Sonos is set to release the Ace Ultra, its flagship headphone model, boasting enhanced noise cancellation, longer battery life, and revamped design, as it aims to elevate its presence in the premium headphone market amidst stiff competition.
Sonos is preparing a new push into premium headphones with a model leaked as the Ace Ultra, a follow-up to the original Ace that appears aimed at solving the first generation’s biggest weakness: not enough differentiation. According to the leak reported by Dealabs and summarised by SoundGuys, the new model is due to be announced on 1 September and should reach shops on 29 September, priced at $449 in the United States, £399 in the UK and €449 in Europe. That would put it back at the same entry point as the first Ace, which Sonos launched in June 2024 as its debut headphone product.
The clearest change is said to be noise cancellation. The leaked specifications point to ANC that is up to twice as effective as the current Ace, alongside a larger 35-hour battery life with ANC switched on and rapid charging that would deliver around three hours of playback from a three-minute top-up. If accurate, those figures would mark a meaningful step up from the present Ace, which Sonos says offers around 30 hours of battery life, spatial audio and touch controls.
Design tweaks also appear to be on the way. The report points to deeper ear cups, revised microphone grilles, replaceable ear pads and a replaceable battery, all of which would improve repairability and long-term ownership. A new blue-green Agave finish is also mentioned, alongside Black and White, although an FCC filing reportedly left room for as many as five colours. Sonos’ current Ace ships only in Black and Soft White, so the new palette would broaden the line-up.
What is more striking is what still seems absent. The original Ace was positioned around high-fidelity audio, spatial sound and a tight connection to the Sonos ecosystem, including features such as TrueCinema for home-theatre use. Yet owners have continued to note the lack of Wi-Fi audio streaming directly from a Sonos system, a gap that has become more visible as rival premium headphones from Bose and Sony compete aggressively on comfort, ANC and software features.
That matters because Sonos is still recovering from the fallout of its troubled app relaunch in 2024, which disrupted sales and delayed product momentum. The company’s headphone strategy has also been under pressure to justify itself against established rivals. If the Ace Ultra arrives with stronger ANC, easier repairability and a more distinctive design, it may help Sonos move the range beyond being simply a well-made first attempt. Without deeper Sonos integration, however, it risks looking like a specification refresh rather than a true second act.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
