Sonos Ace Review: The Vibes Are Off
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- čas přidán 4. 06. 2024
- Deep-dive into the new Sonos Ace headphones, including hardware design, ecosystem features, and audio performance compared to AirPods Max. Find out if these high-end headphones are worth the $450 price tag.
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Just picked up my Sonos Ace headphones. Installed using the Sonos app. Software update. No issue at all swapping between the Ace and my Arc in the living room. Worked from the very first attempt 🤷♂️
Yeah, I've heard various reports, working for some, intermittently for others. Glad it working for you!
Sound swap worked for me fine first time also and on multiple Sonos Arcs, pretty cool tbh.
No problems here either. Mine arrived in the mail from Sonos the other day with no issues (paired with Arc, Sonos Sub, 2x Era 300s). Adding another today after work from Best Buy so I have one in white and one in black for days I am out with my PS Portal (white) or when I just want to wear a lighter color. Let's see if that second one has any of the issues @beardfm noted. Maybe there was a firmware update after he tested it? Either way, I'd say send it back @beardfm . If mine failed to easily switch between my Arc and the cans, I'd have gotten rid of it. That said, I have different cans for different things (Audeze Maxwell for PS5 and Xbox series X; Airpods Max for my Apple Ecosystem; Sonos Ace for my Home Theater setup and now travel to replace my AirPods Max, Bose QC3, Masters & Dynamics, etc.) or different clothes and gear I carry.
I tried the Sonos Ace at Best Buy with my iPhone with several tracks I was familiar with, I can concur on the bass. It's a little overpowered to me on the mid bass but too much boom, not enough depth and impact. Vocals and treble seemed to be restrained and didn't have the shine I like. I didn't try the EQ (wasn't wanting to install the app) but with only 2 bands I'm not sure it would have helped.
Looked good, sounded good and no issues with comfort but not worth $450 to me when I have the AirPods Max, QC Ultra (my daily drivers) and the XM5s (probably should have returned as they don't get much use).
Bonus: removable magnetic ear pads like the Max and some of the B&W headphones. I really like that.
Volume level is very similar to the Max, Ultras and XM5s. Louder than the Momentum 4s (with EQ mode engaged).
Everybody has different tastes in sound, comfort and looks so YMMV.
Appreciate your thoughts here, especially about the bass. Didn’t hear other reviews mentioning that perspective, and you’re right, if you already have AirPods Max I’m not sure these need to be considered.
Thanks for sharing. Blessings on your day.
Thanks for this honest and in-depth review! One if not the best review out there about these headphones!
I appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I was able to connect directly to my turntable using the 3.5mm cable. Pretty cool. Ace wins
I didn’t hear any material difference in sound in wireless vs wired via usb c cable. Probably my 56 year old ears, but it may point to the quality of Bluetooth 5.4? Ace wins wired connection.
Watched Hacksaw Ridge on Apple TV and Arc switching between AirPods and Ace. Ace wins. More depth and better feeling of being there in the battle scene.
Future cinema mode: Should be good and Ace should win.
Comfort: Ace wins.
Controls on headphones: I like the dial better so far. AirPods probably wins.
Power button: definitely Ace wins.
Case: Ace wins.
Future use with my Beam and Beam, too: Ace wins.
Noticeable different sounds when turning off and switching to transparency from ANC? Winner by far is AirPods Max. I can’t tell on the Ace either way and it’s frustrating.
If that swap worked for me (and if it worked with the beam at launch), it would have been a more positive experience for sure. And the off button is very welcome.
Thanks for the great review! I would love to know more about the Dolby atmos controls in iOS with the Sonos Ace. Are you able to switch between stereo and Dolby Atmos? And is Head Tracking setting needed to allow Dolby Atmos?
Thanks! Head tracking is not needed for Atmos music, but it doesn't look like Atmos works when watching movies on iOS device with Ace connected. Defaults back to stereo it seems.
Nice review! Regarding the bass, I would keep them for a couple of weeks of listening, then compare the bass to the AirPods again.
I listened to AirPods Max inside the Apple Store several times before buying them. When I finally bought them, the low end did not sound like what I heard in the store (feeling bass down to my shoulders). After a little more than a week of using them, the low end finally opened to the deepness I had heard in the store.
I have lots of headphones and speakers, and I have found that most high quality audio drivers need time to break in.
Break in is a good point, will see after a few weeks!
