$449 price tag is a direct challenge to the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max. Sonos has officially entered the flagship ring with the Ace Ultra, claiming double the active noise cancellation performance. The tech is straightforward and practical: a 10-microphone array constantly tracks your fit, adjusting noise cancellation to compensate for thick hair or glasses frames. Custom 40mm drivers handle the audio, backed by adaptive EQ and Dolby Atmos spatial audio calibrated with input from Grammy and Oscar-winning sound engineers.
The main selling point is seamless integration for anyone already invested in the Sonos home audio ecosystem. The headphones instantly swap audio streams with a compatible Sonos soundbar back and forth, keeping late-night TV viewing silent for the rest of the house. Lossless audio streaming over Wi-Fi is also on the spec sheet, though it arrives strictly in beta at launch. The 1,060 mAh internal battery delivers up to 35 hours of playback with ANC enabled.
Pre-orders are open, with official shipments starting September 29. If you already own top-tier Sony or Apple headphones, rushing to upgrade makes little sense right now. Unfinished software and a Wi-Fi streaming feature locked in beta make the Ace Ultra an appealing buy only for dedicated Sonos ecosystem loyalists.