The Soundcore Space 2 wireless headphones are mid-range ANC headphones made by Anker, launched globally on 21 April at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, priced at £130 / $130. On paper, they look like a compelling value proposition: 70 hours of battery life, adaptive four-stage noise cancellation that improves on the previous model, and a companion app packed with customization tools. In practice, they reveal a familiar trade-off—impressive specifications undermined by mediocre sound quality that makes you question whether all those features actually matter.
Key Takeaways
- 70-hour battery life (50 hours with ANC on) sets the Space 2 apart from most mid-range competitors.
- ANC attenuates 84% of outside noise on average, a significant improvement over the Space 1’s 75%.
- Default sound profile is boxy and lacks clarity, with uneven frequency response affecting vocals and instruments.
- Soundcore app offers eight-band EQ, HearID personalization, and real-time decibel monitoring.
- Available in linen white, jet black, and seafoam green finishes.
Battery Life and Noise Cancellation: Where the Space 2 Shines
The Soundcore Space 2’s headline strength is endurance. Seventy hours of claimed battery life puts it in rare company—it matches the Philips TAH8000E and lasts more than twice as long as the Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT, which manages only 30 hours. With ANC enabled, you still get 50 hours, a margin that makes real-world multi-week trips genuinely feasible without hunting for a charger. For travelers and remote workers, this alone justifies consideration.
The noise cancellation itself is legitimately capable. Anker’s four-stage, low-frequency noise cancelling system attenuates an average of 84% of outside noise during testing, a meaningful jump from the Space 1’s 75% average attenuation. That improvement translates to noticeably quieter subway rides, office chatter, and airplane cabin noise. The system adapts in real time to changing environments, which prevents that hollow, over-processed feeling some ANC headphones create. For the price, the noise cancellation is really good—arguably the best reason to buy these headphones.
The Sound Problem: Specifications Cannot Hide Poor Tuning
Here is where the Space 2 stumbles. The default sound quality is questionable, marked by a boxy, hollow character that lacks overall presence and clarity. Measurements reveal a dip around 130 Hz and uneven response across the 1 to 8 kHz region, precisely where vocals and instrument definition live. The 40mm double-layer drivers—constructed with a silk diaphragm and metal ceramic material—should deliver better results, but tuning choices undermine the hardware’s potential.
The Soundcore app includes an eight-band equalizer and HearID personalization based on a hearing test, tools that suggest Anker understands the sonic shortcomings. You can manually adjust the EQ to compensate, but that is a workaround, not a solution. Out of the box, these headphones sound worse than they should, which is the opposite of what you want from a product that costs £130. Transparency mode compounds the problem—it introduces audible hiss that makes it unsuitable for anything but brief interactions.
Features and Comfort: Solid but Not Exceptional
Beyond ANC and battery, the Space 2 checks standard boxes competently. Three microphones with AI noise reduction handle voice calls adequately, though not exceptionally. Memory foam padding and an ergonomic design support all-day wear without obvious discomfort. Smart Wearing Detection automatically pauses audio when you remove the headphones and resumes playback when you put them back on, a convenience feature that works as expected.
The Soundcore app is genuinely packed with features. Beyond the eight-band EQ and HearID, it includes a real-time decibel meter to monitor listening volume and set hearing-protection limits—a thoughtful touch that stands out in this price range. USB-C charging is convenient for switching between devices on the go. The headphones come in three finishes—linen white, jet black, and seafoam green—offering aesthetic choice that appeals to different tastes.
Soundcore Space 2 vs. Its Predecessor and Competitors
Compared to the Space 1, the Space 2 improves where it matters most: noise cancellation jumps from 75% to 84% average attenuation, a 9-percentage-point gain that translates to noticeably quieter performance. The app experience is richer, and battery life remains in the stratosphere. The sound quality issue, however, persists—the Space 1 also struggled with boxy, unclear tuning, suggesting this is a consistent Anker design philosophy rather than a one-off misstep.
In the mid-range ANC headphone category, the Space 2 prioritizes features and endurance over acoustic performance. Competitors like the Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT offer different trade-offs, with shorter battery life but potentially better sound, though they lack the app-based customization the Space 2 provides. The choice depends on whether you value battery longevity and noise cancellation enough to accept sonic compromises.
Should You Buy the Soundcore Space 2 Wireless Headphones?
Yes, if you prioritize battery life and noise cancellation above all else. The Space 2 excels at keeping outside noise at bay for weeks without needing to charge. The app ecosystem and hearing-protection features add genuine value. No, if sound quality is your primary concern. The boxy, unclear default tuning is a fundamental limitation that no amount of EQ tweaking fully resolves. These headphones are best suited for commuters, travelers, and office workers who value silence and convenience over sonic fidelity.
How long do the Soundcore Space 2 wireless headphones last on a single charge?
The Space 2 delivers 70 hours of total battery life with ANC off and 50 hours with ANC enabled. This endurance far exceeds most mid-range competitors and makes them practical for extended trips without frequent charging.
Can you adjust the sound profile on the Soundcore Space 2?
Yes. The Soundcore app includes an eight-band equalizer and HearID personalization based on a hearing test, allowing you to customize the sound to your preference. However, the default tuning is boxy enough that manual adjustment is necessary to achieve clarity.
What makes the Soundcore Space 2 wireless headphones different from the Space 1?
The Space 2 improves noise cancellation from 75% to 84% average attenuation and offers a richer app experience with more customization options. Battery life remains excellent at 70 hours. The sound quality issue, however, carries over from the previous model.
The Soundcore Space 2 wireless headphones are a compelling choice for anyone who demands weeks of battery life and effective noise cancellation. They are less compelling for listeners who expect their headphones to sound good out of the box. The gap between feature-rich specifications and actual sonic performance is the core tension—and it is a gap that matters more than Anker’s marketing suggests.
Where to Buy
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: What Hi-Fi?
