The original Ace headphones were hampered by a disastrous app redesign and limited connectivity, functioning more as standalone hardware than true Sonos devices. The Ace Ultra rectify this by allowing users to push audio from any Sonos speaker or group directly to the headphones via a button press, a feature Sonos currently labels as early access. While this link is a significant leap forward for system utility, it remains imperfect: the Wi-Fi streaming is currently lossy, and the headphones cannot yet be grouped with speakers for simultaneous playback.
Sonos Ace Ultra: A belated correction
The Sonos Ace Ultra arrive at a $449 price point, finally delivering the cohesive system integration that the original Ace headphones lacked at launch. While the hardware remains largely unchanged in its comfortable, tactile design, the addition of Wi-Fi-based headphone linking attempts to cement these cans as an essential Sonos ecosystem component.
Sonos has refined the core listening experience with new 40mm drivers and an adaptive EQ that adjusts for obstructions like glasses. The sound profile is richer and more balanced than its predecessor, though it still falls slightly short of the midrange clarity found in top-tier competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM6. Similarly, while the active noise cancellation and call quality have seen measurable improvements, they remain a step behind the industry leaders. For existing Sonos owners, the Ace Ultra are a compelling upgrade that finally fulfills the promise of the brand's ecosystem, but for those outside the Sonos world, the premium price is difficult to justify against more capable alternatives.
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