A cinematic curveball

Sonos, the gaffer of multi-room audio, has finally stepped into the crowded, noisy stadium of wireless headphones. But are they truly ace, or a waste of space?

- Khumail Thakur

Sonos Ace aren't just another pair of cans to block out the uncle snoring next to you on the flight; they're a meticulously crafted piece of kit aimed squarely at making your movies and shows sound utterly epic. Right out of the gate, I'll say it: Sonos has absolutely nailed the design of the Ace. These are quite possibly my favourite-looking and feeling headphones on the market. In a world of fussy touch controls and confusing button layouts, the Ace is a breath of fresh, minimalist air. It's the perfect marriage of the clean, understated aesthetic Sonos is renowned for and a genuinely practical, no-nonsense approach. There's a satisfyingly tactile 'Content Key' that slides for volume and presses for playback, a dedicated power/ pairing button, and another for noise-cancelling modes. It's all wonderfully intuitive and a darn sight less confusing than the Apple AirPods Max's Digital Crown. Then there's the weight. The Apple AirPods Max, bless their metallic socks, are seriously hefty at 384.8g. They feel premium, sure, but wear them on a long-haul flight and you'll start to feel like you've got a small anvil clamped to your head. The Sonos Ace, at a more svelte 312g, a