Sonos appears to be preparing a more premium version of its wireless headphones, with the upcoming Sonos Ace Ultra emerging as a potential rival to Sony’s WH-1000XM6. While the full technical specifications have not yet been confirmed, early images suggest several notable design changes that could point to improved comfort, better audio performance, and stronger noise cancellation.
One of the most visible upgrades is the redesigned ear cup structure. Compared with the current Sonos Ace headphones, the Ace Ultra seems to feature noticeably deeper ear cups. This could make the headphones more comfortable for long listening sessions, especially for users who prefer over-ear headphones with extra room around the ears. Deeper ear cups may also help improve passive noise isolation, which would work alongside active noise cancellation to block out more background sound.
Another change appears to be the placement of the wear sensor. Sonos has repositioned this sensor on the Ace Ultra, which may help improve detection when the headphones are removed or put back on. Wear sensors are commonly used to automatically pause and resume music, podcasts, or calls, so a more refined placement could make everyday use feel smoother and more reliable.
The microphone design has also been updated. The Sonos Ace Ultra seems to use a shorter but thicker pill-shaped microphone area compared with the existing Ace model. While Sonos has not confirmed what this means for performance, the change could be related to improved voice pickup, clearer call quality, or enhanced noise-cancelling capabilities. For users who frequently take calls, join video meetings, or use voice assistants, microphone improvements could be a major selling point.
These design updates suggest that Sonos may be focusing heavily on active noise cancellation with the Ace Ultra. The current Sonos Ace already competes in the premium wireless headphone market, but the Ultra model could be positioned as a higher-end option for users who want stronger noise blocking, better comfort, and a more refined listening experience.
However, one feature that does not appear to be returning is a traditional 3.5 mm headphone jack. Instead, Sonos is expected to include a 3.5 mm to USB Type-C cable in the box, along with a USB Type-C charging cable. This means users should still be able to connect to wired audio sources, but only through the USB-C port rather than a dedicated analog headphone input.
At the moment, key details such as battery life, driver size, supported Bluetooth codecs, audio enhancements, and official pricing remain unknown. It is also unclear when Sonos plans to fully announce the Ace Ultra or when the headphones will become available.
If the leaked design changes are accurate, the Sonos Ace Ultra could become one of the most interesting premium noise-cancelling headphones to watch. With deeper ear cups, a revised microphone layout, and a more refined sensor arrangement, Sonos may be preparing a serious upgrade aimed at listeners who want high-end wireless sound and powerful noise cancellation in a sleek over-ear design.
