Headphones / Sonos Ace vs Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT
Sonos Ace vs Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT
Sonos Ace
The best-built headphone here — but despite the name, it has no Wi-Fi.
Wins overall by 1.6 points
Quick Verdict
A 1.6-point gap makes the Sonos Ace the straightforward choice here. The best-built headphone here — but despite the name, it has no Wi-Fi.
The Sonos Ace and Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT are both closely matched headphones models, and the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is $310 cheaper than the Sonos Ace ($89 vs $399). On Noise Cancelling, the Sonos Ace leads (8.0 vs 2.0/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked. On Features, the Sonos Ace leads (7.5 vs 4.0/10) — app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. On Call & Mic Quality, the Sonos Ace leads (7.5 vs 5.5/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. Overall, the Sonos Ace scores 7.8/10 across our 10 scoring categories versus 6.2/10 for the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Sonos Ace | Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $89.00 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2022 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 30 | Not applicable — this model has no active noise cancelling |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | Sonos publishes only the 30-hour ANC-on figure | 60 |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 3✓ | 10 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Weight (g) | 312 | 216✓ |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 40 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Adaptive ANC using an 8-microphone array; on/off only, with no user-adjustable intensity | None |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | 8 | Not published by Audio-Technica |
| Foldable | No | No |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Bass, treble, balance and loudness controls only — not a graphic or parametric EQ | No |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, Soft White | Black |
Category Scores
Battery
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.0 — a 1.0-point margin on playtime, standby, and charging speed. If that is what you are buying for, the Sonos Ace does not close the gap elsewhere.
Noise Cancelling
The Sonos Ace leads clearly here, 8.0 against 2.0 — a 6.0-point margin on how well ambient noise is blocked. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort
The Sonos Ace leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Sound Quality
The Sonos Ace leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.8 — a 0.7-point margin on driver performance, tuning, and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call & Mic Quality
The Sonos Ace leads clearly here, 7.5 against 5.5 — a 2.0-point margin on voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Travel
The Sonos Ace leads clearly here, 7.0 against 5.0 — a 2.0-point margin on foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming
The Sonos Ace leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.0 — a 1.5-point margin on latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT leads clearly here, 8.2 against 7.0 — a 1.2-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Sonos Ace does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Sonos Ace leads clearly here, 9.0 against 7.0 — a 2.0-point margin on build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Sonos Ace leads clearly here, 7.5 against 4.0 — a 3.5-point margin on app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Sonos Ace if…
- • Noise Cancelling matters most to you — the Sonos Ace scores 8.0/10 here (how well ambient noise is blocked).
- • Features matters most to you — the Sonos Ace scores 7.5/10 here (app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras).
- • Call & Mic Quality matters most to you — the Sonos Ace scores 7.5/10 here (voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls).
- • Travel matters most to you — the Sonos Ace scores 7.0/10 here (foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips).
- • Durability matters most to you — the Sonos Ace scores 9.0/10 here (build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity).
Choose the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $310 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is students.
Pros & Cons
Sonos Ace
Pros
- +Best build quality here — aluminium and stainless steel, and it feels it
- +aptX Lossless plus USB-C lossless
- +TV Audio Swap with a Sonos soundbar is genuinely useful
- +List price has been cut from $449 to $399
Cons
- −No Wi-Fi — despite the Sonos name it cannot join a Sonos system or stream from the Sonos app, which surprises most buyers
- −TV Audio Swap requires you to already own a Sonos Arc
- −Heaviest non-Apple option at 312g
- −Only a four-slider EQ
- −Does not fold in for packing
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT
Pros
- +Genuine studio-monitor tuning at $89
- +60 hours of battery
- +Multipoint at a budget price
- +Light at 216g
Cons
- −No active noise cancelling
- −No companion app and no EQ — Audio-Technica's app does not support this model
- −Bluetooth 5.0 is dated
- −Earcups rotate but do not fold for packing
- −No carry case
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Sonos Ace or Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the Sonos Ace comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Noise Cancelling, the Sonos Ace or the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Sonos Ace scores higher on Noise Cancelling (8.0/10 vs 2.0/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked.
Which is better for Features, the Sonos Ace or the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Sonos Ace scores higher on Features (7.5/10 vs 4.0/10) — app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras.
Which is better for Call & Mic Quality, the Sonos Ace or the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Sonos Ace scores higher on Call & Mic Quality (7.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls.
Which is better for Travel, the Sonos Ace or the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Sonos Ace scores higher on Travel (7.0/10 vs 5.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips.
Is the Sonos Ace worth the price difference over the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is the cheaper option at $89 versus $399. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Noise Cancelling.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Sonos Ace is the better fit if you mainly care about commute or travel. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is the better fit for students.
What's the warranty on the Sonos Ace vs the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Sonos Ace ships with a 12-month warranty; the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Premium Option
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) — $449.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.