Sonos Ace vs. Apple AirPods Max (video)

When it comes to premium wireless headphones, Sonos Ace and Apple AirPods Max are two of the most attractive options on the market. Both offer high-quality sound, advanced features and a distinct design that suits different user preferences. In this comprehensive comparison video from MacRumors, they walk us through the key aspects of each model to help us make an informed decision based on our needs and priorities.

Design and comfort: a tale of two approaches

Sonos Ace and Apple AirPods Max present contrasting design philosophies. Sonos Ace prioritizes lightness and comfort, with plastic ear cups that minimize pressure on your ears during long listening sessions. This design choice makes Sonos Ace the perfect companion for long workdays or gaming marathons.

On the other hand, Apple AirPods Max boasts of high-end aesthetics thanks to its metal ear cups. While this design exudes luxury and durability, it comes at the cost of extra weight. Some users may find AirPods Max less comfortable for long-term use due to the increased pressure on the ears and head.

• Sonos Ace: Lightweight plastic ear cups for long-lasting comfort
• Apple AirPods Max: High-quality metal ear cups offering a potential compromise on comfort

Controls and functionality: Intuitive interactions

Both Sonos Ace and Apple AirPods Max offer a range of controls and modes to enhance your listening experience. Sonos Ace has a dedicated power button so you can easily turn the headphones on and off without relying on automatic detection. Additionally, Sonos Ace includes a multi-function content key that allows you to easily control playback, answer calls, and activate voice assistants.

Apple AirPods Max takes a slightly different approach, ditching the power button in favor of an automatic on/off feature when you place the headphones on your ears. Instead of a multi-function key, AirPods Max use a digital crown, similar to the one found on Apple Watch, to precisely adjust volume and manage playback.

• Sonos Ace: dedicated power button and multi-function content key
• Apple AirPods Max: automatic on/off detection and digital crown for control

Headband and ear cups: comfort and personalization

The headbands and ear cups of the Sonos Ace and Apple AirPods Max headphones have a telescopic design, which allows you to adjust the fit to your preferences. However, the materials used in each model differ significantly.

The Apple AirPods Max band features a combination of rubber and mesh for a soft and breathable contact point. The ear cups are made of a similar mesh material for a comfortable fit in your ears.

Sonos Ace, on the other hand, opted for a plastic headband with a vegan leather cover, offering a more traditional look. The earmuffs are also made of plastic and have soft vegan leather cushions that adapt to the shape of your ears.

Both models are equipped with removable, magnetic ear cups, which make them easy to replace and clean. This design choice increases the durability and ease of maintenance of the headphones.

• Sonos Ace: Plastic headband with vegan leather, plastic ear cups with vegan leather cushions
• Apple AirPods Max: Rubber and mesh headband, mesh ear cups
• Both models feature removable, magnetic ear cups for easy maintenance

Sound quality: immersive audio experience

When it comes to audio quality, both Sonos Ace and Apple AirPods Max deliver exceptional performance. Each model offers a neutral sound profile, so you can listen to music, movies and games the way the creators intended. The bass, midrange and treble are well balanced, providing a rich and detailed audio experience.

One noticeable difference is that Sonos Ace allows you to adjust equalizer settings directly on the headphones, giving you the flexibility to fine-tune the bass and treble to your liking. This feature is especially useful for those who prefer a more personalized sound profile.

Both headphones support advanced audio technologies such as Dolby Atmos and surround sound, immersing you in a three-dimensional soundscape. Whether you’re watching a movie or playing a game, these technologies enhance the audio experience, making it more realistic and immersive.

• Neutral sound profile with balanced bass, mids and highs
• Sonos Ace: adjustable equalizer for personalized sound
• Dolby Atmos and surround sound support

Noise reduction and transparency: environmental control

In today’s world, the ability to control your listening environment is crucial. Both the Sonos Ace and Apple AirPods Max offer noise reduction and transparency modes, but each excels in different areas.

