I lately had the chance to discover two new headphones from Sonos and Heavys. Each showcase distinct options and sound profiles that cater to completely different listening preferences.
The Sonos headphones impress with their seamless integration into the model’s ecosystem. They ship a wealthy, immersive audio expertise with distinctive construct high quality.
However, Heavys headphones stand out for his or her modern design and highly effective, bass-forward sound, making them a compelling alternative for audiophiles in search of an intense auditory expertise.
Each fashions provide distinctive benefits, reflecting the evolving panorama of premium headphone choices.
Who Is Heavys?
Heavys headphones, designed to maximise music enjoyment for steel fanatics, made headlines just a few years in the past. In early 2022, a Kickstarter marketing campaign initiated by former Sennheiser audio professional Axel Grell launched the Heavys, focused at heavy steel music lovers.
Heavys headphones (Picture by Writer)
I’m not and can by no means be a fan of heavy steel. My curiosity within the Heavys is to see how they’d carry out with extra mainstream pop music devotees like me.
For readability, the Heavys have been examined on my iPhone 15 Professional Max utilizing Apple Music in lossless and hi-res lossless variations.
The Heavys are barely heavier than different over-the-ear headphones as a consequence of heavy-duty materials and a matte black end. The model’s emblem is stenciled in white on each earcups and embossed on the scarf.
Regardless of their heft, the Heavys have plush ear cushions that make them cozy and tight on the top.
Aggressive Design But Straightforward To Use
The management switches on the underside of each ear cups are stable and snap when used, however I discovered them extra accessible to govern earlier than placing on the headphones. The fitting ear cup’s ridged quantity slider works nicely on the transfer.
A molded carry case and foldable Heavys make journey straightforward, a key issue because the Apple AirPods Max (my most popular at-home headphone) is just too massive to journey with. The AirPods Max ear cups don’t swivel, so carrying them round your neck could be awkward.
Heavys makes use of eight drivers to ship songs on to your ears, creating an optimum sound expertise for all music genres. The headphones additionally comprise 5 mics, that are vital function attributes for smartphone conversations.
I preferred utilizing the amusingly labeled Hell Blocker Energetic Noise Cancelling when strolling on busy foremost roads throughout my morning runs. Heavys helps Bluetooth 5.1 BLE and USB-C/analog, and a full cost lasted close to its marketed 50-hour battery life spec.
Sadly, not like most different headphones, the Heavys lacks a devoted app for EQ, firmware upgrades, and different options. Heavys says a standalone app is beneath improvement and ought to be launched by the top of the 12 months.
Heavys Delivers Superior Sound High quality
Designed for steel music lovers, sound high quality is a paramount function. As talked about, I attempted the Heavys utilizing an iPhone with Apple Music in lossless and hi-res lossless modes.
The out-of-the-box expertise was considerably muffled and too bass-heavy for my tastes, so I needed to alter the EQ settings, which shortly enhanced the sound to my liking.
When turning on, off, activating Hell Blocker ANC, or pairing, a deep, rumbling voice strongly jogged my memory of the Duke Nukem character in “Mortal Kombat.” It’s clear that the Heavys design crew has a humorousness.
My musical style take a look at suite included Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, and Tony Bennett requirements and musical exhibits like “Man of La Mancha,” “Depraved,” “Guarantees, Guarantees,” “Camelot,” “1776,” and “They’re Taking part in Our Music.”
I discovered the audio expertise fairly immersive, with clear, balanced sound. The well-known overture from “Man of La Mancha” was so clear that I may hear the separation of devices in every ear cup, which is exactly the way it was musically organized in 1965.
The Verdict on Heavys Headphones
Although Heavys is new to the market, at $269, it represents a compelling worth in comparison with dearer alternate options like Apple’s AirPods Max.
The Heavys additionally excel from a design standpoint. I’m disillusioned that it at present lacks a smartphone app for firmware updates, which is able to undoubtedly optimize the sound sooner or later and supply a neater solution to customise the audio expertise. Placing these caveats apart, the Heavys are a welcome addition to the crowded over-the-ear headphone market — even in the event you’re not a heavy steel music fan.
At the moment, Heavys can solely be bought instantly from the corporate’s web site.
