After the review from MKBHD, I was kind of left baffled - as there was a lot of information left out! However, this review from you guys is literally amazing - much more in-depth and informational! Keep up the great work :-)!
Hey guys, hope you enjoy our review of the new Sonos Ace headphones! A reminder we will be going live at 7pm on the 4th June on our channel to answer any questions you still have and will be handing you the reins as we put them to the test live for you 👀Hopefully see you there!
Please test the battery life using the audio swap feature with the Arc! Sonos claims WiFi uses too much battery, and yet they still built a WiFi chip into the headphones that they use for the audio swap feature. Which is it?? Does it work or not? It seems like they're trying to play it both ways, so I want to know what the actual battery life is over WiFi. Please test this scenario too: can I cast music to the Arc through Spotify, and then audio swap to my headphones to get lossless audio? It seems silly to have to do that as a workaround, but that's the only way I can think of to cast to the headphones. Lastly, I understand that they are keeping the user experience in mind but it seems like they've gone too far with limiting the WiFi capabilities. At a minimum it should be an "advanced" setting that users can enable. I know Bluetooth is probably more convenient in some ways (e.g. music doesn't stop if you leave your home WiFi) but they should still let customers make the choice themselves.
Yesterday, I tested it out at an exhibition hall, and I was really impressed. The sound quality was exactly what I like. I ended up buying it on the spot, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.
Thanks for this review, I have the AirPod Max and I'm tired of waiting for USB-C support on these, and since I am full equipped by Sonos at home, I'm so glad to switch to these ACE. They are just perfect for my use and love the sound !
Not being able to pair 2 sets of headphones to the Arc is a baffling decision I couldn't believe. That, among other things, is a dealbreaker for me. It even feels dishonest considering they try to sell these headphones in sets of 2, which I assumed was for the tv watching experience with your SO.
This video is one of the first things I’m listening to with my new Sonos ace headphones. I’m happy with them. I was looking forward to listening to records with them through my Sonos system. I would love to see this use added in the future.
I’ve tested & owned all the headphones you mentioned except the Sonos, when you do an ANC test, always make sure to let the headphones properly adjust the amount of anti noise by waiting few seconds before measuring, take the Bose for exemple, there miles difference you notice just by letting it few more seconds, the ANC becomes way more effective and that’s the case for the rest of them but in less pronounced way, please take this into account for future tests & thank you for the overall exhaustive review.
I have the PX8 and Focal Bathys. I would be surprised if it beat either of them. Out of the two I have, I would always choose the PX8 with some tuning for bass using THX Spatial Audio or some capable EQ software or amp.
Thanks for the great in depth review. I know it's 2024, and they aren't necessarily in the same category, but a Beats Solo Pro / Studio Pro / AirPods Max / Sonos Ace comparision / showdown would be gold!
i think a direct sound comparison with the other headphones would've given us viewers a better understanding of how they differ in terms of sound quality from the rest
After a couple of days using these I actually love them: they are very comfortable, sound amazing, both the ANC on and contact mode are superb, and the audio swap function for tv is phenomenal: it works immediately and the movies sound so much better than other headphones that I tried. One downside that they do not work passively, so they have to be on, even with the 3.5 wire. All in all: they are very comfy, great for bluetooth users, and very useful for people with Sonos sondbar. They might not be for everyone, but they are definitely perfect for me.
@@smarthomesounds I've answered my own question. If you plugin Sonos Ace via USB-C Cable to Windows PC -- It get recognized as headset. And sees Microphone. That is OUTSTANDING News. So far loving my pair.
Why is your studio on a boat heading out to sea in heavy weather? Made me feel slightly queasy. But great review! I love the response from Sonos, which does explain the reasons for the lack of full integration - which us long standing Sonos users (think ZP100 & Sonos Remote) were hoping for. Hope you get back to dry land soon. Thanks again for a great review!
20:17 awesome. Great review. You tested one of the features that I haven’t seen anyone doing: microphones. The Sono seems to have done a great job with Ace.
