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Sonos has released the Ace Ultra, an update to its original Ace headphones that keeps a similar design but overhauls internal technology. The headphones run on Sonos' new Headphone Engine 2 software, enabling 'headphone linking' that lets users send audio from Sonos speakers or turntables directly to the headphones, alongside expanded noise cancellation and EQ customization.
Sonos has released the Beam Ultra, a wider version of its compact soundbar that now supports genuine Dolby Atmos rather than simulated surround sound. The device packs five tweeters, four woofers and nine amplifiers, compared to the simpler single-tweeter setup in the previous Beam generation, and is best suited for TVs 55 inches or larger.
Sonos has outlined its official process for setting up speakers using the Sonos smartphone app, available on both the App Store and Google Play. Users must create an account, connect their speaker and device to the same Wi-Fi network, then follow in-app prompts to name the speaker's room and add further devices later through the settings menu.
WIRED's latest soundbar roundup highlights the Focal Mu-So Hekla as a standout premium option, praising its 15-speaker array, powerful bass, upfiring Dolby Atmos drivers and intuitive companion app. The guide also names honorable mentions including the Sonos Beam Gen 2 and Sony Bravia Theatre Trio, noting each device's tradeoffs in sound quality, price and expandability.
Sonos has released its Sonos 27 app update for all S2-compatible hardware, adopting a new year-based naming convention similar to iOS. The update lets pairs of portable speakers like Move 2 or Sonos Play act as rear surrounds with a compatible soundbar, introduces a redesigned navigation interface with swipe gestures and pinned rooms, and adds early-access features for headphone-speaker audio handoff and third-party AI assistant integration.
In a Decoder interview, Sonos CEO Tom Conrad, who became interim chief after the botched 2024 app redesign and took the permanent job a year ago, said the company has moved past that turmoil. He outlined the launch of Sonos 27, a new software platform meant to unify the company's speakers into a smarter, more interconnected system.
Philips Hue is rolling out Custom AI Behaviors, a feature letting users describe desired lighting automations in plain language instead of manually configuring rules. Announced at IFA alongside a new Sonos speaker integration for Hue switches, both updates arrive via a software update in November. The AI feature requires the Hue Bridge Pro's processing power to run.
Belkin's SoundForm Mini 2 wireless on-ear headphones, designed for children ages 3 and up, are currently discounted 25 percent using the code VERGE25OFF. The base model drops from $29.99 to $22.49, while the version with a zip-up carrying case falls from $39.99 to $29.99 after the code is applied.
Sonos launched its Ace Ultra headphones and Beam Ultra soundbar today, and alongside them officially named its existing software platform 'Sonos 27.' The update brings four new capabilities arriving this fall: portable surround speaker pairing, seamless headphone-to-speaker audio handoff, a conversational voice assistant called Sonos 27voice, and Sonos MCP for connecting third-party AI assistants to the system.
Sonos showcased its new $699 Beam Ultra soundbar and $449 Ace Ultra headphones at an open house event, alongside upcoming app updates. A private demo revealed the Beam Ultra's improved bass, vocal clarity, and Dolby Atmos performance using side- and top-firing drivers, plus the ability to wirelessly pair Play portable speakers as rear channels.
Sonos introduced two new Ultra-branded products: the Ace Ultra headphones priced at $449 and the Beam Ultra soundbar priced at $699, both available for pre-order now and shipping September 29. The company also rebranded its software platform as 'Sonos 27,' rolling out alongside the hardware launch.
Sonos has introduced the Beam Ultra, a premium successor to its mid-size soundbar lineup, featuring nine drivers including two upward-firing tweeters for genuine Dolby Atmos sound rather than simulated surround. Pre-orders start today ahead of a September 29 release at $699, and the device supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HDMI eARC for building out a broader home theater setup with other Sonos gear.