Tested the Sonos Arc Ultra alongside Ace headphones: Four preferred aspects and two drawbacks revealed
The Sonos Ace headphones, in conjunction with the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar, offer a premium wireless TV audio experience, perfect for movie enthusiasts who value privacy and immersive sound quality. With the TV Audio Swap feature, users can seamlessly switch between the soundbar and headphones, allowing for private viewing without disturbing others or sharing the audio comfortably with another person.
To set up this dynamic duo, both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Follow the on-screen prompts in the Sonos app to link the devices. Once set up, a button on the Sonos Ace headphones enables instant swapping of audio from the soundbar to the headphones.
One standout feature of the TV Audio Swap is its ability to support two Sonos Ace headphones simultaneously, ensuring perfect sync, volume, and clarity for two viewers. The feature uses spatial audio technology to closely match the sound environment of your room, creating an immersive Dolby Atmos experience through the headphones.
Advanced TrueCinema spatial audio adapts to your living room setup, making the headphone sound feel less artificial and more like your soundbar experience from the environment's perspective. The headphones also include improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that adapts in real-time, accounting for wearing conditions like glasses or hats, enhancing immersion.
The SideTone feature pipes your voice back in during calls for natural-sounding conversation. However, users should be aware of minor toggling delay and volume handling issues when switching audio between the soundbar and headphones.
While the Sonos Ace headphones face competition from other high-end models like the Sony WH-1000XM6, B&W PX7 S3, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, their compatibility with the Sonos Arc Ultra and the TV Audio Swap feature sets them apart. The headphones are relatively premium priced, but they are becoming more affordable, making them a potential consideration for those who own a compatible Sonos soundbar and frequently use the TV Audio Swap feature.
When the Sonos Ace headphones are removed from the wearer's head, the headphone audio mutes. The current setup may lead to a disjointed experience due to the need for separate volume control for the Sonos Arc Ultra and Sonos Ace. Upon swapping back from the Sonos Ace headphones to the Sonos Arc Ultra, the output volume does not default to the previous volume level, requiring manual adjustment.
During testing, there were no issues with sound distortion or crackling when switching to the Sonos Ace headphones. Setting up the Sonos Arc Ultra and Ace together is straightforward and can be done in a few minutes. There were no lip-syncing issues during testing.
For a deeper understanding of the Sonos Ace headphones, read our comprehensive review. For more information about the Sonos Arc Ultra, check out our detailed review.
- The Sonos Ace headphones, along with the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar, offer a premium wireless TV audio experience, ideal for individuals who value privacy and high-quality immersive sound.
- When using the Sonos Ace headphones, users can take advantage of the TV Audio Swap feature, allowing for instant swapping of audio from the soundbar to the headphones seamlessly.
- The TV Audio Swap feature supports two Sonos Ace headphones simultaneously, ensuring perfect sync, volume, and clarity for two viewers.
- The spatial audio technology used in the TV Audio Swap creates an immersive Dolby Atmos experience through the headphones, adapting to the living room setup.
- The Sonos Ace headphones include improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that adapts in real-time, making the listening experience more natural and immersive.
- While competing against high-end models like the Sony WH-1000XM6, B&W PX7 S3, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, the Sonos Ace headphones stand out due to their compatibility with the Sonos Arc Ultra and the TV Audio Swap feature.
- Current Sonos Ace headphone users should be aware of minor toggling delay and volume handling issues when switching audio between the soundbar and headphones.
- For more news, reviews, and insights about the Sonos Ace headphones and the Sonos Arc Ultra, check out the news and show segments focusing on lifestyle, home-and-garden, gadgets, and technology.
