In a major move to expand beyond its popular line of wireless speakers, Sonos has officially unveiled its first over-ear headphones, named the Sonos Ace. The new premium headphones are now available for preorder with a release date set for June 5th. According to Sonos CEO Patrick Spence, the development of the Ace headphones took around two years.
The Sonos Ace boasts several impressive features that make it a strong contender in the crowded market of high-end headphones. It offers custom-designed drivers that deliver balanced sound with clear instrument and vocal tracks. The active noise cancellation technology makes even a bustling environment sound eerily silent, while the headphones' spatial audio and Dolby Atmos support provide an immersive cinematic private listening experience.
The Sonos Ace is priced at $449, which is similar to Apple's AirPods Max. It does not require Wi-Fi compatibility or setup via the Sonos app. Instead, it offers seamless integration with compatible Sonos soundbars, allowing users to switch audio sources between the two devices with a simple button press.
The sleek design of the Sonos Ace includes a slim set of cans featuring a sliver of an aluminum frame and memory foam earcups. The headphones are lightweight, with feathery frame weight, and offer tactile controls on the earcups for easy volume adjustment.
The Sonos Ace is not without competition in the market. Other premium headphones like Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony WH1000XM5 are popular choices. However, Sonos' reputation for delivering high-quality audio experiences may set the Ace apart from its competitors.
Despite some initial apprehension due to recent software issues with the Sonos app redesign, many customers are excited about the new Sonos Ace headphones. The preorder numbers suggest a strong demand for this product, and it will be interesting to see how it performs in the market once released.
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