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Sonos is set to broaden its product lineup, enter a new competitive arena with its much-awaited Sonos Ace headphones, and refresh its portable speaker range with the Sonos Roam 2.
Sonos Roam 2 Improvements Unveiled
Exclusive images and details obtained by The Verge reveal that the Sonos Roam 2 retains the design language of its predecessor and features a new, color-matched Sonos logo.
This is the Sonos Roam 2 portable speaker https://t.co/nkgIra5t9K
— The Verge (@verge) May 7, 2024
It also introduces functional upgrades, including a dedicated Bluetooth pairing button. These changes address user feedback on connectivity and usability, making the Roam 2 more consumer-friendly than the original. It faced criticism for battery and operational issues.
Additionally, the Roam 2 maintains physical control buttons, dismissing earlier speculations of a capacitive volume slider, which could have compromised its utility in wet conditions like showers.
While excitement builds around the new releases, Sonos faces the challenge of overcoming mixed reviews of the first-gen Roam, which some consumers found disappointing.
The community’s vocal dissatisfaction on platforms like Reddit highlights the importance of Roam 2’s improvements. Sonos’s strategy appears focused on refining its offerings to better meet consumer expectations.
Sonos’ First Wireless Headphones
The first images of Sonos’ debut wireless headphones, the Sonos Ace, have been revealed.
Leaked by an authorized German reseller, Schuurman, and spotted by observant fans, the images showcase the headphones’ stylish design and suggest some of the innovative features of the Sonos Ace. For instance, they show several buttons on each ear cup and a toggle switch, suggesting extensive user control and customization options.
The build quality indicates a premium product, consistent with the expected price of around USD 430 as listed on Schuurman’s website (€403.58).
Images show that the headphones come with both a headphone and USB C cable. However, it is not immediately clear what the little black box under the case is. It might be a wire case, but we will only know once the headphones are officially released.
Further lending credibility to the leaks, fans of the brand on the Sonos subreddit discovered an early mention of the Ace on the Sonos website itself. A prompt in the search bar suggested the possibility of preordering the yet-to-be-announced headphones, serving as an unintended confirmation from the company.
Additionally, sonosace.com now redirects users to the main Sonos homepage.
The Ace’s Speculated Selling Points
The Sonos Ace headphones are expected to make a notable entry into the premium wireless headphone market, especially through their integration within the Sonos ecosystem. Here are the anticipated unique selling points based on speculations ahead of the official release:
Seamless Integration with Sonos Ecosystem: The Sonos Ace headphones are expected to offer smooth connectivity with other Sonos products. This would allow users to enjoy continuous audio playback across various devices and even transfer TV audio to the headphones when connected to Sonos soundbars. This feature would be ideal for those who want to enjoy excellent audio without causing noise disturbances at home.
Advanced Audio Features:
- Superior Sound Quality: With Sonos’ well-known capability for producing rich and detailed sound, the Sonos Ace headphones are anticipated to provide an equally immersive audio experience.
- Active Noise Cancellation: These headphones are speculated to include state-of-the-art noise cancellation technology, with adjustable settings to tailor sound output to different environments.
- Additional Capabilities: Other expected features might include spatial audio and sound customization through an app, enhancing the overall user experience and making these headphones competitive with other high-end models.
Market Context and Competitive Analysis
As the Sonos Ace headphones prepare to enter a market dominated by well-established brands like Apple, Sony, and Sennheiser, they are positioned in the high-end price segment at around $450. This places them in direct competition with:
- Apple’s AirPods Max: Priced at about $549, known for their smooth integration with Apple devices and features like spatial audio and dynamic head tracking.
- Sony’s WH-1000XM Series: At approximately $350, these are acclaimed for excellent noise cancellation and battery life, offering a more affordable yet quality alternative.
- Sennheiser’s Momentum Series: Similarly priced to the Sonos Ace, these are praised for their outstanding sound quality and craftsmanship.
Sonos’s advantage lies in its ability to integrate seamlessly with the Sonos home audio system, appealing to existing Sonos users and those wanting a cohesive audio setup across devices.
