Today we are reviewing a new product from Anker: Anker SoundCore Space One full-size wireless headphones with improved ergonomics, flexible noise cancellation settings, completely redesigned drivers, and enhanced functionality. Let’s take a closer look at the model’s capabilities and talk about the experience of using it in everyday life.
Pluses:
sound, ergonomics, design, noise reduction, permeability mode, autonomy, functionality, control, equipment
Minuses:
inaudibility in saturated music genres
Content
- 1 Packaging and equipment
- 2 Design and ergonomics
- 3 Connection and control
- 4 Anker Space One app
- 5 Noise reduction and microphones
- 6 Autonomy of Anker SoundCore Space One
- 7 Technical characteristics Anker SoundCore Space One
- 8 Technologies and features
- 9 The sound of Anker SoundCore Space One
- 10 Price and competitors
Packaging and equipment
The headphones are delivered in a dense cardboard package with color printing, which contains an image of the model and information about its features and basic characteristics.
Inside the box is the following kit:
- Anker SoundCore Space One headphones
- USB-A to USB-C charging cable
- Audio cable 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm
- Protective cover
Headphones are located on a cardboard cradle, and accessories are in a separate compartment. The included wires are the most ordinary, but the protective pouch was a pleasant surprise – it is made of dense and pleasant to the touch fabric, which is quite unexpected; given the cost of the headphones, the manufacturer could have included something cheaper.
Design and ergonomics
The headphones look restrained and quite stylish.
The bowls have small glossy brand logos on them.
There is a textured insert between the ear cups and the ear cushions, which makes the headphones more grippy when you need to take them on or off Inside the left bowl, you can see an optical sensor that tracks the position of the headphones and is responsible for pausing and playing music when the headphones are removed. By the way, after purchase, you need to remove the protective sticker for the sensor to work correctly.
The case materials are plastic of various textures, mostly matte, aluminum, and leatherette. The headband and ear cushions are made of a material that tactilely resembles memory foam.
The ear cushions fit snugly and provide good passive noise isolation. The headband doesn’t put pressure on your head, the fit is comfortable, and the headphones fit well. They’re not suitable for sports, as they don’t fit securely enough to prevent them from flying off your head during sudden movements, but their ergonomics are comfortable for everyday use.
Connection and control
The headphones connect as easily and quickly as possible, and the signal holds well in any environment, including the subway. The signal is good at a distance of up to 10-15 meters, which is typical for most Bluetooth models.The headphones are controlled by two buttons on the left ear cup (power on, pairing, and noise canceling) and three on the right (play-pause and volume control). The controls are convenient and intuitive.
In general, Anker’s approach to apps is very pleasing, as even well-known companies like Sony or Astell&Kern are guilty of producing crude or even outright broken software
In the app, you can make basic settings such as switching ANC
Active Noise Cancellation modes, installing updates, and adjusting the equalizer. However, there are also more advanced options such as controlling the power off, setting up the Easy Chat function for talking on the street with headphones (the music becomes as quiet as possible and the microphones are turned on), monitoring the listening volume, and calibrating the headphone sensor.
To enable the pause function after removing the headphones from your head, you need to calibrate them in the application (and this step should not be skipped, the headphones will understand if you do not follow the instructions).
Easy Chat also has a beta feature that pauses playback when the user starts talking. It works surprisingly well, and after the first few times you use it, it responds to the user’s voice immediately. It responds to coughs, but does not respond to claps or other extraneous sounds. When the user is done talking, the music gets louder only after 4-5 seconds. And of course, the main disadvantage of this use case is that the voice of other strangers nearby is automatically perceived as the voice of your interlocutor, so it’s better to turn it off in crowded places, but in general, it works well and is interesting.
Noise reduction and microphones
Noise cancellation works quite well, although for people who are sensitive to ANC, it is better to test the headphones first. Personally, I didn’t experience any discomfort, but it’s better to check it before buying.The permeability mode is also quite good: the interlocutor’s voice sounds a bit muffled, but this is quite normal for this price range.In general, the microphones are not bad and are quite suitable for short conversations, but for constant use as a talking headset, it is better to consider something else.
Autonomy of Anker SoundCore Space One
Another nice feature of the model is that it can operate on a single charge for up to 55 hours without ANC and up to 40 hours with ANCActive Noise Cancellation.You can charge the headphones in 5 minutes to get 3-4 hours of listening time, which is very convenient when you’re about to leave the house in the morning and realize that the headphones are dead.
Technical characteristics Anker SoundCore Space One
| Emitter | Dynamic 40 mm |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB |
| Frequency range | 20-40000 Hz |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Bluetooth specification | A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth codecs | AAC/LDAC/SBC |
| Power supply | Battery |
| Working hours | up to 55 hours in playback mode (with noise reduction turned off) |
| Fast charging | Yes |
Technologies and features
Advanced ANC
Adaptive noise cancellation recognizes the source of extraneous sounds and automatically selects the optimal mode, effectively blocking up to 98% of noise. Space One perfectly blocks mid- and high-frequency sounds, thanks to twice the noise reduction system.
Updated emitters
Space One’s 40mm tuned dynamic drivers support LDAC technology for high-resolution wireless audio, delivering 3x more detail than standard Bluetooth codecs and allowing you to hear the finer details for a high-quality listening experience.
Improved battery life
With up to 55 hours of continuous music playback in standard mode and up to 40 hours in active noise cancellation mode, the battery lasts for a full, long trip.
New design and increased comfort
Soft ear cushions that rotate and easily conform to the contours of your head; have a padded, integrated headband for all-day comfort.
The sound of Anker SoundCore Space One
The headphones sound detailed and rich, with an emphasis on low and high frequencies, but without an obvious blockage in the middle, as is typical for the V-shaped frequency response of budget models.High frequencies are clear and convey even complex details well, without an excessive amount of ultra-highs that can sound unpleasant on cymbals and strings – in general, there is enough information to reproduce high instrumental parts with high quality and convey vocals properly.
The midrange is not as clear as the highs, but it is still transparent and well balanced. The bass is textured and juicy, with excellent volume reproduction The overall sound profile is characterized by a soft and rich sound with a noticeable bias in high and low frequencies, with a slight clutter in the middle frequencies.
The model is versatile and well suited for most music genres, but those who like complex compositions should consider something more informative They are highly compatible with ambient music and active genres, as well as pop, rap, R&B, and electronic music.
Price and competitors
The cost of Anker SoundCore Space One is 4 999 UAH.
Among the closest competitors are Sennheiser HD 350BT for 3 829 UAH and JBL T770 NC for 3 999 UAH.
A slightly more expensive option is the new Sony WH-CH720N for 4 699 UAH, as well as Skullcandy Hesh ANC Wireless for 4 999 UAH and JBL Live 660NC for 5 999 UAH.
In addition, it is worth considering Sennheiser Accentum Wireless which, although they cost almost twice as much, can be found at discounts for 6 449 UAH which, given the difference in sound, ergonomics, and overall quality, is a more favorable option.
We express our gratitude to the Portativ.ua store for the Anker SoundCore Space One headphones provided for review