Thankyou for including gym sessions! So many reviewers never test this at all like headphones are used a lot AT THE GYMS! Would you say the ears get similarly warm as all the headphones you’ve compared to? I found Bose qc ultra more hotter than b&w s2e, I love the look for AirPod max but I feel like they look heavy although they have fabric cups? I wonder if they run cooler during workout 😅
That’s what I call a review! It feels like I have the headphones in hands cause u ve covered all the usages. It’s the 1st video I watched from ur channel and I appreciated it. Good job!🎉 like the minimalist design but I already item the Bose qc ultra and they are great for my usage
Thank you for the review, which I believe is one of the best ones. I am not in the market for a premium headphones to wear on the go but I might consider them for home usage. I will need to understand better how good is the TV Swap feature with Apple TV 4K and PS5 on my Samsuns S90C and Sonos Arc. However I still believe that for this use, many customers will want to wait for AirPods Max 2 especially if the H2 chip will be part of future Apple devices (APM2, ATV4k, iPhone 16).
really debating getting these or waiting till the airpods max 2’s, i had the xm5’s and the first gen maxes for the gym both didn’t work too well. Didn’t really like how loud the xm5’s got, and not at all impressed by the anc. With the maxes on the other hand, i loved them. The only issue was the water getting in from the metal casing. Hopefully this is fixed on the 2nd gen’s!
Great review overall, but everyone seems to be missing one of the most important features for a headphone in 2024. Would like to see much more in dept about how the mic hold up when using these for calls or zoom meeting while in a lot of outside noise like outside, in the metro or in a cafe - that's the most important feature for me after just sound quality - so far the only headphones I can use that don't let through any background noise only my voice is airpods pro with apples "voice isolation" on iphone or mac.
Great review and seems incredibly honest. How do these stack up for communications. Yes you demonstrated the microphone, I just wondered how they would be on Teams calls
Love the review and I know you said if you own one of the existing competitors it’s not worth the upgrade. But as someone who has the APM and struggle with the weight fatigue, will these be a huge improvement in that department? That alone would make me transition purely as I feel my APM are not getting the love they deserve because of the weight and clamp..
I have been Sonos users since the beginning. I definetly would have loved them to be fully integrated. So that I can stream my music via the Sonos App when at home. I would like to use only 1 app for listhening to music, podcasts, readio etc.. And having the Sonos app and setup other services through that would make it possible.
On your review comparing to the AirPods Max, sometimes you say AS GOOD AS and other times sounds like the AirPods Max are better. By the SONOS price I would definitely still choose the AirPods Max. Great review btw 👍🏼
Hey bro. Nice review. But I m looking to get a headphone to watch movies so I can enjoy without disturbing the family at night. Which headphones are the best to watch movies on TV at home without loosing any sound effects ? Can’t wait for your reply. Thanks
I have the Px7 S2. I bought them because of the sound, i have tested AirPods Max but for me the B&W sound better. How does the Sonos sound compared to Px7 S2? I am interested only in bass & volume, if they sound louder or more bass
I think it's great that you give us a soundest but it would be REALLY helpful if you showed us samples compared to AirPods Max, Sony, maybe even AirPods Pro 2 for people who don't have over ear headphones yet (which is not unlikely considering this is a headphone review).
Hi. I have the arc and a galaxy phone. Will i be able to connect to the arc using my android phone as every review ive seen they have been using an iphone
Only question I haven’t seen covered by any channels, white ve black, how are these with fingerprints ? What about the cases, does the white show wear easier ?
Mine have just arrived. Sound good - although I agree the bass/treble balance is a bit too bass biased. Comfort excellent. The one thing that is really annoying so far is the multi-point connection. It's absolute rubbish. I've paired them with my MacBook Pro and my iPhone 15 Pro Max, but there is no seamless switching between the two. You have to re-pair when you switch. And I've done the firmware update. Come on Sonos. Get your act together.
How much noise bleed is there? I’m looking to finally upgrade from my super old sony XM3’s and I like how there isn’t too much bleed. I just don’t want to annoy someone who sits next to me on the plane with my music as someone who travels a lot for work
I pre-ordered the day i had the email. Will i have them in hand on the 5th or will they start despatching on the 5th? Hoping to have an email today from Sonos saving “your order has been despatched!”. Replacing my Bose QC 2”s
Great review as ever. Can I please ask the second song you played in the within the sound test section of the review. what is artists name and song is called. It start 7.23 secs in to the review.
