Sometimes cheaper is better: Reviewing the Soundcore Space One and Space One Pro headphones
Affordable Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Soundcore Space One vs. Space One Pro – Which One Should You Buy?
Let's face it, the price tags on today's top-tier headphones have become incredibly steep. While premium models like the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra might offer an unmatched audio experience, their $400 to $500 cost is simply out of reach for many everyday listeners. For the average person, dropping half a grand on a new pair of headphones just isn't realistic. This is where the market for affordable noise-cancelling headphones truly shines. They promise a way to enjoy peace and quality sound without breaking the bank. But the big question remains: are these budget-friendly options truly any good?
In the past, we've been impressed by headphones such as the JLab Lux headphones for their excellent value. Now, it's time to turn our attention to Soundcore, a brand that has quickly gained massive popularity for its commitment to offering quality audio at accessible prices. Specifically, we're diving deep into their Space One and Space One Pro models.
Soundcore's Space One and Space One Pro headphones are making a significant impact in the competitive headphone market, offering both budget-friendly and mid-range options. Their popularity is undeniable: these Soundcore headphones boast over 14,000 reviews on Amazon, and you can spot them almost everywhere you go. As a product reviewer, I constantly observe what people are wearing, whether at the gym, in a bustling coffee shop, or during my daily commute. It quickly became clear how many individuals have chosen the Space One and Space One Pro as their go-to audio companions. This widespread adoption sparked my curiosity and led me to put both models to the test, to understand why they've resonated so much with consumers and to help you decide which one, if any, is right for you.
Soundcore Space One and Space One Pro: Price and Key Features
The Soundcore Space One and Space One Pro headphones mirror the tiered approach seen in more established brands like Bose, specifically with their Bose QuietComfort and QuietComfort Ultra lines. This means you get two distinct price points, but also a core similarity in design and features, with the "Pro" model offering subtle but potentially significant upgrades for those willing to pay more.
Soundcore Space One: The Budget-Friendly Contender
The Soundcore Space One headphones are Soundcore Space One Pro headphones comes with a price tag of $199.99. This $100 increase promises enhanced features for those looking for a bit more:
Noise Cancellation: Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation 3.0. The "3.0" indicates an even more refined and powerful noise-cancelling algorithm. This version aims to offer superior noise reduction across a wider frequency range, targeting a broader spectrum of ambient sounds, from chatter to engine hums, for a quieter listening environment.
Sound: Hi-Res with lossless audio support. While the Space One already offers Hi-Res audio, the Pro model adds support for lossless audio. Lossless audio formats retain all the original data from the recording, providing an uncompromised, studio-quality listening experience that is as close to the original source as possible. This is a significant upgrade for audiophiles who prioritize the purest sound fidelity.
Battery Life: 40 hours with ANC or 60 hours without ANC. The ANC battery life remains the same as the Space One, but the non-ANC playback gets a bump to a truly impressive 60 hours. This extra five hours might seem minor but extends the time between charges even further for those who rarely use ANC.
Fast Charging: 5 minutes of charging for 8 hours of playback. The Pro model doubles the fast-charging efficiency of the standard Space One. Getting eight hours of listening from just five minutes of charge is incredibly convenient, ensuring you're almost never caught without music, even on short notice.
Mics: 4 Mics. An additional microphone further enhances call clarity, making your voice stand out even more against noisy backgrounds. This is particularly beneficial for professionals or frequent callers.
Weight: 286.2 grams. Slightly heavier than the Space One, this minor increase contributes to a more substantial, premium feel, justifying its higher price point in terms of build perception.
Colors: Cream white and jet black. The Pro model offers a more restrained, classic color palette, appealing to those who prefer timeless elegance over playful hues.
Comparing these specifications side-by-side, it's clear that the Space One Pro aims to refine the experience offered by its cheaper sibling, particularly in noise cancellation technology, audio fidelity with lossless support, and fast charging capabilities. The question is whether these enhancements translate into a noticeable real-world difference that justifies the double price tag.
