Sonos Ace Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones User Manual

Sonos Ace Noise-Cancelling Wireless Headphones

Safety Instructions

1. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with a dry soft cloth.
2. Household cleaners or solvents can damage the finish on your Sonos components.
3. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Protect the power cable from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
5. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
6. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
7. Refer all servicing to Sonos qualified service personnel.
8. Do not expose batteries (battery pack or batteries installed) to excessive heat, such as sunshine or fire.
9. This unit is not waterproof. Do not expose liquids, either dripping or splashing.
10. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that produce heat.

Overview

Sonos Ace has been expertly crafted and tuned for a personal listening experience unlike any other.

• A new personal best for sound. The custom-designed drivers render each frequency with superior precision and clarity. Experience a deeper connection to your content when you stream lossless and spatial audio.
• All the sounds you want, none of the noise you don’t. World-class Active Noise Cancellation pinpoints and neutralizes external sounds for maximum immersion. Turn on Aware Mode to hear what’s going on around you.
• A battery that lasts and charges ultra-fast. Listen or talk for up to 30 hours with Active Noise Cancellation enabled. Get 3 hours of battery life with a quick 3-minute charge using the included USB-C cable.
• The most precise and immersive home theater experience. Instantly swap TV audio from a compatible Sonos soundbar to Sonos Ace and feel transported to your own private theater. Spatial audio with Dolby Atmos envelops you in dramatically detailed sound from all directions, and dynamic head tracking turns listening into a uniquely interactive experience (iOS only).
• Obsessively crafted for comfort. Plush memory foam ear cushions create an exceptional acoustic seal and minimize pressure. The extendable stainless steel headband and rotating ear cups adjust for a bespoke fit.

What’s in the box?

• Sonos Ace Product
• Travel case with removable cable pouch
• USB-C to USB-C cable 2.46 ft (0.75 m)
• USB-C to 3.5 mm cable 3.94 ft (1.2 m)
• Documentation: Quickstart Guide and legal/warranty information

Controls, Lights, and Ports

Content Key

Playback

• Play/Pause: Press once to pause or resume streaming content.
• Next: Double-press
• Previous: Triple press
• Volume: Slide up or down. Slide and hold to quickly change the volume.

Requirements 

Audio source

• Supported Bluetooth device, such as a smartphone

Power source

• USB-C power adapter and a nearby electrical outlet for charging

Home theater

TV Audio Swap: After you set up TV Audio Swap in the Sonos app, press and hold to swap audio with your soundbar

Noise Control/Voice Control

Noise control

• Press to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Aware Mode.

Voice control

• Press and hold to activate the voice assistant on your device. You’ll hear a tone when it’s ready to listen.

Status light

• Indicates battery level, charging state, Bluetooth connection, and signals product updates and errors. It turns off when you’re wearing your Sonos Ace.

Power/Bluetooth

Power on/off 

• Press and hold (about 3 seconds) to power on your headphones. You’ll hear a tone when they’re ready to use.
• Press and hold (about 3 seconds) to power off. You’ll hear a tone as they power off.

Bluetooth pairing

1. Press and hold (about 7 seconds) to put your headphones into Bluetooth pairing mode. Hold past the “power down” tone (first tone) until you hear the “Bluetooth” tone (second tone) and the light blinks blue.
2. Go to the device’s Bluetooth settings and select your headphones from the list of found devices.

Factory Reset

If you want to set up your Sonos Ace like new, you can factory reset your product to clear all of its settings and previously paired Bluetooth devices.

1. Make sure your Sonos Ace is powered on.
2. Press and hold the Power/Bluetooth button.
3. While holding, plug your Sonos Ace into power.

The status light will flash white when your headphones have been reset.

USB-C port

Charging

Use a USB-C to USB-C cable (included) and a compliant USB-C power adapter (not included), and listen to Bluetooth audio while you charge.

Line-in

You can plug your headphones into an audio device in two ways:

• USB-C to 3.5 mm cable (included). Useful for in-flight entertainment and devices without wireless capabilities. Note: Not compatible with third-party cables.
• USB-C to USB-C cable (included). Adds functionality to the line-in experience, like content control and phone calls.

