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Pair Sonos Ace Ultra with your phone over Bluetooth first, then add the headphones to the Sonos app. Bluetooth gets audio working; the iOS or Android app is required for registration, firmware updates, EQ, Noise Control, call options and home-theater features. Once setup is complete, use Settings > Headphones in the app to adjust sound and control how the buttons behave.
What you need before setup
Basic headphone setup requires the Ace Ultra headphones, a phone or tablet with Bluetooth, and the Sonos app for iOS or Android. Charge the headphones for a few minutes first if the battery is low. You do not need to buy a separate cable for pairing, EQ or ordinary Bluetooth listening.
- Keep the phone within a few feet of the headphones during pairing.
- Install or update the Sonos app before beginning app setup.
- Allow Bluetooth access when the phone requests it.
- For TV Audio Swap or TrueCinema, you will also need a compatible Sonos home-theater speaker, the speaker connected to Wi-Fi, and an iOS or Android device.
Bluetooth and the Sonos app perform different jobs. Bluetooth is the direct audio connection from the phone or tablet, while the app adds registration, software updates, sound controls and home-theater setup. Pairing alone is therefore enough for immediate listening, but it does not expose every Ace Ultra setting.
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#1 Best Overall
- Sonos-designed driver for deep, rich, detailed sound.
- High-resolution wireless audio with ultra-low latency.
- Up to 2x more Active Noise Cancellation than Sonos Ace.
- Up to 35 hours of battery with ANC on.
- Adaptive EQ tunes the sound based on your fit and movement.
Pair Sonos Ace Ultra over Bluetooth
Bluetooth pairing is the fastest way to start listening and must happen before adding the headphones in the Sonos app.
- On the left earcup, press and hold the Power/Bluetooth button until the status light flashes blue.
- On the phone or tablet, open Settings > Bluetooth. Turn Bluetooth on if it is disabled.
- Choose the Sonos headphones from the list of available devices.
- Wait for the status light to change from flashing blue to solid blue. That indicates a successful pairing.
- Play a short track or notification sound to confirm that audio is coming through the headphones.
The flashing blue light indicates that Ace Ultra is waiting for a Bluetooth connection; solid blue confirms that the pairing completed. Keep the phone’s Bluetooth page open until the headphones appear, then return to the Sonos app after the connection is confirmed.
If the headphones do not appear, move them closer to the phone, turn Bluetooth off and on again, and repeat the pairing sequence. If another nearby device connects first, disconnect that device before trying again. A phone, tablet or computer that has used the headphones previously can capture the connection, so temporarily disconnecting that device can make the new pairing easier.
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The app setup unlocks the controls that Bluetooth alone does not provide, including EQ, Noise Control configuration, registration and updates.
First-time Sonos app setup
- Open the Sonos app after Bluetooth pairing has completed.
- When the setup screen asks what you want to add, select Headphones.
- Follow the prompts to connect Ace Ultra, register it and install any available update.
- Keep the headphones powered on and near the phone until setup and updating finish.
Adding headphones to an existing Sonos system
- Open the Sonos app and select Settings.
- Scroll to the Headphones section and choose Add Headphones.
- When the setup card appears, select Add.
- Complete the prompts for registration and software updates.
After the app finishes, open Settings > Headphones and confirm that Ace Ultra appears there. If it does not, close and reopen the app, verify that the phone is still connected over Bluetooth, and run Add Headphones again.
Do not treat the app as an alternative Bluetooth connection. The phone still needs to recognize Ace Ultra in its Bluetooth settings; the app then uses that established connection to complete headphone setup. If you are switching from a first-time app setup to an existing Sonos system, use the path that matches the screen currently shown rather than trying to add the headphones twice.
Update the headphones before changing sound settings
Sonos includes updates in the app setup flow. Install the offered update before troubleshooting missing menus or configuring home-theater features. Keep the USB-C cable disconnected during ordinary Bluetooth setup unless you are charging; maintain a stable Bluetooth connection and do not force-close the app while the update is running.
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An update can change menu names or add options. For that reason, the exact wording on your screen takes precedence over an older step description, while the navigation remains under the headphones section of the app. If a setting is absent immediately after pairing, finish registration and wait for the update process to complete before assuming that the feature is unavailable.
Rank #2
- Sonos-designed driver for deep, rich, detailed sound.
- High-resolution wireless audio with ultra-low latency.
- Up to 2x more Active Noise Cancellation than Sonos Ace.
