Sonos Reinvents Itself: Discover the Ace Ultra and Beam Ultra Powered by Your Audio AI
Sonos has unveiled two new devices during its highly anticipated Open House event, aiming to revitalize its image. The company has launched the Ace Ultra headphones and the Beam Ultra soundbar, both powered by a new Sonos 27 “audio operating system” that integrates artificial intelligence for enhanced control.
This new platform features a voice assistant that assists with music selection. What stands out is the new 27mcp, which allows users to connect any external AI model, avoiding proprietary technology restrictions. For example, you can use ChatGPT to play music in your home. Moreover, Sonos plans to introduce Custom Agents with unique personas to carry out various tasks, while the Sonos 27 app promises a more intuitive navigation experience shaped by community feedback.
The Ace Ultra also includes a much-anticipated feature: the ability to connect headphones directly to the Sonos network. A forthcoming Early Access feature set to launch this fall will allow users to switch audio between headphones and speakers effortlessly, even when their phone is not nearby. This will let you enjoy music from your headphones while keeping the house quiet at night.
This headphone linking feature won’t be available for the original Ace models, as it requires the new hardware found in the Ultra version. The Ace Ultra is equipped with Sonos-designed 40mm drivers and boasts active noise cancellation with 10 microphones, an upgrade from eight.
On the other hand, the Beam Ultra is a 7.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar designed to deliver clearer dialogue and warmer bass. Thanks to the Sonos 27 upgrade, it can also use portable speakers like the Move 2 and Play as rear surround speakers when positioned correctly, allowing for a flexible setup for both parties and movie nights.
Pricing and Availability of Sonos Ace Ultra, Beam Ultra, and Sonos 27
Software Enhancements Before Hardware
The Ace Ultra is currently available for pre-order at a price of $449, the same as its predecessor, while the Beam Ultra can also be pre-ordered at $699. Both products are expected to reach customers by September 29.
Sonos 27 will be rolled out as a software update for all devices compatible with the S2 app. The navigation improvements will begin arriving to users starting September 8, alongside an Early Access version of the AI integration with 27mcp. The headphone linking feature will launch with the Ace Ultra on September 29.
This product launch marks a significant moment for Sonos, especially following the backlash from its app redesign in May 2024, which caused the loss of essential features and introduced bugs. The unfavorable response led to the resignation of former CEO Patrick Spence and negatively impacted the Ace launch, initiating a long-term effort to restore features and reliability.
The Ace Ultra, Beam Ultra, and Sonos 27 reflect lessons learned by Sonos over the past two years. While these devices may not represent major hardware upgrades, they do address user requests and incorporate valuable community feedback. The hope is to avoid previous mishaps and possibly win back lapsed customers.
