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The Sonos Ace Ultra is a worthwhile refinement of the original Ace, not a redesign. In Expert Reviews’ UK review, published 22 September 2026, Jonathan Bray found fuller, warmer sound, improved noise cancellation and more comfortable ear cushions. At the review price of £399, it makes most sense if sound and comfort matter more to you than getting the strongest possible ANC for less.
What changes with the Sonos Ace Ultra?
The Ace Ultra keeps the original Ace’s restrained appearance, low-profile earcups and physical controls. Most of the changes are inside or under the ear cushions.
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- Redesigned drivers: the review specifies 40 mm drivers and describes a warmer, fuller presentation than the first Ace.
- Denser, reshaped cushions: the magnetic ear cushions have denser padding and a changed inner shape. Bray found the headphones comfortable and preferred their fit and build.
- Relocated wear sensor: Sonos moved the sensor lower, with the aim of making automatic pause and resume more reliable.
- Updated software and battery: the Ace Ultra adds an advanced eight-band EQ and is reported to last 35 hours with ANC enabled.
Bray says the battery is apparently user-replaceable, but reports no easy way to dismantle the earcups. The review’s 35-hour battery figure is a published product claim, not an independently established measurement in the material available here.
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Bray describes the Ace Ultra as fuller and warmer than its predecessor, with stronger bass presence and more textured mids. That gives the Sonos an engaging, bass-forward character. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the better fit if you prefer tighter separation between mid-bass instruments in busy mixes; the review gives Sony the edge on that point.
#1 Best Overall
- HEADPHONES | Featuring Dolby Atmos.
- SPATIAL AUDIO | Enjoy an industry-leading Dolby Atmos experience with dynamic head tracking.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO | Stream lossless audio over Bluetooth or via USB-C.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION | World-class ANC neutralizes external sounds for maximum immersion.
- ALL-DAY COMFORT | Bespoke fit with plush memory foam, soft vegan leather, and a design that suits all head shapes, hairstyles, and accessories.
The review lists SBC, AAC, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX Adaptive Low Latency and aptX HD over Bluetooth 5. For wired listening, Bray says USB-C can deliver CD-quality 16-bit/48 kHz audio without Bluetooth compression. The Sonos app’s eight-band EQ offers more adjustment than the original bass, mid and treble controls, but Bray notes it has no presets.
How effective are noise cancellation and transparency?
Bray heard a clear improvement in ANC over the original Ace, attributing it to the denser cushions, more secure fit and revised noise-cancellation processing. Even so, the review says both the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Apple AirPods Max 2 reduce noise more effectively.
Rank #2
- INCREDIBLE SOUND: Custom acoustic platform delivers rich, balanced audio for music, calls and everyday listening.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO SUPPORT: USB-C lossless audio and sound profiles optimize music quality across devices and environments. Additional option to use the 3.5 mm cable for a standard analog experience.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLING (ANC): block distractions at work, on flights or during your daily commute. Or use Transparency mode to let the sounds of your environment mix in with your music.
- SEAMLESS WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: One-touch pairing with Apple & Android for easy switching across devices.
- SPATIAL AUDIO IMMERSION: Personalized dynamic head tracking, 360-degree sound for movies, music and immersive everyday listening.
The Ace Ultra does not offer an equivalent to Sony’s automatic Adaptive Sound Control, according to the review. Its ambient pass-through sounded natural to Bray. Sidetone lets you hear your own voice during calls while ANC is on; it is a call feature, not an automatic adjustment to changing surroundings.
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What is call quality like?
In Bray’s subjective assessment, the microphones suppress enough background noise to keep speech understandable without unduly compromising voice quality. They do not remove all background noise, so the Ace Ultra should not be treated as a guarantee of clean calls in a noisy place.
Rank #3
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Effortlessly combines noise cancellation technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
- COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES: Plush over-ear cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your studio headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
- 2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
- HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO/EQ CONTROL: Supercharge your favorite tracks with high-fidelity audio and Adjustable EQ that puts you in control of the bass, mid-range, and treble for unmatched bold sound
- ALL DAY BATTERY LIFE: Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones provide up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge, plus a 15-minute charge via USB-C gives you up to 2.5 hours of additional play time
How does Sonos speaker linking work?
