SoundCore Model Zero Review – Punching about its weight!

If you had asked me a few months back about SoundCore audio products, I would have shot back – What? SoundCore? Fortunately, I got to test a couple of their products which managed to change my perceptions to the extent that now I strongly believe SoundCore, a sub-brand of Anker is one of the most underrated audio company.  They make some good stuff that can give the top guns in the industry run for their money. Here I have the SoundCore Model Zero that stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Bose SoundLink Revolve, UltimateEars Boom 3. It has a striking cheeky look, featuring a handle built into the grille itself, is it worth the salt? Here are my thoughts in the SoundCore Model Zero review.

Design of Model Zero

The speaker is a looker. It can be a décor piece in your living room. It has a quirky design like a handbag. It weighs a little less than 2Kg at 1955 grams and has dimensions of 256 x 128 x 240mm.  It is also rated IPX5 which means it can withstand water exposure to an extend but definitely not advisable under water. The Model Zero is wrapped almost completely by a black grille except for a thin aluminum band that encases around the side. The handle is part of the black mesh grille and is very ergonomic design to pick it up and go. The bottom is flat with a rubber footer that keeps the speaker firm on the table. The ports and buttons are cleverly tucked into the design that they are invisible when you look straight at the speaker. The controls are on a black band on top of the speaker directly below the handle.  There is the array of Bluetooth button, volume controls, multi-function and a “BassUp” button to boost the bass. The Bluetooth button lights up blue when the speaker is connected to your device. The power button is on the right side of the metal band. The power DC-in port and AUX port are tucked behind a waterproof flap at the back. Overall, the speaker would blend well into your home decor. It is eye-catchy. But does the design complement the performance? let’s find out.

Features and performance of Model Zero

Specs:

When it comes to audio, the Model Zero definitely punches above its weight producing a warm sound that fills my living room. It offers a neat 360 degree of output thanks to its rounded shape and all-over grille.  The speaker is hi-res audio certified, which means the sound is of a higher quality compared to what you would get from a CD, thanks to a sampling rate double the resolution of CD-quality audio – provided the file you’re playing back supports it. The sound does not feel deliberately boosted and stays faithfully close to the actual reproduction of the music. The trebles are crisp, mids are nicer and not overwhelmed by bass.  I really liked the individual details of the complex notes you get treated to. Even the “BassUp” boost feature does not annoyingly pump up the bass which if you are a bass head would be a slight disappointment. Nevertheless, I liked the measured bass and overall treatment of the sound. Apart from the Bluetooth connectivity, there is the Aux input in case you want to hook it by wire but the connectivity options are limited to both these. There is no FM, no card reader. You can connect the speaker to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously.

Battery Life of Model Zero:

SoundCore claims a battery life of 10 hours and it takes almost three hours to fully charge the speaker. In my usage, I could get around 8-9 hours of music. Lack of USB charging might is a bit disappointing and the box carries its own power brick.

Verdict:

At the price of Rs 17,990, the SoundCore Model Zero is a premium mid-range wireless speaker. It impresses with its design and audio output as I said earlier, it does punch above its own weight. If you are someone who loves faithful reproduction of audio, with good clarity and overall roundness of collective notes, you would like the Model Zero, and hey it’s also a stunner to look at!  ]]>