Sonos Ace vs Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)
Quick take: The Sonos Ace costs $171 less; the Sonos Ace lasts longer per charge (30 hrs); only the Sonos Ace supports multipoint (two devices at once).
| Spec | Sonos Ace | Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279 | $450 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (1,200) | 4.6★ (4,500) |
| Type | Over-Ear Headphones | Over-Ear Headphones |
| Noise Cancelling | ANC | ANC |
| Battery (single charge) | 30 hrs | 20 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | 3 min = 3 hrs | 5 min = 1.5 hrs |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Multipoint | Yes | No |
| Driver Size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Weight | 312 g | 385 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes |
| App EQ | Yes | No |
Pros & cons
Sonos Ace
- ✓Stainless-and-foam build second only to AirPods Max
- ✓TV Audio Swap beams soundbar audio with Atmos head tracking
- ✓aptX Lossless works with Snapdragon phones
- ✓312 grams wears lighter than the spec suggests
- ✓Refined, spacious sound at a $170 discount from launch
- ✓3-minute charge buys 3 hours
- ✗TV Audio Swap requires owning a Sonos Arc, Beam, or Ray
- ✗Can't join whole-home WiFi audio like Sonos speakers
- ✗ANC sits a tier below Bose and Sony flagships
- ✗Sonos app's buggy reputation still trails the hardware
- ✗Swap launched Arc-only and iOS-only — Android support came late
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)
- ✓Best transparency mode ever shipped on headphones
- ✓Aluminum-and-knit build feels genuinely luxurious
- ✓Seamless auto-switching across Apple devices
- ✓Lossless 24-bit/48kHz wired audio via USB-C firmware update
- ✓Personalized Spatial Audio head tracking is magic
- ✓5-minute charge buys 1.5 hours
- ✗385 grams is genuinely heavy for long sessions
- ✗No power button — just the ridiculed Smart Case
- ✗Condensation inside cups has killed drivers out of warranty
- ✗20-hour battery is worst in the flagship class
- ✗No app EQ, and Android loses nearly everything