Sonos Ace Arrives on the Scene
After years of anticipation, Sonos’ debut headphones have lastly launched.
These new headphones from the acclaimed wi-fi house theater system producer incorporate many Sonos hallmarks, together with elite craftsmanship, outstanding sound high quality, and seamless connectivity with the model’s newest soundbars.
Sonos Ace headphones (Picture by Writer)
Upscale options akin to energetic noise cancellation, high-end audio assist, and spatial audio with Dolby Atmos add to their aptitude and assist justify their steep price ticket of $449.
These headphones sound as stunning as they appear. The Ace does have just a few purposeful blemishes I’ll level out, although Sonos could resolve these points over time.
Notably in the event you’re a proud member of the Sonos ecosystem, as I’m, you’ll discover the Ace to be a worthy pickup. Let me elaborate.
Impeccable Sound
The Sonos Ace affords audio high quality rivaled solely by the Apple AirPods Max. These headphones, by default, provide Sonos’ signature sound. It’s detailed, properly balanced and vibrant. Midrange replica ranks among the many finest within the class. The bass is deep, and the highs are wealthy.
The brilliant electrical guitar and infectious Burt Bachrach synths from the overture of “Guarantees, Guarantees” sounded as compelling as they did on a dwell Broadway manufacturing I noticed in 2010. Vocal readability was equally satisfying and had me privately belting the passionate title tune.
Energetic noise cancellation (ANC) considerably boosts the bass; turning it off does the alternative. The Sonos app has an EQ to customise the sound. The loudness setting helps make the bass and treble simpler at low quantity.
Excessive-end audio codes like AAC (Apple iOS/macOS) and SBC (Google Android) run easily and produce steady playback on one of the best music streaming providers.
Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive/Lossless does a incredible job of dynamically scaling Bluetooth audio to expose extra nuance in recordings. Tidal tracks provide unbeatable efficiency, and the platform’s desktop options assist improve output when in wired mode.
The included auxiliary and USB-C cables get you lossless audio on suitable gadgets. I used to be thrilled with the outcomes, granted the midrange was overemphasized on a number of tracks.
Sonos’ 3D sound format is excellent and helps dynamic head-tracking to create an encapsulating digital soundscape. The spatial audio content material on Apple Music and Apple TV sounded pure and immersive, and movement detection was correct.
Sonos developed two unique options for the Ace. The primary is TV Audio Swap, which switches audio between a Sonos soundbar and the Ace headphones. Then there’s TrueCinema, which makes use of a Sonos soundbar to map out your area and optimize the Ace’s acoustics in your room.
Smooth and Trendy Design
Sonos audio system are a few of the swankiest house merchandise and double as fancy décor. The Ace is not any completely different. Inserting them on a headphone stand in your front room will earn you coolness factors. Their clear and minimalist look is on model. Refined supplies just like the darkish aluminum yokes and plush leather-based padding on the scarf and earpads make for a snug, well-fitting design. The glossy matte end and slim microphone grilles are good touches, too.
Sonos confirmed some creativity with its management setup. On the appropriate earcup is a content material key that gives a springy, tactile suggestions expertise each time you progress the slider up or down to regulate quantity and a satisfying click on once you press it to pause or play. There’s additionally a button to allow ANC/voice management and a button for energy/pairing.
The slim carry case is handsomely crafted. Sonos says it’s constructed from 75% recycled plastic bottles, however the felt materials on the skin feels premium. The headphones sit properly of their groove, and the separate felt pocket conveniently shops all equipment with out taking over additional area. These headphones will probably be a pleasure to journey with throughout my subsequent enterprise journey.
Intuitive Ecosystem Integration
Sonos’ apparent intention is for the Ace to work seamlessly along with your different Sonos merchandise. Because of options like TV Audio Swap and TrueCinema, the Sonos ecosystem permits the Ace to work along with your Sonos house theater. Though, in the event you don’t personal a Sonos speaker, these advantages won’t attraction to you.
Regardless, TV Audio Swap labored nicely for me whereas watching blockbuster movies and sports activities occasions alone, particularly after different relations retired for the night time. Sound high quality isn’t compromised, and it’s undoubtedly rather more handy than manually pairing and re-pairing issues as soon as it’s time to place headphones on.