With these head phones, do your ears get hot due to the material used on the ear cups. I have found other headphones with this type of material makes your ears get hot and sweaty. I have tried the AirPod Max since I am in the apple eco system and the ear cups have cloth which is breathable and quite comfortable since they cover the whole ear and not just a part of it. Do these sonos cover the whole ear? Thanks for the feedback.
Good question - the ear cups are designed to cover the whole ear and in testing, are comfortable to wear for a long period of time without getting hot ears or feeling like you need a break! As the AirPods Max are heavier on the head, we've found the Sonos Ace to be more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. Hope that helps :)
After the review from MKBHD, I was kind of left baffled - as there was a lot of information left out! However, this review from you guys is literally amazing - much more in-depth and informational! Keep up the great work :-)!
Same
Unfortunately, MKBHD is becoming more entertainment than review.
MKBHD isn’t a Sonos Dealer like this channel. Sort the App out and they may sell more.
Ill wait for flossy carter to give the real review. The only one that can be trusted
MKBHD only cares about sponsorships now
A review that actually reviews the product and gives you a sense of living with it. Excellent work.
I’ve seen several reviews on this today. This one by far is the best. Well done mate!
Glad you liked it!
One of the most honest, non-sponsored videos I’ve seen on this product today
They're a Sonos dealer, it's hardly an objective review. Even the the Sound Engineer said it had too much bottom end.
Hey guys, hope you enjoy our review of the new Sonos Ace headphones! A reminder we will be going live at 7pm on the 4th June on our channel to answer any questions you still have and will be handing you the reins as we put them to the test live for you 👀Hopefully see you there!
Please test the battery life using the audio swap feature with the Arc! Sonos claims WiFi uses too much battery, and yet they still built a WiFi chip into the headphones that they use for the audio swap feature. Which is it?? Does it work or not? It seems like they're trying to play it both ways, so I want to know what the actual battery life is over WiFi.
Please test this scenario too: can I cast music to the Arc through Spotify, and then audio swap to my headphones to get lossless audio? It seems silly to have to do that as a workaround, but that's the only way I can think of to cast to the headphones.
Lastly, I understand that they are keeping the user experience in mind but it seems like they've gone too far with limiting the WiFi capabilities. At a minimum it should be an "advanced" setting that users can enable. I know Bluetooth is probably more convenient in some ways (e.g. music doesn't stop if you leave your home WiFi) but they should still let customers make the choice themselves.
Was looking forward to this! So many reviews popped up today for these headphones
Yesterday, I tested it out at an exhibition hall, and I was really impressed. The sound quality was exactly what I like. I ended up buying it on the spot, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for this review, I have the AirPod Max and I'm tired of waiting for USB-C support on these, and since I am full equipped by Sonos at home, I'm so glad to switch to these ACE. They are just perfect for my use and love the sound !
Very high quality and high effort review, great job guys!
Much appreciated!
Not being able to pair 2 sets of headphones to the Arc is a baffling decision I couldn't believe. That, among other things, is a dealbreaker for me. It even feels dishonest considering they try to sell these headphones in sets of 2, which I assumed was for the tv watching experience with your SO.
Thanks for mentioning this. That is indeed ridiculous and unlikely to be fixed with a software update.
These need another 6 months in software dev along with the new app. They should've waited.
Sergeant Officer?
Oh man really! I was looking to order two pairs for that very reason. That sucks!
Literally the first thing I was wondering.
Fabulous review! Way more informative and balanced compared to the nonsense from MKBHD. Nicely done!
This video is one of the first things I’m listening to with my new Sonos ace headphones. I’m happy with them. I was looking forward to listening to records with them through my Sonos system. I would love to see this use added in the future.
Best review I’ve seen on these today. Great video.
The best review i've seen today. Well done guys.
Yes!