Bluetooth is disabled when Sonos Ace is connected to a device with a USB-C cable. The light will show solid white.

Adjust the Fit

Sonos Ace underwent extensive wear testing, with thoughtful consideration for different head shapes, head sizes, hairstyles, and accessories, to ensure comfort for as long as you’re listening. The stainless steel headband smoothly extends and stays securely in place. Inside the ear cup, an innovative mechanism allows for precise adjustment to equalize pressure and create an exceptional acoustic seal. To get the most out of your Sonos Ace, your headphones must fit comfortably:

• Before you put them on, make sure each ear cup is on the correct side.
• A contrasting interior color differentiates the right cup so you instantly know how to orient Sonos Ace.
• You should be able to use the Content Key with your right hand.
• Try on your Sonos Ace. Your ears should be centered and comfortably surrounded by the ear cushions.
• Extend or shorten the arms of the headband as needed by pulling the ear cup down or pushing it up.

Ear cushion replacement

Ear cushions can be easily replaced if they wear out over time. Each cushion is securely held in place by magnets, but can be removed with a light pull. When reattaching an ear cushion, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Make sure both cushions are on the correct sides. Look for the L (left) and the R (right).
• Before replacing a cushion, wipe the surface with a clean, dry cloth to make sure it’s free of dust and debris.
• The ear cushions will automatically snap into place.\

Bluetooth Pairing

Before you start, make sure your Sonos Ace is powered on, and Bluetooth is enabled on the device you want to pair your Sonos Ace with.

Light/Description

• Solid white: Powered on, not connected to a Bluetooth device.
• Solid blue: Powered on, connected to a device via Bluetooth.
• Blinking blue: Powered on, searching for a Bluetooth device. 

Multipoint

You can connect your Sonos Ace to 2 Bluetooth devices and automatically switch between audio streams. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both of your devices. In the Sonos app:

1. Go to System Settings.
2. Select your Sonos Ace.
3. Navigate to Bluetooth, then toggle 2 Device Connections on or off.

Head tracking for Bluetooth.

Sonos Intelligent Motion Processing with Dolby Head Tracking is available during Bluetooth playback. This industry-leading Dolby Atmos experience surrounds you in hyperrealistic sound with different elements of the music coming from points around your head. You can enable or disable Head Tracking in the Sonos app:

1. Go to System Settings.
2. Select your Sonos Ace under Headphones.
3. Navigate to Sound, then toggle Head Tracking on or off

Power and Charging

Use a USB-C to USB-C cable (included) and a compliant power adapter (not included; 15 W recommended). While your Sonos Ace is connected to a power adapter, you can continue listening to a Bluetooth-connected device.

• Flashing Orange: Between 0% and 10% battery remaining
• Low battery: When the battery level reaches 10% power, you’ll hear a tone and the status light will flash orange.

Charging

After connecting your Sonos Ace to power.

1. The status light shows solid orange when your headphones are plugged in and charging.
2. The status light will show solid green when your headphones are plugged in and reach full charge.

• Solid orange: Plugged in and charging normally. Below 100% charge.
• Solid green: 100% battery. You can unplug your headphones.
• Flashing red: Charging error. Unplug your headphones from the power.

Rapid charging

When your Sonos Ace reaches 10% power or lower, you can utilize rapid charging to quickly recharge. Rapid charging gives you 3 hours of playback in just 3 minutes. Use the included USB-C to USB-C cable and a compliant USB-C power adapter (not included) to charge your headphones:

• 0% to 10% in 3 minutes.
• 10% through 100% normal charging speed (full power in up to 3 hours)

TV Audio Swap

Instantly swap TV audio from a compatible Sonos soundbar to your Sonos Ace and feel enveloped in exhilarating surround sound and spatial audio. Use the Sonos app (iOS only) to set up the connection between your Sonos Ace and a compatible soundbar. Make sure your products are up to date and that the WiFi is enabled before using TV Audio Swap.

Set up from the Home screen.

