units feature tactile controls that offer a satisfying click when pushed. The Beats Pill has recessed buttons along the top, and the Roam 2 has a control panel integrated into one of its rubberized end caps. Of course, you can also control some of the Roam 2’s features via the Sonos app or voice commands.

Should you use the apps of either the Beats Pill or Sonos Roam 2?

The Beats Pill only offers an app for Android users and doesn’t even contain an equalizer. If you’re an iPhone user, the software is conveniently baked into the Setting app on iOS, but you still don’t get an equalizer.

While the new Sonos Roam 2 can be used as a standalone Bluetooth speaker without the app, you will need to download and install it to take advantage of all its smart features, such as Wi-Fi connection, configure your voice control, and integration into an existing Sonos setup. You can also take advantage of and personalize your sound a bit with the better-than-nothing Bass and Treble sliders.

How do the Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2 connect?

The Beats Pill connects to your device via Bluetooth 5.3 and is SBC and AAC, but supports lossless listening over USB-C connection. It’s a cool feature, but portable Bluetooth speakers aren’t exactly ideal for critical listening.

The Sonos Roam 2 connects to your device via Bluetooth 5.2 and is also SBC and AAC only. However, as a smart speaker, it also offers a Wi-Fi connection for higher-quality audio streams and supports Apple Airplay 2.

Does the Beats Pill sound better than the Sonos Roam 2?

The Beats Pill puts out an impressive amount of bass for a portable speaker.

Getting down to the brass tacks, if you’re looking for a party speaker for the backyard or the beach, the Beats Pill annihilates the Roam 2 when it comes to low-end bass response. Listening to Night Train by Code Elektro, there is clearly no contest. The Pill provides a steady pulse of the synthesized bass on this track, even at lower volumes. It has enough output to keep a medium-sized gathering going, but you’ll start hearing some distortion past 80% volume. If your friends are known to get a little rowdy, consider buying a second Pill and running them in stereo for more party-filling power.

While the Pill wins regarding bass response, the Roam 2 does a much better job reproducing mid-range frequencies. This is apparent when changing the genre and listening to Sun Goddess by Ramsay Lewis. While the groove is there, the percussive strumming of the rhythm guitar cuts through with better clarity, not to mention the vocals sound much more present in the mix. If you’re not concerned with a thumping bass response while casually listening to music in the kitchen while making dinner, the Roam 2 is still a decent-sounding speaker with good instrument separation.

Should you get the Beats Pill or Sonos Roam 2?

The larger size of the Beats Pill gives it an advantage in performance.

If you’re an existing Sonos user, snagging a Roam 2 is a no-brainer. It will easily integrate into your home system, and you’ll have a decent-sounding speaker to extend its reach around the house or into your backyard. If you’re considering getting into the world of smart speakers, the Sonos Roam 2 makes a great choice to get your toes wet without going overboard.

However, the Beats Pill is an undeniable choice if you’re looking to start your party. It’s durable, has excellent battery life, and has tons of bass. What else do you need? You won’t have to deal with a buggy companion app either, so you can focus on having a good time with your pals.

What should you get instead of the Beats Pill and Sonos Roam 2?

If you like the size and packability of the Roam 2 but aren’t interested in its smart features, consider the JBL Flip 6 () and save a few bucks. It’s IP67, has a robust build, and has a decent bass response. That said, the Beats Pill puts out way more low-end than the Flip 6.

If you like the Beats Pill’s more prominent size and sound, you’ll want to size up and look at the JBL Charge 5 (). It also features an IP67 protection rating and is closer in battery life to the Pill, advertising 20 hours of playback. It also features a courtesy outlet for charging any devices in the field.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 25, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Sonos Roam 2 compared to the JBL Flip 6?

While the Sonos Roam 2 and the JBL Flip 6 are similar in size and share some of the same features, they are very different speakers. The Roam 2 is a smart speaker that can be integrated into an existing Sonos home system and offers features like voice control, while the Flip 6 is a dead simple portable Bluetooth speaker designed to take on the great outdoors.

That said, the Roam 2 can now be used as a stand-alone Bluetooth speaker without using the Sonos app, just like the Flip 6. However, while both these speakers are IP67 rated, making them dustproof and waterproof, the Flip 6 has the more robust build if you’re not in the habit of babying your gear.

The Roam 2 has the task of looking good at home with the rest of your Sonos speakers while remaining portable; you can’t help but notice its sleek and minimalist design. The Flip 6 has the advantage of being the rough and ready adventure speaker. It sports some hearty silicon bumpers to protect its passive radiators, and the entire unit is wrapped in a durable fabric.

How do you control the Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6?

The Roam 2’s tactile buttons are located on the side of the unit, and its power and Bluetooth buttons are on the back. The Flip 6 contains some raised playback buttons along the top of the enclosure, and like the Roam 2, its power and Bluetooth buttons are also on the back.

You can also control a variety of the Roam 2’s features via the Sonos app.

Should you use the apps of either Sonos Roam 2 or JBL Flip 6?

You’ll need to download and install the Sonos app to take advantage of all its smart features, such as Wi-Fi connection, integration with other Sonos speakers, and voice command settings. The Roam 2 supports both Sonos Voice Command and Amazon Alexa. While you can also use it to pair a second Rome speaker for stereo performance when connected over Wi-Fi, the app doesn’t offer many EQ options. You’re only supplied with Bass and Treble sliders.

Regarding the Flip 6, you can easily get away without using the JBL Portable app. Still, it offers some advantages: a 3-band EQ, pairing a second Flip 6 for stereo performance, and easily linking up to any other PartyBoost-supported JBL speakers.

