Tag: Sonos Ace

  • Sonos CEO Resigns After Tough 2024; Interim CEO Appointed

    Sonos CEO Resigns After Tough 2024; Interim CEO Appointed

    Patrick Spence, CEO of Sonos, has decided to resign effective immediately. His departure follows a challenging 2024, which was marked by the launch of a new companion app that was meant to be more user-friendly, quicker, and overall better, as stated by Spence. Regrettably, the app, which debuted in May 2024, missed several key features present in the previous version. Additionally, the company’s first headphones, the Sonos Ace, did not perform as well as anticipated.

    Official Announcement

    Sonos has confirmed Spence’s resignation in an official statement, noting that he will also resign from his position on the board. As the search for a new CEO begins, Tom Conrad, who has been an independent board member since 2017, will step in as Interim CEO. Conrad brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked as the Chief Product Officer for Quibi, Vice President of Product at Snap Inc., and Chief Technology Officer and VP of Product at Pandora.

    Transition Period

    As reported by The Verge, Spence is the only high-level executive departing. However, he will technically stay on with the company until the end of June to provide strategic advisory services. After this period, he will receive a severance package totaling $1,875,000.

    Future Plans

    Sonos has no intentions of reverting to the previous app, nor are there any plans to delay upcoming products, including a rumored streaming device. In a letter to employees, Conrad expressed his commitment to not only getting the company back on the right path but also expanding the Sonos platform.

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  • Sonos Plans New Premium Headphones and Ace Price Cut

    Sonos Plans New Premium Headphones and Ace Price Cut

    A few months back, Sonos released the Ace, their first headphones. Sadly, these high-end headphones, priced at $449, haven’t performed as well as the company had hoped. A recent report suggests that Sonos is thinking about creating a new top-tier model.

    Sales Numbers Disappoint

    This information comes from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg. He mentioned that the Sonos Ace isn’t selling great, with only around 20,000 units sold last month. Earlier reports indicated that the headphones’ lackluster reception led Sonos to cut its yearly production targets from 1 million units down to a mere 100,000 units.

    Product Quality in Question

    It’s not that the Sonos Ace (currently available on Amazon for $439) is a bad product. In fact, it has garnered mostly positive feedback. However, issues with the Sonos app and the Ace’s steep price compared to competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5 (which goes for $399 on Amazon) might have hurt its sales figures.

    New Headphones on the Horizon

    Rumor has it that Sonos is working on a new pair of headphones that will be even more upscale than the Ace. The project, codenamed "Roundhouse," is still in its infancy and details are not finalized. Nonetheless, the plan includes launching these new headphones at a price of $450, while also making a permanent price reduction for the Sonos Ace to $399.

    Potential Impact of Price Cuts

    While introducing a new headphone model less than a year after the Ace’s debut might not seem like the best move, fans of Sonos will likely welcome a price drop for the Ace. The sooner this price adjustment happens, the better, especially with the holiday season approaching, which could lead to an increase in sales.

    Sonos Stays Active

    Despite these challenges, Sonos has been busy lately. They recently unveiled the Arc Ultra, a premium smart soundbar priced at $999, alongside the $799 Sub 4 wireless subwoofer. Both new products are available for pre-order and are set to ship on October 29.

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  • Sonos Unveils Ace Headphones: ANC, 40mm Drivers, Starting at $449

    Sonos Unveils Ace Headphones: ANC, 40mm Drivers, Starting at $449

    Sonos has made a notable entry into the premium headphone market with the launch of the Sonos Ace, their inaugural over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. This new offering brings Sonos into direct competition with established brands like Bose and Sony.

    The headphones are currently available for pre-order, with a full release scheduled for June 5th. Featuring custom 40mm drivers, the Ace promises rich and detailed audio. It is equipped with eight microphones that collaboratively work to actively cancel unwanted noise. Additionally, an ambient sound mode helps users stay attuned to their surroundings when necessary. The Ace supports immersive listening experiences with spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, making it perfect for movies, music, and gaming. For lossless audio playback, both Bluetooth and wired USB-C connections are supported.

    Impressive Battery Life

    The battery life of the Sonos Ace is noteworthy, lasting up to 30 hours with noise cancellation or ambient sound mode active. A quick 3-minute charge can provide 3 hours of playback, ideal for those needing a quick power boost. Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity ensures a stable and reliable connection, while physical buttons allow intuitive control over volume, playback, and noise cancellation settings.

    Design and Comfort

    A reviewer from 9to5Mac commends the balance between weight and comfort achieved by Sonos with the Ace. At 312 grams, it is lighter than the AirPods Max while still incorporating high-quality materials such as stainless steel for a premium feel. The headphones feature memory foam earcups and an over-ear design to prioritize comfort during extended listening sessions. The modular design of the Ace allows for easy replacement of earcups when needed.

    Connectivity and Accessories

    Unlike most Sonos products, the Ace uses Bluetooth for connectivity rather than Wi-Fi. Each pair comes with a matching carrying case, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and a 3.5mm jack adapter.

    The Sonos Ace is now available for pre-order at a price of $449 and will be generally released on June 5th.

    Sonos Unveils Ace Headphones: ANC, 40mm Drivers, Starting at 9
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