Before you start, make sure your Sonos Ace remains powered on and within 30 ft (9.1 m) of your Sonos soundbar during TV Audio Swap.

1. Go to the Sonos app.
2. Target your Sonos Ace from the system view.
3. Select Set Up on the Home screen to get started.
4. After the TV Audio Swap is set up, select Swap to connect to the soundbar.

Set up from Settings

1. Go to the Sonos app.
2. Go to System Settings, then select your Sonos Ace.
3. Select + Add TV Audio Swap to get started. Select Swap Back to end a TV Audio Swap session.

Features and Settings

During a TV Audio Swap, you can listen with Spatial Audio and dynamic Head Tracking for the most immersive experience possible.

Voice Control

If your Sonos Ace is connected to a Bluetooth device that has a built-in voice assistant, you can activate it using the Noise Control/Voice Assistant button, located on the right ear cup. Press and hold the Noise Control/Voice Control button to activate your device’s voice assistant. You should hear a tone when it’s ready to listen.

Here are a few things you can do with your device’s voice assistant on Sonos Ace

• Ask to play specific playlists, albums, podcasts, and more from a variety of apps.
• Start, stop, and skip songs.
• Ask for the weather forecast.
• Search the web.
• Answer and end phone calls.

Phone calls

Microphones target your voice and suppress background noise to produce crystal clear audio during phone and video calls.

Receiving a call

Answer a call

• Press the Content Key once to answer an incoming call. You’ll hear a tone when the call connects successfully.
• Wear Detection enabled: When you’re getting a call, put on your headphones to answer automatically. You can enable Wear to Answer in Settings.

Enable Wear to Answer

1. Go to System Settings.
2. Select your Sonos Ace under Headphones.
3. Navigate to Hardware Controls, then select Wear Detection.
4. Toggle Wear to Answer on or off.

Decline a call

• Press and hold the Content Key to decline an incoming call. You’ll hear a tone when the call is declined.

During a call

End call

• Press the Content Key once to end an active call. You’ll hear a tone when the call ends.

Take off Sonos Ace

• Wear Detection enabled: Call audio will switch from your headphones to your Bluetooth device.

Wear detection

Sonos Ace uses sensors in the ear cups to detect if it’s on your head and ready to use. When you take it off, Sonos Ace pauses your content so you don’t miss a second. Sonos Ace will turn off after 30 minutes of inactivity. Wear Detection is enabled by default. You can disable it in the Sonos app:

1. Go to System Settings
2. Select your Sonos Ace under Headphones.
3. Select Wear Detection, then toggle Wear Detection on or off.

Play/Pause

• Content pauses when you take your headphones off and resumes when you put them back on.

Phone calls

Enable in System Settings. When you’re getting a call, put on your Sonos Ace to answer automatically. When you take off Sonos Ace during a call, the call will continue out loud on your phone/mobile device.

Product settings

Use the Sonos app to adjust product settings for Sonos Ace:

1. Go to System Settings.
2. Navigate to Headphones and select your Sonos Ace.
3. Name: Change the name of your Sonos Ace. This name will show up in Bluetooth pairing lists.
4. Status: Displays battery percentage and any active Bluetooth connections.

Noise Control

Three levels of Noise Control

1. Active Noise Canceling: Significantly reduces background noise. Make sure your Sonos Ace fits snugly to get the most out of this mode.
2. Aware Mode: Sonos Ace uses its microphones to let in environmental sound so you can clearly hear your surroundings without removing your headphones.
3. Off: You can turn off Active Noise Canceling and Aware Mode if it’s not useful in your current environment, and to save battery. Sonos Ace passively isolates you from background noise.

Sound

Make adjustments to EQ

• Bass
• Treble
• Balance
• Loudness
• Toggle Head Tracking on or off.

TV Audio Swap

• Spatial Audio: toggle on or off while TV Audio Swap is active.
• Head Tracking: toggle on or off while TV Audio Swap is active.
• + Add TV Audio Swap: Set up a soundbar to use TV Audio Swap.
• Remove TV Audio Swap: remove a soundbar from your headphone’s memory.
• Bluetooth: Manage paired devices and connection settings.

