SonosAce - Black - Wireless Over Ear Headphones with Noise Cancellation

Wide sound stage for a closed back ANC headphone. Clarity and definition are superior to the other headphones I tested which are the Momentum 4s and the Cambridge Melomanias. The base is dynamic and full like mini thunder in your ears without sounding too warm, outstanding. The Sonos headphones are far superior to the other two headphones I tested, in fact I would add that I would not recommend the others over the Sonos at all. I know that's harsh since I'm not even going to list what makes the others inferior, but the difference will sound so clear, there's hardly much to say. I'll put it this way, I had to compare the Sonos with real audiophile headphones that have no features except quality drivers. Yes, the Sonos weren't better but I really spent the time to compare.For Gaming go with the Sonos over the other headphones because of it's wide sound stage it's much better at handling 7.1 virtual surround sound.The Sonos are way more comfortable than the other headphones because of how the earpads are designed to curve over your ear, not just sit flat on your ear like the others, while still covering all of your ear. It's an impressive design and just makes them feel great to wear. Also, these have magnetic earpads for easy removal unlike the others.The Senheisers do use touch controls if you like that. I found them useful but once you learn the controls of the Sonos it won't matter. There's a strange behavior with the ANC options with the Sonos when you disable ANC, the base drops below 50% of its power. However, I believe this is a feature when you don't want it to go on and off in certain areas where you need to external hearing. In addition, you can keep the setting at Adaptive which restores the base with a small open back effect. The third option for full ANC removes the open back effect.I also found the Sonos more stylish to the other two since hard edges is just how 99% of other headphones look. The headband also sits snug around your head without any weird parts that sticking out like you're in a studio when they simply don't perform that way. I know this part is subjective but I think some people would appreciate these design points.Overall, while probably more expensive than other wireless ANC headphones, these are just all around great and worth it over the others. Reviews have raved about the Sennheiser over these, I resoundingly disagree.Other observations are situational. For example, I found that these type of headphones did not need to replace my Airpod Pros when I would go for a walk or a quick hop to the corner store. The sounds of the airpods directly in your ear are just high quality sounding as regular headphones. However, if I had to go somewhere to work all day like at the office, the Sonos were hands down more comfortable in that situation. If you like to sleep with music headphones, these will be far more comfortable than the Airpods sitting in your ear.Last point is for gaming again. While the Sonos are far better for gaming than the other ones mentioned, they are still wireless ANC headphones meant for all kinds of scenarios. Dedicated headphones that will tether you to your gaming PC or if you want just audiophile headphones, those will probably offer more immersive experience in those situations.

I have a large head and these are good, and just a step down from the Bose QC ultra. However, the Bose feel cheap to me and they drop connections in a busy office neither of which the Sonos has a problem with. It’s definitely better in both those areas.They sound great and they look really, really good. My last video call someone specifically reached out and asked what I was using. From a sound quality perspective they are great. I find them better than the Sony XM five not quite as good as AirPod Max when it comes to transparency. However, the transparency mode is good. These are less hot on the ears than the Sony XM five but not as good as the AirPods Max.The battery life is excellent. I like the battery life better than the Bose QC ultra. Connectivity is good. I like to use it on my iPad and on a Microsoft surface laptop works excellent for those and my phone.It’s a game changer if you have a Sonos arc I love that feature. It allows me to watch TV late at night after my wife is gone to bed without bothering her happy wife happy life…I would buy it again, but if my head was a little bigger, I think I would pass. So if your head is larger than large and smaller, but not quite extra large, it’s a buy.

I was a little disappointed when I learned Sonos didn't try to differentiate its first over-the-ear headphones to the market, outside of pairing to another Sonos specific soundbar...The other concerning factor was the press it was getting especially with tech reviewers. As I searched and searched for good over-the-ears headphones, I considered this pair when it was discounted as it made it more palatable for purchase. I have tried the latest offerings from Sony, Bose and the likes. I didn't consider Apple since it looks like it would be fatiguing after a long flight for me.After receiving the the Sonos Ace headphones, the unboxing experience was pleasant. The packaging and details was typical Sonos flare. You get what you pay for.Now to the headphones. They are not very heavy, feels very premium to the touch. The best part imo, physical buttons! I am not a big fan of touch sensitive headphones having owned older on ears B&O where you can accidentally control it.I added the Ace to the app since I do own their speakers. It connected and updated the firmware after a few.The headphones are exactly what I am looking for in sound quality. I played different genre of music and to me it was very balanced and not very bass heavy (like Sony and Bose). It passed my test for audio quality and the amplification levels. The noise cancellation worked very well. I am not looking for the Bose level but it does the job of blocking unwanted excess from your listening. With the music playing and NC on you are pretty much in your own state of mind. As mentioned, I have tried quite a few but never kept them beyond my trial period due to performance and fit for my preference. For the high cost, even full price, this pair is worth it. Getting it at a discounted price sweetens the pot even more. I am keeping these as I have already decided they are coming with me on a future long flight. Got these in the white color and I am very pleased as most if not all my previous headphones were black.Highly recommend the Sonos Ace headphones if fit, performance and price meets your criteria. Sonos hit the marks for me this round. Can't wait to see the next release!