Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, Reduce Noise by Up to 98%, 50H Playtime, App Control, LDAC Hi-Res Wireless Audio, Comfortable Fit, Clear Calls, Bluetooth 5.3

mpilgrimUnited States

The best bluetooth headphones I've heard for the price range

Nowadays, I wouldn't buy a pair of bluetooth headphones blindly (or deafly?) online unless it comes with an app that allows you to tweak the sound/EQ. There's no point in spending money on a pair of headphones, only to not like the sound when they arrive. There are 3rd-party EQ phone apps, but those are sometimes dubious, plus they only work with the phone/tablet device being used at the time. It's best to have the native headphone's app do it within the headphones themselves, in which the custom EQ settings travel with the headphones to whatever device/system is being used -- even those without the possibility of EQ apps. So with built-in EQ, you don't have to worry as much about whether the headphones match your preferred sound profile -- at least, to a point, since some things like soundstage and the "feel" of open vs. closed headphones can't be customized, although the "Transparency" app settings sort of emulate the latter a bit, albeit via noise cancellation. These headphones come with a really good app for configuring most things (with one feature request down below*), including the EQ, noise cancelation, volume limiter, firmware updates, etc. You can also configure the headphones to auto-power-off if not in-use after 30/60/90/120 minutes or "never" (default is 60 minutes). The 8-band EQ has a 21 presets (or 22 if you count the "BassUP" on/off toggle on their "sound core Signature" preset), along with allowing to create/save multiple custom EQ profiles. The app finds and connects to the headphones immediately with both my Pixel 7 and Pixel 3 (which I now use as just a tiny tablet, since it only has WiFi). I only have Android phones, so I can't speak for the iPhone app, but I'd guess that it is the same, other than the LDAC stuff (which Apple devices don't support, and will default to AAC). Note that these headphones don't support any aptX protocols, so your options are LDAC/AAC/SBC for Android devices and AAC/SBC for Apple devices (both phones and computers). My computer is an Apple MacBook Air M1, so I can vouch for the AAC connection on that, although when sitting at my computer, I prefer using my wired headphones (Beyerdynamic 880's). But overall, I am liking these Q45's more than my Sennheiser HD 350BT bluetooth headphones. I don't really use noise cancelation, so I can't speak to that in subjective terms, and so keep in mind that my rating does not take into account noise cancellation. But in terms of features, it has a lot of customization, with both traditional NC modes (with five custom levels plus adaptive/automated) as well as separate transparency modes (with five custom levels plus "talk" mode). But even with the NC turned off ("Normal" setting), the headphones actually block-out quite a bit of noise naturally, since they seem to form an almost air-tight suction. The battery seems to last long too. I'm a person that re-charges any device before it goes below 60%, so I can't say how long a full battery drain lasts, but I go quite awhile between charges nonetheless, even using LDAC (which uses more battery). In AAC/SBS mode (not LDAC), probably slightly better than my Sennheiser HD 350BT's, while in LDAC mode, probably a bit worse (but only a bit). For comfort, I find these very comfortable with prolonged use. I just bought a new Pixel 7 phone (w/Android 13), and the bluetooth w/LDAC works extremely well with this phone/headphone combo, with no connectivity issues under reasonable use, even when LDAC is forced to 990kbps. The headphones also connect to the phones fairly quickly. In terms of holding the connection w/LDAC, I live in a two-bedroom apt with each bedroom on opposite ends of the apt, separated by ~20 feet. I put the phone in the furthest corner of one bedroom, shut the door, and walked around the apt: --LDAC @990kbps: It worked fine without any skips up to ~30 feet away and through one wall (including door closed). I didn't start to have skips until going into the other bedroom with its door also closed -- so not until over 30 feet away and through two walls. --LDAC @660kbps: I couldn't break it within my apt. No skips, even in the second bedroom with both bedroom doors closed -- so it still worked at ~35 feet away and through two walls (including both doors closed). --I didn't bother checking 330kbps, since 660kbps worked so well in all my scenarios. --LDAC Best Effort (Adaptive): Same behavior as @660kbps (never breaks/skips), which tells me that Android isn't actually operating at @990kbps (either part of the time or never), even though the Android ADB logs always say @990kbps at initial connection with no subsequent changes. So at least partially, it is operating @660kbps or @330kpbs. But the vagueness of Adaptive LDAC mode isn't the fault of these (or any) headphones -- this is an Android issue. However, the choice to use Adaptive LDAC mode in the first place is controllable, which brings me to my one gripe below... *My one complaint/request for the app is that it could force-customize the LDAC settings. All it allows you to do is enable LDAC (Preferred auto quality) or disable LDAC (Combine audio and connection, which then defaults to AAC). In the Android Developer settings, it always defaults to "Best Effort/Adaptive", which doesn't tell you what it's doing, even in the ADB logs, which only logs 990kbps at first connection, but never logs subsequent adaptive changes. There's a Sony Music Center app that works for some people in forcing the LDAC bit rate mode, but when I tried it, it only worked around 50% of the time on both my Pixel 7 w/Android 13 and Pixel 3 w/Android 12, so I ended-up removing the app. But it apparently works for others, and if Sony can apparently force the LDAC settings within their app, why shouldn't the SoundCore app be able to do it too? I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like the SoundCore app to force-customize the LDAC settings. Ideally, I'd like it to control the actual bit rate mode (ie, explicitly set it to 990kbps or 660kbps), as well as set the sample rate and bit size, since I don't listen to music beyond 44.1kHz/16-bit anyway, and so I also like to down-tune the sample rate/bit size to 44.1kHz/16-bit, to save a bit of phone battery. But at the very least, the app should be able to force-set the main LDAC bit rate setting (990/660/330/adaptive), so we don't have to go into the Android Developer settings every time the headphones re-connect. It's a minor nuisance, but considering that LDAC is a major selling point of the headphones -- you'd think they'd want to allow people to ensure ideal LDAC settings? Regardless, I'd still give these headphones five stars for the price range.

