The Soundcore Space One Pro headphones, a recent addition to the lineup by Anker's audio brand, Soundcore, have generated significant attention in the world of consumer audio. Known for its budget-friendly yet high-performing products, Soundcore aims to compete with more established brands by offering features like advanced noise cancellation, impressive sound quality, and long battery life at a relatively affordable price. Let's dive into a balanced review of the Soundcore Space One Pro headphones, covering their design, comfort, sound quality, noise cancellation, battery life, and connectivity to help you decide if they’re worth considering.
Design and Comfort
From a design perspective, the Soundcore Space One Pro headphones are modern and sleek, sporting a minimalistic aesthetic with a blend of matte and glossy finishes. The build quality is decent, with a combination of plastic and metal elements providing a reasonably robust feel. While not as premium as some higher-end competitors, the headphones maintain a sturdy build that feels durable enough for daily use.
Comfort is a critical factor when it comes to headphones, especially for extended listening sessions. The Space One Pro excels in this department with its memory foam ear cushions and adjustable headband. The ear cups are spacious and well-padded, ensuring a comfortable fit for various head sizes. Additionally, the clamping force is balanced, providing a secure fit without causing discomfort. However, users with larger ears may find the ear cups slightly snug, which could lead to discomfort over prolonged periods.
Sound Quality
Soundcore has made significant strides in delivering excellent sound quality with its recent products, and the Space One Pro is no exception. These headphones are equipped with 40mm dynamic drivers that produce a well-balanced sound profile. The bass response is punchy and deep without overpowering the mids and highs, which is great for genres like hip-hop, pop, and electronic music. The midrange is clear and detailed, providing a pleasant experience for vocals and instruments, while the treble is crisp and bright without being overly harsh.
The soundstage of the Space One Pro is reasonably wide, offering a good sense of space and instrument separation for closed-back headphones. This makes them suitable for a variety of music genres and even casual gaming or movie watching. Audiophiles might find the sound profile slightly lacking in refinement compared to higher-end models, but for the average listener, the overall sound quality is more than satisfactory.
Noise Cancellation
One of the standout features of the Soundcore Space One Pro is its advanced noise cancellation (ANC) capabilities. The headphones use a hybrid ANC system with multiple microphones to effectively block out ambient sounds across a broad frequency range. The ANC performance is impressive, especially considering the price point. It excels in canceling out low-frequency noises like engine rumbles or air conditioning hums, making them ideal for travel or commuting.
However, the ANC is not perfect and may struggle with higher-frequency sounds like human voices or sudden, sharp noises. It is also worth mentioning that the Space One Pro offers three different ANC modes: Transport, Indoor, and Outdoor, which can be toggled via the Soundcore app. This customization allows users to adjust the noise cancellation based on their environment, which adds a layer of convenience and personalization to the user experience.
Battery Life
Battery life is another area where the Space One Pro shines. Soundcore claims up to 40 hours of playback with ANC turned on and up to 60 hours without ANC. In real-world usage, these numbers hold up well, making them one of the best in their class for battery longevity. The headphones also support fast charging, providing up to 4 hours of playback time with just a 5-minute charge. This is particularly useful for users who are always on the go and need a quick top-up.
Connectivity and Features
The Soundcore Space One Pro headphones support Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring a stable and reliable wireless connection with low latency. Pairing is straightforward, and the headphones also support multipoint connectivity, allowing users to connect to two devices simultaneously. This is a great feature for those who frequently switch between a smartphone and a laptop.
The Soundcore app, available for both iOS and Android, offers further customization options, including a customizable equalizer, ANC settings, and firmware updates. The app is user-friendly and adds value by allowing users to fine-tune their listening experience according to personal preferences. The headphones also feature touch controls on the earcups for play/pause, volume adjustment, and voice assistant activation. However, some users may find the touch controls a bit sensitive, leading to accidental activations.
Downsides
Despite its many strengths, the Soundcore Space One Pro is not without its flaws. While the build quality is decent, it falls short of the premium feel offered by some competitors in a similar price range. Additionally, while the sound quality is generally balanced and enjoyable, some users might find the bass slightly overpowering or the treble a bit too bright, depending on personal preferences.
The noise cancellation, while effective for the most part, is not as advanced as the top-tier models from Sony or Bose. It can sometimes struggle with more complex sound environments. Lastly, the earcup design, while generally comfortable, may not be ideal for users with larger ears, potentially leading to discomfort during extended use.
Conclusion
The Soundcore Space One Pro headphones are an excellent choice for those looking for a well-rounded pair of headphones that deliver strong performance across the board without breaking the bank. They offer a comfortable fit, impressive sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and exceptional battery life, all packed into a sleek design. While they may not have the premium build or the absolute best ANC on the market, they offer incredible value for their price, making them a compelling option for everyday listeners, commuters, and casual audiophiles alike.
For those willing to trade a bit of premium feel and top-tier ANC for a more budget-friendly price point, the Soundcore Space One Pro headphones are a solid choice.
£149.99
Visit soundcore.com