ChatGPT seems to think the Sonos Ace headphones are speakers. Let’s acknowledge something up front: poking fun at AI chatbots is easy and often amusing. I was genuinely curious to see which color of the Sonos Ace headphones ChatGPT would recommend, so I asked it.
I specifically reached out to ChatGPT 4o, the version that delivers GPT-4-level intelligence with improved speed and capabilities across text, voice, and vision. In my view, each AI model has its strengths and weaknesses. I wouldn’t rely on any of them as authoritative. Therefore, consider this experiment as much for entertainment as for insight.
I began my inquiry with: “What color Sonos Ace should I get?” I believe that’s a fairly natural way to frame the question, right? ChatGPT should recognize that the Sonos Ace is a product (albeit relatively new, which might influence its answer) and that it’s available in various colors. It managed to do both but encountered two issues. First, it didn’t grasp that the Sonos Ace are headphones. (Again, this could be due to their newness.) Second, it even fabricated a color that isn’t an actual option for the Sonos Ace.
This misunderstanding led to a rather amusing response: “The choice of color for a Sonos Ace depends on your personal preference and the style of your space.” That “space,” of course, is my head. While I can entertain the notion that some colors may look better than others, I argue that my surroundings should never influence my headphone choice. After all, they’re meant to be worn rather than showcased.
It only gets funnier from here. When asked about black Sonos Ace headphones, ChatGPT stated: “Sleek and modern, black blends well with most interiors, especially if you have other black or dark-colored electronics and furniture.” True enough; black goes with everything. However, I still don't consider aesthetics outside of my own style when it comes to headphones.
Moving on to white headphones, ChatGPT remarked: “Clean and minimalist, white is great for a lighter, airy look, and matches well with white or light-colored furniture and decor.” I never thought of white headphones creating an airy feel in a room, but I’m willing to entertain the idea. Then ChatGPT introduced a third option: “Neutral and versatile, gray can be a good middle ground if you want something that isn’t too stark but still stylish and modern.” While logically appealing, there’s a catch: Sonos doesn’t actually produce gray Ace headphones. They do offer a “soft white” variant that resembles gray, but pure gray doesn’t exist in the Sonos lineup.
But wait, there’s more. ChatGPT then speculated about “special editions or custom colors.” Fair enough. “Occasionally, Sonos releases special editions or custom colors. These can add a unique touch to your setup if you're looking for something different.” While it’s true they can add flair, it's important to note that Sonos is not known for producing custom colors beyond their standard black and white offerings.
I approached this all out of sheer curiosity, not to embarrass ChatGPT. However, its failure to identify the Sonos Ace as headphones created an impression that it didn’t fully understand the product and was simply generating responses that, while somewhat relevant, ultimately fell short—akin to a hastily crafted sixth-grade essay.
I decided to run my query again, this time with a slight tweak for clarity: “What color Sonos Ace headphones should I get?” The responses improved, with ChatGPT no longer assuming that the Sonos Ace referred to a speaker for a room. It also presented its answers with a pros and cons list. For the black option:
Pros: Classic, versatile, and resistant to dirt or wear. Matches well with various outfits and styles.
Cons: May appear too plain if you prefer a bolder aesthetic.
Generic, but accurate. The advice for the white Sonos Ace was similar, cautioning that they could be more prone to showing stains. So, avoid staining your headphones! Yet, ChatGPT still conjured up that nonexistent gray edition of the Sonos Ace, along with the idea of special edition colors.
Ultimately, my goal was simply to see how this advanced AI tackled a question I had already answered myself. Phil 1. ChatGPT 0.
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