TrueCinema is Ace’s killer function. It creates a private 3D sound profile for the headphones by having your Sonos bar map your listening surroundings. It sounds promising and might be an enormous promoting level when it’s lastly launched within the coming weeks.
The Sonos Arc is the one machine to assist these two options, however a future software program replace is alleged to deliver them to the Beam (Gen 2), Beam, and Ray.
Outdoors the Sonos platform, the Ace works nicely with iOS/macOS and Android gadgets. Apple MFi and one-tap Google Quick Pair ship instantaneous pairing it doesn’t matter what telephone you’ve got. Multipoint expertise can be onboard to pair the headphones with two audio sources concurrently.
Nonetheless, it’s price noting that the Ace is just not Wi-Fi suitable and doesn’t should be arrange by way of the Sonos app. Granted, the latter does assist when troubleshooting and locations just a few options at your fingertips.
Enough Noise Cancellation, Name High quality
In my expertise, the Ace has beautiful noise cancellation, although it’s not fairly nearly as good because the Apple AirPods Max or Bose QC Extremely. Nonetheless, these noise-canceling headphones did block out an enormous quantity of incidental sound.
I discovered the expertise useful in silencing frequent family distractions akin to kitchen home equipment, TVs, and out of doors disturbances. Loud noises, akin to development instruments and sirens, caught my consideration.
Robust wind resistance saved the soundstage freed from harsh whooshing results. Conscious mode was first rate for monitoring my surroundings, however the mics struggled with vocal seize. With future firmware updates, I anticipate the Ace noise cancellation to change into nearly as good as aggressive headphones.
Battery Life Decrease Than Marketed
Sonos charges the Ace’s battery life at 30 hours with ANC on. My examined battery life was nearer to 25 hours, outpacing the long-in-the-tooth Apple AirPods Max. There was a three-hour drop when utilizing ANC. Spatial audio introduced playtime all the way down to about 20 hours.
Nonetheless, I’m glad to report that Sonos affords a few of the strongest fast charging within the class. A 3-minute cost gives three hours of use, one thing you’ll worth when touring.
Buggy Companion App
Sadly, the Sonos app often froze or didn’t acknowledge the headphones being paired to my smartphone. When acknowledged, the app offered entry to a number of perks: a battery degree indicator, EQ, and toggle controls for all the principle capabilities.
Furthermore, the EQ is pedestrian and limits changes to bass, treble, and steadiness output between channels. Like each different competitor, Sonos ought to have developed a number of EQs.
I additionally encountered a problem the place a software program replace meant to be a 10-minute obtain took about half-hour to finish, presumably as a result of it was the product’s first main software program improve post-launch.
Ace Higher With Different Sonos Audio system
The most important problem that the majority shoppers will face is that the Ace’s coolest sound options are tied to the Sonos platform, they usually solely work with the Sonos soundbar in the intervening time: the Arc.
These perks will finally be accessible on the Beam and Ray soundbars, however in the event you don’t at present have a Sonos soundbar, the Ace will merely be much less purposeful.
Premium Value
It could have been in Sonos’ finest curiosity to launch the $449 Ace at a extra aggressive worth level. These headphones are dearer than the $399 Bose QC Extremely, in all probability one of the best noise-canceling that’s incessantly on sale.
The Ace does have a decrease retail worth than Apple’s $549 AirPods Max, however these headphones additionally see frequent reductions to as little as $429. If Sonos priced Ace within the $399 vary, discounted pricing would make it a no brainer.
Backside Line
Admittedly, I’m a Sonos man, and I respect the worth these headphones present. I’ve invested closely within the firm’s sensible wi-fi audio ecosystem for years. The sound high quality is undeniably wonderful, and energetic noise cancellation is spectacular.
As a Sonos fan, these headphones are a game-changer for me as a result of they’ll be straightforward to journey with, one thing I can’t do with the Apple AirPods Max as a consequence of its bulk.
Integration into the Sonos ecosystem will enhance, and I worth that. When you’re not a Sonos consumer, there are cheaper alternate options. However for me, the Ace is gorgeous in design, sound, and integration, and Sonos’ first foray into the headphones area is a stable and noteworthy achievement.
The Sonos Ace headphones can be found instantly from Sonos, Amazon, and main digital retailers like Greatest Purchase.
