Sonos Acechat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Audiophiles and musicians found the sound muddy, flat, thin, or lacking detail compared to rivals at similar or lower prices, with a harsh treble peak and imbalanced bass frequently cited.

@NoName-bb2pu

I'm an audiophile, I dont get it, I found the Ace to be having the muddiest sound ever on a pair of cans, ever. My friend loved its build and looks and bought it, I agree, but sound?\n\nI dont mean to compare but both headphones are on similar price points so I will, I bought my HiFiMan Edition XS shortly after, and yes it doesnt have a battery or is wireless or has Noise Canceling, it isnt even closed back, but sound quality? It just blows the Ace out of the water, out of planet earth, out of this cosmos and into oblivion. At the same price!!!! My friend felt humiliated by SONOS after a listen lol.launch

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June 7, 2026

@SKELLYWAG06

Hey Sonos, I bought the Sonos Ace headphone. Don't get me wrong. I like them very much, they are the most comftable for me and most of everything is perfect. There is just one thing that I don't like about them. For a €449 headphone, I can't do much with the EQ settings, they do sound a little bit thin and my ears are very sensitive for that boosted 8k hz peak. This leads me to want to put the treble slider down.. but instead of letting the 8k peak go down, it just drops the higher treble's that make the sound still harsh in the high-mids and muddy in the 16k/20k hz. I know you guys make new updates for the Sonos in the future, so I really hope, like many others that we can at least see an update soon that uses maybe a EQ setting, at least 4/5 band. Not to much but not just a simple bass and treble slider. And it is possible with that new 5.4 bluetooth Chip. \n\nI with many others hope ya'll do something with this soon. 🙏 It would make the mony worth it.launch

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November 6, 2025

@Noblesse_Oblige

Bought Sonos Ace & AirPods Max (USB-C). Wanted the Ace to win but ultimately returned them and kept the Max. It came down to…\n\n1. Vegan plush around ears makes it super uncomfortable and hot around two hours (hope third party companies make mesh versions)\n\n2. Sub-par music quality — for ~$450+, the sound is flat and only sounds exceptional with podcasts. The volume range from peaks to lows is terrible. Worst quality of sound for being premium branded and price, there was never a “wow” factor in listening to any kind of media.\n\n3. Call quality is mediocre\n\nGranted, Max is far from perfect, but the Ace dropped the ball on comfort and sound quality imo 7:14launch

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February 4, 2025

@andreasroth990

I'm a musician and audio engineer and for me sound is the most important thing. And I can't understand why anyone would like the sound of the Sonos, especially considering the price.launch

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June 25, 2024

The Sonos app was repeatedly criticized as broken following a recent overhaul, with removed features and only minimal EQ adjustment options frustrating users who wanted more sound customization.

@SKELLYWAG06

Hey Sonos, I bought the Sonos Ace headphone. Don't get me wrong. I like them very much, they are the most comftable for me and most of everything is perfect. There is just one thing that I don't like about them. For a €449 headphone, I can't do much with the EQ settings, they do sound a little bit thin and my ears are very sensitive for that boosted 8k hz peak. This leads me to want to put the treble slider down.. but instead of letting the 8k peak go down, it just drops the higher treble's that make the sound still harsh in the high-mids and muddy in the 16k/20k hz. I know you guys make new updates for the Sonos in the future, so I really hope, like many others that we can at least see an update soon that uses maybe a EQ setting, at least 4/5 band. Not to much but not just a simple bass and treble slider. And it is possible with that new 5.4 bluetooth Chip. \n\nI with many others hope ya'll do something with this soon. 🙏 It would make the mony worth it.launch

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November 6, 2025

@stastrav

great review. I feel like, setting up with their app aside, these are an amazing first gen product from sonos. it really shows that they've put a lot of thought into these, from design, tactile feedback and ux, ANC, SQ, microphones - everything in those are top notch. aside from the terible app.I wish they would treat their app with the same thoughtfulness and care as they do their hardware. \n\nHave you adjusted the EQ in any way on yours?launch

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July 11, 2025

@Em54699

I agree with the comfort, you can wear these for hours without any problem. I thought the xm4s were comfy but the sonos are a grade above. The anc is insane and definitely tied at the top, and the transparency mode is pretty good. The sound is good but not excellent, and its annoying that the sonos app only have a limited eq adjustment, and yes, increasing the bass is mandatory. It is not that headphones are flat, and contrary to you I find that they have plenty of sub-bass out of the box, but they need a bit more (upper) bass, not the rumble but the punch. However, after using them for a while I have realized what I think its the true purpose of the headphones. I think sonos was trying to bring a headphone that is mainly a tv headphone. While good at playing music, the sonos ace are the top headphones when it comes to media consumption and I feel that it is an aspect that usually gets overlooked. the sub-bass adds to the rumble and explosions in action movies and the mids and treble help a lot with clarity in dialogues in movies and shows. if you want to just listen to music, it is a harder question with plenty of competitive options. However, if you travel a lot, and want the absolute best experience watching movies or shows with headphones on the Ace are completely unbeatable.launch