How do the Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6 connect?

The Roam 2 takes the clear win when it comes to connection. You can connect over Wi-Fi, which allows you to stream higher-quality audio, or via Apple Airplay 2. It also can connect to your device via the slightly outdated Bluetooth 5.2 and offers SBC and AAC codec support.

The Flip 6, showing its age, connects to your device via the even older Bluetooth 5.1 and is SBC only. It does not offer any options for higher bitrate listening. Neither speaker offers a 3.5mm wired connection.

Does the Sonos Roam 2 sound better than the JBL Flip 6?

The Flip 6 features dual passive radiators, whereas the Roam 2 does not.

Regarding sound, there are some hardware differences between these two speakers. The Flip 6’s main advantage over the Roam 2 is its dual passive radiators. Cueing up On The Run by TimeCop1983 and listening to these speakers side by side, the Flip 6 produces much more low-end than the Roam 2, which only contains a tweeter and a mid-woofer. It also gets significantly louder than the Roam 2.

However, the Roam 2 still offers decent clarity in the mid and treble frequencies, especially on acoustic guitar-heavy tracks like Ventura Highway by America. It makes for a great speaker for personal listening around the house or a small Sunday picnic, but it’s not the get-up out of your-chair party starter the Flip 6 is.

If you plan on using your speaker in a group setting, especially outdoors, you and your guests will appreciate the extra output and low-end provided by the Flip 6.

Should you get the Sonos Roam 2 or JBL Flip 6?

If you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of smart speakers or extend the reach of your existing home Sonos setup a little further, the Roam 2 is the ideal choice. It has decent sound, good connectivity options, and a sleek yet durable design.

Both the Roam 2 and Flip 6 can easily fit into a backpack.

On the other hand, if you don’t want to spend time messing around with an app and want a straight-ahead, rugged Bluetooth speaker with a hearty bass response you can toss in your backpack for your next weekend getaway, you can save yourself a few bucks, and snag the JBL Flip 6.

What should you get instead of the Sonos Roam 2 and JBL Flip 6?

If you’re after something a little larger for your next outdoor gathering, you can go up a step and check out the JBL Charge 5 (). It can provide more output than the Roam 2 or the Flip 6 while remaining reasonably portable and offering an IP67 protection rating. It even has a courtesy USB-A outlet for charging your device in the field.

If budget is a concern, consider the Anker Soundcore Motion 300. () This speaker provides stereo playback, a solid companion app with EQ options, and is designed to perform in 3 different positions. Standing, laying, and hanging. Changing the speaker’s orientation will trigger an EQ change for an optimal listening experience no matter where it ends up around camp.

Frequently asked questions

It’s been a couple of months since Sonos released the big update to its app, which launched shortly before the Sonos Ace. Not long after its rollout, users quickly pointed out issues ranging from missing features to general bugginess. Although the company begrudgingly acknowledged the issues initially, it is now coming forward to apologize for the mess.

The CEO of Sonos, Patrick Spence, has published an apology letter to customers in regard to the Sonos app. In the blog, Spence states:

We know that too many of you have experienced significant problems with our new app which rolled out on May 7, and I want to begin by personally apologizing for disappointing you. There isn’t an employee at Sonos who isn’t pained by having let you down, and I assure you that fixing the app for all of our customers and partners has been and continues to be our number one priority.

When users started noticing the problems with the app, the Sonos subreddit quickly became a place to vent frustrations. Some of the issues included an inability to search for your local music library, no volume level details, no mute button on Android, and so on.

Since the rocky release, the company has fixed a lot of these issues, jotting down every change on the official release notes page. In addition, the apology letter includes a roadmap for fixes to come.

Here’s the roadmap Spence attached to his blog:

July and August:

• Improving the stability when adding new products
• Implementing Music Library configuration, browse, search, and play

August and September:

• Improving Volume responsiveness
• User interface improvements based on customer feedback
• Improving overall system stability and error handling

September:

• Improving Alarm consistency and reliability

September and October:

• Restoring edit mode for Playlists and the Queue
• Improving functionality in settings

According to the CEO, Sonos plans to “continue releasing new software updates on a bi-weekly cadence.” As it did before, it will keep a record of these fixes in its release notes.

Sonos is renowned for its ecosystem of smart speakers with built-in support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, along with various voice assistants like Sonos Voice Control and Amazon Alexa. In the past, we encountered some frustrating connection issues when we reviewed the original Sonos Roam portable Bluetooth speaker. At first glance, the new Roam 2 appears very similar to the original, so let’s dive into this Sonos Roam 2 review and see what’s new and what, if anything, has improved.

Editor’s note: this is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What I like about the Sonos Roam 2

With its soft-edged triangular shape, like the original Sonos Roam, the Roam 2 has a sleek look and packable design. It feels great in hand no matter which way you hold it. There are no bulbous parts bulging out or rope attachments hanging from somewhere. The Roam 2’s exterior is mostly metal, aside from a set of feet on its underside and the rubberized end caps.

The Roam 2 lives up to its name; it’s incredibly portable.

One end contains your tactile controls, and the other is free of controls, allowing the unit to be used vertically. Combined with an IP67 protection rating, Sonos does an excellent job of producing a speaker ready for your next outing. That said, it will also look good around the house if you plan to integrate it into your home smart setup.

Since it looks like the original, you have to look closely to find what’s new. You’ll eventually notice the new Bluetooth button on the rear of the unit. Here’s the big reveal — unlike the original Roam, you are no longer required to use the Sono app to set up the initial Bluetooth connection. Tap the Bluetooth button to pair it to your device like any other Bluetooth speaker. That is the main difference between the Roam and Roam 2. Of course, you will still need to download the Sonos app to access the fancy goods like Wi-Fi streaming, Apple AirPlay 2, Trueplay, Sonos Voice Control, and the better-than-nothing 2-band adjustable EQ.