Sonos Ace boasts excellent active noise cancellation (ANC), effectively blocking external noise and creating a calm listening environment. Whether you’re commuting, working in a busy office, or trying to focus on your music, Sonos Ace’s ANC technology ensures you can immerse yourself in sound without distraction.

On the other hand, Apple AirPods Max shines in Transparency Mode. When enabled, this mode allows you to hear your surroundings clearly without having to remove the headphones. This feature is especially useful when you need to pay attention to your surroundings, such as when walking down a busy street or while having a conversation.

• Sonos Ace: Excellent Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• Apple AirPods Max: Perfect Transparency Mode for Situational Awareness

Ecosystem compatibility: seamless integration

When choosing between Sonos Ace and Apple AirPods Max, it’s important to consider how well each model integrates with the device’s existing ecosystem.

Apple AirPods Max are designed to work seamlessly with Apple devices, offering features like one-touch pairing and automatic switching between iPhone, iPad and Mac. If you’re heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, AirPods Max provide a smooth and convenient experience. It is worth noting, however, that AirPods Max requires Apple TV to connect to a TV, which may be a limitation for some users.

Sonos Ace, on the other hand, is designed to work with Sonos soundbars to connect to your TV. While this integration is seamless for Sonos users, it may be less convenient for those who don’t own a Sonos soundbar. However, Sonos has announced plans to expand the Ace’s compatibility with other devices through future software updates, making it a more versatile option in the long run.

• Apple AirPods Max: Seamless integration with Apple devices, requires Apple TV to be connected to your TV
• Sonos Ace: works with Sonos soundbars, with updates planned for expanded compatibility

Additional features: battery life, charging and pairing

Beyond the basic features, Sonos Ace and Apple AirPods Max offer additional benefits that may influence your decision.

Sonos Ace comes with a high-quality case that provides excellent protection for your headphones when not in use. It also has an impressive battery life of up to 30 hours, so you can enjoy music, movies and games for longer without having to worry about charging. When it comes to charging, Sonos Ace uses the widely accepted USB-C standard, making it easy to find compatible cables and chargers.

Apple AirPods Max, although offering a shorter battery life of 20 hours, still provide enough listening time for most users. It uses Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector for charging, which may be less convenient for people who do not have other Apple devices. However, AirPods Max offer the convenience of one-touch pairing with all your Apple devices, so you can easily switch between iPhone, iPad, and Mac without having to manually reconnect.

• Sonos Ace: A better carrying case, longer battery life (up to 30 hours)charging via USB-C
• Apple AirPods Max: one-touch pairing with Apple devices, charging via Lightning connector

Price: Balancing cost and value

Price is often an important factor when choosing premium headphones. The Sonos Ace retails for $449, making it a cheaper option compared to the Apple AirPods Max, which retails for $549.

However, it’s worth noting that AirPods Max are often available at discounted prices, especially during sales or from third-party retailers. If you’re considering AirPods Max, it’s worth keeping an eye out for these discounts to potentially get better value for your money.

• Sonos Ace: Priced at $449, it offers better value for money
• Apple AirPods Max: Priced at $549, but often available at discounted prices

summary

Choosing between Sonos Ace and Apple AirPods Max ultimately depends on your individual needs, preferences, and existing device ecosystem. If long-term comfort, excellent noise reduction and better value for money are your priorities, Sonos Ace will be an excellent choice. Its lightweight design, adjustable equalizer, and longer battery life make it an attractive option for those who want a versatile and comfortable listening experience.

On the other hand, if you’re deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem and value seamless integration and convenience, Apple AirPods Max may be a better solution for you. Premium build quality, excellent transparency mode, and one-touch pairing between Apple devices make it an attractive choice for Apple users who prioritize smoothness and integration.

Whichever model you choose, both Sonos Ace and Apple AirPods Max deliver exceptional sound quality, advanced features, and distinctive designs that suit a variety of user preferences. By carefully considering the factors presented in this comprehensive comparison, you can make an informed decision and enjoy top-quality wireless headphones that suit your lifestyle and needs.

Source and image credit: MacRumors

Filed Under: Apple, Gadgets News

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