Over-Ear Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM5
8.6/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$239.99at Amazon
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1 / 15Sonos
Sonos Ace
noise cancelling & sound
8.8/ 10
ANCNoise cancelling8.8
0.010.0
At 8.8, its noise cancelling beats 95% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 58 of the 239 we've cataloged.
4.3/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall4.3
1.05.0
A 4.3 puts its audio quality in the top half of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 43 of the 239 we've cataloged.
See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Noise cancelling · Audio quality
Key specs
Charging Method
USB-CMost commonUsb-c88%Micro usb9%Others3%
Usb-c is the most common — on 88% of the 138 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 239).
Bluetooth Version
5.45.029%5.326%5.216%5.411%
5.4 appears on 11% of the 147 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 239).
Connection Type
Wired-3.5mm48%Bluetooth44%Wired-usb-c7%Others2%
Bluetooth appears on 44% of the 239 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 239).
Weight
312gAbove average312 g
133 g420 g
above average for over-ear headphones — based on 196 of 239 we've cataloged.
Battery
- Charging Method
- USB-C
- Full Charge Minutes
- 3 min
- Battery Life Anc On
- 32 h
- Battery
- Yes
- Fast Charging
- Yes
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Version
- 5.4
- Connection Type
- Bluetooth wireless
- Bluetooth Codec
- SBC, AAC, aptX Lossless
- Multipoint Devices
- 2 devices
- USB Charging
- Yes
Design
- Weight
- 312g
- Color Options
- Black, white
- Foldable
- No
- Headband Type
- Adjustable over-head
Features
- Spatial Audio
- Head tracking
- Companion App
- IOS + Android
- Control Type
- Physical buttons
- Eq Customization
- Presets only
- Auto Pause
- Yes
Build
- Material Chassis Primary
- Plastic, stainless steel
- Material Ear Cups
- Memory foam, vegan leather
- Material Headband
- Plastic with memory foam padding, vegan leather
Microphone
- Count
- 8
- Microphone
- Yes
- Type
- 6-mic beamforming array
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Closed-back
- Ambient Mode
- Adjustable level
- Driver Count
- 1
- Driver Size
- 40 mm
- Driver Type
- Dynamic driver
- Frequency Response
- 20-20000 Hz
- Frequency Response High Hz
- 20000 Hz
- Frequency Response Low Hz
- 20 Hz
- Noise Cancellation Type
- Active
Release
- Date
- June 3, 2024
- Year
- 2024
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Sonos AceSoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | -16.4 |
| 25 | -13.9 |
| 32 | -11.1 |
| 40 | -8.4 |
| 50 | -6.2 |
| 63 | -4.2 |
| 80 | -3.0 |
| 100 | -2.2 |
| 125 | -0.7 |
| 160 | 0.9 |
| 200 | 1.2 |
| 250 | 1.0 |
| 315 | -0.2 |
| 400 | -1.8 |
| 500 | -3.8 |
| 630 | -2.6 |
| 800 | -1.3 |
| 1000 | -0.1 |
| 1250 | -2.0 |
| 1600 | -5.5 |
| 2000 | -0.3 |
| 2500 | 6.2 |
| 3150 | 6.4 |
| 4000 | 3.3 |
| 5000 | 0.8 |
| 6300 | 8.0 |
| 8000 | 3.1 |
| 10000 | -2.9 |
| 12500 | -1.8 |
| 16000 | -12.7 |
| 20000 | -23.0 |
Sonos Ace
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -10.3 |
| 26 | -0.0 |
| 33 | 0.3 |
| 41 | -0.1 |
| 52 | 0.4 |
| 65 | -0.1 |
| 82 | -0.6 |
| 103 | -0.9 |
| 130 | -1.5 |
| 163 | -2.4 |
| 205 | -3.8 |
| 259 | -6.1 |
| 325 | -8.1 |
| 410 | -4.9 |
| 516 | 0.3 |
| 613 | 3.9 |
| 772 | 6.4 |
| 972 | 9.1 |
| 1220 | 11.8 |
| 1540 | 12.6 |
| 1940 | 10.6 |
| 2440 | 12.9 |
| 3070 | 16.3 |
| 3870 | 18.8 |
| 4870 | 20.4 |
| 6130 | 23.2 |
| 7720 | 25.3 |
| 9720 | 27.0 |
| 12200 | 19.7 |
| 15400 | 23.2 |
| 19400 | 21.7 |
Sonos Ace
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -4.3 |
| 26 | -5.5 |
| 33 | -1.6 |
| 41 | -0.3 |
| 52 | 2.0 |
| 65 | 3.8 |
| 82 | 5.9 |
| 103 | 8.0 |
| 130 | 9.3 |
| 163 | 10.8 |
| 205 | 12.4 |
| 259 | 13.9 |
| 325 | 12.5 |
| 410 | 13.1 |
| 516 | 13.0 |
| 613 | 13.4 |
| 772 | 14.4 |
| 972 | 16.0 |
| 1220 | 9.7 |
| 1540 | 10.8 |
| 1940 | 9.7 |
| 2440 | 11.5 |
| 3070 | 14.9 |
| 3870 | 18.4 |
| 4870 | 20.4 |
| 6130 | 24.5 |
| 7720 | 25.7 |
| 9720 | 26.9 |
| 12200 | 20.0 |
| 15400 | 23.4 |
| 19400 | 21.3 |
Sonos Ace
4.7
3.2
4.2
4.3
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
SoundGuys review
Read the full review ›SOUNDGUYS rating
Reviewed byHarley Maranan & Christian ThomasVideo Lead · Editor-at-largeReviewed June 2024
7.4/ 10
RecommendedNoise cancelling8.8
Isolation6.9
Battery life9.4
Comfort & fit8.5
Connectivity9.0
Design7.0
The verdict
Sonos has made a brave first step into the headphone market with the Sonos Ace. These premium headphones are designed for people who want to bring the immersiveness of a home theater experience wherever they go. However, the Sonos Ace isn't immune from its own share of first-gen fumbles, with room for improvement in regards to sound quality and ANC performance.
✓What we like
✓Premium build quality
✓Dolby Atmos with head tracking
✓aptX Lossless via Snapdragon Sound
✓Integration with Sonos soundbars
✕What could be better
✕Tight fit for large ears
✕No IP rating
✕Default sound
✕Limited app features
✕Expensive
Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
The Sonos Ace Ultra needs to fix two major issues to succeedHere's what the leaks won't tell you.
Adam BirneyManaging EditorSonos or Bose? Here's how I'd choose my home theaterBoth systems provide an immersive experience, but what you plan to add later could make one a much better fit.
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterThe 5 best headphones to look forward to in 2026Strap in — we're in for a wild year.
Tom TriggsContributorI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributor
Adam BirneyManaging EditorSonos or Bose? Here's how I'd choose my home theaterBoth systems provide an immersive experience, but what you plan to add later could make one a much better fit.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterThe 5 best headphones to look forward to in 2026Strap in — we're in for a wild year.Tom TriggsContributorI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributorMore Over-Ear Headphones
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