Regarding the sound quality of the Roam 2, it shares the same drivers and mono playback as the original. It has a tweeter, a mid-woofer, and an overall decent sound for its size. Compared to the popular JBL Flip 6, the Roam 2 doesn’t have as much bass and treble but doesn’t feel like it’s lacking anywhere. Listening to Mr. White by Khruangbin, the grooving bass guitar tone from Laura Lee’s Fender Jazz Bass is present and upfront in the mix, but you can still hear all the reverb-drenched, treble-related details of Mark Speers’s signature guitar tones.

The Roam 2 is also ready to rock vertically.

Adding a few points to the Bass slider in the EQ kicked the thumping bassline from Queen’s Cool Cat up a notch, but don’t get too carried away because the low-end can quickly take over your mix. After some experimentation, I didn’t find the need to increase the treble frequencies when listening to any rock or instrumental music; in fact, I preferred it over the stock treble-leaning Flip 6. Overall, I enjoyed the sound of the Roam 2 when using it as a simple portable Bluetooth speaker, both around the house and at the beach. I found that it reproduces most instruments quite well.

What I don’t like about the Sonos Roam 2

Once I could finally establish all the connections, the Roam 2 provided a stable performance. Still, the Sonos app has its hurdles. Upon first receiving the Sonos Roam 2 at SoundGuys HQ, I couldn’t get the speaker to connect to our Wi-Fi, even after multiple hard restarts, not to mention deleting and re-installing the app several times. Once home, I had better luck, but it still took over an hour of restarting my device, the app, the speaker, and the router to establish the Roam 2’s Wi-Fi connection. I also experienced dead buttons within the app; occasionally, the EQ sliders would slide, but with no effect registered. Again, I was forced to restart the app every time to get past these hiccups.

The Roam 2 now features a color-matched logo.

The Roam 2 isn’t much of an upgrade from the original; it’s more of a replacement. At least this is reflected in the price; the new Roam 2 sells for the same price as the original. Bluetooth button aside, there are no hardware upgrades. As mentioned, it uses the same drivers as the original Roam. It also offers the same battery life and still only supports SBC and AAC codecs when connected over not quite the latest Bluetooth 5.2. Of course, connecting over Wi-Fi will allow for higher-quality streaming around the house.

Should you buy the Sonos Roam 2?

There’s plenty to love about the Roam 2—its build, size, and sound. If you’re already a Sonos user looking for a portable speaker, the Roam 2 is an ideal choice. It’s a great on-the-go speaker that won’t look out of place around the house. Existing Roam users don’t need to upgrade.

The Roam 2 retains its IP67 protection rating, making it suitable for the beach.

I can’t deny the frustration, not to mention the time it takes to get through the initial setup and then deal with the app quirks. Still, with the addition of its new Bluetooth operation, you could forgo the app and enjoy the Roam 2 as a standalone, dead simple portable Bluetooth speaker with good sound to accompany your next picnic in the park. It can be that simple. That said, plenty of other affordable Bluetooth speakers are available with good companion app support.

For significantly less money, check out the Soundcore Motion 300. () This portable speaker offers 30W of output, an IPX7 protection rating, and stereo sound compared to the Roam 2’s mono playback, although it’s slightly bigger and heavier. Android users can also take advantage of its LDAC codec support.

Of course, the popular JBL Flip 6 () would be another alternative. It’s IP67-rated, offers 12 hours of playback, a 3-band customizable EQ, and is closer in size to the Roam 2.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Editor’s note: this article was published on July 18, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Sonos Ace compared to the Sony WH-1000XM5?

The Sonos Ace have a similar design to the Sony WH-1000XM5, especially when comparing the ear cups and headbands side by side. The ear cups and headband are wrapped in a soft matte coating that looks and feels similar to the finish on Sony’s headphones. Both come with a case for storing your headphones and charging cable.

We can award some style and durability points to the Sonos Ace thanks to its stainless steel frame and accents around the microphones and vents. At the same time, those accents come at the cost of some added weight. The Sonos Ace weighs 320g, whereas the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a lighter 250g. That said, we didn’t have major comfort issues with either set of headphones.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 use capacitive touch controls, whereas the Sonos Ace use tactile buttons and sliders. Both allow you to adjust music playback and activate ANC without needing to reach for your phone. While touch controls may have more wow factor, tactile controls are more reliable, especially if you are wearing gloves.

Should you use the apps of either the Sonos Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5?

If you want to get the most out of the Sonos Ace, you need to download the Sonos app. Similarly, the Sony WH-1000XM5 utilize the Sony Headphones Connect app. You get most of the same features and functionality with either companion app.

While the Sonos app has an equalizer to adjust sound quality, it is very limited. You only get simple bass and treble controls. If you like tinkering with how your headphones sound, you will definitely prefer the Sony offering.

Remember, you must accept the end user license agreement to access the Sony Headphones Connect app.

The Sony app takes photos of your ears to implement 360 Reality Audio. On the other hand, you can enable head tracking from within the Sonos app, a feature not found on the Sony headphones.

If you have a compatible Sonos soundbar, you can use the Sonos app to enable the TV Audio Swap feature. This unique Sonos feature allows you to transfer the audio from your soundbar to your Ace headphones with the touch of a button. While this feature is currently only available on iOS, Sonos plans to add support for Android devices soon.

How do the Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 connect?

The Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 both support wireless and wired playback, but differ in their approach to the latter. While the Sonos Ace support wired listening via USB-C, the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a 3.5mm aux input. For wireless listening, the Sonos Ace have Bluetooth 5.4 with support for SBC, AAC, and aptX Lossless via Snapdragon Sound. On the other hand, the Sony WH-1000XM5 support Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC, and LDAC.

Despite Sonos being well known for its Wifi-enabled speakers, the Sonos Ace do not support Wifi playback. We didn’t experience connection issues with either the Sonos Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5 in day-to-day use.

Is battery life better on the Sonos Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5?

Battery life is a close tie. According to our standardized battery testing, the Sony Ace last 32 hours and 13 minutes, whereas the Sony WH-1000XM5 last 31 hours, 53 minutes. Fast charging either headphones will get you 3 hours of playback from only 3 minutes of charging.

Do the Sony Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5 block noise better?

The Sony Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 each do a great job of blocking out noise. That said, the Sony WH-1000XM5 take the win here. On average, the Sony WH-1000XM5 reduce the loudness of ambient sounds by 84%, whereas the Sonos Ace reduce the loudness of ambient sounds by an average of 74%.

While the Sony cans block out noise, I still find the Sonos Ace block out most distractions. Both headphones are able to block out my noisy coworkers without a problem.

If you are interested in staying aware of your surroundings, both headphones have a good pass-through transparency mode. Sony lets you adjust the amount of outside noise heard through the headphones, whereas Sonos does not.

Do the Sonos Ace sound better than the Sony WH-1000XM5?

The Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 have very similar sound quality performance. Any differences here will come down to personal preference.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

This battle is a toss-up.

While the Sonos Ace score slightly higher in Timbre, the Sony WH-1000XM5 score better when it comes to Distortion. They have a very close Overall score, so there’s a good chance most people will appreciate the sound quality of these headphones equally.

Reviewer’s notes

The Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 each have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to sound quality. The Sonos Ace have a very poor app equalizer, which makes it difficult to fine-tune the sound. Out of the box, we found the headphones under-emphasize mids, and there’s no way to rectify this within the app. On the flip side, we found the Sonos Ace do an excellent job with stereo imaging. In an orchestral track like “Can You Hear The Music” by Ludwig Göransson, the strings and synths are easy to distinguish within the orchestra.

Dolby Atmos content also sounds very good on the Sonos Ace, making for a very immersive listening experience. The head tracking is fun for both listening to music and watching movies. This contrasts with the spatial audio features of the Sony WH-1000XM, which use Sony 360 audio. While 360 audio performs well, it is very hard to find supported content compared to Dolby Atmos.

We tested the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sonos Ace in the lab using state-of-the-art equipment, including our B&K 5128 artificial head.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 have a bass emphasis out of the box, but it is fairly easy to equalize this away within the companion app. After some equalization, we enjoy the sound quality of the Sony WH-1000XM5. Keep in mind that the sound quality of both headphones is impacted when listening wired vs wireless, as well as listening with ANC on vs ANC off.

Objective Measurements

In a direct comparison, we can see a lot of similarities between the default frequency response of the Sonos Ace and that of the Sony WH-1000XM5. Both amplify lows and highs more than our headphone preference curve. That said, there are a lot of irregularities in the Sonos Ace frequency response, and you can’t equalize these using the very simple EQ found inside the Sonos app.

Do the Sonos Ace or the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a better microphone?

The Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 each have eight onboard microphones. Based on our tests, both are able to reproduce voices clearly. The Sony microphones seem slightly better at reducing background noise such as keyboard clatter, which might them the better choice for taking Zoom calls in a noisy office.

Sonos Ace microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sonos Ace microphone demo (Office conditions):

Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Office conditions):

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Sonos Ace vs Sony WH-1000XM5: Price and availability

If it’s been close to equal so far in our comparison, this is where the Sony WH-1000XM5 gain an advantage. The Sonos Ace have a starting price of $449, whereas the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a starting price of $399. Moreover, the Sony headphones are a few years older, so you’re more likely to find them on sale.

Should you get the Sonos Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5?

Sonos have made a very admirable effort with their first headphones. That said, it’s not quite enough to warrant our recommendation over the Sony WH-1000XM5. The Sony headphones have better noise canceling, a more refined app experience, and a cheaper starting price tag.

If you are already deeply integrated to the Sonos ecosystem, or you can find the Sonos Ace on sale, they are still very worthy headphones. That said, it’s also worthwhile to check out some alternatives on our list of the best headphones before making your decision.

How do the Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to the Apple AirPods Max?

The Sonos Ace and AirPods Max look very similar in white.

Time to talk about the elephant in the room, the Apple AirPods Max, . If you have an iPhone and are already deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, you’d be remiss to not consider the AirPods Max. That said, the Apple AirPods Max are extremely expensive, so you better be sure the Apple integrations are worth it to you. We have detailed breakdowns of the Apple AirPods Max vs Sonos Ace as well as the Apple AirPods vs Sony WH-1000XM5 that go over every feature in depth.

In terms of pure performance, the Apple AirPods Max are on par with the Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5. The AirPods Max deliver great sound quality with spatial audio and head tracking, but you don’t get native equalizer support to tweak the sound to your liking. There’s also no easy way to use the AirPods Max with a wired connection, which should concern content creators who need low-latency listening. On the other hand, the AirPods Max have exceptional noise canceling and transparency modes.

What should you get instead of the Sonos Ace or Sony WH-1000XM5?

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are very comfortable for hours on end.

The Sonos Ace and Sony WH-1000XM5 are both very expensive, and you may not need to spend that much money to meet your headphone needs. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are a slightly cheaper alternative that deliver excellent sound quality, . At the ultra-budget end of the spectrum are the JLab JBuds Lux ANC, . Despite their budget price, you still get noise canceling and good sound quality.

