The Sonos Ace have a flat design, which gives them a distinct look. Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET
The first-ever Sonos headphones gave tough competition to the Sony XM5s and Bose QC Ultras of the world when they launched in 2024. And after a year of release, the Sonos Ace headphones have held up really well. I find myself going back to them, even after using the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). And this Black Friday discount makes the Sonos Ace the best deal I've seen so far.
Sonos is offering a 30% discount on its ever-so-reliable headphones. The Sonos Ace are now available at an all-time low price of $279 -- down from $399, which is $50 less than the $449 launch price. So, you are getting $170 off from the 2024 price. This is not only the best Black Friday deal for Sonos soundbar users like me but also for those who are looking for a pair of flagship headphones, but don't want to spend over $350 on the 2025 models.
Also: Best Black Friday headphones deals
Why I keep coming back to the Sonos Ace headphones
Sonos Ace have colored meshes inside the earcups. Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET
I have worn and carried the Sonos Ace in my backpack often since their mid-2024 release. I love the vibrant, lively, and dynamic sound with a strong bass and treble response. They aren't as bass-heavy as the Sony XM6 and have a wider soundstage than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. As my colleague Jada Jones says, "The Ace don't sound as detailed as the Sony XM6, but their bold sound profile has a cinematic feel primed for enjoying music, movies, and TV shows."
Moreover, they look great while doing so. I have the White model, and it looks classy. The Bose QC Ultra 2 in White look more elegant, but Sonos Ace's flat earcups have a distinct look to them. They are modern and stylish, yet easy to use. There are several design choices that make them intuitive in usage. For instance, the mesh inside the magnetic earpads has color accents to indicate left and right, so I don't have to look for L or R.
I also love the button controls on my Sonos Ace. On the right earcup, you get a Content key, which controls volume (up and down) and playback (single/double/triple press). It is accompanied by a round ANC control button for toggling between active noise cancellation and aware mode. The left earcup houses a slim, elongated Power button and a USB-C port for charging and music playback.
Also: Why I still recommend the Sonos Ace over competing models
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