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April 20, 2025

@Jessy-c7b

I bought them few days ago and I absolutely love them. I was a BOSE top range user and I love the Sonos. The only downside for me it’s that I wish the EQ will give me more options to play around. The bass it’s not that punchy as Bose for example. In terms of comfort and ANC I would say it’s excellent! Battery live top notch! Top score goes to the buttons instead of touch. Overall very happy with my purchase.launch

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March 7, 2025

Longtime Sonos users were disappointed the Ace can't connect to the broader Sonos speaker ecosystem as another zone, only pairing with the Arc soundbar, undermining the whole-home audio appeal.

@Beati3

The real problem is the Sonos Beam (gen 2) won't pair with any other headphones. I've lovingly crafter a little surround sound system with a Beam and 2 x One speakers, and I really enjoy how it works, but I can't pair my airpod pro 2s or my Sony WH11000XM2s with it. The Aces are now under $400 Australian, which makes me think, for the ability to pair them with the Beam, they might be worth it. I won't be using them to listen to music, just to listen to TV late at night with surround effect. The one case not covered here ... unsurprisingly.launch

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April 17, 2026

@bluegizmo1983

The fact that these Sonos headphones do not integrate into the rest of the Sonos ecosystem like all their other speakers is a show stopper for me! People don't buy Sonos products because they have the best audio devices. There are way better sounding and cheaper devices out there. People buy Sonos for the ecosystem and integration of all their sonos devices!launch

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June 30, 2024

@papermelon

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.launch

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June 4, 2024

@StevenvanderGraaf

I was waiting for your review and now i am doubting to not buying them i think. Not be able to listen to music via my Sonos is very disappointing. I do have a question though. If i play my music through the Arc plus 2 Era 300’s like i am used to do with movies. How wil the sound quality be with music? Wil i have good stereo playback? Or will the channels be like from the back Era’s en Arc like it sounds without a headset. I find listening to music that way way less than listening to my Era 300’s not being connected in a cinema setup with the Arc and Sub included. I hope i am making any sense with my question? Thanks for your review and hopefully answering my question.launch

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June 3, 2024

Several commenters felt the $449 launch price was too high given the sound quality, though some acknowledged it's competitive with other premium ANC headphones from Bose, Apple, and Bowers & Wilkins.

@Aserthreto

I got to try the Sonos Aces out whilst waiting for a flight and I have to agree, in terms of sheer comfort and anc i think they’re among if not the best wireless headphones I’ve used. If it weren’t for the admittedly not great sound quality and the relatively high price I definitely would have bought them, especially since at the time my main wireless headphones were the Accenture Pluses.launch

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May 17, 2025

@Noblesse_Oblige

Bought Sonos Ace & AirPods Max (USB-C). Wanted the Ace to win but ultimately returned them and kept the Max. It came down to…\n\n1. Vegan plush around ears makes it super uncomfortable and hot around two hours (hope third party companies make mesh versions)\n\n2. Sub-par music quality — for ~$450+, the sound is flat and only sounds exceptional with podcasts. The volume range from peaks to lows is terrible. Worst quality of sound for being premium branded and price, there was never a “wow” factor in listening to any kind of media.\n\n3. Call quality is mediocre\n\nGranted, Max is far from perfect, but the Ace dropped the ball on comfort and sound quality imo 7:14launch

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February 4, 2025

@eeymanjones

Solid review! Picked these up yesterday and I’m liking them so far. Never tried the AirPod max but had the Sony M3s and wanted an upgrade. So far I like them a lot. The wear detection has been solid for me so far. I agree with the music separation and the bass. The price to me is like apple, about $100 off. Should have been $350 imo.launch

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June 6, 2024

@chickenringNYC

I guess these overpriced headphones are trendy but for me as a musician and amateur audiophile with a high performance stereo at home and a couple pairs of \"nice\" wired headphones, you can get INCREDIBLE quality sound from over-ear headphones from companies like Beyerdynamics for less than HALF the price of these if one wants. Of course you can pay well over a thousand too, but my point is more.. why pay 450-500 bucks for Bluetooth sound quality?! It can only get so good. It will always be Bluetooth. Be smart and save your money. Thanks for reviewing them though Floss! I'll always watch.launch

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June 6, 2024

Users noted the Ace currently only works with the Sonos Arc, not other Sonos soundbars like Beam, limiting its usefulness for many existing Sonos households.

