Sonos Ace Ultra headphones review: Comfy, versatile, and a little odd

The Sonos Ace Ultra headphones arrive as a premium successor to the original Sonos Ace, featuring a refined design and new custom-engineered drivers. While the headphones offer excellent comfort and seamless integration with existing Sonos speaker systems, the audio performance presents a peculiar quirk. The sound profile shifts dramatically depending on the listening mode; the audio quality is rich and full when active noise cancellation or aware mode is enabled, but becomes notably flat and thin when these features are turned off. Despite this oddity, the headphones maintain a sleek, lightweight aesthetic and include thoughtful design touches like color-coded ear cups. For users already embedded in the Sonos ecosystem, the ability to swap audio between speakers and headphones remains a standout feature. However, those seeking a neutral, high-fidelity experience without digital processing may find the performance inconsistent compared to other premium noise-cancelling competitors.