Sonos' Ace Ultra headphones can swap audio with any Sonos speaker

Sonos It's been a little over two years since Sonos debuted its first headphones and now the company has new model. The Ace Ultra may look a lot like the original Ace headphones, but there are several updates on the inside that set this version apart from its predecessor. The most notable change is that the Ace Ultra can play a larger role in your Sonos system rather than having to rely on receiving sound from a compatible soundbar.  Sonos says the Ace Ultra can link directly to the rest of your speakers or soundbars so you can move whatever is playing on those devices to the headphones. This includes content from your TV, local media library and even a turntable. Of course, you can use the Sonos app to access your go-to streaming services for this purpose as well. The company says you can do this with a single button press, and that pressing again sends the audio back to the room or speaker where it originated. Sonos is also clear that this is an Early Access feature that still in development, so you'll need to opt in to use it.  The original Ace headphones can swap TV audio from a compatible soundbar (Arc Ultra, Arc, Beam and Ray), but they can't do so from all of the company's speakers. Sonos says its Headphone Engine 2 platform that powers the Ace Ultra includes redesigned Wi-Fi hardware and other upgrades to allow the expanded compatibility.  There are plenty of other changes too, like an 8-band EQ for dialing in the sound. Sonos says you can expect up to 2x more active noise cancellation (ANC) performance compared to the original Ace, thanks in part to two additional microphones. You'll also get up to five additional hours of battery life compared to the first version, for up to 35 hours of total listening with ANC on. There are new ear pads on the Ace Ultra too, which should help with passive noise isolation.   Aside from the general design, there are some other items Sonos kept from the original model. You'll still get adaptive ANC that adjusts to changes in fit, and sidetone will allow you to hear your voice through the headphones during calls. The onboard controls still center on the Content Key button that slides for volume changes and accepts presses for play, pause, skip or swapping sound with a Sonos speaker. Dolby Atmos compatibility is still here (with the appropriate content) and you can still opt for lossless audio over either Bluetooth (aptX Adaptive) or wired USB-C connection.  The Ace Ultra will be available September 29 for $449 (£399/€449/AUD $699) in four colors: black, white, tan (Sand) and blue (Agave). That price is $50 more than the regular Ace, which only comes in black and white hues, but isn't leaving the Sonos lineup.