Updated
Updated · The Verge · Sep 1
Sonos Launches $699 Beam Ultra and $449 Ace Ultra as Sonos 27 Pushes AI Reboot
Updated
Updated · The Verge · Sep 1

Sonos Launches $699 Beam Ultra and $449 Ace Ultra as Sonos 27 Pushes AI Reboot

3 articles · Updated · The Verge · Sep 1

Summary

  • September 29 is the release date for Sonos’ two flagship devices: the $699 Beam Ultra soundbar and $449 Ace Ultra headphones, unveiled in New York alongside the Sonos 27 software overhaul.
  • Sonos 27 centers on AI tools meant to rebuild momentum after the 2024 app backlash, including an opt-in Sonos 27voice assistant this fall and Sonos 27mcp support for models such as ChatGPT and Gemini from September 8.
  • Ace Ultra ties headphones more tightly into the Sonos ecosystem with headphone linking on September 29, 35-hour battery life, 10 microphones and improved ANC, while Beam Ultra upgrades to a 7.1.2 design with Dolby Atmos and AI speech enhancement.
  • September software rollouts also restore and expand app controls, adding new bottom-tab navigation, room sorting, a virtual volume knob on iOS, and lockscreen playback controls that began returning on August 17.
  • The broad launch is Sonos’ biggest since 2024 and marks a more cautious recovery strategy, with early-access and staged releases replacing the all-at-once app rollout that angered customers.

Insights

Will Sonos’s ambitious AI leap leave loyal owners of legacy speakers stranded with obsolete hardware?
Can a rebranded audio operating system truly rebuild user trust after the disastrous 2024 app meltdown?
Are software tricks enough to fix virtual surround sound, or are physical rear speakers still mandatory?