Comparison: Sonos Ace Headphones vs. AirPods Max
On Monday, June 3, 2024, at 6:01 am PDT, Juli Clover reported that Sonos entered the headphone market in May with the release of the Sonos Ace headphones. Priced at $449, the Sonos Ace headphones boast unique design elements and features not found in Apple's headphones. In light of this, we decided to conduct a comparison against the $549 AirPods Max to determine which reigns supreme. Be sure to subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more content.
When it comes to design, both the Sonos Ace and AirPods Max are premium over-ear headphones with a sleek appearance. However, the AirPods Max exude a more luxurious vibe due to their aluminum construction. Apple offers brushed aluminum ear cups in various colors, whereas Sonos opts for recycled plastic in black or white.
While both models boast a minimalist aesthetic, the absence of aluminum renders the Sonos Ace lighter and more comfortable for extended wear. Weighing in at 11 ounces compared to the AirPods Max's 13.6 ounces, the Sonos Ace offers a more comfortable experience. Even though a two-ounce difference may seem insignificant, it significantly impacts comfort. Additionally, the Sonos Ace provides a gentler fit compared to the AirPods Max, which tend to clamp tightly onto the head. As a result, wearing the Sonos Ace is generally more comfortable overall.
The Sonos Ace features ear cups crafted from memory foam enveloped in vegan leather, offering a plush and comfortable feel. In contrast, Apple's AirPods Max employ ear cups made from a mesh acoustic fabric, which purportedly enhances sound conduction compared to other materials. While the Sonos Ace's soft ear cups are likely to provide superior comfort for most users, the fabric's nature may result in slightly reduced breathability.
Regarding the headband design, Apple has engineered a u-shaped mesh headband with telescoping arms, providing durability and flexibility. Conversely, the Sonos Ace utilizes the same vegan leather material for its headband, also featuring telescoping arms for adjustability.
Neither the AirPods Max nor the Sonos Ace can be folded for compact storage. However, Sonos has taken the lead in accessory design by offering a superior case. Their case is slim, lightweight, and provides comprehensive protection for the headphones. This is in contrast to the unpopular case provided by Apple for the AirPods Max, which fails to offer full protection and has garnered criticism from users.
Both the Sonos Ace and AirPods Max deliver comparable sound quality, but Sonos gains an edge with its app offering an adjustable EQ, allowing users to fine-tune the sound to their preferences—an option lacking in the AirPods Max. Additionally, both headphones support spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, with Sonos' spatial audio performance matching the impressive standards set by Apple.
In terms of active noise cancellation (ANC) and Transparency modes, the performance of both headphones is closely aligned. While Apple's Transparency mode is considered the best in the industry, Sonos follows closely behind, providing a similarly effective experience.
Both the AirPods Max and Sonos Ace can be paired with a TV set, but the additional hardware requirements differ. To connect the AirPods Max, you'll need a $129 Apple TV, whereas for the Sonos Ace, integration with the Arc Soundbar is required, priced at $719. Although Sonos intends to extend Ace compatibility to its other soundbars, none come at a lower cost.
Both headphones seamlessly pair with iPhone, iPad, and Mac without additional accessories. However, AirPods Max offer superior connectivity thanks to features like fast switching and one-tap pairing. On the other hand, pairing the Sonos Ace can be more cumbersome, as it utilizes standard Bluetooth without automatic iCloud pairing. This means users need to manually reconnect when switching devices.
Considering battery life, the Sonos Ace has the upper hand, offering 30 hours of playback compared to the AirPods Max's 20 hours with ANC and spatial audio activated. Moreover, the Sonos Ace benefits from improved battery technology, while the AirPods Max still rely on a Lightning port, which is being phased out. Consequently, opting for the Sonos Ace, another headphone model, or waiting for the rumored USB-C refresh of the AirPods Max later in the year may be more prudent, especially for those looking to avoid prolonged dependency on the Lightning port.
Sonos positioned the Ace at a $100 lower price point compared to the AirPods Max. However, discounted offers for the AirPods Max have become more common lately. For users who can forego features like quick pairing, automatic switching, and the distinctive Apple aesthetic, opting for the Sonos Ace presents a compelling choice. The Sonos Ace delivers equivalent sound quality and active noise cancellation (ANC) while offering superior comfort.
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