- Up to 35 hours of battery with ANC on.
- Adaptive EQ tunes the sound based on your fit and movement.
Adjust the EQ
EQ changes the balance of bass, midrange and treble for the headphones. Sonos documents where to adjust these sliders rather than prescribing one universally correct curve, so choose settings for your music, speech and listening level.
- Open the Sonos app.
- Go to Settings and select Ace Ultra in the Headphones section.
- Choose Sound > EQ.
- Move the available sliders while audio is playing, then stop when the result sounds right to you.
Make small changes and listen to familiar tracks after each adjustment. A setting that adds impact to music can make spoken content less clear, so there is no need to keep one curve for every use. If you alternate between music, calls and television, revisit the sliders for the content you are actually hearing instead of assuming one preset will suit every source.
Enable the optional EQ Shortcut
The EQ Shortcut puts faster access to the equalizer on the playback screen.
- Open Account > App Preferences in the Sonos app.
- Enable EQ Shortcut.
- Start playback and tap the volume slider.
- Use the EQ shortcut that appears to reach the sound controls without navigating through Settings.
If the shortcut is not visible, check that the feature is enabled and that the app is controlling Ace Ultra rather than another Sonos product. The shortcut is optional; the full path through Settings > Headphones > Sound > EQ remains available.
Choose a Noise Control mode
Ace Ultra provides three documented Noise Control modes:
| Mode | What it does | Useful situation |
|---|---|---|
| Noise Canceling | Blocks external sound using active noise cancellation. | When you want to reduce surrounding noise while listening. |
| Aware Mode | Blends some ambient sound with your audio. | When you need awareness of voices or activity around you. |
| Off | Disables both Noise Canceling and Aware Mode. | When you want neither processing mode enabled. |
To select a mode in the app, open the headphones in Settings, then choose Noise Control and tap the mode you want. Noise Canceling and Aware Mode are alternatives; selecting Off turns both processing modes off rather than adding a fourth type of cancellation.
Set which modes the button cycles through
- Open the headphones’ Settings page.
- Choose Hardware Controls > Noise Control.
- Select the modes you want to include in the button cycle.
- Save or leave the screen after selecting at least two modes.
Sonos requires at least two modes to be selected for cycling. For example, you can cycle between Noise Canceling and Aware Mode, or include Off as a third choice. If only one mode is selected, there is nothing for the button to cycle to, so the app requires a second selection.
Sidetone and Adaptive Cancellation
Sidetone makes your own voice easier to hear during calls while Noise Canceling is active. Enable it in the headphone controls if you prefer a more natural sense of your voice when speaking. It is a call-monitoring aid, not a replacement for Aware Mode.
Rank #3
- Sonos-designed driver for deep, rich, detailed sound.
- High-resolution wireless audio with ultra-low latency.
- Up to 2x more Active Noise Cancellation than Sonos Ace.
- Up to 35 hours of battery with ANC on.
- Adaptive EQ tunes the sound based on your fit and movement.
Adaptive Cancellation can improve noise cancellation when the headphones do not fit perfectly. Its availability and exact label can depend on the current app and firmware, so use the option shown on your Ace Ultra settings screen. If the menu wording differs, update the headphones first and follow the current control description.
Learn the physical controls
Knowing which control does what is useful when the phone is out of reach. The left and right earcups have separate jobs, so identifying them before you begin helps avoid pressing the wrong control during pairing or a call.
| Control | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Left-earcup Power/Bluetooth button | Press and hold | Turns the headphones on or starts Bluetooth pairing when the light flashes blue. |
| Power/Bluetooth button | Hold for 10 seconds | Forces a reboot. Disconnect the USB-C cable before doing this. |
| Right-side Content Key | Slide | Adjusts volume. |
| Content Key | Press | Controls playback and answers or ends a call with one press. |
| Content Key | Press and hold during an incoming call | Declines the call. |
| Noise Control/Voice Assistant button | Press | Cycles through the Noise Control modes you selected. |
| Noise Control/Voice Assistant button | Press and hold | Invokes the assistant on the connected Bluetooth device. |
A forced reboot is a recovery step, not a replacement for pairing. After the ten-second hold, wait for the headphones to restart, then repeat Bluetooth selection if the phone does not reconnect automatically. The USB-C cable must be disconnected for this reboot command to work.
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The status light never flashes blue
- Charge the headphones briefly, then try the Power/Bluetooth button again.
