- Sonos has introduced the Beam Ultra soundbar and Ace Ultra headphones, marking a significant shift in its branding to an 'audio operating system' called Sonos 27.
- The Beam Ultra features a 7.1.2 compact design with two up-firing drivers for Dolby Atmos support and is priced at $699.
- The Ace Ultra headphones offer 35 hours of battery life and are priced at $449, featuring improved integration with the Sonos ecosystem.
- The Sonos 27 operating system includes new features like AI integration and custom agents for personalized audio experiences.
- The Sonos app has undergone significant updates, including new navigation and system health views, with early access features rolling out in September.
- In 2024, Sonos faced significant challenges due to a broken app update that led to user backlash and dissatisfaction.
- The initial release of the Ace headphones in 2024 was criticized for lacking ecosystem integration, prompting the development of the Ace Ultra.
- Sonos aims to treat its audio operating system like an Android system, with annual updates and improvements.
- The Sonos Custom Agents feature will allow users to create personalized AI assistants, although it will not be available until 2027.
Sonos has redefined its identity with the introduction of the Beam Ultra soundbar and Ace Ultra headphones, alongside the Sonos 27 operating system.1234
The company aims to transition from a speaker-centric view to a comprehensive audio ecosystem, as highlighted by interim hardware lead Brandon Holley: "For years people have been seeing us as a speaker company, but what we actually are is an audio operating system."8
The Sonos 27 update includes significant software enhancements, such as AI integration and improved app navigation, designed to streamline user experience.
Key features include Sonos 27voice, a generative AI assistant for music requests, and Sonos 27mcp, which allows integration with existing AI models like ChatGPT.
The Beam Ultra soundbar, priced at $699, features a redesigned 7.1.2 configuration with Dolby Atmos support, while the Ace Ultra headphones boast 35 hours of battery life and advanced noise cancellation.
Both products will be available on September 29, marking a significant step in Sonos' evolution towards a more integrated audio experience.
Holley emphasizes the importance of user feedback in this transition, stating, "We are in a new era where we're listening to our customers a lot more."
“The Ace Ultra headphones offer 35 hours of battery life and connect via Wi-Fi to the Sonos ecosystem, with headphone linking rolling out September 29th. The Beam Ultra features nine drivers, including up-firing ones for Dolby Atmos, and will cost $699, while the Ace Ultra is priced at $449.”