On the other hand, you can’t discuss premium noise-canceling headphones without mentioning Bose – they created the category in the first place. Their latest offering the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones cost a pretty penny, . With aptX Lossless and Snapdragon Sound support, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra deliver exceptional sound quality to supported Android devices. As expected, you also get great noise canceling with these cans.

Frequently asked questions

What you need to know about the Sonos Arc

The Sonos Arc is sleek and will look right at home in any home theater setup.

The Sonos Arc packs a lot into a relatively small package. It boasts eight woofers and three tweeters underneath a sleek, perforated plastic housing. All these speakers make for quite a hefty package, which makes the soundbar a little unwieldy to carry during setup. However, once placed on your TV stand — or mounted to your wall — the Sonos Arc’s understated design will blend seamlessly with your home theater setup.

You can control the soundbar using the touch controls located on the top of the Arc. The center button controls play/pause, while the right and left buttons control volume. A microphone is also located on the right side of the soundbar, enabling voice control. Soundbar controls can also be accessed using the Sonos app.

Setting up and controlling the Sonos Arc is very easy using the Sonos app for iOS and Android.

Setting up the Sonos Arc is simple. All you have to do is plug in the power cable, connect the soundbar to your TV’s HDMI eARC port, and download the Sonos app on your iPhone or Android device. Follow the in-app prompts to connect your soundbar to WiFi, and you’ll be all set to stream your favorite shows or songs.

Besides WiFi, you can stream content through the Sonos Arc in several ways. You can connect the soundbar to your home router using the Ethernet jack on the back of the speaker—a great way to ensure a stable connection. The Sonos Ace also supports Apple AirPlay 2 and works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This makes it very easy to queue up content from your Apple device or a Google or Alexa-supported platform.

What I like about the Sonos Arc

Despite its slim stature, the Sonos Arc outputs a lot of bass.

The sound quality of the Sonos Arc is very good. In dialogue-intensive shows like “Bridgerton”, voices sound clear, and I never felt like the musical score masked any character’s vocals. Speaking of which, strings, brass, and woodwinds from the score also sound very detailed, and the soundbar’s good localizability helps me discern the placement of each instrument. I also watched some action-heavy films like “Top Gun: Maverick”, which does a good job of showcasing the soundbar’s ability to produce a wide stereo image. The sound of jets panning from hard left to right is very apparent on the Sonos Arc; it almost sounds like I have surround-channel speakers.

In order to get the best sound quality out of the Sonos Arc, it’s important to set up the company’s Trueplay feature, which can be found in the Sonos iOS app. Trueplay uses the microphones on your iOS device while the soundbar plays a series of audio sweeps. The Sonos app analyzes these recordings to optimize the soundbar’s EQ to suit your listening environment best. The in-app instructions are easy to follow, and I completed the process in less than five minutes.

Trueplay is Sonos’ method of room correction that tunes the soundbar to best suit your listening environment.

I am also surprised with just how much bass the Sonos Arc produces without a separate subwoofer. Explosions, jet fly-bys, and the thump of a timpani come through loud and clear. In fact, I was almost afraid my neighbor would come knocking to complain. The loud bass reproduction is partly because my TV room is quite small. This means that bass build is usually an issue. Fortunately, the Trueplay room correction process likely recognized this and adjusted the EQ of the soundbar to compensate for my space. While the amount of bass coming out of the Sonos Arc was fine for my space, people with larger home theater rooms may still crave a more pronounced low-end produced by a dedicated subwoofer.

If you own the Sonos Ace headphones, you can also set up TV Audio Swap with your iOS device. This feature allows you to transfer audio from your Sonos soundbar to your headphones by holding down the Content Key on the Sonos Ace. I found this feature to work very well, and it only took about three seconds for the audio swap to occur. It is truly a seamless audio-switching experience.

What I don’t like about the Sonos Arc

Upward-firing drivers are meant to recreate the sensation of listening to sounds coming from ceiling-mounted speakers.

While the Sonos Arc sounds great for watching movies and TV shows, I didn’t find the listening experience to be as immersive as Sonos claims. The Sonos Ace supports Dolby Atmos, and the soundbar is equipped with upward-firing drivers to make sounds appear as if its coming from ceiling speakers. Unfortunately, this effect wasn’t very apparent to me. Also, while I praise the Sonos Arc for producing a wide stereo image, I still craved the sense of immersion I felt with dedicated rear speakers. If you want a more immersive Sonos speaker setup, consider adding a pair of the Era 100 or Era 300 speakers as side/rear channels, plus the Sub (Gen 3) for added low-end reproduction.

The Sonos Arc is a tough sell for one class of consumers: Android users. Several key app features, including TV Audio Swap and Truplay room correction, only work with iOS. It’s possible that Sonos could release an update to unlock these features for Android users. For now, however, if you own an Android phone and are considering buying the Sonos Arc, you may need to borrow your buddy’s iPhone to get the most out of your soundbar.

WiFi and Ethernet connections are nice, but having Bluetooth would’ve been really nice.

To rub more salt in the wound, the Sonos Arc also lacks Bluetooth connectivity. This means that if a guest wants to stream music directly from their Android device, they can’t. Instead, they’ll have to queue up songs using Alexa or Google Assistant or stream music through a connected TV or Apple device. It’s worth noting that you can send Bluetooth audio to the Sonos Arc, though you’ll need another Bluetooth-enabled Sonos device in your home.

Sonos Arc specs

Should you buy the Sonos Arc?

