Sonos Ace: Brilliant With a Sonos Soundbar, More Boxed-In Without One

The Trick That Makes Sonos Owners Smile

The standout feature is the instant switch from a compatible Sonos soundbar to the headphones. A single button press mutes the room speakers and sends spatial audio, including Dolby Atmos with head tracking, directly to the Ace. Many users with Sonos home theater setups say this works reliably and feels seamless for late-night viewing.

Comfortable Enough for the Long Haul

The headphones are comfortable for longer sessions. The earcups use memory foam with vegan leather, and the headband adjustment feels smooth. Replacement cushions attach magnetically, making them easy to swap when they eventually wear out.

No Joining the Rest of the House

One of the bigger disappointments for existing Sonos users is that the Ace cannot join the home Wi-Fi network as its own zone. It works via Bluetooth when away from the TV, which means it cannot play music in sync with other Sonos speakers around the house in the way many owners expected.

Not Every Soundbar Gets the Full Trick

At launch, the full TV audio switching feature was limited to newer, higher-end Sonos soundbars. Owners with older Sonos equipment often had to upgrade their soundbar to unlock the main reason they bought the headphones, which created frustration for some long-time users.

Who Gets the Most Out of the Ace

If you already have a compatible Sonos soundbar and want comfortable, high-quality headphones specifically for late-night movies or TV without disturbing others, the spatial audio performance is excellent. If you want a more flexible wireless headset for general music listening across different devices, other options may offer better value and fewer limitations.