Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Edition XS vs Sonos Ace Ultra: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Edition XS: 68% of 123 owners recommend it, vs 56% of 18 for the Sonos Ace Ultra.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Edition XS

68%of 123 owners recommend
68% recommend · 17% neutral · 15% don't
Owners praise
  • Wide soundstage and strong detail
  • Strong value, especially at sale or refurbished prices
  • Responds well to EQ
Owners complain about
  • Headband and weak clamp make the fit loose for many, and owners often add an aftermarket strap
  • Build quality worries, with reports of drivers failing, crackling, and warranty replacements
  • Treble that some owners find too bright, shrill, or fatiguing
Full owner report →

Sonos Ace Ultra

56%of 18 owners recommend
56% recommend · 22% neutral · 22% don't
Owners praise
  • Clear sound upgrade over the original Ace, especially in the bass
  • Pulling TV audio from a Sonos soundbar to the headphones works well for some owners
  • Comfortable fit
Owners complain about
  • The TV audio link to a Sonos soundbar drops out, picks up static, or fails to connect for a few owners, and one returned a pair over it
  • A few owners still rate rivals higher, such as the AirPods Max 2 overall or Bowers & Wilkins headphones for music
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Edition XS if
  • ✓Listeners moving up from a Sennheiser HD560S or HD600-series who want a wider soundstage
  • ✓Buyers comfortable using EQ to tune the sound
  • ✓Gamers who want a wide, detailed presentation
  • ✓Owners with larger heads
Skip it if
  • Treble-sensitive listeners or anyone wanting a laid-back sound for long sessions
  • Smaller heads, which some owners say the loose fit does not suit
Get the Sonos Ace Ultra if
  • ✓Sonos soundbar owners who want to watch TV on headphones
  • ✓Original Ace owners who want more bass
Skip it if
  • Buyers counting on the soundbar link to work without dropouts from day one

What Edition XS owners say

“You could have a faceoff with any headphone on Earth, regardless of cost and compare it to a $169 Edition XS, and while it would lose, it's MUCH closer than it should be...”
— 1maxwedge426 on Reddit
“Decent headphones but......I'm on my third, 2 failed and were warranty replaced. Also the headband should be classed as a war crime. Other than that I highly recommend them.”
— Emotional_Elk_980 on Reddit
“I hate my edition xs so much because they're amazing, just don't work, they keep losing all audio on the right side and I'm not the only one with that issue”
— Kolorboi on Reddit

What Sonos Ace Ultra owners say

“I think these sound leagues above the original Ace tho thanks to that custom dual-ring magnet motor. The bass is deep and tactile while the sound stage is far more wide and open in comparison to its predecessor.”
— @ventus77777-h on YouTube
“I have the Ace Ultra and i love them....especially with my Sonos Theatre system...i had the first ones and i like these ones more....no complaints whatsoever”
— @SpankyGolfaddict65 on YouTube
“do NOT buy these for TV audio swap. the feature sucks. source: i own these headphones.”
— @Beanz0911 on YouTube

Edition XS vs Sonos Ace Ultra: frequently asked questions

Is the Edition XS or the Sonos Ace Ultra better?

Real owners lean toward the Edition XS: 68% of 123 owners recommend it, vs 56% of 18 for the Sonos Ace Ultra.

Who should get the Edition XS?

Owners point the Edition XS at listeners moving up from a Sennheiser HD560S or HD600-series who want a wider soundstage, and buyers comfortable using EQ to tune the sound.

Who should get the Sonos Ace Ultra?

Owners point the Sonos Ace Ultra at sonos soundbar owners who want to watch TV on headphones, and original Ace owners who want more bass.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Edition XS is headband and weak clamp make the fit loose for many, and owners often add an aftermarket strap. For the Sonos Ace Ultra, it's the TV audio link to a Sonos soundbar drops out, picks up static, or fails to connect for a few owners, and one returned a pair over it.