Ace Headphones - no system integration !!

Yup truly a shame. Though one might say that the true shame is with the company that caused these issues in the first place.  
 

Maybe you could revive the massive complaint threads with the thousand posts and people would resume posting in there? Or the mods could combine threads together to help with the volume. 

I’d like to see the ’too numerous to read’ posts and smaller threads put into the (existing) main threads and then put those under one category called ‘New Sonos App’, or something similar.

It might just help everyone to perhaps then see the wood from the trees.

I’m at the point where I’m just unsubscribing from some threads anyway, as the things being mentioned now, have mostly been said already ..and previously responded to aswell.

Sonos has tried to consolidate threads in the past, but there were howls of censorship from the people just here to watch this place burn.  Those types have an irrational fear of anything positive bubbling up to the top of the page and overtaking their hundreds of piling-on posts.  They take it very personally if even one person gets a solution to their problem or (God forbid!) seems to like the new changes. 

I’ve been a Sonos user for a few years now, I have loved its flexibility, the only downside (especially since lock down) was the lack of headphones option. I have been keeping an eye out for Sonos to enter the market, firstly hoping they would whilst understanding why it posed a difficulty - as headphones enable someone to have a minimal Sonos network then I got excited as rumours emerged that Sonos had acquired patents etc and were entering the market, I held off on buying new headphones, probably for a few years.

I had Bluetooth headphones that I could connect to other devices, but I wanted Sonos ones to connect to my music catalogue, without a device and especially be able to play my vinyl through them.

Anyhow fast forward to receiving notification this week that they were soon to be available! I pre-ordered excited by the prospect. Then I read the scant reviews (as they are not ‘available’ yet) my excitement turned to disbelief that these weren’t actually Sonos headphones in terms of the system, there were effectively Bluetooth headphones to connect to other devices. I still can’t believe it!

I cancelled the order with a hint of sadness I must admit. That sadness turned into disappointment last night when reading community posts. So today I have been looking into alternatives I knew were there but I didn’t entertain as I was waiting for the Sonos solution. Anyhow £50 later I have a splitter box taking my vinyl output to either the Sonos amp or to my new Bluetooth transmitter. £50 is hardly audiophile quality but as a proof of concept it’s working - I’m listening to vinyl on Bluetooth headphones, just sadly without my Sonos. 
 

In terms of revenue stream I’m probably not a huge loss for Sonos although I jumped at buying the product - what this situation has done is that is that has made me look at alternatives, which I was happy not to do previously, I was happy to pay over the odds because I wanted the integrated system. 

Anything with the name “sonos” should certainly work with their system. This is not a lost opportunity, it is a complete waste of time and bait-switch. Total fail. Useless. As expensive as my Apple Max headphones without any of the capabilities. I’ve wanted Sonos-direct headphones for beside my bed forever … the wife doesn’t like the sound on TV and every solution I’ve tried thus far has been ineffective. If they’d done this right, I’d have purchased a few pairs in preorder sight unseen.

Oh and yes I agree, the new app is a total pile of schnit and makes me push way more buttons for even less convenience. Why are the product developers so deaf? 

This feedback is spot on. Should have been /should be easily doable. Would have expected operation similar to the Move, with both Wifi and blue tooth connectivity. What a lost opportunity.

Otherwise these are just another set of blue tooth noise cancelling headphones that sound as good as they can. The problem is this is an already crowded market. The Sonos product doesn't really jump out...

The Move battery weighs more than the headphones themselves.  Not saying that’s the reason, but comparing the headphones to the Roam is probably a better comparison. 

There is a post somewhere which I can't find again saying that the Sonos board are betting the company on the new headphones. 

Based on this review from a pretty well-regarded journal I wouldn't be putting my money on that 

https://www.whathifi.com/advice/sonos-ace-vs-bose-quietcomfort-ultra-headphones-how-do-they-compare

The conclusion was "No contest" on all four criteria they assessed. In favour of Bose. 

'Nuff said.

WhatHiFi is one of the last reviews I would trust.  They are an “audiophile” site, full of flowery prose and not much more.  They are also beholden to the companies that take out shiny ads on their pages.  I would sooner trust Consumer Reports, or some of the more independent YouTube reviewers than that old school bastion of audiophile press. 

Moderator Note: Modified in accordance with the Community Code of Conduct.

