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Sonos Ace — TV Audio Swap · Dolby Atmos · Wireless Home Theater
Sonos

Sonos Ace

TV Audio Swap · Dolby Atmos · Wireless Home Theater

87
/ 100
From $449
VS
Sonos Ace wins by 5
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black — Gaming · 2024 · Black
SteelSeries

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black

Gaming · 2024 · Black

82
/ 100
From $129
Specdex verdict

Sonos Ace takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Sonos Ace lands at 87 and SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black at 82. That puts Sonos Ace ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Sonos Ace if…

  • ✓Unique TV Audio Swap with Arc soundbar
  • ✓Great ANC
  • ✓Spatial audio

Pick SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless (most)
  • ✓Detachable broadcast mic
  • ✓Console compatibility
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Sonos Ace

Tuning, detail, and staging

Sonos Ace leads on sound (90 vs 82).

Noise cancelling

Sonos Ace

ANC strength for commute and travel

Sonos Ace leads on anc (90 vs 70).

Comfort

Sonos Ace

Long-session wearability

Sonos Ace leads on comfort (88 vs 80).

Value for money

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($129 vs $449).

Sonos Ace 87
vs
82 SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black

Score breakdown

Sonos Ace
87
anc 90
sound 90
comfort 88
battery 84
features 92
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black
82
anc 70
sound 82
comfort 80
battery 86
features 82

Specs side-by-side

Sonos Ace versus SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black — full spec comparison
Spec Sonos Ace SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black
Driver
40 mm dynamic
—
Battery
30 h
—
Weight
312 g
—
Codecs
aptX Lossless via Snapdragon Sound
—
Type
—
Gaming headset
Variant
—
Black
Release year
—
2024

Sonos Ace

Pros
  • +Unique TV Audio Swap with Arc soundbar
  • +Great ANC
  • +Spatial audio
Cons
  • −Swap feature only works with Arc/Arc Ultra
  • −Sonos app issues
  • −Heavy

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless (most)
  • +Detachable broadcast mic
  • +Console compatibility
Cons
  • −Bulkier than audiophile cans
  • −Game-tuned EQ
  • −Software required on PC

FAQ: Sonos Ace vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black

Which is better, Sonos Ace or SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black? +

Sonos Ace scores 87 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Sonos Ace worth the price? +

At $449, Sonos Ace delivers a Specdex score of 87 — strongest in features.

Is SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $129, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in battery.

Does Sonos Ace or SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound quality, Sonos Ace or SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black? +

Sonos Ace — leads on sound (90 vs 82). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Sonos Ace or SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black? +

Sonos Ace — leads on anc (90 vs 70). ANC strength for commute and travel.