Hardware Controls

• Noise Control: select the modes you want to cycle through when pressing the button on your Sonos Ace.
• Wear Detection: toggle on or off. When you take it off, Sonos Ace pauses your content so you don’t miss a second.

Controls

• Slide up and down for volume control.
• Press once to play/pause.
• Press twice to skip a track.
• Press three times to play the previous track.
• Press once to answer a call.
• Press and hold to decline a call.

Noise Control (right ear cup) 

• Press to switch between Active Noise Canceling and Aware Mode.
• Press and hold to activate the voice assistant.

Power/Bluetooth (left cup)

• Press and hold the Power/Bluetooth button (about 3 seconds) to power on your headphones.
• Press and hold the Power/Bluetooth button (about 7 seconds) to put your headphones into Bluetooth pairing mode and pair a new device.

Power & Connectivity

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.4 supports audio streaming from any Bluetooth-enabled device.

Battery

Li-ion, 1060mAh battery powers up to 30 hours of listening time or 24 hours of call time with Active Noise Cancellation or Aware Mode enabled.

Charging

Charge with the included USB-C cable and a compliant power adapter (15 W recommended). Rapid charge provides 3 hours of listening time in 3 minutes from 0%. A full charge from 0% can require up to 3 hours. You can also charge Sonos Ace with a USB-A to USB-C cable and a compliant power adapter (15 W recommended).

Operating temperature: 14°F to 104°F (-10°C to 40°C)

About

• See product serial number.
• Check for software updates and see the current software version.

Specifications

Audio

• Drivers: Custom-designed 40 mm dynamic driver in each cup.
• Microphones: Eight microphones for noise control and voice targeting.
• Spatial audio: Stream spatial audio content from supported services and devices.
• Lossless audio: Enjoy lossless audio over Bluetooth with a supported device or via a USB-C connection.
• Noise control: Active Noise Cancellation blocks external sounds. Aware mode blends ambient sound with your content.
• Head tracking: Sonos Intelligent Motion Processing with Dolby Head Tracking. Enable this feature in the Sonos app.
• TV Audio Swap: Press the Content Key to swap sound from a compatible Sonos soundbar to Sonos Ace (iOS only).
• Dolby Atmos: Requires a compatible device and compatible content.
• Adjustable EQ: Use the Sonos app to adjust bass, treble, and loudness.

Dimensions

• Height: 7.52 in (191 mm)
• Width: 6.3 in (160 mm)
• Depth: 3.35 in (85 mm)
• Weight: 11 oz (312 g)
• Colors: Black Soft White
• Finish: Matte Stainless steel
• LED: Light on the bottom of the left cup indicates connection status.

Customer Service

• Website: https://support.sonos.com/
• Ph: (800) 680-2345

FAQs

Q: What devices can I pair my Sonos Ace headphones with?

The majority of Bluetooth-capable PCs, tablets, and smartphones can pair with Sonos Ace. Just turn on Bluetooth on your device and choose “Sonos Ace” from the list of compatible devices.

Q: How do I enable Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)?

On the earcup, press the Noise Control button. Using the same button or the Sonos app, you may choose between Noise Cancelling and Aware Mode (transparency) or disable both.

Q: Do the headphones work with the Sonos app?

Indeed. Depending on the platform of your device, the Sonos app lets you manage firmware upgrades, change sound settings, personalise noise-control modes, and access other functions.

Q: Can I connect the Sonos Ace to a Sonos home theater system?

You can listen to TV audio in private through the headphones thanks to Sonos Ace’s support for TV Audio Swap with compatible Sonos soundbars.

Q: How do I charge the headphones, and how long does it take?

Connect it to any USB-C power source using the USB-C cable that comes with it.

Q: Do the Sonos Ace headphones support wired listening?

Indeed. For latency-sensitive applications like gaming or watching movies, you can use a USB-C-to-3.5 mm or USB-C-to-USB-C cable, depending on your source device.

Q: How do I customize the touch controls?

In the Sonos app’s settings area, you can activate, disable, or customise touch gestures on the earcups to customise playback, volume adjustments, and noise control activities.