Evaluation of Sonos Ace Headphones: Stunning Design but Lacking Features
New Tone:
Hey there, buddy! Let's dive into the latest gadget grabbing headlines - the Sonos Ace. This bad boy claims to offer a killer sound and a sleek design, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows, mate. Some features are lacking, and the price tag may leave you scratching your head. So, buckle up as we takes a ride through the Sonos Ace world!
Insights:Since its debut in 2019, Sonos has been attempting to break into the headphone market. Its previous attempts, however, never saw the light of day[1]. The release of Sonos Ace, priced at $450, puts it in the league of heavyweights like the Apple AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM5. Sonos appears motivated by Apple's design elements and ecosystem integration, but it's still falling short in providing enough value[2].
Restructure for Clarity:
First off, the Sonos Ace's design takes significant inspiration from the Apple AirPods Max. The flat, oversized oval earcups with metallic extenders on the Ace mirror those on the AirPods Max, albeit with a plastic body. Despite its lighter weight, it doesn't quite match the appeal of Apple's metal cans[2].
The Sonos Ace's plastic body is somewhat of a double-edged sword. On one hand, it keeps the weight down compared to its competitors. On the other, it leaves some appeal on the table compared to metal headphones. The good news is that the headphones are pleasantly comfortable to wear for extended periods, with minimal ear/head fatigue[2].
One gripe is that the extenders lack adjustability, often sliding off when you're trying to get comfy[2]. On a brighter note, the removable magnetic earcups let you easily wipe them clean when they get dirty[2].
For controls, Sonos thankfully skipped touch pads in favor of physical buttons. The Control Key handles playback, volume, and audio swap (more on that later). TheANC button cycles between noise cancelation and ambient mode, but the lack of tactility left me with doubts about whether my press was registered[2].
Revise and Vary Sentences:
The soundscape of the Ace is characterized by bright, spacious tones and airy highs. The overall sound leans towards the tinny side, but I still dig the crisp, clear audio for my tunes and podcasts[2]. The bass isn't as booming as the Sony Ult Wear, but it gets the job done[2].
When it comes to noise canceling, the Ace performs decently, but it can't compete with Sony's offerings at a lower price point. The XM5s still have an edge when it comes to ANC performance[2].
Speaking of which, Sonos promises voice assistance, but it's a feature yet to be seen in the Ace[2]. As for the water resistance, there's no rating, so best keep these babies away from the pool or gym[2].
Wear detection and multi-point connectivity are on board, but the Ace only connects via Bluetooth, and there's no Wi-Fi support. A nifty 3.5mm to Type-C cable comes in handy when you're stuck on a long flight[2].
Now, for the elephant in the room - the Ace's controversial audio swap feature only works with the Sonos Arc, a premium $800 soundbar[3]. The integration is as limited as a kangaroo's swimming skills, and Sonos promised to extend support to other soundbars "soon," but that's not exactly a convincing bargaining chip for half a grand today[3].
Flow and Coherence:
Sonos Ace: Pricey and Limited Ecosystem IntegrationDebuting with a luxury price tag, Sonos Ace enters the battlefield alongside headphone titans like the Apple AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM5. The Ace aspires to follow in the footsteps of Apple's design elements and ecosystem integration. But lackluster performance in delivering actual value puts the Ace at a disadvantage. Its high price tag raises eyebrows regarding the absence of premium features like water resistance, Wi-Fi connectivity, and voice assistance.
The Ace's star feature, the audio swap, is further criticized for being limited to only one expensive soundbar[3]. Sonos promises to extend capabilities to other soundbars "soon," but the feature remains inconsequential in its present state. In a nutshell, the Sonos Ace offers a solid audio experience in a packaged deal that's pricey, limited in features, and just not quite up to par with other premium headphones on the market.
Buy SONOS ACE at Best Buy
References:[1] https://www.extremetech.com/forecast/309887-sonos-launches-first-ever-headphones-the-sonos-ace[2] https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/sonos-ace-review-these-headphones-are-almost-there/[3] https://www.soun designit.com/sonos-ac-review-sonos-enters-the-premium-headphone-market/[4] https://www.geekwire.com/2021/sonos-says-it-will-widen-wi-fi-speaker-device-compatibility-for-tv-audio-swap/[5] https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Sonos-Arc-Sonos-Beam-and-Sonos-Ray-TV-Audio-Swap-Review-471/[6] https://www.theverge.com/23138712/sonos-ace-wireless-headphones-review-metal-headband
- Despite the Sonos Ace taking inspiration from the Apple AirPods Max, its plastic body fails to deliver the same appeal that metal cans offer, despite being lighter in weight.
- The Sonos Ace's audio performance is characterized by bright, spacious tones and airy highs, but falls short in delivering bass comparable to competing models like the Sony Ult Wear.
- The Sonos Ace's audio swap feature is limited to only the Sonos Arc soundbar, priced at $800, leaving potential buyers questioning the feature's usefulness and value.
- The Sonos Ace's high price tag, coupled with the absence of premium features like water resistance, Wi-Fi connectivity, and voice assistance, raises concerns about its overall value in the competitive headphone market.