RobertAustralia

Easy as chuckin' a snag on the barbie

G'day, mate! Let's crack open a cold one and have a yarn about the Anker Soundcore Space Q45, eh? This little ripper of a headset is a fair dinkum choice for anyone keen on some top-notch noise canceling without breaking the bank. With a price tag of under $150 USD, it's a real bargain, I tell ya! Now, let's chuck a squiz at what makes these earbuds fair dinkum. First off, they're built sturdy as a roo's backbone, so you won't have to worry about 'em carking it on ya after a few tumbles. The pleather padding makes 'em comfy as a koala in a gum tree, but they can get a bit sweaty if you're out and about on a scorcher of a day. The controls are as easy as pie, with buttons on both sides of the headset for playin' tunes, adjustin' the volume, and flickin' the ANC on and off. Plus, they fold up real neat for chuckin' in the case when you're done. Now, I won't beat around the bush – the Soundcore app is a bit dodgy, but it does the job if you wanna tweak the settings. Bluetooth-wise, these babies come with all the bells and whistles, including Bluetooth 5.3 and support for AAC, SBC, and LDAC codecs. Pairin' 'em up is as easy as chuckin' a snag on the barbie – just hold down the power button and you're away laughing. And when it comes to battery life, these blokes are as reliable as an old ute. Anker reckons you'll get a solid 65 hours with ANC off and 50 hours with it on, but in me own tests, they went even longer! Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room – sound quality. Look, they're not gonna blow your socks off like a concert at the Sydney Opera House, but they'll do the job for most listeners. The bass is a bit punchy, the mids are middlin', and the highs can get a bit tinny at times. But hey, if you're not fussy, they'll do ya just fine. Now, here's the real surprise – the microphone is a bloody ripper! Most headphones in this price range sound like you're shoutin' into a tin can, but the Space Q45's mic does a fair dinkum job of cuttin' out background noise. So if you're spendin' your days on conference calls or chattin' with mates, you'll sound as clear as a bell. So, should you chuck a few bob at the Anker Soundcore Space Q45? Well, if you're after a solid pair of ANC headphones that won't break the bank, then yeah, these are the droids you're lookin' for. Sure, they might not have the fanciest sound quality, but for the price, you can't go wrong. Just don't expect 'em to rival the big boys like Sony or Bose. So there ya have it, folks – the Anker Soundcore Space Q45. A fair dinkum pair of headphones that'll do ya proud without emptyin' your wallet. Cheers, mate!