Glad you enjoyed it! Your feedback is much appreciated 👌
I’ve tested & owned all the headphones you mentioned except the Sonos, when you do an ANC test, always make sure to let the headphones properly adjust the amount of anti noise by waiting few seconds before measuring, take the Bose for exemple, there miles difference you notice just by letting it few more seconds, the ANC becomes way more effective and that’s the case for the rest of them but in less pronounced way, please take this into account for future tests & thank you for the overall exhaustive review.
Excellent review
You actually covered a lot more than other reviewers
Great job guys ordered one now
I have the PX8 and Focal Bathys. I would be surprised if it beat either of them. Out of the two I have, I would always choose the PX8 with some tuning for bass using THX Spatial Audio or some capable EQ software or amp.
Thanks for the great in depth review.
I know it's 2024, and they aren't necessarily in the same category, but a Beats Solo Pro / Studio Pro / AirPods Max / Sonos Ace comparision / showdown would be gold!
i think a direct sound comparison with the other headphones would've given us viewers a better understanding of how they differ in terms of sound quality from the rest
The in-depth and thorough review I’ve been waiting for
super complete tests! I'm having ACE on my ears and all your opinions fit mine personal ones. Thanks
Good to hear.
I’ve had AirPods Max since day 1 but now I can finally get another option that’s worthy! Sold!
Same! I have been looking to finally retire the AP Max and get another set of white over the ears. Think I’ll go pick these up today.
After a couple of days using these I actually love them: they are very comfortable, sound amazing, both the ANC on and contact mode are superb, and the audio swap function for tv is phenomenal: it works immediately and the movies sound so much better than other headphones that I tried. One downside that they do not work passively, so they have to be on, even with the 3.5 wire. All in all: they are very comfy, great for bluetooth users, and very useful for people with Sonos sondbar. They might not be for everyone, but they are definitely perfect for me.
Outstanding review, thank you for all the hard work!
Our pleasure!
@@smarthomesounds I've answered my own question. If you plugin Sonos Ace via USB-C Cable to Windows PC -- It get recognized as headset. And sees Microphone. That is OUTSTANDING News. So far loving my pair.
Best SONOS Review!
Why is your studio on a boat heading out to sea in heavy weather? Made me feel slightly queasy. But great review! I love the response from Sonos, which does explain the reasons for the lack of full integration - which us long standing Sonos users (think ZP100 & Sonos Remote) were hoping for. Hope you get back to dry land soon. Thanks again for a great review!
As always, a very comprehensive review. Love your channel and thank you guys!
20:17 awesome. Great review. You tested one of the features that I haven’t seen anyone doing: microphones. The Sono seems to have done a great job with Ace.
This is an awesome review! Covers all the points required to know at just over 20 mins! Well done :D
I just got a pair of Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra !! I just want to say mind blown ❤️❤️
Thankyou for including gym sessions! So many reviewers never test this at all like headphones are used a lot AT THE GYMS! Would you say the ears get similarly warm as all the headphones you’ve compared to? I found Bose qc ultra more hotter than b&w s2e, I love the look for AirPod max but I feel like they look heavy although they have fabric cups? I wonder if they run cooler during workout 😅
Same, i would use them mainly in the gym but not water proof
That’s what I call a review! It feels like I have the headphones in hands cause u ve covered all the usages. It’s the 1st video I watched from ur channel and I appreciated it. Good job!🎉 like the minimalist design but I already item the Bose qc ultra and they are great for my usage
We appreciate that! And yes, not worth upgrading from the Ultras.
I could listen to this guy talk all day ngl
🇬🇧
The green nails switch up in the noise cancelling test was wild 😂 good review 💅👌
Great video very informative was the outside scene filmed at Gloucester docks ?
Promising stuff. Tempted to get these. Will have to do the Michael Jackson test first and blast some tunes.
Was doing my research into these and surprised to see a TH-cam channel from Gloucester! Subbed!
The TV Audio Swap feature is pretty underwhelming in that the stream from Arc to Ace is too soft even at full volume (Just received these today)
Thank you for the review, which I believe is one of the best ones. I am not in the market for a premium headphones to wear on the go but I might consider them for home usage. I will need to understand better how good is the TV Swap feature with Apple TV 4K and PS5 on my Samsuns S90C and Sonos Arc. However I still believe that for this use, many customers will want to wait for AirPods Max 2 especially if the H2 chip will be part of future Apple devices (APM2, ATV4k, iPhone 16).