The review connects headphone linking to Sonos 27 and Fabric technology. After setup in the Sonos app, audio can move between the headphones and a nearby compatible speaker. The named compatible models are Move 2, Play and Arc Ultra.
In Bray’s launch-period test using Move 2 and Beam Ultra, handoff took five to seven seconds and worked reliably when operated correctly. However, the feature was in early access: Apple Music played over AirPlay or Bluetooth did not transfer as expected in his tests, and the interface did not explain why. Those observations describe the review’s test, not a permanent compatibility guarantee.
Rank #4
- Intelligent Noise Cancellation Adapts with You: Our Nothing headphone 1 feature advanced Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, powered by next-gen processors and adaptive mics, to block out distractions. Smart Adaptive Mode automatically adjusts to your environment, while Transparency Mode lets in ambient sound when you need awareness. Personalize your experience with four ANC settings (High/Mid/Low/Adaptive) for truly focused, crystal-clear listening
- Nothing x KEF Headphone (1) : Nothing Headphone (1) experience audio perfected through a unique partnership with British audio legend KEF. Leveraging over 60 years of acoustic expertise, Nothing Noise Cancelling Headphone delivers a naturally balanced sound stage where every note shines as artists intended. Enjoy unparalleled flexibility with Hi-Res Audio support including LDAC technology, USB-C audio, and a 3.5mm jack. Dual Connection capability lets you seamlessly switch between two devices
- Uninterrupted Audio with Immersive Sound: Engineered for all-day use, Nothing Headphones 1 deliver up to 80 hours of playtime (35 hours with ANC on). A quick 5-minute charge provides 5 hours of power. Coupled with this endurance is a lossless audio experience, Nothing Wireless Headphones offer Spatial Audio with head tracking and Hi-Res Wireless certification for exceptional clarity and a deeply immersive sound stage
- Sink In, Take Control: Designed for all-day wear, Nothing Bluetooth Wireless Headphone ergonomic frame and memory foam cushions provide a comfortable, secure fit. The Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphone features intuitive roller and paddle interface puts volume adjustment, playback, and noise mode switching at your fingertips, with full customization available in the Nothing X app. This thoughtful integration of form and function ensures a continuously surround sound Journey
- Explore the Nothing X app: Craft your unique audio profile with the Nothing X app's advanced 8-band equalizer.Tailor your Nothing Headphone 1 with Adaptive ANC settings and enhance depth with the Ultra Bass mode. Customize your Bluetooth active noise canceling headphones' touch buttons to execute your most-used commands instantly
Sonos Ace Ultra vs Sony WH-1000XM6 vs AirPods Max 2
The prices below are the UK figures cited in Expert Reviews’ September 2026 review, not current retailer quotes. Prices and feature availability may change.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems| Headphones | UK price in the review | What the review favors | Best fit by priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonos Ace Ultra | £399 | Fuller, warmer sound and comfort; ANC improved over the original Ace | Listeners willing to pay more for Sonos’s sound character and fit |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Typically £50 less than the Ace Ultra at the time of the review | Stronger noise reduction and better mid-bass separation | Shoppers prioritising lower cost and maximum ANC |
| Apple AirPods Max 2 | £499 | Stronger noise reduction; the review recommends them for iPhone users seeking sound quality and ANC | People invested in the iPhone ecosystem who accept greater weight and weaker battery life |
The review also says the first Sonos Ace launched at £450 in 2024. That historical launch price is context, not a current comparison of what either model costs in shops.
Should you buy the Sonos Ace Ultra?
Buy the Ace Ultra if the original’s sound and fit appeal to you, but you want a fuller presentation, better ANC than the first model and more comfortable cushions. The update is meaningful without changing the familiar design.
Choose the Sony WH-1000XM6 instead if saving money and getting the strongest noise cancellation are your priorities. Consider the AirPods Max 2 if you use an iPhone and value its sound and ANC enough to accept the weight and battery trade-offs. For the Ace Ultra, the £399 figure is the UK review price, so check a retailer for today’s price before deciding.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