@Beati3

The real problem is the Sonos Beam (gen 2) won't pair with any other headphones. I've lovingly crafter a little surround sound system with a Beam and 2 x One speakers, and I really enjoy how it works, but I can't pair my airpod pro 2s or my Sony WH11000XM2s with it. The Aces are now under $400 Australian, which makes me think, for the ability to pair them with the Beam, they might be worth it. I won't be using them to listen to music, just to listen to TV late at night with surround effect. The one case not covered here ... unsurprisingly.launch

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April 17, 2026

@papermelon

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.launch

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June 4, 2024

@Fluera

Just a quick note: I noticed you subtly touched on it, but it might be worth explicitly mentioning that these speakers only pair with the Sonos ARC at the moment. They don't work with any other soundbars in the Sonos family. Also, it's essential to be aware that the Sonos application is currently experiencing some critical issues. It's broken, and several features that Sonos users have relied on for years have been removed. I recommend doing thorough research on this, as this information is somewhat buried but can be found on the Sonos subreddit.launch

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June 3, 2024

Multiple users reported the plush ear cushion material causes ears to get hot and sweaty during extended wear, a notable comfort drawback despite overall praise for fit.

@beskepticalofeverything-j9b

Sonos did a major firmware update that significantly improved the sound quality.\n\nI have both the Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort ultra 2. I also previously owned the Sony xm4s.\n\nWhile I haven't done indepth testing, for ANC I found for me the Sonos Ace got a better fit with the earcups and blocked out blocked out background humming of my air purifier and dehumidifier better. \n\nThe major drawback like you mentioned is the earcups get hot and I sweat just sleeping with them on.\n\nOne thing that's disappointing with both the Bose and Sonos is their underwhelming apps compared to Sony and even more budget brands like Anker (probably the best for an average consumer for customizations options).\n\nAs for sound, I thing the Sonos is more balanced than Bose, so for some things they sound better than Bose, but again as a consumer, I think it's pretty minor.\n\nI'd definitely put it up there with Bose and Sony if you're looking for a flagship consumer ANC option.launch

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January 1, 2026

@Noblesse_Oblige

Bought Sonos Ace & AirPods Max (USB-C). Wanted the Ace to win but ultimately returned them and kept the Max. It came down to…\n\n1. Vegan plush around ears makes it super uncomfortable and hot around two hours (hope third party companies make mesh versions)\n\n2. Sub-par music quality — for ~$450+, the sound is flat and only sounds exceptional with podcasts. The volume range from peaks to lows is terrible. Worst quality of sound for being premium branded and price, there was never a “wow” factor in listening to any kind of media.\n\n3. Call quality is mediocre\n\nGranted, Max is far from perfect, but the Ace dropped the ball on comfort and sound quality imo 7:14launch

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February 4, 2025

@donnybrown6047

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.launch

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September 15, 2024

One user reported defective ear cushions, rattling sounds, and popping noises under ANC, while another criticized poor multi-point Bluetooth switching between devices.

@SealRaddish

Bought a pair of Sonos Ace a little over a week ago. Just suggest a few issues that are not mentioned in the video:\n1. The quality control is not great. I noticed some sound leak from the right ear, only to find out that the right ear cushion is not as thick and plush as the left ear cushion. I went to the store for a replacement, and even the replacement right ear cushion they offered had the same problem. In the end, I had to take the right ear cushion from a demo unit in the store.\n2. Rattle sounds from the right side. After one or two hours of wearing, the right side would start to generate rattle sounds during vibrations (mainly from walking). If I turn off the headphone, the sound would disappear. But if I immediately turn on again, the sound comes back.\n3. Popping sounds during bus rides. If the bus hits some bumpy roads, there would be strong popping sounds coming out the headphone. This is only present under ANC mode.launch

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June 16, 2024

@TheOne-h9s1e

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.launch

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June 5, 2024

A user reported that critical setup features like audio-swap and room calibration require iOS, with no 'Works with Android' badge, alienating Android owners.

@attilab.2818

Sonos discriminates the Android users. First, you required an iOS device to set up the Audio swap between the Ace headphones and Arc soundbar. Second, even calibrating the Arc to your room requires an iOS device. Disgusting. \nOther manufacturers can provide their own mic for the calibration or just emit a sound directly from the soundbar...eg. Bose soundbars, Sennehiser Ambeo soundbars, etc. \nActually I'm not surprised, as when I checked the box the usual 'Works with Android' badge which is usually there on every set of headphones boxes is missing. There is only a 'Made for iPhone/iPad badge.'\nSonos simply hates and ignores Android users and losing a massive market because of this silly, discriminative decision.launch

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June 21, 2024