Sonos has released a major software update for its Ace headphones. The focus is on improving the listening experience when using Ace for movies.
FlatpanelsHD tested Ace for TV audio last year. The Ace lets Dolby Atmos sound be experienced at home in headphones wirelessly via a Sonos soundbar.
Sonos' approach is a slightly different compared to, for example, Apple, where AirPods achieve Atmos sound via a wireless connection to the Apple TV 4K box. Sonos' advantage is that it works with sound from all sources, including external devices such as game consoles.
Sonos Ace receives the TV sound via a soundbar such as Sonos Arc. Photo: Flatpanels
New features for Sonos Ace
When Ace launched last year, Sonos promised a TrueCinema feature that maps the room so the sound feels less like it is confined inside the headphones. This feature is now arriving after a notable delay.
Another new feature is the ability to connect two pairs of Ace to the same soundbar.
- "We're pleased to deliver experiences we've heard our customers ask for, like the ability for two people to watch TV with their Sonos Ace headphones at the same time. We've also worked hard on our TrueCinema technology to create an incredible open-air listening effect so it feels like you aren't wearing headphones," said Chris Kallai, VP Product at Sonos.
The new features are rolling out this week to Sonos Ace as a free software update.
New features for Sonos Ace headphones
| In Sonos' own words:
- Personal Home Theater for Two: We've updated our TV Audio Swap to let two individual listeners enjoy the same TV audio in sync on their own Sonos Ace headphones when connected to a Sonos soundbar.
- Realistic Surround Sound: Designed specifically for Sonos Ace, Sonos' innovative TrueCinema technology understands the dynamics of your space, acoustically treats it, and makes it sound like you have a beautifully tuned 3D audio system right in your headphones.
- Enhanced Noise Cancellation: Enjoy uninterrupted listening with Active Noise Cancellation that now adapts to your hair, glasses, and hats in real-time using advanced sensors to compensate for sound leaks.
- Smoother More Natural Calling: Stay connected with clearer, more natural conversations thanks to high resolution calls and SideTone, which allows you to hear a bit of your voice during calls while ANC is on. |
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