Great review! Basically covered all bases and considered all possible choices for everyone. Great job!
F the Sonos app though 😂
Cheers Mate. Great review. I have preordered them. For those late nights on my LG G3 and arc when the wife is sleep.
Lovely set-up
really debating getting these or waiting till the airpods max 2’s, i had the xm5’s and the first gen maxes for the gym both didn’t work too well. Didn’t really like how loud the xm5’s got, and not at all impressed by the anc. With the maxes on the other hand, i loved them. The only issue was the water getting in from the metal casing. Hopefully this is fixed on the 2nd gen’s!
Great review overall, but everyone seems to be missing one of the most important features for a headphone in 2024. Would like to see much more in dept about how the mic hold up when using these for calls or zoom meeting while in a lot of outside noise like outside, in the metro or in a cafe - that's the most important feature for me after just sound quality - so far the only headphones I can use that don't let through any background noise only my voice is airpods pro with apples "voice isolation" on iphone or mac.
Great review! Just got mine. Looking fwd to using these with my Arc for Dolby Atmos movies when the baby is sleeping.
I listened to the sound test on my AirPods Max. Sound was really good… as usual 🙃
Absolute best explanation I’ve seen so far lad thanks very much for the great help 🍷🗿
You're very welcome!
Great information thanks again.. quick question regarding gaming and the PS5 .. if you plug it into the controller, does the mic work as well?
can it work spatial audio for movies without arc?
Told on a very pleasant way. Thank you. Good review.
Thanks for the call quality test! I plan to use these primarily for video conferencing. Excellent detail! Sub and Like added!
I‘m watching with an qc35, the Sound is very good
I've subscribed to your channel because of your great review of the Sono Ace...!! Well done..!!
Great review and seems incredibly honest. How do these stack up for communications. Yes you demonstrated the microphone, I just wondered how they would be on Teams calls
Great review!
Love the review and I know you said if you own one of the existing competitors it’s not worth the upgrade. But as someone who has the APM and struggle with the weight fatigue, will these be a huge improvement in that department? That alone would make me transition purely as I feel my APM are not getting the love they deserve because of the weight and clamp..
With an ANC headphone the most inportant feature is the ANC honestly. Everything else comes after as a priority.
Tempted to upgrade from my XM3’s 🎧
Very interesting video as usual. Keep up the good work !
Thanks for the feedback 👍
Thanks for the video, might wait until gen 2 or further updates 🤣 as have Beam gen 2 not the ARC
We are hoping Sonos Beam integration comes very soon 🙏
Solid review.
As a sonos user for years, I don't understand why anyone would want them integrated in the system? Seems like this solution is perfect.
I have been Sonos users since the beginning. I definetly would have loved them to be fully integrated. So that I can stream my music via the Sonos App when at home.
I would like to use only 1 app for listhening to music, podcasts, readio etc.. And having the Sonos app and setup other services through that would make it possible.
@@LisaMarieThompson well each to their own. I avoid the Sonos app as much as humanly possible, I only use it to group devices.
Question is: sell b&O HX for these…?
On your review comparing to the AirPods Max, sometimes you say AS GOOD AS and other times sounds like the AirPods Max are better.
By the SONOS price I would definitely still choose the AirPods Max.
Great review btw 👍🏼
Would be interesting to get a video about movie performance with atmos etc compared to the xm5 and airpods max
To really have a chance comparing the sound or ANC with AirPods Max I would have wished to see head to head comparison samples.
Well done with this review.
Hey bro. Nice review.
But I m looking to get a headphone to watch movies so I can enjoy without disturbing the family at night.
Which headphones are the best to watch movies on TV at home without loosing any sound effects ? Can’t wait for your reply. Thanks
Great review with honest feedback
I have the Px7 S2. I bought them because of the sound, i have tested AirPods Max but for me the B&W sound better. How does the Sonos sound compared to Px7 S2? I am interested only in bass & volume, if they sound louder or more bass
The bass response on Ace is better than any headphone we have tested including the PX7 S2 & the PX8. Definitely give them a try 👍
I am going to buy them at a point in time, i have the Arc and i need a TV headphones. Thanks and all the best ;) and great reviews, like always.
