Sonos Aims for a Strong Comeback After Two Years of Challenges.

At a recent event in New York City, Sonos unveiled two exciting new audio products: the Sonos Beam Ultra soundbar and the Sonos Ace Ultra headphones, both of which were hinted at in an FCC filing earlier this August. Alongside these releases, the company introduced a significant update to its audio operating system, named Sonos 27. This marks the most substantial announcement from Sonos since 2024, when a new app rollout caused quite a stir among users.

The focus of Sonos’ announcements is heavily on software, particularly with the integration of AI in Sonos 27. This includes the introduction of an in-house voice assistant designed for music and system control, set to launch as an early access feature this fall. Additionally, Sonos 27mcp will allow users to connect existing AI models like ChatGPT or Google Gemini, although Google Assistant still lacks native support. Early access for Sonos 27mcp begins on September 8th.

Users will also have the ability to create up to 10 custom agents in Sonos 27, each with unique voices and roles. For instance, you could have a moody detective deliver your morning news or a motivational coach inspire you at wake-up time. However, these custom agents won’t be available until 2027.

Both Sonos 27mcp and the custom agents aim to enhance the customization and control of a Sonos system beyond what the app and Sonos 27 voice assistant can offer.

All products compatible with the current Sonos app will work with Sonos 27mcp, and any device with a microphone will function with Sonos 27 voice. Once the custom agents are launched, they will be usable wherever Sonos 27 voice is active.

Two new features are being added to Sonos Fabric, the brand’s whole-home connected system. The wireless Play and Move 2 portable speakers can now serve as surround sound speakers in a home theater setup. Once positioned, these speakers will automatically configure themselves without requiring setup through the Sonos app. Note that this feature cannot be used with just a single Play or Move 2.

Compatible Sonos headphones will now integrate into the Sonos home system, allowing sound to transition seamlessly between speakers and headphones. The system detects the nearest speaker and transfers audio to the headphones. This headphone linking feature will be available as an early access option starting September 29th. Sonos suggests that this is just the beginning of new features, though no specifics on future options have been shared.

The app is also receiving improvements based on community feedback, including updates from user forums. New tabs for Home, System, and Search will be added at the bottom of the screen, along with a room sort option for easier access to a customizable list. A fun new feature mimics a physical audio component: a virtual volume knob that you can control with two fingers, adding a bit of character to the experience. The new navigation, room sorting, and virtual volume knob will start rolling out on September 8th, although the volume knob will initially be available only on iOS.

Lockscreen controls for volume and play/pause are making a comeback, having started to roll out on August 17th. System health views for troubleshooting and presets will be introduced later this fall.

On the hardware side, Sonos is launching the much-anticipated Ace Ultra headphones and Beam Ultra soundbar.

The Sonos Ace Ultra headphones are designed to be a seamless part of the Sonos ecosystem, built on the Headphone Engine 2 platform. They will support the headphone linking feature launching alongside them on September 29th. A dedicated button on the headphones allows for easy audio transfer between a speaker and the headphones, eliminating the need for a phone if it’s out of reach.

Visually, they resemble the original Ace but with slight adjustments in button placement and a larger ear cup, weighing 10 grams more. They feature custom-designed 40mm drivers and 10 microphones for enhanced noise control, which Sonos claims makes their active noise cancellation (ANC) significantly more effective than the original Ace. The headphones are particularly adept at canceling out common background noises, such as HVAC systems and airplane drone sounds.

An adaptive EQ will adjust sound based on the fit of the headphones, accommodating for factors like glasses or hair. The Ace Ultra supports SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive Lossless codecs over Bluetooth, as well as 16-bit/48kHz high resolution via USB-C. Battery life has been boosted by five hours, offering up to 35 hours of listening time with ANC activated, and a quick three-minute charge provides an additional three hours of playback.

In addition to classic black and white, the Ace Ultra will also be available in muted blue agave and beige sand. They will retail for $449 upon release on September 29th.

The Beam Ultra soundbar has been completely redesigned to feature a 7.1.2 configuration, compared to the previous model’s 5.0 setup. It includes two up-firing drivers to support Dolby Atmos spatial audio. The center channel mid-tweeter has been enhanced with a new waveguide and acoustic design, along with DSP that offers four levels of AI speech enhancement for improved clarity.

While still compact, the Beam Ultra is slightly longer than its predecessor to accommodate the additional speakers. It will be available in a matte black or white finish for $699 starting September 29th.

With the deeper integration of the headphones into the Sonos ecosystem and the addition of up-firing drivers in the Beam Ultra, Sonos appears to be making significant strides in enhancing its already impressive product lineup. However, the true test will come with hands-on reviews. As for the app updates, particularly the AI features, a cautious approach seems wise. Sonos is wisely opting for a gradual rollout of these updates, allowing users to opt into early access rather than overwhelming everyone at once. This thoughtful strategy could be key to regaining user trust.