Sonos Ace Headphones Gain TrueCinema Surround Sound Feature

Sonos has rolled out a major software update for its Ace wireless headphones, finally delivering the highly anticipated TrueCinema mode. This feature brings virtual surround sound that adapts to your room’s acoustics and your listening position, creating a more immersive audio experience.

TrueCinema mode works by combining data from a Sonos soundbar that measures the room’s acoustics with the Ace headphones’ microphones that detect your exact location. This synergy allows the headphones to simulate speakers all around you, enhancing spatial audio realism.

This technology is reminiscent of Sonos’ TruePlay feature, which optimizes speaker sound by analyzing room reflections using a smartphone. TrueCinema extends this concept to headphones, tailoring the surround sound effect dynamically.

The update also expands the TV Audio Swap feature, which lets users stream audio from supported Sonos soundbars directly to the Ace headphones for private listening. Now, two sets of Ace headphones can connect simultaneously, enabling shared TV watching without disturbing others.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) on the Ace headphones has been enhanced to adapt in real time to fit variations caused by hair, glasses, or hats. This prevents sound leakage and maintains a tight acoustic seal for better noise isolation.

Additional improvements include high-resolution audio support during phone calls and a new SideTone feature that feeds back a bit of your voice when ANC is active, making conversations sound more natural.

Why This Update Matters

The addition of TrueCinema mode marks a significant step forward in headphone spatial audio technology, bridging the gap between speaker-based surround sound and personal listening devices. By adapting sound dynamically to both environment and user position, Sonos enhances immersion and user satisfaction.

Moreover, expanding TV Audio Swap to support multiple headphones simultaneously addresses a common household need: enjoying TV privately without isolating others. The improved ANC and call audio features also demonstrate Sonos’ commitment to refining everyday usability.

For developers and audio technology innovators, these enhancements highlight the importance of integrating environmental sensing and user context into audio devices. Such adaptive features are becoming essential for delivering premium, personalized sound experiences.