Sonos Ace vs AirPods Max

Sonos has launched its first headphones they usually compete straight with Apple’s AirPods Max. So what do you get with the Sonos over-ears? Right here’s an in depth comparability of specs, options, battery life, and extra for Sonos Ace vs AirPods Max.

Sonos Ace vs AirPods Max

Audio specs

Each Sonos and Apple tout high-fidelity, wealthy audio because of customized 40 mm dynamic drivers for every ear together with sturdy lively noise cancellation and transparency modes.

And each firms spotlight their over-ear headphones mix customized {hardware} and software program to ship the most effective sound doable.

Sonos wins for Lossless help whereas Apple says it provides partial Lossless help.

	Sonos Ace	AirPods Max
Drivers	40 mm dynamic	40 mm dynamic
Mics	8	9
Energetic noise cancellation	✅	✅
Ambient mode	Conscious mode	Transparency mode
Dolby Atmos/Spatial audio	✅	✅
Dynamic head monitoring	✅	✅
Lossless	✅ (requires wired connection for iOS)	Type of with wired connection
EQ	Modify through Sonos app	Adaptive EQ
TV audio sharing	Sure with choose Sonos soundbars	Sure with Apple TV
Audio sharing	❌	✅ (stream audio with two units of AirPods

When you have an Apple TV, AirPods Max pair seamlessly, with Sonos Ace to make use of TV handoff, you want a appropriate Sonos soundbar just like the Arc or Arc SL (quickly Beam 1/2 and Ray).

Design

Each of those over-ear headphones characteristic premium designs. Sonos makes use of a vegan leather-based, material/foam, and steel combine whereas AirPods Max makes use of steel, material/foam, and largely skips the plastic.

Sonos Ace are simply accessible in two matte finishes: Gentle White and Black.

AirPods Max are available in 5 colours: House Grey, Silver, Pink, Inexperienced, and Sky Blue.

I/O

Sonos Ace is forward of the older AirPods Max with USB-C and Bluetooth 5.4. Nevertheless, there’s no native voice management, so AirPods Max win there with Siri/Hey Siri help.

	Sonos Ace	AirPods Max
Port	USB-C	Lightning
Bluetooth	5.4	5.0
WiFi help	❌	❌
Wired help	✅	✅
Voice management	–	Siri/Hey Siri
Bodily controls	Energy/Bluetooth button, Content material Key, and Noise Management button	Digital Crown and Noise management button
Good sensing	✅ auto-pause	✅ auto-pause (optical, place, and case-detect sensors, accelerometer, and gyroscope

Sonos Ace include each a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-C to three.5 mm twine. AirPods Max include a Lightning to USB-C cable, however fees $35 for the mandatory Lightning to three.5 mm bi-directional cable.

Neither Sonos Ace nor AirPods Max characteristic listening to music over WiFi.

Battery life

Sonos Ace goes past AirPods Max for each battery life and quick charging:

	Sonos Ace	AirPods Max
With ANC	As much as 30 hours	As much as 20 hours
Discuss time	24 hours	As much as 20 hours
Quick cost	3 min = 3 hours listening	5 min = 1.5 hours listening

Weight and dimensions

With extra plastic vs steel within the design, Sonos Ace are a few ounces lighter than AirPods Max. For dimensions, the 2 are virtually equivalent.

	Sonos Ace	AirPods Max
Weight	11.04 ounces (312 grams)	13.6 ounces (384.8 grams)
Width	6.3 inches (160 mm)	6.64 inches (168.6 mm)
Top	7.52 inches (191 mm)	7.37 inches (187.3 mm)
Depth	3.35 inches (85 mm)	3.28 inches (83.4 mm)

Worth

Sonos Ace are $100 lower than AirPods Max on the full retail value.

Nevertheless, on the time of writing, Apple is doing a limited-time low cost to match the $449 value of Sonos Ace.

Tidbits

Sonos Ace include a nicer, hardshell journey case (plus cable pouch) whereas AirPods Max include a slim cover-style case that leaves the headscarf uncovered.

AirPods Max first launched in 2020 and haven’t seen an replace. The most recent we’ve heard is that Apple may do a minor replace in 2024 – preserving the whole lot the identical aside from swapping the Lightning port for a USB-C.

Sonos Ace vs AirPods Max conclusion

Determining which ANC over-ear headphones are greatest for you between these two will probably come right down to how necessary Apple ecosystem integration is. Options like Siri, audio sharing, Apple TV connectivity, and extra are tempting for Apple customers.

In the meantime, Sonos Ace has longer battery life, up to date connectivity like Bluetooth 5.4 and full Lossless help, are lighter on the top, and include a nicer journey case and the cable for wired listening out of the field.

The Sonos Ace can be found for pre-order now from Sonos at $449. AirPods Max usually promote for $549 however are on a limited-time sale for $449.

Which over-ears are extra compelling to you? Share your ideas within the feedback!

And keep tuned for our full assessment of the Sonos Ace coming quickly!