The Soundcore Space One Looks: A Blend of Familiarity and Flair
Both the Soundcore Space One and Space One Pro boast an appealing aesthetic, especially considering their competitive pricing. When I first encountered these headphones in public, my immediate thought was that I was looking at a pair of Beats, perhaps even the Studio Pros. This initial confusion highlights one of their strengths: they project a more expensive image than their actual cost. The similarity, it turns out, largely stems from the Soundcore logo's design, which bears a striking resemblance to the iconic Beats logo, particularly in its minimalist, bold 'S' shape that mimics the 'b'.
Beyond the logo, the Soundcore Space One and Space One Pro headphones exhibit a sleek, modern design characterized by shiny accents and gracefully rounded edges. They don't simply copy other brands; they carve out their own identity with thoughtful styling. Both models are crafted from lightweight plastic, which is typical for headphones in this price range. While they manage to look premium, their material choice means they feel distinctly lighter and less dense than the metal or higher-grade plastics found in ultra-premium headphones from brands like Sony or Bose. This isn't necessarily a drawback, as the lightweight nature contributes to comfort, but it's a tactile difference that justifies the price gap.
The Space One Pros, being slightly heavier at 286.2 grams compared to the Space One's 265 grams, carry a bit more heft. This subtle increase in weight, combined with their build, does give them a slightly more "expensive" and robust feel in hand, which aligns with their higher price point. It’s a minor detail, but it contributes to the overall perception of quality.
One aspect where both headphones shine is their control layout. The physical buttons are identical across both models, offering a refreshingly intuitive user experience. On the left ear cup, you'll find the power button and a dedicated button for controlling noise cancellation modes (ANC On/Off/Transparency). On the right ear cup, there's the play/pause button, flanked by volume up and down controls. All these buttons are tactile, responsive, and easy to locate by feel, even without looking. I personally find this button-based control system far superior to the often-finicky and unreliable touch controls commonly found on many higher-end headphones. Touch controls can be prone to accidental presses, unresponsive in certain conditions (like with sweaty hands), or simply less precise. The Soundcore Space One and Space One Pro’s physical buttons provide consistent, reliable feedback, allowing you to manage your audio effortlessly without guesswork.
Comfort: A Surprising Difference Between Siblings
One of the more unexpected distinctions between the Space One and Space One Pro lies in their comfort levels, primarily due to a subtle yet impactful design choice on the standard Space One model. The ear cups of the Soundcore Space One feature a unique, slight eight-degree tilt, allowing for a more adjustable and ergonomic fit that better conforms to the natural angle of the human ear. This seemingly small detail plays a significant role in its overall wearability.
In general, I found the Soundcore Space One headphones to offer a slightly less snug fit compared to the Space One Pros. However, this translated directly into superior comfort. As someone who wears glasses and earrings almost every day, I often struggle with over-ear headphones that press uncomfortably against my ears or the arms of my glasses. With the Space Ones, I experienced consistent comfort, even during extended listening sessions. There was no pinching, no excessive pressure on my temples from my glasses, and my earrings didn't dig into my skin. The slightly looser, more forgiving fit, combined with the angled ear cups, allowed them to sit naturally without creating pressure points. I could wear them for hours while working or commuting without any discomfort or the need for frequent adjustments.
Conversely, the Space One Pros, with their slightly heavier build and tighter clamping force, offered a more secure fit. On one hand, this tighter seal contributes to better passive noise cancellation, physically blocking out more ambient sound before the active noise cancellation even kicks in. This is a clear advantage for those prioritizing maximum quiet in very noisy environments. However, this snugness came at a cost to comfort. I found myself constantly adjusting the Space One Pro headphones, trying to find a sweet spot that wouldn't irritate my ears or press too hard against my glasses. Wearing them for an hour or more invariably led to a dull ache around my ears or even a developing headache, making them less ideal for long workdays or marathon listening sessions.
Therefore, when comfort is the primary consideration, the Soundcore Space One unequivocally emerges as the preferred choice. Its intelligent design and lighter clamping force make it a far more enjoyable companion for everyday wear, especially for users with glasses or earrings who often face comfort compromises with over-ear headphones.
