Sonos is back in the wireless headphones game with the Ace Ultra, a sequel to its sleek-looking but ultimately unpopular Ace Ultra wireless headphones.
The Ace Ultra, like their predecessor, are firmly launching in the premium category, with a $449 price tag, and while the look is similar, there are a few new features to note. Arguably the biggest addition is the option to use the wireless headphones over Wi-Fi and the Sonos app, making them behave more like the rest of the Sonos ecosystem.
To switch what you’re listening to from your home system to the wireless headphones, you can use the Sonos app or press the content key button on the headphones. Sonos says this headphone linking feature uses Sonos Headphone Engine 2 and redesigned WiFi antennas and that it’s not tethered to other devices the way the Ace’s Ultra’s TV Audio Swap was, meaning you don’t have to be nearby to swap. For now, headphone linking is an Early Access feature and is opt-in.
On top of new Wi-Fi features, the Ace Ultra also extend the battery life of their predecessor, with 35 hours with active noise cancellation (ANC) while activated compared to the original Ace’s 30 hours. Speaking of ANC, the Ace Ultra also have twice the noise-cancelling power as the original, according to Sonos, which is always an upgrade worth celebrating when it comes to wireless headphones. How that ANC compares to top-tier competitors like Bose and its QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is another story, though.
The Sonos Ace Ultra come in a host of colors, including black, soft white, agave, or sand, all in a matte finish. The Sonos Ace Ultra are available for preorder starting today, Sept. 1.