The Sonos Ace is a great buy for movie lovers that mainly use Apple devices and have deep pockets.

I’d recommend the Sonos Arc to anyone willing to fork up the cash for a good overall soundbar. It sounds great, it’s easy to set up, and yes, it looks great, too. Its $899 price tag may be a hard pill to swallow for some, but it’s a fair price to pay for a well-designed soundbar—especially if said soundbar is poised to be the center of your home theater.

However, if you’re after full-on immersive listening or simply enjoy immersive formats like Dolby Atmos, I’d recommend keeping your money and saving for a proper Dolby Atmos setup. Dedicated surround speakers and a subwoofer provide the most immersive experience possible. But if you’re dead set on having a soundbar as the centerpiece of your Dolby Atmos home theater system, then the Sonos Arc is a good starting point.

If you’re an Android user, I recommend waiting a bit longer for Sonos to expand compatibility for some app features. But if you’re impatient, then I’d say it’s worth bugging your iPhone-loving friends to help you get the most out of the Sonos Arc.

The Vizio Elevate Soundbar System comes with a dedicated subwoofer and two surround speakers—all for less than the cost of the Sonos Ace.

For those looking to save a bit of cash, check out the VIZIO Elevate Soundbar. For $799.99, Vizio offers a 5.1.4 surround setup with a dedicated subwoofer and surround speakers. The soundbar also features upward-firing speakers, similar to the Sonos Arc, which is especially useful when listening to songs or watching films mixed in Dolby Atmos.

Sonos Arc review: FAQs

Sonos Era 100 Wireless Speaker for $199 ($50 off)

The Sonos Era 100 delivers detailed stereo separation and rich bass, while its compact design fits seamlessly anywhere from bookshelves to nightstands. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a 3.5mm line-in. Trueplay technology customizes the sound to your room’s acoustics, and intuitive touch controls make managing your audio effortless. You even get free music and live stations on Sonos Radio.

That isn’t the only highlight from the Sonos sale. Here are some other noteworthy mentions:

• Sonos Move 2 for $336 ($113 off)
• Sonos Roam SL for $127 ($33 off)
• Sonos Era 300 for $359 ($90 off)
• Sonos Sub (Gen 3) for $639 ($160 off)
• Sonos Arc for $719 ($181 off)

Ready to upgrade your audio? Use the links and widget above to explore the Sonos sale for yourself.

https://youtu.be/bgvCcblHNEs

Editor’s note: this is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use Sonos Ace?

The design of the Sonos Ace looks very familiar. In fact, these headphones seem to answer the question: “What if the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max had a baby?” The answer: you get a comfortable, well-built pair of headphones.

The combination of memory foam padding, plastic ear cup housing, and stainless steel frame contribute to a design that is both stylish and durable.

The ear cups and headband are made of plastic, but they’re wrapped in a soft matte coating that looks and feels similar to the finish on Sony’s headphones. As for the interior, the ear cups and headband feature a soft memory foam wrapped in vegan leather. The stainless steel frame provides added durability, while allowing for easy adjustment of the headband to suit the user. There are also stainless steel accents around the microphones and vents, which is a nice visual touch. The headphones come in black and white.

Given the high price tag of the Sonos Ace, I was expecting an all-metal construction à la AirPods Max. However, after wearing the headphones for over a week, I’m very satisfied with Sonos’ design approach. The use of plastic for the ear cups allow the headphones to feel much lighter than the AirPods Max, making them easier to wear during longer listening sessions. Also, the memory foam padding feels very plush and gentle on my head. There’s also enough clamping force to keep the headphones still, but not so much that the ear pads are pressing into the arms of my glasses.

The Sonos Ace is comfortable to wear, so long as you don’t have big ears.

It’s worth noting that the ear cups on the Sonos Ace aren’t as deep as what you’d find from Sony and Apple’s headphones. Coupled with the thick padding, people with larger ears may have a difficult time ensuring a proper seal and a comfortable fit. As someone with average-sized ears, I haven’t face any issues with fit, though your results may vary.

The Sonos Ace has no ingress protection rating, so I’d highly recommend choosing a different pair of headphones to work out with. Similarly, you should not wear the headphones in the rain or snow without a hood.

The Sonos Ace comes with a carrying case, cable pouch, USB-C to C cable, and USB-C to 3.5mm cable.

For travelers and commuters, the Sonos Ace comes with a carrying case made of recyclable materials. While the eco-friendly approach to design is a nice gesture, it does result in a carrying case that feels a lot more fragile than what you’d get with other flagship over-ears. The case feels like it’s made out of paper and cardboard, which isn’t very durable. Still, it gets the job done. Inside the case you’ll find a magnetically detachable cable pouch where you can store the included USB-C to C cable and USB-C to 3.5mm cable.

While it’s nice of Sonos to include cables for wired listening, I find the USB-C to C cable too short — as there’s not enough slack for me to use the cable comfortably when plugged into my laptop. The cable also pulls tightly if I’m listening while standing with my phone in my pocket. Then again, you could always use any longer or spare USB-C cables you have lying around. Thank goodness for a universal standard, right?

How do you control the Sonos Ace?

Most functions on the Sonos Ace can be controlled using a tactile slider on the right ear cup, also known as the “Content Key.”

You can control playback and volume using the Content Key (slider). The button underneath toggles through listening modes.

You can move the slider up or down to adjust volume or press it to control playback. A button underneath the slider lets you toggle through listening modes or summon your voice assistant. There is also a button under the left ear cup that controls power and Bluetooth pairing.

