Sonos Ace: The Headphones That Made Me Forget the World

Share

View Item

The Day My AirPods Met Their Match

It was a Tuesday. My neighbor’s dog was auditioning for America’s Got Talent: Barking Edition. My AirPods wheezed at 47% battery, begging for retirement. Enter the Sonos Ace—a pair of over-ear headphones so sleek, they made my WFH hoodie look intentional.

First Impressions: Quiet Luxury, Literally

Unboxing the Sonos Ace felt like unwrapping a minimalist art piece. Matte black finish, no flashy logos, just a subtle "Ace" embossed on the headband. The memory foam ear cushions? Like hugging your ears with clouds.

Setup: Paired instantly with my phone. No app required (though Sonos’ app unlocks EQ tweaks).

The Noise Cancellation: “Wait, What Barking Dog?”

I tested the ANC on:

- A NYC subway: The 6 train’s screech became a distant hum.

- My blender’s “smoothie apocalypse” mode: Silent.

- A Zoom call with my toddler niece: Her squeals softened to ASMR whispers.

Transparency mode was just as impressive—heard my coffee order without yanking off the headphones.

Sound Quality: Sonos’ Signature, Unleashed

Sonos nailed it. The Ace delivers:

- Bass: Deep but disciplined (no muddy thumps).

- Mids/Highs: Vocals crisp enough to hear Taylor Swift’s breath between lyrics.

- Spatial Audio: Watched Dune 2 on my iPad—sandworms sounded behind me.

For audiophiles: Tweak the EQ via the app. I boosted the bass for workouts, flattened it for podcasts.

All-Day Comfort (Or Until the Battery Dies)

- Battery Life: 30 hours with ANC on. Lasted a workweek without charging.

- Weight: Lighter than my Bose QC45s. Wore them through a 4-hour flight—no ear sweat.

- Touch Controls: Swipe to adjust volume, pinch to pause. No accidental skips (looking at you, Sony XM5s).

The Quirks: Not All Sunshine

- No Multipoint Pairing: Can’t connect to phone and laptop simultaneously.

- Case Size: Bulky for a purse, but protects like a tank.

- Price: $449. Steep, but on par with Apple AirPods Max.

Who Should Buy These?

- Sonos Stans: Integrates with Sonos home systems (future updates promised).

- Commuter Warriors: ANC that mutes chaos.

- Design Snobs: These look expensive in the best way.

Skip If: You need multipoint pairing or prefer bass-heavy sound.

Final Verdict: Silence Has Never Sounded This Good

The Sonos Ace aren’t perfect, but they’re close. For noise cancellation that feels like a force field and sound that’s richer than my daydreams, they’re my new daily drivers. Sorry, AirPods.

Pro Tip: Grab the black pair—they hide coffee splatters better.

Ready to Embrace the Quiet?

👉 Sonos Ace at Crutchfield