Sonos Ace Ultra at $449: Better Where It Counts, With a Case Zipper Still Broken

My verdict: a real upgrade on paper, and I have not tried either pair, so I cannot tell you it is worth $449.

The Ace Ultra costs $449, which is what the original Ace cost at launch. For that price Sonos changed the parts that mattered. There are ten microphones for noise cancellation, up from eight, and Sonos claims it is up to twice as effective. Battery life with noise cancellation on rises to 35 hours. There are new 40 mm drivers with stronger bass, Bluetooth 6.0, and an expanded equalizer. A 9to5Mac hands-on says the one complaint left untouched is the case, whose closure still sticks.

The battery is also replaceable now. Sonos lists a replacement kit for about $25. I do not fully understand why several brands are moving to swappable batteries at once. I do not think it is a wrong decision. But with any design choice like this I always ask what was given up to get it, and I did not find a documented sacrifice. Reviews should answer that, so read them for weight and build before you pay.

On price against function, my own position has not changed: studio headphones remain the best value for the money in my view. The Ace Ultra at least spends its price on things you can use, and a replaceable battery makes a pair easier to keep for years.

If you skipped the original waiting for it to mature, this is the version that answers the complaints. Check recent reviews for noise cancellation and comfort, and check the current price. The sources are linked below.