Tactile buttons and sliders on the Sonos Ace make controlling the headphones a fuss-free affair. It feels much more responsive than the touch sensor-based controls found on headphones like the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless and Sony WH-1000XM5. I only wish that the slider and control key were positioned a little lower on the ear cup, similar to the Bose QuietComfort Headphones, though this is more of a want than a need, really.

Should you use the Sonos app for the Sonos Ace?

You do not need to download the Sonos app to set up the Sonos Ace. However, if you want to get the most out of your headphones, I recommend doing so. The app is available on both iOS and Android.

Besides downloading firmware updates, the Sonos app lets you enable Bluetooth multipoint and head tracking. You can also use the app to customize the Noise Control and Wear Detection settings on your headphones.

The Sonos app includes an equalizer to help tune the headphones to your liking, though its functionality is rather limited. All you get are two sliders to control bass and treble, and no clear visual indication as to how your sound is being affected. This is a far cry from the EQ tools provided by Shure, Nothing, or even Sony. In fact, I really, really wished that Sonos included a slider to adjust the mids, but I’ll get more into that in the sound quality section. To Sonos’ credit, this is still more customization than you get with the AirPods Max.

It’s worth noting that the app only works with the Sonos Ace via Bluetooth. The app won’t recognize the headphones when connected to your phone using the USB-C cable. This can be mildly frustrating when you want to quickly toggle head tracking or make a quick EQ adjustment. That being said, remember to dial in your settings before switching over to wired listening.

How does the Sonos Ace connect?

The Sonos Ace offers a wide range of connection options. You can connect the Sonos Ace wirelessly to your source device over Bluetooth 5.4, and the headphones support SBC, AAC, and aptX Lossless via Snapdragon Sound. These headphones don’t support any audio-over-WiFi technologies, which is a little ironic considering that Sonos is known for its WiFi-enabled speakers. The Sonos Ace also features Bluetooth multipoint, with support for up to two simultaneous connections, though you’ll need to enable this in the app.

You can connect to the Sonos Ace via Bluetooth or USB-C cable.

I had no major connection issues while using the Sonos Ace, for the most part. From congested city streets to the comfort of my own home, I rarely experienced connection dropouts or stutters when paired to my MacBook Pro or iPhone. The only time I encountered any problems was when using the TV Audio Swap feature with my Sonos Arc soundbar.

The connection range between the Sonos Arc and Sonos Ace seems to be quite limited. If I try to walk from my TV and down the hall, the connection would drop-off at about 4 meters (~14 feet) away. Granted, walls and interference from other devices may affect the connection strength, though I never have this issue when paired to my iPhone.

If your source device doesn’t support Snapdragon Sound, you can still enjoy Lossless audio the old-fashioned way: a wired connection. Sonos even includes a USB-C to C cable and a USB-C to 3.5mm in the box. Using the Sonos Ace headphones wired is a treat — especially when paired with a streaming service that supports high-quality music files, such as Tidal. No connection stutters, no drop-outs, no nonsense.

How long does the Sonos Ace’s battery last?

When connected to a source device with a USB-C to C cable, the Sonos Ace can charge the battery and stream audio simultaneously.

The Sonos Ace lasted for 32 hours and 13 minutes in our standardized battery test, with ANC enabled. For reference, that’s a longer battery life than what you’ll get with the Apple AirPods Max, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, and Sony WH-1000XM5. Rest assured, the Sonos Ace will provide enough listening time for a couple of days’ worth of commutes or even a roundtrip flight across the Atlantic.

How well does the Sonos Ace cancel noise?

The Sonos Ace does a very good job of canceling outside noise. The headphone’s dense ear pads do a good job sealing to your head, leading to isolation performance comparable to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones. With ANC enabled the Sonos Ace is able to reduce the loudness of buses, trains, and airplane engines by about 74%. It doesn’t outperform flagship ANC headphones like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (85%) or the Apple AirPods Max (83%). Still, it’s a valiant effort, considering that this is Sonos’ first go at the over-ear market. Rest assured, the Sonos Ace can quiet your next commute at home or abroad.

How do the Sonos Ace sound?

Sonos is no stranger to making good-sounding speakers, but can they make good-sounding headphones? The Sonos Ace doesn’t sound bad, but there’s room for improvement.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the Sonos Ace was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

According to our virtual panel of listeners, you’re most likely to enjoy the default sound of these headphones.

The Sonos Ace scores very well. According to our virtual panel of listeners, most people will enjoy the default sound of these headphones — even before taking advantage of features like Dolby Atmos and the in-app EQ.

Reviewer’s notes

Editor’s note: this review uses a hover-enabled glossary to describe sound quality based on a consensus vocabulary. You can read about it here.

Objective Measurements

The chart below outlines the frequency response of the Sonos Ace to our headphone preference curve, which is a measurement of what we think will sound good to most people.

In the low frequencies, there is a significant over-emphasis in the bass and sub-bass frequencies, especially between 20-30Hz, and between 50-175Hz. This low-end bump helps recreate the deep bass you might feel while watching a movie in a theater; a product of Sonos’ home-theater roots. While this might be fine for momentary sounds like an explosion, brass stab, or bass drop, this low-end emphasis can be fatiguing during long listening periods — especially while listening to bass-heavy music.

There is also an under-emphasis between 1,250-2,000Hz, which can reduce the clarity of sounds like higher-pitched vocals, high-octave keys and synths, and stringed instruments. Moving up the frequency chart, there is a noticeable over-emphasis between  5,000-8,000Hz. While this tuning can help accentuate room effects like reverb to heighten your sense of immersiveness, it can also cause sounds like cymbals, hi-hats, or any metallic hits to sound too shrill.

