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Last Updated on September 12, 2023 by Rifthy
The market for ANC (active noise cancellation) headphones has long been dominated by premium brands like Bose, Sony and JBL. Their headphones often cost upwards of $300, which can be over 3 or 4 times more expensive than many consumers need.
However, companies like Anker’s Soundcore are aiming to shake up the market by offering ANC headphones at a much more affordable price point.
I recently had the chance to test out Soundcore’s latest noise cancelling headphones, the Space One. Retailing for a very wallet-friendly $99, I was eager to see if these cans could match the performance of pricier models. Read on for my full Soundcore Space One review.
POSITIVES
- Excellent noise cancellation rivals premium brands
- Useful app with sound customization
- Great value at $99
NEGATIVES
- Bass could be punchier for some
- Call quality is just okay in noisy environments
- Does not include a case
Discussed Topics
Overview and Unboxing
Right out of the box, the Space One makes a great first impression. The headphones sport a gorgeous, minimalist design with sleek curves and a stylish pastel blue finish (they also come in black). The build quality looks and feels solid, with metal accents and quality plastic.
Inside the box, you get the headphones, a carrying pouch, USB-C charging cable, 3.5mm auxiliary cable and quick start guide.
So far, so good – the Space One is checking all the boxes for aesthetics and value at this price point. Now on to the comfort and features.
Comfort and Wearability
Comfort is crucial for any pair of headphones designed for long listening sessions. Thankfully, the Space One delivers in this regard.
The headband is cushioned with a soft padding that provides a smooth, seamless fit across your head. The padding isn’t memory foam, but it’s still plenty comfortable in my experience. Better yet, the headband stretches and adjusts easily without any annoying creaking or clicking sounds.
The ear cups possess an innovative 8-degree tilt axis that Soundcore calls “floating axis design.” This allows the cups to adjust seamlessly to the shape of your head and ears for a more natural, customized fit.
While the ear cup padding isn’t the thickest, the dense memory foam cushioning conforms nicely to your ears while providing ample support. I found the Space One headphones comfy enough to wear for hours on end without any ear fatigue.
Controls and Connectivity
The Space One headphones provide you with all the on-board controls you need to manage music, calls and noise cancellation without reaching for your smartphone.
The left ear cup houses the ANC button for cycling through noise cancelling modes, along with the power button and an LED battery indicator. You’ll also find a 3.5mm AUX input and USB-C charging port on the left cup.
Over on the right side are conveniently placed volume buttons and a play/pause button. The controls are intuitive and responsive.
Connectivity comes courtesy of Bluetooth 5.3, which provides a stable wireless connection along with support for the high-quality LDAC audio codec.
Sound Quality
Let’s get down to the nitty gritty – how do these affordable noise cancelling headphones actually sound?
In a word: great. The 40mm dynamic drivers deliver impressive clarity and depth across the frequency range. The sound signature provides clean, balanced audio out of the box.
Bass lovers may find the low end lacking compared to more V-shaped headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM4. However, the Space One still produces pleasing warmth and thump without muddying the mids or highs.
Vocals sound crisp and vivid in the midrange, while highs are nicely extended without getting overly sharp or sibilant. Whether you’re listening to hip-hop, classical, podcasts or anything in between, the Space One provides satisfying sonic performance.
Noise Cancellation
Active noise cancellation is the other major selling point of the Soundcore Space One. This feature uses internal microphones to detect ambient noise and generate inverse sound waves to cancel it out.
I was thoroughly impressed by the ANC performance of these budget-friendly headphones. In busy coffee shop environments, the Space One almost entirely muted background chatter and noise once the ANC kicked in fully.
You can choose between adaptive noise cancellation or five manual levels of ANC intensity. There’s also a transparency hearing mode with five amplification levels so you can pump in sounds from your environment when needed.
Wind noise reduction works decently well and will appeal to frequent flyers. Overall, the noise cancelling prowess of the Space One rivals more expensive options like the Sony WH-1000XM4.
Battery Life
With ANC turned off, Soundcore says you can get up to 55 hours of listening per charge. Turning noise cancellation on drops battery life closer to 40 hours.
While not class-leading, this is solid battery performance that should easily get you through days of use between charges. The quick charging function also provides around 4 additional hours of playtime from just a 5-minute charge.
The headphones recharge via the included USB-C cable. A full charge takes about 2 hours.
Call Quality and Connectivity
I tested out the built-in microphone for voice calls in both quiet and noisy environments. Callers said I sounded clear, though background noise did seep in more noticeably when walking on a busy street. For quiet indoor use, call quality is fine.
The Bluetooth 5.3 wireless connection provided a mostly stable link to my smartphone up to the expected 10 meter range. As mentioned earlier, it would have been nice to have multi-point pairing, but single device connectivity is reliable.
