Anker – Tech Raman https://techraman.com Simplified Tech Talk Sun, 05 Jan 2020 09:06:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://techraman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/TR_logo-150x120.png Anker – Tech Raman https://techraman.com 32 32 SoundCore Model Zero Review – Punching about its weight! https://techraman.com/soundcore-model-zero-review-punching-about-its-weight/ https://techraman.com/soundcore-model-zero-review-punching-about-its-weight/#respond Wed, 11 Sep 2019 04:12:30 +0000 http://techraman.com/?p=14888 ]]> 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:

  • 2 x 63mm woofer, 2 x 19 mm Tweeter, 2 Passive Radiators
  • Output: 60 W, Total Harmonic Distortion <= 1%
  • Hi-Res Audio Certified
  • Bluetooth Version 5.0
  • Supports HFP, A2DP, AVRCP
  • Aux In
  • Range: 20m / 66ft
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.
Then, there is the SoundCore app where you can fiddle around the equalizer settings, giving you more control over how you want the music to sound. There are different presets too.
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!  ]]>

]]> https://techraman.com/soundcore-model-zero-review-punching-about-its-weight/feed/ 0 Anker SoundCore Sport XL Review https://techraman.com/anker-soundcore-sport-xl-review/ https://techraman.com/anker-soundcore-sport-xl-review/#respond Thu, 06 Dec 2018 10:23:43 +0000 http://techraman.com/?p=14370 ]]> Anker SoundCore Sport XL Specs
  • Total RMS Power: 2×8 Watts
  • Speaker Drivers: 2 mid-high range drivers
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.1
  • Ports: a 5V 2A USB output, 3.5mm aux input, Micro USB charging port
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
  • Power: Rechargeable lithium polymer battery
  • Dimensions: 175x78x43mm
  • Weight: 365 grams

What is in the box?

  • Speaker,
  • a hand strap,
  • micro USB charging cable,
  • warranty cards and instruction guide.

Build and design:

The SoundCore XL is built like a rock. The front has a metal grille mesh and the rest is made of a durable, tough plastic. The rear is appealing with squared off sections giving it an armoured look. The middle section at the back is where the passive bass radiator is underneath it. The edges are rounded off and smooth with no sharp edges making it easy to hold and carry. The bottom section seals the ports tightly from water getting in. It houses the aux input, micro USB input and USB output. The top has five buttons  – power, volume down, play/pause, volume up and Bluetooth pairing button. On the upper right edge, there are four small indicator lights for battery indication. A small metal bar here helps you attach the wrist strap that comes along the box. While the speaker is hefty weighing over 365 grams, it also makes this more durable. The buttons are very responsive to touch and gives a clicky sound upon pressing. The speaker is shock resistance making it a perfect outdoor music companion and is dust-tight. The SoundCore Sports XL comes with an IP67 rating that can withstand 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes.

Connectivity – Range

Anker claims a 20-meter Bluetooth range on these speakers and without walls obstructing you do get around 20 meters of connectivity which is pretty good for outdoor use. Even at home with walls blocking I got a better range than many other Bluetooth speakers I have tested.

Battery life

Anker claims 15 hours of constant playback on the SoundCore Sports XL.  My tests proved the claims very much true. My results were very close to the claims. What is worth noting is the phone can reverse charge your device like Smartphone with its 5V 2A USB output.

Performance Quality

Anker makes some good speakers, surprisingly not many must be aware of it as it is not a name that would pop up immediately when someone says Bluetooth speaker. The SoundCore XL has two 8W stereo drivers along with two dual passive subwoofers for bass. It produces loud music which should be good enough for a small to medium sized rooms and spreads nicely in the outdoor environs too. The bass is rich and has a punch though not completely overshadowing the vocals and trebles, which is a good sign. The vocals are well pronounced.  The mids tend to be slightly pushed back. The soundstage is fairly wide. Overall the Anker SoundCore Sports XL is decently good in this range. The Anker has a direct competition in WonderBook UE which is also a tough cookie with water resistance but takes a different design cue.

Verdict:

Anker SoundCore Sports XL is a good outdoor Bluetooth speaker and if you want to enjoy music near a Swimming pool or while bath. It is a tough speaker that can withstand a fair amount of abuse. It is priced at Rs 5,990 in India.]]>

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