Based on our measurements, it seems that Sonos tried to tune the 40mm dynamic drivers of its headphones to mimc the characteristics of watching a movie in a theater. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, tuning choices like the over-emphasized sub-bass and treble can lead to a fatiguing listening experience over time. I’d highly recommend going into the Sonos app and adjusting the treble and bass sliders until you find a setting that’s most comfortable for you.

Can you use the Sonos Ace for phone calls?

The Sonos Ace features eight beamforming microphones for taking calls on the go. Based on our tests, the microphones on the Sonos Ace are able to reproduce voices clearly. They won’t replace a condenser mic, but rest assured you’ll be heard loud and clear on the other end of a call.

Sonos Ace microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

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Should you buy the Sonos Ace?

The Sonos Ace is expensive but could be worth the price for the budding cinephile.

The Sonos Ace is definitely worth considering if you can justify the high price tag. After all, these headphones cost a whopping $449. If you’re someone who enjoys immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos, or if you already own a soundbar from Sonos, then the Sonos Ace could be a natural extension of your existing home theater setup.

However, if you’re looking for over-ear headphones with the best noise canceling performance possible, or you just want more control over your sound, then I’d suggest looking at alternatives from Apple, Bose, Sony, or Sennheiser before setting your sights on the Sonos Ace.

How do the Sonos Ace compare to the Apple AirPods Max?

The AirPods Max are a great choice for Apple device owners who want a pair of premium over-ears.

Given the price point, a lot of people are likely to compare the Sonos Ace to the Apple AirPods Max. Both headphones offer a lot of features for their price, so which you choose will ultimately come down to what you value the most.

One of the biggest differences between the two headphones has to do with device ecosystem integration. The Apple AirPods Max is the better choice for iPhone owners who are heavily invested in Apple’s walled garden. Moreover, the AirPods Max boasts better noise-canceling performance than the Sonos Ace. Its default sound also has less bass emphasis, though Apple doesn’t provide any EQ tools. On the other hand, the Sonos Ace is a better investment for people who already own a compatible Sonos soundbar, or for those who simply prefer Dolby Atmos for consuming immersive audio content.

How do the Sonos Ace compare to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones offer comparable specs to the Sonos Ace.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones boast a slightly lower price tag than the Sonos Ace and offer comparable specs, including aptX Lossless via Snapdragon Sound, similar default sound, and comfortable design. Furthermore, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones boast better noise-canceling performance and a slightly better in-app EQ tool.

Bose also offers spatial audio, which they call “Bose Immersive Audio”. However, this implementation of spatial audio pales in comparison to the Sonos Ace’s use of Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound. The head tracking on the Sonos Ace is also more responsive than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.

How do the Sonos Ace compare to the Sony WH-1000XM5?

The Sony WH-1000XM5 offers great sound quality and noise-canceling performance for the price.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is great for people who want a premium pair of noise-canceling headphones, without having to shell out over $400. These headphones offer better sound quality and noise-canceling than the Sonos Ace, and the Sony Headphones Connect app offers more customization options compared to what’s available in the Sonos app.

These headphones also support spatial audio via Sony 360 Reality Audio, however there is far more content available in Dolby Atmos compared to Sony’s format. If virtual surround sound is a priority for you, the Sonos Ace is still a better option. For everything else, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is worth serious consideration.

What should you get instead of the Sonos Ace?

The Sonos Ace is not cheap by any means, so it’s worth taking a look at some alternatives that may better suit your needs. For example, the AirPods Max () offers tight integration with Apple devices, offering exclusive features like Apple Spatial Audio and automatic device switching.

Android users should take a look at the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, which also support aptX Lossless for high-quality streaming over Bluetooth. If you don’t care for spatial audio, or you value a great in-app equalizer, the Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 () should be on your radar.

If you want to save some cash, the Sony WH-1000XM5 () boasts a comfortable design, very good sound quality, and great noise-canceling performance.  There’s also the Sennheiser MOMENTUM Wireless 4 (), which offers great sound quality and an impressive 56+ hour battery life.

Frequently asked questions

• Sonos launches Roam 2, an improved version of its portable speaker.
• Key features include enhanced controls, quick setup, automatic tuning, 10-hour battery life, and waterproofing.
• Available globally today for $179.

Sonos has casually launched the Roam 2, the latest iteration of its rugged and portable speaker. It features enhanced controls and a quicker setup process, hopefully avoiding some of the frustrating setup hiccups of the first Roam, along with several updates aimed at improving user experience.

The speaker’s design has been refreshed with a sleek monochromatic logo and new, discrete power and Bluetooth buttons for easier use. Instead of having to connect the speaker to the Sonos app on your home Wi-Fi network to play music on the go, users will now be able to use the speaker anywhere right out of the box via Bluetooth. That’s definitely a more portable-friendly approach in our books. For home use, the speaker can be integrated into a Sonos system over Wi-Fi.

The Roam 2 also features Automatic Trueplay, which Sonos says will optimize the listening experience in any environment, whether connected via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It should offer up to 10 hours of continuous playback on a single charge and boasts an IP67 rating, making it dustproof and fully waterproof, capable of withstanding splashes, dirt, heat, and cold.

The Roam 2 continues to support convenient features like Sound Swap, which allows users to transfer music between the Roam 2 and other Sonos speakers. Additionally, you can pair any Bluetooth-compatible device with the Roam 2 and share its audio across however many other Sonos speakers you have. However, the Roam 2’s USB-C port is solely for charging and does not offer line-in capabilities like the Move 2.

The Roam 2 is available in five colors: Olive green, Sunset orange, Wave blue, Black, and White. It will be available globally starting today, May 21, for $179.