Middling Audio Quality and Noise Cancellation: Good, Not Great
When it comes to the core functions of headphones – audio quality and noise cancellation – neither the Soundcore Space One nor the Space One Pro delivered a truly groundbreaking performance. Both were undeniably good for their price points, but they didn't quite reach the "great" category that audiophiles or users accustomed to premium headphones might expect. This observation highlights an important aspect of budget and mid-range audio: while they offer solid performance, they rarely compete with the nuanced soundscapes and absolute quiet provided by much more expensive alternatives.
On paper, the specifications for both models are remarkably similar, each featuring active noise cancellation and Hi-Res audio support. The Space One Pro does boast a more advanced "Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation 3.0" and the coveted "lossless audio support." Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation, as previously noted, intelligently adjusts to your environment, and version 3.0 is theoretically superior, offering more precise and effective noise reduction. Lossless audio, for its part, ensures that no audio data is compressed or lost, delivering the purest possible sound. However, in my practical, everyday listening experience, the sonic differences between the two models were virtually indistinguishable to my ears. For most casual listeners, the upgrade to ANC 3.0 and lossless audio on the Pro model might not translate into a noticeable improvement worthy of the extra cost.
What ultimately made a tangible difference in the noise-cancellation experience was not the active technology itself, but rather the physical fit of the headphones, which influenced passive noise cancellation. The Space One Pro headphones, with their noticeably tighter clamping force and more secure seal around the ears, naturally created better passive noise cancellation. This means they physically blocked more external sound before the electronic active noise cancellation even had to do its work. When I tested both pairs in a bustling coffee shop, the Space One Pros proved to be slightly more effective at muting the general chatter, clatter of cups, and background music. The tighter fit created a better acoustic seal, providing a noticeable (though not dramatic) improvement in isolation. However, this came at the expense of comfort, as detailed earlier.
Regarding audio quality, both headphones deliver a generally balanced sound profile suitable for a wide range of genres. Bass is present and punchy without being overwhelming, mids are clear enough for vocals and instruments, and highs are generally crisp, though they can sometimes lack the sparkling detail found in higher-end models. They handle popular music genres like pop, hip-hop, and electronic music quite well, offering an enjoyable listening experience. For more complex genres like classical or jazz, where subtle instrument separation and soundstage are critical, they perform adequately but don't excel. While the Hi-Res certification is a welcome feature, the overall sound signature remains firmly in the "good for the price" category rather than audiophile-grade excellence.
In summary, while the Space One Pro theoretically offers superior noise cancellation and audio fidelity, the real-world impact for many users might be minimal, especially when weighed against the comfort trade-off. The choice between them often boils down to whether a slightly quieter environment is worth sacrificing long-term comfort and spending an additional $100.
Battery Life to Last for Days: A Near Tie
Despite the significant $100 price difference separating the Soundcore Space One and Space One Pro headphones, their battery life performance remains remarkably similar, making it a less compelling reason to upgrade to the Pro model. This parity in endurance is a huge win for the more budget-conscious Space One, as it means you're not sacrificing longevity for affordability.
Let's break down the numbers:
- The Soundcore Space One headphones offer an impressive 40 hours of battery life with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) enabled and extend to an even more substantial 55 hours without ANC.
- The Soundcore Space One Pro headphones provide the exact same 40 hours with ANC, but gain a slight edge with 60 hours when ANC is turned off.
In my real-world testing of both pairs, I found these figures to hold true, delivering excellent results that align very closely with the advertised specifications. Using the headphones for a couple of hours each day – whether for focused work, commuting, or casual listening – I was consistently able to go for approximately two full weeks before needing to plug them in for a recharge. This was even with active noise cancellation engaged for a good portion of that time. Such robust battery life means less time worrying about charging and more time enjoying your music, podcasts, or calls. For most users, going two weeks between charges is more than sufficient and eliminates much of the "battery anxiety" often associated with portable electronics.
