Did Sonos Just Give Fans a Genuine Reason to Finally Convert to Its Headphones?
Sonos's original Ace headphones fell flat because they didn't have enough Sonos-specific features. The new Ace Ultra aims to change that.
If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more
Sonos has officially announced the Ace Ultra, the next generation of the Ace, the brand's original wireless noise-canceling headphones, which were released in May 2024.
Meet the Sonos Ace Ultra
The Ace Ultra looks nearly identical to the 2024-released Ace, but promises to be better in basically every way. - Credit: Sonos
On the surface, the Ace Ultra are practically identical to the Ace. They have the same soft edges and are lightweight, with both metal and vegan leather accents. The only noticeable difference is that Sonos is launching the Ace Ultra in four finishes instead of just two: standard white and black, plus sand (beige) and agave (blue).
Also, at $449, the Ace Ultra headphones cost the exact same as the Ace at launch. (At the time of writing, it's unclear if Sonos will phase out the original Ace or just permanently drop the price.)
The Sonos Ace Ultra in the new "agave" finish. - Credit: Sonos
Naturally, most of the improvements with the Ace Ultra are under the hood. They've been equipped with new custom 40mm drivers and twice-as-powerful active noise cancellation, thanks to a new processor and two extra mics (now 10 instead of 8). Battery life has also improved to up to 35 hours with ANC turned on (up from the Ace's 30 hours).
But Sonos claims that the Ace Ultra is the first headphone to be built on its Headphone Engine 2, which unlocks some pretty neat new features. And those are the real reasons why fans of Sonos should consider buying its latest pair of headphones.
The Ace Ultra supports wired audio via a USB-C or 3.5mm connection. - Credit: Sonos
The real reason to buy Sonos's Ace Ultra
If you didn't know, the original Sonos Ace headphones didn't sell very well. Like, at all. The reason? They were quite expensive and lacked exclusive features that many Sonos fans were hoping for.
Basically, the Sonos Ace only supported Bluetooth streaming. No Wi-Fi. And its one standout feature was TV Audio Swap, which let you switch sound from your Sonos soundbar to the Ace headphones. But it required having a Sonos soundbar. Plus, it didn't feel that unique because most TVs now support Bluetooth and can connect to a pair of wireless headphones.
The Sonos Ace Ultra in the new sand finish. - Credit: Sonos
With the Ace Ultra, that's changing. Sonos says the new headphones have "redesigned Wi-Fi hardware and secure credential storage" that lets them integrate better with your home's existing Sonos system.
Specifically, it enables a feature called "Headphone linking" and support for Wi-Fi streaming.
Headphone Linking allows listeners to switch audio from their Sonos speakers to their Sonos Arc Ultra, and vice versa, with the touch of a button on the headphones. - Credit: Sonos
Headphone Linking connects the Ace Ultra headphones directly to your home's Sonos speaker system over Wi-Fi. Then, by pressing a button on the headphones, you can switch the audio from playing on the Sonos speakers to playing on your Ace Ultra headphones. Another press switches back to the speakers.
Sonos says that Headphone Linking gives listeners "the ability to push and pull sound between nearby speakers and their ears."
Like their predecessors, the Ace Ultra also supports TV Audio Swap for those who also have a Sonos soundbar. - Credit: Sonos
Maybe more importantly, this lets the Ace Ultra headphones support Wi-Fi streaming and (potentially) gives listeners access to higher-resolution audio than Bluetooth. (At the time of writing, Sonos hasn't specified exactly how high-res that is.)
The main benefit is that it lets listeners walk around their house without their smartphone or streaming source nearby, since the music plays over Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth. This sets the Ace Ultra apart from most other wireless noise-canceling headphones on the market and gives Sonos fans a genuine reason to upgrade.
The Sonos Ace Ultra costs the same price as the Ace at launch. It's presumed that Sonos will either phase out or drop the price of the original Ace. - Credit: Sonos
There is a caveat with Headphone Linking on the Ace Ultra: it won't be available on all Ace Ultra headphones at launch.
That's because Headphone Linking is technically an "Early Access" feature that users will need to opt in to try. So it may take some time for the feature to roll out to the masses.
Price and availability
As far as availability, the Sonos Ace Ultra is available for preorder now and will start shipping September 29th.
The headphones cost $449 and come in four colors: black, white, sand and algave.
Sonos Ace Ultra
About the Author: Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol's editorial team since 2014. With a passion for consumer tech and hi-fi, he tracks everything from headphones and turntables to smartphones and wearables. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.
Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.