- Make sure the USB-C cable is not connected when attempting a forced reboot.
- Hold the button long enough for the light pattern to change.
- After a reboot, wait for Ace Ultra to restart before opening the phone’s Bluetooth list again.
The phone cannot find Ace Ultra
- Open the phone’s Bluetooth screen and keep it visible while pairing.
- Move away from other phones, tablets or computers that have previously used the headphones.
- Turn Bluetooth off and back on, then repeat the pairing sequence.
- If the headphones were already paired elsewhere, disconnect them from that device before selecting them on the current phone.
- Confirm that the status light is flashing blue; a solid blue light means the headphones may already be connected.
The app does not offer headphone setup
- Confirm that Ace Ultra is already paired in the phone’s Bluetooth settings.
- For an existing Sonos system, use Settings > Headphones > Add Headphones.
- For a new app installation, return to the setup screen and choose Headphones.
- Update or restart the Sonos app if the setup card does not appear.
EQ or Noise Control is missing
These controls require app setup, not just Bluetooth pairing. Finish registration and any firmware update, then select the headphones under Settings > Headphones. If labels still differ, follow the current app layout because Sonos can revise menus. The optional EQ Shortcut also must be enabled under Account > App Preferences before it appears on the playback screen.
Use TV Audio Swap for home theater
TV Audio Swap is optional. It is not required for Bluetooth playback, EQ or everyday Noise Control. It sends television audio from a compatible Sonos home-theater speaker to Ace Ultra and can support up to two Sonos headphone units in one session.
Requirements and supported speakers
- Ace Ultra must already be set up in the Sonos app.
- The headphones must be connected to an iOS or Android device.
- The home-theater speaker must be connected to Wi-Fi.
- The current supported speaker list is Arc, Arc SL, Arc Ultra, Beam (Gen 1), Beam (Gen 2), Beam Ultra and Ray.
Configure TV Audio Swap
- Open the Sonos app and go to Settings > Headphones.
- Choose Add TV Audio Swap under Home Theater.
- Select the desired compatible speaker.
- Follow the prompts to complete configuration.
When TV sound is playing through the home-theater speaker, long-press the Content Key to swap it to the headphones. You can also use the Swap control in the app. Start with one headphone unit if you want every spatial option available; a second unit can join the same session, but some features change as described below.
Spatial Audio and Dynamic Head Tracking
While TV audio is swapped, the app offers Spatial Audio and Dynamic Head Tracking. Spatial Audio creates a spatial mix for surround or Atmos content and virtualizes stereo. Dynamic Head Tracking changes the apparent direction of the sound as you move your head.
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- HEADPHONES | Featuring Dolby Atmos.
- SPATIAL AUDIO | Enjoy an industry-leading Dolby Atmos experience with dynamic head tracking.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO | Stream lossless audio over Bluetooth or via USB-C.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION | World-class ANC neutralizes external sounds for maximum immersion.
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Set up TrueCinema
TrueCinema is a separate home-theater feature that captures room acoustics and adjusts binaural rendering for virtual surround. It requires TV Audio Swap to be configured first.
TrueCinema requirements
- Ace Ultra must be set up in the Sonos app and connected to the phone or tablet.
- The home-theater speaker must have Wi-Fi enabled.
- TV Audio Swap must already be configured.
- The supported speaker list is Arc, Arc SL, Arc Ultra, Beam (Gen 1), Beam (Gen 2) and Ray.
Notice that the TrueCinema list is not identical to the TV Audio Swap list: Beam Ultra appears in the TV Audio Swap compatibility list but not in the TrueCinema list. Check the exact feature and speaker combination before buying or configuring a home-theater product.
Run the tuning process
- Open the headphones’ settings in the Sonos app.
- Enter the TV Audio Swap section and select TrueCinema.
- Choose the home-theater speaker.
- Move to your usual television-watching seat.
- Reduce nearby noise, keep the headphones’ microphones clear, and wear the headphones throughout tuning.
- Follow the in-app prompts until calibration is complete.
Sonos states: “Sonos Ace must be worn during the entire tuning process.” Removing the headphones, touching or covering their microphones, or tuning from a different seat can undermine the room-acoustic measurement. After setup, return to the same app area to toggle TrueCinema on or off.
Cables and optional purchases
Nothing additional is required for Bluetooth pairing or app-based sound customization. The Ace Ultra control documentation says compatible USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to 3.5 mm cables are included. Third-party USB-C to 3.5 mm cables are not compatible with Ace Ultra line-in, so use the compatible cable supplied with the headphones for that connection.
