Sonos Ace headphones
Discussion
Who's fancying a set of these then?
What isn't clear is the Spatial Audio. Is it their own version of it, or do they mean compatibility with Apple's spatial audio?
I bet Apple TVs still can't/won't share the audio to 2 pairs of headphones with those.
I'm quite keen tbh. My Airpods max are getting long in the tooth now and the bra case faff is getting old, as is £75 for replacement pads, so an on/off button is very welcome.....and tone controls, which Apple for some reason won't give us.
What isn't clear is the Spatial Audio. Is it their own version of it, or do they mean compatibility with Apple's spatial audio?
I bet Apple TVs still can't/won't share the audio to 2 pairs of headphones with those.
I'm quite keen tbh. My Airpods max are getting long in the tooth now and the bra case faff is getting old, as is £75 for replacement pads, so an on/off button is very welcome.....and tone controls, which Apple for some reason won't give us.
I have been waiting for something like this for a long time now. As a Sonos user since 2012, I have always felt these to be a logical addition to their range. Although I already use wireless headphones (Sennheiser RS195 which are RF and not Bluetooth), I will certainly look into getting a pair, but I do not expect them to integrate with the Sonos kit I own, all of which is managed by the S1 software, being ‘old’, although not as old as the amplifiers etc that the Zone Players (90 and 120, and working as well as ever) are attached to. My Playbar and Play 1 are also ‘old’. The debate about the deprecation of older equipment which works well as hardware is, I think, for another thread.
However, as far as I know, there is no reason, other than inconvenience, that I cannot run the headphones using S2 software and not integrating them with my other Sonos kit. If anyone knows otherwise, I would be very grateful for any information about this.
I also need to consider the implications of them being Bluetooth only with no Wifi, which I have read is the case, , as my NAS has no BT connection. This might mean that I not use them.
As more information becomes available I will be eager to find out how well they would suit me.
However, as far as I know, there is no reason, other than inconvenience, that I cannot run the headphones using S2 software and not integrating them with my other Sonos kit. If anyone knows otherwise, I would be very grateful for any information about this.
I also need to consider the implications of them being Bluetooth only with no Wifi, which I have read is the case, , as my NAS has no BT connection. This might mean that I not use them.
As more information becomes available I will be eager to find out how well they would suit me.
I will likely be getting a pair as I really like Sonos's hardware and sound signature. I'm an avid headphone user due to being mid terrace, so I can't enjoy my stereo at the volume I like. I'll wait for all the pre-order nonsense to die down and see what the usual YouTube tech reviewers say about them first. The Ace looks super comfy as well and only 300ish grams, so should be good for extended listening.
In terms of integration with existing Sonos kit, I don't really get the purpose of handing off from the Sonos soundbars to the Ace headphones? I suspect the only integration with the S2 app will be for firmware updates and general app controls such as ANC, pairing, EQ etc.
I don't think any headphones will have WiFi due to the power consumption (bluetooth is extremely low current), but it would be nice to have that for the lossless bandwidth. Bluetooth is a severe limitation for audiophiles. Rumour has it Apple are coming up with their own proprietary high bandwidth wireless, so it'll be interesting to see what the MK2 Airpod Max spec will be.
You can use the Ace with a cable though, so it should fit in with most peoples setups. You could always hook up a BT transmitter to the NAS and send the audio over that way?
In terms of integration with existing Sonos kit, I don't really get the purpose of handing off from the Sonos soundbars to the Ace headphones? I suspect the only integration with the S2 app will be for firmware updates and general app controls such as ANC, pairing, EQ etc.
I don't think any headphones will have WiFi due to the power consumption (bluetooth is extremely low current), but it would be nice to have that for the lossless bandwidth. Bluetooth is a severe limitation for audiophiles. Rumour has it Apple are coming up with their own proprietary high bandwidth wireless, so it'll be interesting to see what the MK2 Airpod Max spec will be.
You can use the Ace with a cable though, so it should fit in with most peoples setups. You could always hook up a BT transmitter to the NAS and send the audio over that way?
Mr Egg
I am interested in your point about attaching a Bluetooth transmitter to my NAS (Synology 220+). I have no idea how to do that and a quick Google search has not greatly helped although a more intensive look may do so. How would you do this?
As I have hearing problems, I believe that I need the best quality input to get the best output and I fear that the Sonos headphones will offer little better than I have already but I would like to be proved pessimistic.
I am interested in your point about attaching a Bluetooth transmitter to my NAS (Synology 220+). I have no idea how to do that and a quick Google search has not greatly helped although a more intensive look may do so. How would you do this?
As I have hearing problems, I believe that I need the best quality input to get the best output and I fear that the Sonos headphones will offer little better than I have already but I would like to be proved pessimistic.
Onespeeder said:
Mr Egg
I am interested in your point about attaching a Bluetooth transmitter to my NAS (Synology 220+). I have no idea how to do that and a quick Google search has not greatly helped although a more intensive look may do so. How would you do this?
As I have hearing problems, I believe that I need the best quality input to get the best output and I fear that the Sonos headphones will offer little better than I have already but I would like to be proved pessimistic.
Hello sirI am interested in your point about attaching a Bluetooth transmitter to my NAS (Synology 220+). I have no idea how to do that and a quick Google search has not greatly helped although a more intensive look may do so. How would you do this?
As I have hearing problems, I believe that I need the best quality input to get the best output and I fear that the Sonos headphones will offer little better than I have already but I would like to be proved pessimistic.
Unless your NAS has audio outputs, you won't be able to connect a transmitter to it directly. The audio source would have to come from what ever device you use to stream your music from.
You could use something high quality like this - https://www.advancedmp3players.co.uk/fiio-bta30-pr...
That would take the audio output from your computer and transmit it wirelessly to your bluetooth headphones.
Is it the volume you're struggling with or the audio clarity? I don't know how loud the Sonos will go or how detailed they are, but my AirPods Max for example go super loud and are sound extremely clear and detailed as well.
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