A point to bring up- I thought it was great that you brought up the lack of passive mode. No one else mentioned that. However, you left out that you can listen to music through USB C to USB C that will charge the headphones simultaneously, along with getting lossless. Interesting oversight
Oh true, I focus on 1/8” connections with my podcast background.
Thought that it was weird that you cannot listen to them while off like a my xm5s, xm4s and Jabra 85h....
Althought it is cool that you can charge and listen at the same time.
Yeah so true also no dongle usb-c to 3.5mm. Just plug it in😊
I am in both Sonos and Apple ecosystems, but as much as I've tried to love the Max, I feel it's design over comfort. The ear cup mesh material feels uncomfortable on my ear/skin and after 15-20 minutes, my head feels like it's being held in a vice, and the mesh net over the head doesn't support well. Also if you wear glasses, it's uncomfortable on the Max. For me, the Ace are the most comfortable wireless over-ear headphones I've ever owned. I don't need the best sounding headphones but the most comfortable will do!
Ace definitely win on comfort, and the head clamping of the Max is real
Agree with your review. I was also expecting full integration with the Sonos app and system… 😢
Hopefully they will integrate at some point later.
Did not have problem with the sound swap from the Arc but had to update the software. I am sure you already did and got already the swap to TV
Turn on loudness in the Sonos app. Better bass after adjusting bass EQ. I always leave loudness on all my Sonos speakers. Not punchy enough bass without it.
I did try both with loudness on and off, and it was a little better, agreed
I got mine earlier today and have tried them out for a few hours now. Unless I run into issues later on, these are the best wireless headphones I've ever tried. All the others (Airpods Max, Sony XM5, Sennheiser Momentum 4, to name some) fell short in one way or another because of discomfort, connectivity issues and whatnot, but these have been flawless in every regard so far.
The only downsides I can really think of is that it would've been nice to have even longer battery life, and I would very much like to be able to check the battery level by pushing a button on the headphones rather than have to connect them to my phone just for that. I unfortunately can't see the battery level on my PC, because I'm using a USB audio transmitter to get aptX Adaptive, which has the downside that the adapter itself is shown as my audio device in Windows rather than the headphones and thus I can't see the status of the Ace. Hopefully, they'll add a voice prompt for battery level in a patch eventually.
You prefer the Ace sound over AirPods Max?
@@beardfm I'd say they're about even in terms of how much I enjoy listening to them, but the Airpods lose because I had a horrendous experience with them from a technical standpoint. Unbalanced sound (louder in one cup) so I had to have that side replaced, and I also had a lot of problems with sound cutting out because head detection was seemingly triggering at random even if it was turned off.
Haven't had any issues with the Ace yet, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed it'll stay that way.
Also tried “Bury a friend” by Billie Eilish to test the low end… don’t have AirPods Max to compare but without any eq adjustment the Ace gave me more than enough bass…
It’s probably up to personal taste so best suggestion to anyone would be to try before you buy 😁
I'll have to try that track as well, glad they're working for you!
im hearing that exact song with my ACES right now and is awesome
Awesome follow up review. Ok my mind is made up: I’ll be waiting for the AirPods Max Gen 2.
You made me buy a Dune shirt, Stephen!
haha Dune shirt is the *right* investment! Thanks for watching, and I'm waiting for Max Gen 2 as well
I love my AirPods Max. Got them on day one. Can’t wait for the second gen AirPods Max!
Same! Hoping for lighter version, USB-C, and H2 chip. That's it!
Me too!
Agree with your review. I was also expecting full integration with the Sonos app and system… 😢
Hopefully they will integrate at some point later.
Did not have problem with the sound swap from the Arc but had to update the software. I am sure you already did and got already the swap to TV
I have as well my Sonos Beam in my room so I hope they integrate soon too. Meanwhile… just the TV in the family room with my Arc!
Ah I’ll update and try again! I saw the Sonos app update but didn’t see one for the headphones just yet
Great review. Is media viewing on your mobile device (I.e. AppleTV+ on my iPhone 15PM) still only stereo or would there be Dolby? Sorry may have missed that point. Was looking at this for my flight at the end of the month and wondering if for on device movie watching it’s better.
Trying to research that I can't find a definitive answer. When I go into Control Center with a movie playing from the Apple TV app, if AirPods Max are connected it shows the Spatial Audio toggle and Dolby Atmos symbol. With the Sonos Ace connected, it doesn't show any of that. Just listening, I *don't think* it's Atmos audio with the Ace headphones.
