Compelling New Headphones From Heavys and Sonos

A Comparison of Heavys and Sonos Ace Headphones

Recently, I had the opportunity to explore two new premium headphones from Heavys and Sonos, each offering distinct features and catering to different user preferences.

Heavys: Designed for Metal Enthusiasts

The Heavys headphones, originally launched through a 2022 Kickstarter campaign by former Sennheiser expert Axel Grell, are targeted toward heavy metal fans. While not my go-to genre, I was curious to test how they would perform with more mainstream pop music.

Design & Comfort: The Heavys have a bold and aggressive design, built with durable materials and featuring a matte black finish. Despite their heavy feel, the plush ear cushions ensure comfort. The headphones fold for easy travel, making them more portable than the bulkier AirPods Max, which I find less travel-friendly.

Sound Quality: The Heavys are equipped with eight drivers that provide a dynamic sound, particularly suited for bass-heavy genres. Out of the box, the sound leaned towards being muffled and too bass-forward for my taste. However, tweaking the EQ settings significantly improved the listening experience, especially when listening to tracks from artists like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. I found their performance in classical pieces quite impressive, offering detailed and clear sound separation.

Features:

• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), humorously named “Hell Blocker,” was useful during outdoor activities.
• Bluetooth 5.1 BLE and USB-C/analog support ensure flexibility in connectivity.
• Battery life is solid, lasting up to 50 hours, though there’s no dedicated app for EQ adjustments or firmware updates at the moment.

At $269, the Heavys offer great value, although the absence of a smartphone app is a significant downside.

Sonos Ace: A Premium Experience

The Sonos Ace marks the company’s entry into the headphone market, delivering premium features, elite craftsmanship, and seamless integration with Sonos’ home ecosystem. Priced at $449, these headphones are a natural choice for anyone already invested in Sonos’ audio products.

Design & Comfort: The Sonos Ace boasts a sleek and minimalist design, with premium materials like leather ear padding and aluminum yokes. The clean lines and slim profile make them a stylish accessory, perfect for home use or travel. The comfortable fit is complemented by an intuitive control system on the earcups, including a tactile slider for volume adjustment.

Sound Quality: The Sonos Ace offers impeccable audio with detailed sound, vibrant midranges, and deep bass, rivaling competitors like Apple’s AirPods Max. Whether listening to Burt Bacharach’s synths or Frank Sinatra’s vocals, the sound was clear and immersive. Active noise cancellation (ANC) further enhances the experience by boosting the bass. The spatial audio feature, with Dolby Atmos and dynamic head-tracking, creates a captivating 3D sound profile that’s ideal for watching movies or listening to music.

Features:

• Exclusive Sonos features like TV Audio Swap and TrueCinema integrate with Sonos soundbars, optimizing audio based on your room’s acoustics. However, these features only work with the Sonos Arc for now.
• The Sonos app allows for easy customization of sound with an EQ and battery level indicator, though the app has occasional bugs.

Performance & Connectivity: The battery life is a bit lower than advertised, offering around 25 hours with ANC, which is still decent. The quick charge feature is a standout, providing 3 hours of playback with just 3 minutes of charging.

Downsides:

• Noise cancellation isn’t quite on par with the Apple AirPods Max or Bose QC Ultra, but it’s still effective.
• The $449 price tag is on the higher end, and the best features are tied to the Sonos ecosystem, meaning non-Sonos users won’t get the full experience.

The Verdict:

• Heavys are a great option for those who enjoy bass-heavy music, especially metal enthusiasts, but they also perform well with more mainstream genres. They offer impressive sound quality, a durable design, and great value for the price. However, the lack of a dedicated app and the initial bass-heavy tuning might be a turn-off for some.
• Sonos Ace, on the other hand, excels in both sound and design, offering premium features such as spatial audio, integration with Sonos’ home ecosystem, and fantastic audio performance. While the $449 price tag might be steep for some, Sonos fans will find the Ace a natural addition to their collection. The ANC, sound customization, and 3D audio are top-tier, but the full experience is best suited for those already invested in Sonos products.

If you’re looking for a versatile, premium headphone experience with solid integration into a home ecosystem, the Sonos Ace is a fantastic choice. Meanwhile, the Heavys are a solid option for those prioritizing bass-heavy sound and a more affordable price.