The Sonos Ace Wireless Over-Ear Headphones can block ambient noise on a flight, in a coffee shop, or during a daily commute. Active noise cancellation isolates audio from outside sound, while Aware Mode lets environmental noise through for awareness of surroundings during work or travel. Spatial audio with Dolby Atmos expands the soundstage for movies and immersive music, with dynamic head-tracking that adjusts as you turn your head. Bluetooth 5.4 handles wireless connections, and USB-C and a 3.5mm headphone jack add wired playback as a backup option.
Headphones with excellent sound and a high bar for comfort
The Ace handles audio across all genres, with a balanced sound signature that doesn’t overemphasize bass at the expense of vocals or treble. The 40mm dynamic drivers produce detail across podcasts, acoustic tracks, and full mixes, with extended frequency response from low bass to high treble. The Sonos app provides EQ adjustment for bass, treble, and balance to fine-tune the sound profile. Audio over Bluetooth supports SBC, AAC, and aptX Lossless codecs depending on the source device.
Active noise cancellation reduces ambient sound across different environments, from low-frequency rumbles like HVAC systems and airplane cabins to higher-pitched sounds like keyboard typing and conversation hum. The headphones use multiple microphones to capture environmental sounds and cancel them through the drivers, with the cancellation strength adjusting based on detected noise levels. Aware Mode reverses the function, letting the microphones pass through ambient sound so you can hear announcements, conversations, or other audio cues without removing the headphones.
The Ace’s over-ear cups use memory foam cushions wrapped in a soft synthetic material, forming a seal around the ears for passive noise isolation and ANC effectiveness. The headband distributes weight across the top of the head rather than concentrating it on a single contact point. Adjustments to fit work through stainless steel sliders, and the swiveling earcups fold flat for storage in the included carrying case. The total weight measures around 11 ounces, light enough for hours of use without causing fatigue.
There are a few compromises the Sonos Ace makes compared to the rest of the Sonos lineup. It doesn’t connect to a wider Sonos multi-room WiFi setup, and TV Audio Swap only works with the Sonos Arc soundbar. However, you still get over 30 hours of battery life, USB-C and 3.5mm wired listening, and a hard carrying case in the box. Unfortunately, wireless charging isn’t supported, so you’ll need to plug the headphones in via USB-C when the battery runs out.
The Sonos Ace Wireless Over-Ear Headphones handle music, podcasts, and movies with active noise cancellation, spatial audio, and over 30 hours of battery life, and at $299, it’s a great deal for premium wireless headphones. If you’ve been waiting for a serious headphone upgrade but didn’t want to pay flagship prices, the $100 off makes Sonos’s debut headphones more accessible.
