Sonos introduces the Ace: Breaking New Ground with Debut Headphones

Sonos, the audio brand, has finally entered the personal listening category with the launch of its first-ever headphones, Sonos Ace. With its expertise in sound and design, Sonos aims to revolutionize the headphone experience. Packed with impressive features, such as lossless and spatial audio, Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with Aware Mode, and TrueCinema technology for an immersive home theater experience, Sonos Ace is set to make waves in the market. The headphones will be available globally in Black and Soft White starting June 5, 2024, at a price of $449.

According to Patrick Spence, CEO of Sonos, the company has been inundated with requests from fans to bring the Sonos experience to headphones, and they wanted their entry into this category to embody the innovation and sound quality that Sonos is known for. Sonos Ace aims to deliver stunning sound, sleek design, and long-lasting comfort, making it a standout choice in the highly popular audio category.

Sonos Ace offers a range of features that bring the best of Sonos to headphones. The custom-designed drivers ensure high-fidelity sound reproduction with impeccable precision and clarity. Additionally, users can enjoy a surround sound home theater experience by seamlessly switching the TV audio from a compatible Sonos soundbar to Sonos Ace with a simple tap. The spatial audio with Dolby Atmos creates an immersive soundstage, while dynamic head tracking keeps users centered in the action. Later this year, Sonos’ TrueCinema technology will further enhance the listening experience by precisely mapping the user’s space and rendering a complete surround sound system.

Personalization is key with Sonos Ace. Users can choose to activate Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) for an immersive listening experience or switch to Aware mode when they need to be more aware of their surroundings. The headphones boast an impressive battery life of up to 30 hours and support ultra-fast charging, ensuring users never miss a beat.

Maxime Bouvat-Merlin, Sonos Chief Product Officer, expressed excitement about the launch of Sonos Ace, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to creating moving sound experiences. Every detail of the headphones has been meticulously crafted, custom designed, and tuned by leading sound experts, promising a listening experience like no other.

In terms of design, Sonos Ace combines aesthetics with comfort. Its slim profile, metal accents, and matte finish create an elegant look that complements any style. The lightweight materials and pillowy soft memory foam interior provide a comfortable fit. The headphones also feature intuitive design elements, such as contrasting colors inside the ear cups to indicate how to wear them and tactile buttons for easy control. When not in use, Sonos Ace can be conveniently folded flat and stored in its lightweight travel case.

Sonos Ace is not only built to deliver exceptional performance but also to last. The headphones feature replaceable ear cushions and incorporate circular materials that reduce virgin plastic usage by 17%. The travel case is made from 75% recycled felt sourced from plastic bottles. Additionally, Sonos Ace is engineered for energy efficiency, thanks to wear detection technology that pauses music playback when the headphones are removed.

Sonos Ace will be available for purchase on June 5 at a retail price of $449 USD. With its superior sound quality, elegant design, and commitment to sustainability, Sonos Ace is set to make a significant impact in the personal listening market.

Technology Explained

---

ANC: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is a technology that is used to reduce unwanted background noise in a variety of applications. It works by using microphones to detect the ambient noise and then producing an inverted sound wave to cancel it out. This technology is used in many computer applications, such as headphones, speakers, and sound cards. It is also used in noise-cancelling headphones, which are designed to reduce the amount of background noise that reaches the user's ears. ANC is also used in soundproofing applications, such as recording studios and soundproofed rooms. By reducing the amount of background noise, ANC allows for clearer sound recordings and improved sound quality.