Which one is in good noise cancelling,Sonos or Sony xm5 or airpods max@@smarthomesounds
I see the ACE more as surround headphones with the ARC. When ist comes to music, for same money you get the B&W PX8, which is above.
I think it's great that you give us a soundest but it would be REALLY helpful if you showed us samples compared to AirPods Max, Sony, maybe even AirPods Pro 2 for people who don't have over ear headphones yet (which is not unlikely considering this is a headphone review).
missing the B&O H95.. how it compare?
Hi. I have the arc and a galaxy phone. Will i be able to connect to the arc using my android phone as every review ive seen they have been using an iphone
Very good video! Do they integrate with Apple Music and Spatial Audio on iPhones?
Why just two color choices? a brown, blue or gray would make a lot of sense unlike the competition: Sony and Bose.
Does this get Apple Spatial (binaural) mix or stereo? And do they get Dolby binaural when listening to Blue-ray
Does the mic work when using it wired with the ps5? I know most wireless headsets disable the mic when using it wired.
Can you use the mic for talking to people for gaming on Xbox or PS5?
How do the earcups’ width and depth compare to the B&W PX series? PX are the smallest I can wear!
Does the soundswap feature work with Android phones?
Only question I haven’t seen covered by any channels, white ve black, how are these with fingerprints ? What about the cases, does the white show wear easier ?
We cover the fingerprints in the design section 😊
I have a pair of Sennheiser M4s. Did you have chance to compare these against them? Great video.
Does it tell you if the content is dolby atmos, same as when it plays on arc ?
Does movies plays straight dolby atmos from Android devices to the headset ?
Mine have just arrived. Sound good - although I agree the bass/treble balance is a bit too bass biased. Comfort excellent. The one thing that is really annoying so far is the multi-point connection. It's absolute rubbish. I've paired them with my MacBook Pro and my iPhone 15 Pro Max, but there is no seamless switching between the two. You have to re-pair when you switch. And I've done the firmware update. Come on Sonos. Get your act together.
I take it back. Just seen you can switch Multi-point on or off in the app.
Great review… But are you sure about 2x Ace with one Arc? I can’t seem to get it to work…
In terms of the bass is this with “loudness” turned on?
Great review 👍✌️.
Still waiting for you guys to review the Bose soundlink max
As for the ANC, who is the clear winner among Sony, Apple, Bose, Sennheiser and Sonos?
Can you kindly do a comparison with Apple Airpods Max...
I wonder in time will they do a sound bar /headphones pack deal
Tried it at the store, but the bass drowns out everything - I prefer neutral sound. However, it's comfy.
How much noise bleed is there? I’m looking to finally upgrade from my super old sony XM3’s and I like how there isn’t too much bleed. I just don’t want to annoy someone who sits next to me on the plane with my music as someone who travels a lot for work
I pre-ordered the day i had the email. Will i have them in hand on the 5th or will they start despatching on the 5th? Hoping to have an email today from Sonos saving “your order has been despatched!”. Replacing my Bose QC 2”s
Waiting for the Airpod Max 2 to decide.
Great review as ever. Can I please ask the second song you played in the within the sound test section of the review. what is artists name and song is called. It start 7.23 secs in to the review.
With these head phones, do your ears get hot due to the material used on the ear cups. I have found other headphones with this type of material makes your ears get hot and sweaty. I have tried the AirPod Max since I am in the apple eco system and the ear cups have cloth which is breathable and quite comfortable since they cover the whole ear and not just a part of it. Do these sonos cover the whole ear? Thanks for the feedback.
Good question - the ear cups are designed to cover the whole ear and in testing, are comfortable to wear for a long period of time without getting hot ears or feeling like you need a break! As the AirPods Max are heavier on the head, we've found the Sonos Ace to be more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. Hope that helps :)
Does the mic work when using for gaming?
No, no Bluetooth headphones can do that unless you want to use the handsfree profile and get horrible mono audio