A compatible Sonos home-theater speaker is an optional purchase only if you specifically want TV Audio Swap or TrueCinema. Check the exact supported model list before choosing a speaker, because TV Audio Swap and TrueCinema do not have identical compatibility lists. A separate cable is not a prerequisite for pairing, EQ, Noise Control or ordinary Bluetooth playback.
TV Audio Swap or TrueCinema: which do you need?
| Feature | Purpose | Extra requirements |
|---|---|---|
| TV Audio Swap | Moves television audio from a compatible Sonos home-theater speaker to Ace Ultra. | App setup, Bluetooth-connected iOS or Android device, Wi-Fi speaker and supported model. |
| Spatial Audio and Dynamic Head Tracking | Adds spatial or head-responsive effects while swapped TV audio is playing. | TV Audio Swap session; Dynamic Head Tracking is unavailable with two headphone units connected. |
| TrueCinema | Measures the room and adjusts binaural rendering for virtual surround. | TV Audio Swap configured first, supported speaker, quiet room and complete tuning while wearing the headphones. |
If you only want music, calls, EQ or Noise Control, none of these home-theater features is necessary. They are separate additions for people who want television audio or virtual surround through a compatible Sonos speaker.
A practical setup checklist
- Charge Ace Ultra briefly if necessary.
- Hold the left Power/Bluetooth button until the light flashes blue.
- Select the headphones in the phone’s Bluetooth settings and wait for solid blue.
- Add the headphones in the Sonos app, choosing Headphones on first launch or Settings > Headphones > Add Headphones in an existing system.
- Complete registration and install the offered update.
- Set EQ under Sound > EQ.
- Choose Noise Canceling, Aware Mode or Off under Noise Control.
- Configure at least two modes under Hardware Controls > Noise Control if you want button cycling.
- Use TV Audio Swap and TrueCinema only when you have the required Wi-Fi speaker and want home-theater listening.
Sonos app menus, firmware behavior and compatibility can change. The instructions above reflect Sonos support guidance retrieved on October 13, 2026; check the current in-app prompts when completing setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pair Sonos Ace Ultra with my phone?
Hold the left-earcup Power/Bluetooth button until the status light flashes blue, open the phone’s Bluetooth settings, select the Sonos headphones and wait for the light to turn solid blue.
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Can I use Ace Ultra without the Sonos app?
Yes. Bluetooth can play audio immediately, but the Sonos app is needed for registration, updates, EQ, Noise Control configuration and home-theater features.
Where do I adjust EQ?
In the Sonos app, open Settings, select Ace Ultra under Headphones, then choose Sound > EQ. You can also enable EQ Shortcut under Account > App Preferences and tap the playback volume slider.
How do I change Noise Control modes?
Open the headphones in Settings and choose Noise Control. Select Noise Canceling, Aware Mode or Off. To choose which modes the hardware button cycles through, use Settings > Hardware Controls > Noise Control and select at least two modes.
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Why is Dynamic Head Tracking unavailable?
Sonos disables Dynamic Head Tracking while two Sonos headphone units are connected to the same TV Audio Swap session. It returns when one unit disconnects.
Which speakers support TV Audio Swap?
The listed models are Arc, Arc SL, Arc Ultra, Beam (Gen 1), Beam (Gen 2), Beam Ultra and Ray. The speaker must be connected to Wi-Fi.
Which speakers support TrueCinema?
The listed models are Arc, Arc SL, Arc Ultra, Beam (Gen 1), Beam (Gen 2) and Ray. TV Audio Swap must be configured first.
What should I do if TrueCinema tuning fails?
Reduce nearby noise, keep the headphone microphones uncovered, sit in your usual TV seat and wear Ace Ultra throughout the entire tuning process.
Do I need to buy a cable for setup?
No. Basic Bluetooth and app setup require no separately purchased cable. Compatible USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to 3.5 mm cables are included; third-party USB-C to 3.5 mm cables are not compatible with Ace Ultra line-in.
The Bottom Line
Pair Ace Ultra over Bluetooth, add it to the Sonos app, complete registration and updates, then use Settings > Headphones for EQ, Noise Control and hardware behavior. TV Audio Swap and TrueCinema are optional, speaker-dependent features with separate compatibility requirements.
Quick Recap
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