This sort of review must worry the punters…

https://www.whathifi.com/advice/sonos-ace-vs-bose-quietcomfort-ultra-headphones-how-do-they-compare

They found Bose to be the winner on every criterion they looked at. No contest.

What Hi-Fi are not ‘well regarded’ 😂. Quite the opposite.

Atlas Equator Optical review | What Hi-Fi? (whathifi.com)

‘Its presentation is composed, giving the music a feel of confidence.

But the experience feels a little flat, because the cable robs the bass of drive and takes out some of the excitement.’

It’s a TOSlink cable. It’s digital. It can’t ‘rob the bass of drive’, because all it’s doing is sending a binary signal from one device to another. Whoever told you that What Hi-Fi is ‘well regarded’ is a mug.

@jreddaway Here’s another cracker for you from the What Hi-Fi gang:

Wireworld Stratus 52 review | What Hi-Fi? (whathifi.com)

Connect this cable to a TV, and the image is sharper, bolder and more detailed.

The improvement over the standard cables provided with TVs is clear, as is the Wireworld's obvious advantage over all but the very best at this price level. This is a great cable for the money and well worth a punt.

It’s a mains cable…

‘Well regarded’, he says!

Yes, any publication that describes the output of digital audio cables (or any cable properly made) with the words “confidence”, “drive” or “excitement” isn’t worthy of lining a birdcage. 

“No contest” indeed, if you don’t count the contest of who can write the most unscientific audio review meant to suck in the gullible with ridiculous claims.  WhatHiFi and Stereophile are living proof that a fool and his money are soon parted. 

Whilst I get your point about What Hifi and their imaginative cable reviews. I get the impression that any publication that gives the ACE a bad review would be put on the ‘not to be trusted list’ whilst any posting positive reviews will be a thoroughly respected journals beyond question.

Not true at all.  If Consumer Reports gave it a bad review, I’d certainly trust them.  At least as much as I trust them for any other specialty electronics (meaning sometimes they test things outside their areas of expertise).  A legit objective testing site or compiled reviews of all types of users via Amazon or AVS and other enthusiasts’ forums would be trusted also.  What I’m not trusting are places like WhatHiFi and Stereophile, which are known snake oil peddlers with an obvious pattern of talking up their advertisers (and they don’t even try to hide it).

If you read my previous comments, you'll see that I'm hardly a fan of the Ace as it currently stands.

However, any criticism (or praise) of the Ace should be objective and impartial. What Hi-Fi are neither, and therefore their opinions should be disregarded.

I won't consider buying the Ace until I've read a positive review from RTings and Sonos implement full Android functionality. Although, I suspect the lack of BT codec support has already convinced me that these are not a good buy.

I understand your frustration entirely. The lack of Sonos integration with the new Ace headphones is a real letdown, especially considering expectations for seamless integration within the Sonos ecosystem. Here's what we know:

• Current Status: As of now, Sonos Ace headphones don't integrate with the Sonos system like other Sonos speakers.
• Possible Reasons: There could be technical limitations or a future roadmap for integration, but Sonos hasn't officially commented.

While I can't guarantee future plans, here are some things to consider:

• Sonos Communication: You could check Sonos' social media or website for updates on potential future integration.
• Alternative Uses: The Ace headphones might still be a good option for general Bluetooth listening.
• Exploring Other Options: There might be headphone brands offering both good sound quality and Sonos integration.

It's important to voice your disappointment to Sonos. You can contact their support or leave feedback on their website to express your desire for future integration.

Hopefully, with enough user feedback, Sonos might reconsider integration in the future.

I don't suspect that the Ace Mk1's will ever integrate with the larger Sonos ecosystem, because I don't think they're capable of doing so.

The Ace has a WiFi chip that is specifically designed to receive an audio stream from the Arc soundbar, and Bluetooth chip for traditional Bluetooth duties. 

What it doesn't have, is a dedicated Sonos controller chip to enable it to act as a standalone speaker in a Sonos setup. The WiFi hardware inside the Ace almost certainly isn't capable of Internet connectivity.

Every Sonos audio output device (besides the Ace) is a self-contained 'node' in a sonos system. They have Internet connectivity and can connect to and receive data via your network access point completely independently. The Ace cannot, and without that connectivity, it essentially can only act as a client to another Sonos device (the Arc).

I suspect it's something Sonos could perhaps introduce if they ever decide to make an Ace Mk2, but I certainly don't think we'll ever see it with the current model.