FCC filing reveals Sonos preparing Sonos Ace Ultra headphones for autumn launch
Regulatory submissions suggest the new device will support dual-band connectivity, potentially expanding beyond the original Ace’s TV-swapping capabilities.
FCC documents submitted by Sonos, Inc have revealed details regarding a potential successor to the company’s original wireless headphones. The filings identify the device by the model number S52A and include an oval diagram, likely depicting an ear cup, marked with the name Sonos Ace Ultra. While this specific nomenclature does not appear in the formal text of the submission, it mirrors the naming convention Sonos previously adopted with its Arc and Arc Ultra soundbars.
The regulatory submission outlines five colour options for the new hardware: greige, shadow black, agave, blush, and sand. This palette represents a significant expansion from the white and black finishes available on the original Sonos Ace, which launched more than two years ago. The inclusion of these specific finishes suggests Sonos is preparing a refreshed aesthetic for its entry into the premium audio market.
Testing parameters listed in the filing indicate support for local networks operating over 2.4 and 5GHz bands. It remains unclear whether this dual-band capability is intended to replicate the TV-swapping functionality found in the original Ace or if it points toward a new feature set, such as Wi-Fi music streaming. The latter would align the headphones more closely with the connectivity standards of Sonos’ broader speaker ecosystem.
The anticipated release aligns with comments made by Sonos CEO Tom Conrad during the company’s third-quarter earnings call, where he hinted at new hardware arriving in the autumn. The original Ace launch was notably overshadowed by a problematic app rollout, which many analysts believe was accelerated to support the new hardware. That initial release faced criticism for lagging behind competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sennheiser Momentum 4 in terms of performance and ecosystem integration.
Sonos has since worked to recover its standing with successful product releases, including the Arc Ultra soundbar and the Play speaker. If the Sonos Ace Ultra proceeds as indicated by these filings, it would mark the brand’s first major update to its headphone lineup in over two years, potentially signalling a renewed focus on its audio hardware division.
