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Sonos to Launch $449 Headphones in June to Compete With Apple's AirPods Max

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Sonos, known for its range of speakers and home theater products, is set to enter the headphone market in 2024. Rumors last year indicated Sonos would release headphones as soon as April 2024, but a new report today from Bloomberg suggests Sonos has delayed the launch due to a software issue.

Airpods Max Feature Green Triad
The headphones are expected to be available for purchase in the first half of June, with the launch pushed back while the software problem is addressed. Sonos is solving a problem with how the headphones connect to Wi-Fi networks.

Sonos is aiming to take on the AirPods Max with the Sonos headphones, which will have a price tag of $449 and an over-ear design. The headphones will be available in black and white, and are expected to include features like voice control navigation and synchronization with Sonos speakers, soundbars, and subwoofers.

Apple's AirPods Max headphones are priced at $549, but third-party retailers often have them available at a discount. Apple has not updated the AirPods Max since their 2020 launch, and they are nearing four years old.

We are expecting a refresh at some point this year, but rumors indicate Apple doesn't have plans for major new features. Instead, the AirPods Max will get a USB-C port, new colors, and little else.

Sonos is well-established in the speaker market and is the go-to for those who don't mind an expensive home theater setup, so the Sonos headphones could sell well if Sonos offers high-quality sound and deeper customization than is available with Apple's audio products.

Sonos CEO Patrick Spence confirmed in November 2023 that Sonos is set to enter a new market, and he said the company's offering would "delight customers and drive immediate revenue." Spence said Sonos will generate more than $100 million from new products in 2024, and that the new device would account for a large portion of the revenue in the second half of 2024.

In addition to headphones, Sonos also plans to unveil a set-top box to rival the Apple TV. That device could come as soon as late 2024. If Sonos sees success with the headphones, earbuds that rival the AirPods could come in the future.

Tag: Sonos

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Top Rated Comments

jarman92 Avatar
jarman92
30 months ago

Honestly, I might get demolished for saying this, but compete with what? A pair of $250 earphones has more features and functionality than something more than double the price. The leaks point to the refresh being lackluster at best, with only a USB-C port and a 5 years old chip. Apple needs to realize that if they don’t shift its idea of AirPods Max they will never sell. They are too expensive for casual customers, they have too little features for professional use. Either turn down the price and add more features for casual customers, or add a USB-C port with high-impedance audio, or even better a headphone jack for pro use. Only then they will sell. Just don’t keep them as they are now, since, relatively speaking, AirPods Max aren’t generating that much profit.
Exactly what I was thinking. I wouldn't recommend the current AirPods Max to anyone.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Y
yanksfan114
30 months ago
I’m excited not only because Sonos has been making really great products in last few years, but that it’ll hopefully crank up the heat on Apple to make the next AirPods Max better and not just a small refresh like MR has been suggesting. I would be inclined to pick the Sonos headphones over Max version 2 if all they did was put in a USB-C port. But like I said, I highly doubt it will be as incremental as MR and other websites suggest.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Spaceboy88 Avatar
Spaceboy88
30 months ago
I'm intrigued by these and assume if they're using WiFi that we can expect lossless audio support, at least when you're on WiFi.

It still baffles me that Apple's most expensive headphones don't offer lossless, even when wired. I don't know why they can't AirPlay lossless audio from your phone. (This is not to entice an argument about who can/can't hear lossless...I'm merely stating the fact that their top tier headphones don't support the top tier features of their own music streaming service.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
L
Lakersfan74
30 months ago
APM is so boring looking. Logos on the caps and a nice leather band would make it look better imo
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
chouseworth
30 months ago
The deal breaker for me with the Airpods Max was the lack of an on/off and having to put them in the bra to keep them from discharging.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
c84216
30 months ago

Honestly, I might get demolished for saying this, but compete with what? A pair of $250 earphones has more features and functionality than something more than double the price. The leaks point to the refresh being lackluster at best, with only a USB-C port and a 5 years old chip. Apple needs to realize that if they don’t shift its idea of AirPods Max they will never sell. They are too expensive for casual customers, they have too little features for professional use. Either turn down the price and add more features for casual customers, or add a USB-C port with high-impedance audio, or even better a headphone jack for pro use. Only then they will sell. Just don’t keep them as they are now, since, relatively speaking, AirPods Max aren’t generating that much profit.
It’s not that I disagree about the competition, it’s that you rely on data points (“never sell”, “aren’t generating that much profit”) you don’t have and are just assuming match your narrative, which may or may not be true.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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