Where the Pro model does offer a noticeable, albeit small, improvement is in its fast-charging capabilities. The Space One provides 4 hours of playback from just 5 minutes of charging, which is already quite convenient. The Space One Pro, however, doubles this efficiency, giving you an impressive 8 hours of playback from the same 5-minute quick charge. This faster top-up could be a decisive factor for individuals who frequently find themselves needing a rapid boost of power before heading out. Imagine realizing your headphones are dead just minutes before a long commute – getting 8 hours of use versus 4 hours could make a significant difference in your day.
However, when considering the overall value, the slight increase in non-ANC battery life and the improved fast charging on the Pro model don't necessarily justify the $100 price premium for everyone. If you primarily use ANC (which many people do, given these are noise-cancelling headphones), the battery life is identical. And while faster fast charging is nice, 4 hours from 5 minutes is already very respectable. Unless your usage patterns involve prolonged periods without ANC or frequent last-minute charging needs where every minute counts, the battery life performance alone is unlikely to be the deciding factor pushing you towards the more expensive Pros.
Essentially, both headphones are champions of endurance, providing exceptional battery longevity that allows for extended use without constant recharging. The Space One, in this regard, offers nearly identical practical battery performance to the Pro, making it a fantastic value proposition for long-lasting audio.
Go for the Cheaper Pair: The Soundcore Space One
After thoroughly testing the Soundcore Space One and Space One Pro headphones side by side, the most striking and ultimately defining difference between these two excellent budget-friendly options is their price. With a $100 gap separating them, the burden is on the Space One Pro to prove that its enhancements are genuinely worth the increased investment. In most key areas, however, the standard Soundcore Space One holds its own remarkably well, making it our preferred recommendation for the majority of users.
The primary reason to lean towards the Soundcore Space One is its outstanding value proposition. You get virtually the same, if not negligibly different, performance in critical areas for half the cost. The battery life, for instance, is essentially on par with the Pros, especially if you plan to use active noise cancellation regularly – a feature that is often the main draw for headphones in this category. Both models offer exceptional longevity, ensuring you can enjoy your audio for days, if not weeks, between charges. The slight boost in non-ANC playback and faster rapid charging on the Pro model, while convenient, doesn't translate into a compelling enough advantage to justify the higher price tag for most daily users.
Beyond battery life, the Soundcore Space One truly shines in comfort. Its lighter build and unique eight-degree tilted ear cups provide a more relaxed and accommodating fit. For individuals like myself who wear glasses or earrings, this design significantly reduces pressure points and prevents the common discomforts associated with prolonged headphone use. The ability to wear them for hours on end without developing headaches or earaches is a major benefit that cannot be overstated. While the Space One Pro's tighter fit does contribute to slightly better passive noise cancellation, this benefit often comes at the cost of long-term comfort, forcing users to constantly adjust them.
Therefore, our advice is clear: for most people seeking high-quality, affordable noise-cancelling headphones, the Soundcore Space One is the smarter purchase. You receive impressive sound, effective adaptive noise cancellation, stellar battery life, and superior comfort – all for a price that won't make your wallet wince. It’s a well-rounded package that delivers exceptional performance for its cost, representing true value in a market saturated with overpriced options.
However, if you are someone who absolutely prioritizes the most robust noise cancellation possible and doesn't mind a slightly tighter fit, then the Soundcore Space One Pro headphones might still be worth considering. The enhanced Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation 3.0, coupled with the improved passive seal from its snugger fit, does provide a marginally quieter experience in truly noisy environments. Furthermore, if you are an audiophile who demands lossless audio support for the absolute purest sound fidelity and finds the faster fast charging to be a critical convenience, the Pro model's additional features might align better with your specific needs. But these are niche requirements that many users won't fully appreciate or benefit from.
Ultimately, we are big proponents of saving money where you can, especially when it doesn't mean compromising on essential functionality. In the case of Soundcore's Space series, the cheaper Soundcore Space One emerges as our top recommendation. It strikes an almost perfect balance between performance, comfort, and affordability, proving that you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to enjoy a premium listening experience with effective noise cancellation.
from Mashable
-via DynaSage
