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Sonos Ace headphones just got a massive update that brings AirPods Max-level ANC
June 10, 2025
What’s new with the latest Sonos Ace firmware update?
- Massive ANC upgrade: Noise cancellation improved from 74% to 88% reduction, now rivaling AirPods Max and beating Sony’s XM5/XM6 headphones
- Dual-listener TV audio: Two people can now watch TV simultaneously using separate Sonos Ace headphones connected to a Sonos soundbar
- TrueCinema spatial audio: New room-aware 3D audio technology creates an “open-air” listening experience for movies and shows
Sonos has released a substantial software update for its Ace wireless headphones that delivers one of the most impressive post-launch improvements we’ve seen in premium headphones this year. The free update, rolling out globally today, dramatically boosts noise cancelation performance while adding several highly requested features, including the long-delayed TrueCinema spatial audio mode.
The standout improvement is in active noise cancelation. Our testing reveals the Sonos Ace can now reduce outside noise by an average of approximately 88%, a massive jump from the 74% reduction we measured at launch. This puts the Ace ahead of Sony’s XM5 and new XM6 headphones, surpasses the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and matches Apple’s AirPods Max performance. The improvements are particularly noticeable in low frequencies, making these headphones significantly better for air travel.
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The update also introduces leakage compensation that adapts to hair, glasses, and hats in real time using advanced sensors. While Sonos claims this dramatically improves performance when you don’t have a perfect seal, our testing found the benefits more modest—it helps, but you still won’t get the same noise cancelation as with an unobstructed fit.
TrueCinema mode, originally promised for late 2024, finally arrives with this update. Like Sonos’ TruePlay room correction for speakers, TrueCinema uses your Sonos soundbar to measure room acoustics while the Ace’s microphones determine your listening position. The system then adapts 3D spatial audio to create a more convincing surround sound experience that feels like you’re not wearing headphones at all.
Sonos has also expanded its TV Audio Swap feature to support two sets of Ace headphones simultaneously, allowing couples to watch TV together without disturbing others. Previously limited to single users, this addresses one of the most common complaints about the feature. The update maintains compatibility with Sonos Arc, Beam, and Ray soundbars across both iOS and Android devices.
Call quality gets improvements through high-resolution audio and a new SideTone feature that lets you hear your own voice during calls while ANC is active. While our microphone testing didn’t reveal dramatic audio quality improvements, SideTone is a genuinely useful usability enhancement that makes phone conversations feel more natural. You can listen to the fresh microphone sample recordings and let us know what you think in our poll below:
Sonos Ace microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Sonos Ace microphone demo (Office conditions):
Sonos Ace microphone demo (Street conditions):
How does the microphone sound to you?
The substantial update is a promising reflection of Sonos’ commitment to extending product lifecycles through software rather than pushing minor hardware upgrades. With the ANC improvements alone, the Ace competes directly with the best noise canceling headphones available, making this free update feel like getting a fresh pair of headphones.