@@beardfm thank you for the response! I couldn’t find a clear answer either except when paired to the Arc. I may just try them since they seem extremely comfortable and if I don’t end up liking them returning them after my trip.
@@beardfm Looking at their support page looks like Atmos is only available for Apple Music and Spatial Audio for TV/Movies when passing audio from the soundbar ☹ I guess I'm keeping my AirPods Max until next gen.
Do you turn off your eq in music setting? I found turning that off and only using eq in Sonos app made them more louder and clearer. I also agree with you about the bass, when I crank it it’s there but I don’t feel feel it 😂 but these in black the best looking headphones I ever tried. I might consider keeping them, APM looks too gaudy now
They do look great! And EQ was off in Apple Music settings too.
Yeah I noticed turning off the EQ, made them sound better.
You didn't use an audio cable when comparing Ace to Airpod Max. They have different connection protocols, so it's not an apples-to-apples test.
It’s a real world test, most people aren’t going to use a cable.
Apple to Sonos test 😂 loved the apples to apples test remark 👍🏼
Great review; thanks for your honest opinion. With me being in the Apple ecosystem, I will stick with my AirPods Max or AirPods Pro 2 until they come out with the updated version.
Appreciate it! Same, hoping for updates Max's soon.
@@beardfm Hopefully, by the end of the year.
totally agree i tested both and the max still sound a lot better
Appreciate that confirmation!
What about Apple Vision Pro and the Ace together?
Say no more, if bass is lacking, that’s a hard pass for me…will stick with my AirPods Max. I play bass as well and having a real clear punchy bass in the mix is extremely important to me. Also, diggin the Fender Jazz 5 string, you just can’t beat the tone and feel of a Jazz bass, it’s always my go-to as well. Great video!
Thanks! And I still play that fender 5 20 years later 😅 put a sans amp between it and the system and it sounds 👌🏻
How does it feel from a glasses wearer? Do they press on the frame's arms?
They're comfortable with glasses, forgot to mention! More comfortable than the AirPods Max in that regard as they don't press against the head as much.
Major issues at sonos with the new app update and lots of devices not working and features missing.....I won't be even buying anymore sonos products....let's see what apple releases this coming WDC....great honest review and very informative.....does anyone know do the air pod max or the airpod pros work when two people have either of these to watch a movie?
Thank you! And yes, you can share audio between Pro and Max through Apple TV or iOS devices.
What about compared to the Bose QC ULTRA headphones?
Will need to try those personally to compare!
Can you do a studio tour?
I got one here! czcams.com/video/a_DNy9byYh0/video.htmlsi=kbzrrvcbqFxgZST3
I am not a Sonos user, but am a serious headphone fan. I was looking for the link to your playlist, but didn’t see the link.
Right here! music.apple.com/us/playlist/sonos-ace-review/pl.u-aPy5CArLK9
Would love to know your top paid of ANC headphones too
@@beardfm Thanks! I saw Snarky Puppy, Pamplemoose, Mozart’s Requiem, and a Zimmer piece from Dune and wondered what else you have in common or I may find new to me and like.
For ANC the AirPod Max is still my go to, but mostly use it for watching movies late or when the a/c is on. For out and about the AirPod Pro 2s are my go to for walks and light music listening or podcast, but the are go to for calls, but sometimes add a Yeti mic for better sound from me.
For detailed music listening I go with a DAC/Amp and wired headphones where I fell down the rabbit hole - Beyerdynamic DT 1990, Sennheiser 6XX Drop, and my latest and most detailed and spacious listening HiFiman Arya Organic.
For playlist to sample something like Yosi Harakawa’s Bubbles or Fluid highlights a lot of what is good or limited with headphones.
Thanks for the review. I actually like the weight of the Max's... I travel a ton and love the noise cancelling + sound quality of the Max's are fantastic. And they fit in my backpack nicely. I would be worried about how much space that sonos box takes up in the travel bag.
Sound quality and noise cancelling are great for sure! And the Sonos case is actually pretty thin, but not significantly different from AirPods Max
I bought them and I was wondering I paid like 470$ for these there great ANC and Transparency mode but sound quality is pretty good but it’s not on the level of Sonys M5 or the Max I have I test all 3 and I think they need to drop the price to 350$ or 300$ sound quality and Anc on the level for 450$ headphones is not living up to that price tag
I think a cheaper price would make these much more compelling for sure
Toggle on ‘loudness’ I always have this on for my Sonos speakers, so I’m guessing you need it on the headphones.
