Sonos presents a new pair of headphones, the Ace Ultra. One particularly interesting feature is that it can connect directly to the company’s own multiroom systems.
Could the new Sonos Ace Ultra headphones, unveiled at IFA, be the somewhat mysteriously teased product we wrote about earlier? Nobody knows, of course, although that seems somewhat unlikely to us given the description in that teaser. What is certain is that Sonos is making another attempt at the headphone market. And it is doing so at a price that is a few tens of euros lower than that of its not particularly successful predecessor, launched in 2024. It is certainly not a cheap pair of headphones, and one that is arguably interesting primarily because of its integration with the Sonos ecosystem.
Integration, But Please Be Patient
According to the manufacturer, the Ace Ultra features completely redesigned 40 mm drivers for improved sound quality. ANC is included as well, making use of no fewer than ten individual microphones. The integrated battery provides up to 35 hours of playback on a full charge. That is somewhat modest compared with many other wireless headphones these days.
However, bear in mind that the Ace Ultra is not a ‘traditional’ Bluetooth headphone. It can also be integrated into Sonos’ own multiroom system. Average buyers will have to wait a little longer for precisely that functionality, though. For now, it is available only as an early access option. That is something of a drawback, as we will therefore have to wait and see how well it ultimately works and exactly how broad its compatibility will be.
More Benefits Directly From Compatible Sonos Equipment
The headphones can also take advantage of additional features offered by compatible Sonos equipment. If, for example, you use a Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar, its True Cinema feature provides an immersive surround-sound experience through the headphones.
In addition, the over-ear headphones support Bluetooth, making them considerably more versatile. The option of using them as a wired digital headphone via USB-C or even an optical digital connection (through the 3.5 mm socket) sounds interesting as well. Dolby Atmos with head tracking is also supported.
The Sonos Ace Ultra is available to pre-order immediately for €449. In addition to black and white versions, you can choose Agave or Sand as the colour. Deliveries will begin on September 29 this year.