Those who are very concerned about their privacy will have to consider whether they should use Sonos’s first headphones, which were released last summer: The manufacturer requires users to use its headphones Is official ios app Namely, releasing their exact location – and some minor reasons. Even worse: anyone who doesn’t want this will be locked out of the – already highly controversial – app for headphones, meaning they can neither set up further settings with the device nor Can be updated to new firmware.
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Surprise on setup
Overall, as C’T’s testing also showed, Sonos’ Ace headphones make a good impression. The look and feel is good, though a bit reminiscent of Apple’s AirPods Max, and the sound is great too. Active noise cancellation also comes close to the competition. Nothing is missing from the usual technology: there is a transparency mode, integrated EQ and spatial audio support. Anyone who is already part of the Sonos ecosystem can get soundbar sound from the TV directly to listeners via WLAN. At most, the price is a little higher at 500 euros, but there are also devices available at the same level as the AirPods Max In stores (from €333) is also quite low.
When you connect Ace to iPhone for the first time, you will be asked to download the official app. It requires some approval the first time you start it. It’s clear that the app needs Bluetooth access – that’s how it communicates with Ace. Approval for the internal network is required to implement the mentioned soundbar handover function, but it is not a requirement to use the app, you can skip it if you don’t want or need it; However, precise location sharing is mandatory: If you don’t allow it, you’ll be stuck in the app during setup — or if you turn it off later via iOS Settings. The window can be closed only after the exact location has been shared.
Weather and lack of assistance
“Sonos needs access to the exact location for setup. In iOS Settings, tap “Location” and “While Using the App” and then return to the Sonos app,” it says in summary. An accessible explanation box states that location is used to “find and connect to nearby Sonos products and check the weather with Sonos Voice Control.” The manufacturer does not explain why Sonos products cannot be recognized via Bluetooth and/or WLAN alone – and “Sonos Voice Control”, a kind of “Hey Siri” or “Hey Google”, without other Sonos devices. How will it work?
Sonos app with location query: You can’t go any further than here.
(Image: Screenshot Sonos app/Mac&i)
At least: In our experiments, it was now possible to disable location sharing afterward and still use the app. However, this did not always work; Apparently the program regularly checks whether it is still allowed to track the user. If you want to use the Ace without telling your home address or city directions to Sonos, you’ll have to set it up in a different location and regularly play with location sharing in the hope that the app won’t fail. Let it not happen in the meantime. The app is no longer required in normal operation, but changes to the user interface or EQ and loudness settings are only possible with it. Another question is whether the company can do other things with the data – such as using it for advertising purposes or reselling it, as marketing companies do. We asked Sonos why the precise location sharing requirement was implemented and the answer will be published as an update to this article as soon as it becomes available.
(B.Sc.)