I like these headphones.
They are very comfortable and sound nice, it's an articulate, easy listening sound.
I think if these had more bass it wouldn't be consistent with the rest of the sound.
It is a shame about the connectivity issues to the arc.
I think we'll see some nice software updates for these.
Sonos doesn't pump out new models every year like sony etc , they will keep working to make these headphones great.
For sure, and many of my issues can be fixed with software updates!
Stephen, Im with you. I got my Sonos Ace today, I was so excited, I have in my living room, The SONOS ARC, 2X ERA, Two Subs, I love Sonos.
I own the Apple Max, when I try the Sonos Ace, I was like, really? Is this all?
- Low Volumen
- Apple music sounds weird.
-I try youtube,
Lack of bass, static sounds, Then I put on again the Apple Max, And Puuuum! So clean and sharp and punchy.
Im so disappointed that I want to return the Aces Tomorrow.
That’s an awesome setup! And agreed, Ace just feel lacking compared to Max. And I forgot to mention but that volume difference is real I had to adjust every time I swapped headphones when testing.
Awkward question but I’m an introvert so I’ll just ask. When you return headphones do they ask questions? Or do I just pack them up and they won’t mind? Considering returning mine too.
A fellow bassist! 👍🏾
That’s right!
Pls review aune ar5000
Hadn’t heard of those! Will look them up
You think it’s worth getting AirPods Max’s right now?
No lol second gen will be out by end of year
I’d wait a few months to see if a version 2 comes out.
It’s pretty hard to buy these when AirPods Max are likely in the queue. I love the Apple integration so, I am giving it until September. If that(And the iPad mini) doesn’t happen, I am going to have to move off of my sound ore q35s
Good plan. I may even jump on AirPods Max 2 if they come out…eventually!
I got my AirPods Max for even cheaper and tbh I can’t really tell they are 4 years old. They sound incredible, have a great anc, mics, look great, work seamlessly and are very comfortable (I don’t find the weight a problem).
Turn the loudness on
Tried both ways with the loudness setting, which should only take effect at low volumes. But the bass didn’t improve for me either way
I learned today you have to turn on WiFi on your Arc, to get swap to work.
Oh! You’re the first to mention this, appreciate it
Well, just returned mine. To be honest I was very disappointed. Bass is lacking in a huge way and when paired with the ARC - volume at the highest setting is way way too low. ANC average at best, Transparency decent. I compared these side by side to Bose quiet comfort plus, Beats Studio pro and AirPods Max. My ranking - 1. Apple 2. Bose 3. Beats 4. Sonos.
I forgot to mention but yes, the volume is significantly lower than Maxes as well.
Use the ace with android instead of iPhone. The AAC codec significantly reduces sound quality compared the AptX on android
What phone case is that ?
It looks like just one of apple’s silicone cases
Apple Silicone!
@@beardfm is it slippery?
I've been listening to these about an hour and I totally agree that the bass lacks some character. In my opinion, it is a lack of tightness and while overall bass is there, it is not super precise. I am still keeping them as I find the overall sound and aesthetic fantastic.
Glad to hear some confirmation on the bass! Like you say, the overall design is super nice and they sound great overall
Sony xm5 or sonos ? Considering Sonos is 90$ cad expensive
Or wait for Sony xm6 ?
I don't own the XM5's to offer a direct comparison...maybe will need to do a follow up
Shame that there is more emphasis on the negatives and glazes over the positives. No mention of the weight vs APM which is massive as long periods of use is king for headphones for long listening times. You mention the lightness of XM4’s, what about the Bose vs APM? Shame, looked like some work went into it but some feedback as it sounds like you have a lot of love for APM which is fine but it’s good to be impartial even if maybe Sonos might not be in everyone’s good books
I talk about the weight several times, and say the Sonos Ace headphones are lighter than AirPods Max. I don't have the Bose to compare, and I said the sound was good and the design was nice.
@@beardfm weird as I watched the full video and wasn’t able to pick up on it. like I mentioned, maybe there wasn’t emphasis on it to make it feel like it was a positive for Sonos? just some feedback
@@beardfmI agree with this comment. Positives did seem very glazed over
Didn't you just get these? How are you reviewing them already?
I spent many hours dedicated to listening and trying all the use cases. I didn't think more days of doing the same was going to offer any more insight than what I formulated already.