Soundcore App
Soundcore provides a mobile app for iOS and Android that lets you control the Space One headphones and customize settings:
- Switch between ANC modes or enable transparency
- Adjust ambient sound control levels
- Enable wearing detection to auto pause audio when removing headphones
- Pick from 22 audio presets or create a custom EQ
- Set volume limit for hearing safety
- Check headphone battery level
- Update firmware
The app works well and adds useful functionality to augment the on-board controls. It’s easy to tweak sound profiles and noise cancellation to your liking.
Let’s summarize my experience with the Soundcore Space One ANC headphones:
POSITIVES
- Excellent noise cancellation rivals premium brands
- Useful app with sound customization
- Great value at $99
NEGATIVES
- Bass could be punchier for some
- Call quality is just okay in noisy environments
- Does not include a case
Verdict: Soundcore Space One review
After extensive testing, there’s no doubt in my mind – the Soundcore Space One delivers tremendous value for shoppers wanting active noise cancellation on a budget.
They may lack some bells and whistles found on more premium ANC headphones. However, the superb noise reduction paired with great sound quality cement the Space One’s status as a top choice for affordable wireless over-ear headphones.
The bottom line: if your budget is under $100 and you want to enjoy your music and videos without distractions, these should be at the top of your list. Soundcore hit it out of the park with the Space One – don’t sleep on these noise-cancelling hidden gems!
If you’re a music enthusiast looking for the perfect headphones for listening to classical music, don’t miss our in-depth guide on EH NoCord.
Alternatives
The Soundcore Space One is arguably the best budget ANC headphones available now. However, here are a couple of alternatives worth considering:
Anker Soundcore Life Q30 – Similar design and performance to Space One, but at $80 offer even better value. Lack some premium features like wearing detection though.
Sony WH-CH710N – These $150 over-ear Sony headphones provide good ANC and sound but cost a bit more. Nice option if you want the Sony brand.
Cowin SE7 – Well-rated ANC headphones priced around $60. Quality won’t match Soundcore but extremely affordable.
Bose QuietComfort 45 – The QC45 are considered the ANC leaders by many. But they come at a steep price.
FAQ
How does the ANC on the Space One compare to premium models like Sony and Bose?
I was extremely impressed by the active noise cancelling ability of the Space One, especially given their affordable price. The noise reduction is right up there with Sony’s WH-1000XM4 based on my testing. Only the very top-tier Bose and Sony models might have a slight edge.
Do the Space One work well for phone calls?
Yes, for indoor calls in quiet environments, callers said I sounded clear when using the built-in mic. Call quality takes a hit in noisier areas though. So they work fine for calls at home or in the office.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Rifthy Rian: Expert in Budget Audio Equipment
I am Rifthy Rian, a professional accountant with a passion for audio equipment and a deep understanding of budget-friendly options. Over the past 8 months, I have personally tested over 75 products, including headphones, speakers, and other audio gear, with the aim of providing unbiased and genuine feedback to help others find the perfect sound gear. My expertise lies in evaluating the performance, features, and value of budget audio equipment, and I am committed to sharing my knowledge and experiences to assist others in making informed purchasing decisions.
Concepts Related to the Article
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is a technology used in headphones to reduce or eliminate unwanted ambient sounds by creating sound waves that are the exact opposite of the ambient noise, effectively canceling it out. The article discusses the ANC feature of the Soundcore Space One headphones and compares it to premium models like Sony and Bose.
Soundcore Space One Review
The article provides a comprehensive review of the Soundcore Space One headphones, covering aspects such as design, comfort, controls, sound quality, noise cancellation, battery life, call quality, and the accompanying Soundcore app. The review includes both the positives and negatives of the headphones, along with a verdict emphasizing the value offered by the Space One at a price point of $99.
Comfort and Wearability
The review evaluates the comfort and wearability of the Soundcore Space One headphones, focusing on features such as cushioned headbands, ear cup design, and overall comfort for long listening sessions.
Sound Quality
The article delves into the sound quality of the Space One headphones, discussing the performance of 40mm dynamic drivers, audio clarity, bass response, midrange, and high-frequency extension. It also compares the sound signature of the Space One to that of other headphones in the market.
Connectivity and Controls
The review covers the controls and connectivity options of the Soundcore Space One headphones, highlighting the on-board controls, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and support for the LDAC audio codec.
Battery Life
The article provides information about the battery life of the Space One headphones, including the duration of listening per charge with ANC on and off, as well as the quick charging functionality.
Soundcore App
The review discusses the features and functionality of the Soundcore app, which allows users to customize settings, switch between ANC modes, adjust ambient sound control levels, create custom EQ settings, and check headphone battery level.
Alternatives
The article presents alternative headphone options to consider, such as the Anker Soundcore Life Q30, Sony WH-CH710N, Cowin SE7, and Bose QuietComfort 45, offering comparisons based on price, performance, and features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The FAQ section addresses common queries about the ANC performance of the Space One compared to premium models like Sony and Bose, as well as the suitability of the Space One for phone calls in different environments.
By thoroughly examining and understanding these concepts, individuals can gain valuable insights into the features, performance, and value proposition of the Soundcore Space One headphones, as well as consider alternative options based on their specific preferences and requirements.