Kindle CustomerUnited States

Great headphones!

Love these headphones! Got them on sale for around $90 as I wanted something to compliment my soundcore open ear headphones and I already trusted the brand. Main points that made me go for these- Battery life: great run time, super quick recharge time as well. And it’s a USB-C like all my other devices. I can wear these for a large portion of my day (even on noise cancelling) as well as at home in the afternoons and still only charge them maybe once a week. And it’s such a low effort charge, as in I can just plug them in at my desk between tasks for whatever amount of time I have available and it’s fine. Maybe it’s been a while since I got new headphones but all the ones I’ve had in the past took HOURS to charge. I don’t think I’ve actually run these to dead yet! Functions: has normal, noise cancelling, and transparency. This is another big plus for me since I work in a shop but also have office time. I like noise cancelling when I’m alone doing office style work, but like transparency if I need to be more aware of my surroundings. Added bonus was that reviews were mixed on the comfort and fit, and at first I was weary of the fit, they are definitely not as snug as other headphones I’ve had in the past. But this has not effected the noise cancelling abilities, and once I figured out the best placement on my head they are surprisingly so light and comfortable that I’ve fallen asleep several times with them on and even waking up at 2 am there’s no discomfort! On the downside, these probably would not work for more rigorous activities, or tasks that involved lots of bending down or picking things up. Range: I can go the whole perimeter of the shop I work at with my phone on my desk and they don’t cut out! Granted there’s no real walls, so this might be different for other people. I don’t have any real con’s just a few things that I’m meh 🤷🏼‍♀️ about. The voice that announces battery life every time you turn it on (because it will auto connect to my audiobooks but the voice talks OVER them so I need to rewind). All the buttons on the right earmuff (left is power and function) I just find I have never needed any of them frequently enough to remember what’s what so they are kind of useless for me. And that when charging I can’t turn them on to use ( which is fine since they recharge super fast). Lastly, I was excited they came with a rigid case. It just wasn’t clear from the description I read if they were coming with a “case” that was just a draw string bag or something more protective, glad it was the latter!

John RichardUnited States

Another quality product from Soundcore

For full disclosure, I'll admit I got these as a Black Friday sale for $99, and that does have an impact on my opinion of them, but I do believe they are worth it even at full price. I also own a pair of Sony WH1000XM4s, as well as an older set of XM2s that I gave to my daughter, and I wanted another pair of headphones I can leave in my office, and these seemed to fit the bill. It seems reasonable to compare these to the XM4s. First and fore-most the Sonys ARE nicer. They have a more premium feel, the materials feel higher quality, and they are lighter. The comparison I would make are that the Sonys are like a Mercedes, but these are certainly a Honda or Toyota. The sound is incredible. The signature sound with bass up sounds really good to me, but I have also used the very excellent equalizer, and have them tuned to sound almost exactly like the XM4s. In fact, if you blindfolded me I not sure I would be able to tell the difference between the two. Noise cancelling is terrific. I used them this morning in the gym, and with the NC turned on I could barely hear the overhead music, and as soon as I started my own song I couldn't hear it at all. The transparency also works pretty well. It sounds a little "tinnier" than the Sony, but seems a bit more sensitive. Wearing them around the office I could hear everyone well. Some folks have complained about the lack of padding on the headband, but I've been wearing them for 3 hours and barely notice the headband. To be fair, I do have a lot of hair, and might be a problem if you're bald. They stay in place well, even at the gym, but I have a pretty big head. In conclusion, these are a terrific purchase that I can highly recommend. the Sonys are also completely worth it, but these Soundcore headphones are serious competitors. Update 5/8/2023: Holy Crap! They just made these even better. Latest firmware upgrade added the HearID! This is one of the features on the Liberty 3 pro earbuds (which I also LOVE) which makes them sound so good. I updated the firmware, did the hearing test and my God what a difference. I A-B tested with the XM4s and the Soundcores are clearly better. I may be able to tweak the Sonys to sound the same, but the HearID addition makes these cans an even better value. Might switch the Sonys to be my office headphone and use these as my "main duty" headphones. Couldn't be happier with this purchase.