Most reviewers get them way before general pop
It’s all about ecosystem. The Ace doesn’t integrate well into the Sonos ecosystem….. I’ll stick to AirPod Max which effortlessly fits into the Apple ecosystem. Listening to music, moving between devices, movie with Apple TV….. just effortless.
It’s true, is the Ace integrated more into Sonos’ OWN ecosystem it may be a different story, but that’s not the case.
@@beardfm - I don’t think it’s integrated well into the Sonos ecosystem either. I’m a heavy Sonos user and this doesn’t appeal to me as it’s just an originally paid or Bluetooth headphones (album good ones), that can connect to your soundbar if you like.
The only way people know is to try them if you are looking for a set an don't have existing Sony or Bose. For me I will seldom wear them unless I travel. That is what I really do now when I think about this. I do have a a computer with the era 100 hooked up with an a/b switch. I do go from audio on head phones to audio out of the era 100 on occasion. Headphones are seldom used when I think about it. Why because I share this room and sometimes we listen to different things....but only in that room. I will always choose not to wear any head set, especially if I am in my house. I will never buy a sound bar just so I can pass the audio from it to the head phones. I mean why would I, there was a reason I bought the Arc sound bar and era 300 for rears. I am not even whelmed buy the era 300 if I wanted to be honest. So I guess my current head sets will work out for me. I get some people want to invest in a world of ONLY Sonos, but that is not me. Bluetooth only and not wifi, well that makes it like any other headset. I get that they wanted to make them them wifi , but that would kill the battery in a relatively short time. This is why others have not tried wifi, if you think about that. To each there own if you feel the need to only be Sonos.
Great review Stephen. BTW from that bass guitar photo we can see why your wife married you 😊
Appreciate it! And haha that was high school days!
It’s unfair to use these and AirPods Max with Apple Music since Apple Music auto eq and boost with AirPods and Apple chip products! It would probably be more fair to compare with Spotify or CZcams music! On another note the metal strips you didn’t know what was it’s probably where the mics and speaker vent are!
I mean, real world uses cases people use AirPods and would want to know how that compares to these.
@@beardfm good point just wanted to mention apple boost their stuff
@@beardfm lol dude. real world use cases people use Spotify lol. 30+% market share vs less than 14% market share. Even for the 13-14% of people who use Apple Music and who care about lossless/Dolby Audio music, they will plug in the USB-C cable since Sonos Ace supports wired lossless while the Airpods Max does not. The “lossless” or “Dolby Audio” on your song in Apple Music indicates what quality the app is streaming from Apple servers. The quality transmitting from your device to your headphones is NOT displayed.
@@beardfm real world folks don't use apple music tho
if you cannot get them to connect to ARC at all i would send them back, 100%
Yeah, may try another unit to see if it was a lemon
2:57 new product just dropped
Wait what??
called it the airpods ace headphones lol
Metal strips are for mics
Got it!
Best and most honest review of this over-priced headphone on the internet.
Appreciate it 🙏🏻
"These metal strips are just for looks" - They're where the microhpone array is...
Yeah admittedly wasn’t sure, thanks for that!
😭😭😭😭😭 my heart!
I was disappointed too!
“AirPods Ace”
New mode, as yet unreleased 😏
If the momentum 4 and Sony's and maybe even the Bose sound better than the airpod Max why is everybody comparing the Sonos to them.
I haven't tried the Momentum, and I don't think the Sony's or Bose sound better than AirPods Max.
I’m not happy with the battery drain.
I charged mine for the first time to 100%, then turned them off - A few hours later, turned them back on & noticed the battery level was at 97% 😡
Thank u for an honest review. These are
Trash
Appreciate that, and I think they’re still *good* headphones, but they need some software fixes and better Sonos devices support before I would consider them seriously.
Poor Sonos, can’t even beat old ass AirPods Max and cost $450
fwiw they're way better than AirPod Max's IMO, I used the Max's for years and just replaced them with these
Max's are worse comfort, quality, more expensive, and use crappy lightning cable to charge
Get your mom an Android.
Def upgrading to iPhone 16 this Fall
With customer support-phone and chat-over two Dayan nearly 3 hours, SONOS could not get my headphones to work. They couldn’t even get the return process to work. It’s holiday today, tomorrow first thing, this trash product and trashier service are out of my life, praise be. Run-don’t walk-away from SONOS. What’s the point of good sound when you’re screaming with frustration?
That’s two days
Ooph, sorry to hear that
These headphones have a horrible frequency response and the app is crap.
Not to mention a largely plastic design is off-putting at this price point.